tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90372911492699007952024-03-13T12:33:50.870-06:00The Utah MixologistIdeas, information, cocktail recipes, and entertaining tips for amateur mixologists and those who like shaking and pouring their own cocktails.--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-19080193742940396052015-08-26T18:51:00.002-06:002015-08-26T18:51:22.772-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – August 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UToxUZHSlNI/Vd5e3shIFZI/AAAAAAAAD44/A7ahmJYR5o4/s1600/Corpse%2BReviver%2BNo2%2BIMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UToxUZHSlNI/Vd5e3shIFZI/AAAAAAAAD44/A7ahmJYR5o4/s320/Corpse%2BReviver%2BNo2%2BIMG_0385.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corpse Reviver No. 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Utah Rye Whiskey lovers should be grateful to the UDABC this
month. As you may remember from these
posts, usually there are no Rye Whiskeys marked down in Utah. This month there are two, and good ones,
too! Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye and
Bulleit Rye Whiskeys are all on sale this month (over 10% off). Whether you like them for sipping, or in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/let-the-good-times-roll-with-a-sazerac-cocktail"><b>Sazerac</b></a>, this is a great month to
stock up on Rye! Except for the
Scotches, there is a passable selection of Whiskeys on SPA this month. In other news, a new offering from High West:
Rocky Mountain Rye 16 Year is now available for a price! Crown Royal Rye is another new product.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two years ago, the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State
Liquor Stores</a> seem to have begun a new pattern. Rather than enter the doldrums in August,
they have maintained an average level of items on SPA, this month there is a
respectable 315 items marked down, slightly more than in July. August usually marks the beginning of a
cooling trend as the days begin to grow noticeably shorter, but it’s still warm
enough that Utah’s amateur mixologists will have plenty of takers for their
cocktails when cocktail hour rolls around.
Here are some cocktail ideas that will save you money by taking
advantage of the marked down items.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brandy cocktail lovers will be pleased to find that E&J
XO Brandy is on SPA for $13.5 (a 21% reduction); try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d18-Sidecar-the-perfect-cocktail-to-end-a-bumpy-day"><b>Sidecar</b></a> (or any other cocktail
calling for Brandy), where it will hurt your wallet far less than using your
favorite Cognac. Deals on Vodka this
month include Grey Goose (CS# 034433 down 12% to $30) and
Absolut (CS# 034006 down 16% to $17).
Try these in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m3d30-White-Russian-Cocktail--it-sounds-wintry-but-is-good-all-year-round"><b>White Russian</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martini</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A classic Gin cocktail from The Savoy Cocktail Book is the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m4d6-Corpse-Reviver-No-2-cocktail-is-good-enough-to-rattle-your-bones"><b>Corpse Reviver No. 2</b></a>. This month you might want to try one using
Bombay Sapphire Gin (CS# 028236 down 15% to $23). If you’re looking for something to go into a
summer cooler like a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0099cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Tom Collins</span></b></a>, try
some New Amsterdam Gin (CS# 031475 down 19% to $13), an excellent economy
Gin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Purists may be offended by the Rum deals this month, all of
the Rums on sale are spiced or flavored except for Captain Morgan White. If you are so inclined, you can check out the
selection and try one in one or two of my favorite Rum
coolers: the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Mojito-cocktail-is-there-madness-in-mint" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Mojito</span></b></a> and the
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Rum-and-Coke-is-a-cocktail-No-way" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Rum and Coke</span></b></a> (with
lime, of course). You can check all of
the prices for yourself by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month; then search on “gin” or the product of your choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-87025664068605160742015-07-18T14:31:00.000-06:002015-07-18T14:31:24.657-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – July 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqvCoK8jQkI/Vaq3RwLJE3I/AAAAAAAAD3g/TryAgK4F6UY/s1600/Cinco%2Bde%2BMayo%2BMargarita%2BIMG_2481-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqvCoK8jQkI/Vaq3RwLJE3I/AAAAAAAAD3g/TryAgK4F6UY/s320/Cinco%2Bde%2BMayo%2BMargarita%2BIMG_2481-001.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Margarita for hot summer evenings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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July is usually the hottest month of summer, this year it
may lose out to June, but there’s still an adequate supply of hot weather in
store for Utah. Hot weather means that
when cocktail hour rolls around, Utah’s amateur mixologists should have plenty
of takers for their cocktails. The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) this month dropped from just over 400 in June to just over 300 in
July, so if you want to make some great cocktails, there are some good cocktail
ingredients on sale this month at the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State
Liquor Stores</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When it’s this hot (i.e. high 90’s to 100 for several days
in a row), my thoughts turn to frozen drinks, and for some reason that makes me
think of Rum. My wife and I will enjoy a
nice <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Pina-Colada-recipe-for-tropical-cocktail-enjoyment"><b>Piña Colada</b></a> or two every so many
hot evenings. If you limit your Piña
Coladas to light Rum, Bacardi’s is on sale this month, but if you don’t mind an
off-color drink, go with the Mount Gay Eclipse Rum (CS# 042666 down
14% to $19). It also goes well in two of
my favorite Rum coolers: the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Mojito-cocktail-is-there-madness-in-mint" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Mojito</span></b></a> and the
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Rum-and-Coke-is-a-cocktail-No-way" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Rum and Coke</span></b></a> (with
lime, of course). <o:p></o:p></div>
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As hot as it is, you are probably looking for some great
summer cooler cocktail recipes in time for your barbecue or pool party, or just
to enjoy after mowing the lawn. Here are
some suggestions that will save you money by taking advantage of items that are
marked down this month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The classic Gin cooler for hot weather is the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d7-Gin-and-Tonic-classic-summer-cocktail-recipe"><b>Gin and Tonic</b></a>. This month you might want to try one using
New Amsterdam Gin (1750ml CS# 031473 down 11% to $24), an excellent
economy Gin. It goes well in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0099cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Tom Collins</span></b></a>,
too. If you’re more interested in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a>, pick up some Hendricks
Gin (CS# 028625 down 8% to $34) or some Bombay Gin (CS# 028206 down 17% to
$19). No, it’s not a cooler, but it sure
does taste good!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deals on Vodka this month include liter
bottles of Ketel One (CS# 034457 down 10% to $28) and liters of Absolut (CS# 034007
down 7% to $25). If you like cranberry
juice, try these in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/cosmo-cooler-will-help-you-get-your-summer-cool-on"><b>Cosmo Cooler</b></a>, a descendant of the
classic cocktail. If
you like your Whiskey drinks (Bourbon anyone?) I can recommend a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-derby-day-time-for-a-classic-mint-julep-the-ultimate-derby-cocktail"><b>Mint Julep</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>,</b></span> so pick up a liter of
Evan Williams Single Barrel (down 7% to $27) and find some mint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of my favorite mixing Tequilas are marked down this
month: try El Jimador Reposado (CS# 089278 down 15% to $17), or the Blanco (down
15% to $17). Both of these go well in a
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a> (or enjoy one frozen),
or in two great Tequila coolers: the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d11-Margarita-Cooler-go-south-for-your-summer-cocktail" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Margarita Cooler</span></b></a>
and the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/tequila-mojito-cocktail-great-summer-cooler-for-tequila-lovers"><b>Tequila Mojito</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So find a shady spot when you get home
from work, kick back, and enjoy a nice summer cooler or a delicious cocktail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-15331889254626221112015-06-18T09:18:00.002-06:002015-06-18T09:18:54.178-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – June 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_I6ceoObzfk/VYLg_b8qDaI/AAAAAAAADwo/31WObvhx3tc/s1600/Bobby%2BBurns%2BIMG_0705-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_I6ceoObzfk/VYLg_b8qDaI/AAAAAAAADwo/31WObvhx3tc/s320/Bobby%2BBurns%2BIMG_0705-001.JPG" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Put
some Scotch to good use in a <br />Bobby Burns Cocktail.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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June brings the beginning of summer, and with summer comes
hot weather (upper 90s this weekend).
Hot weather and yard work make for thirsty people, so when cocktail hour
rolls around Utah amateur mixologists should have plenty of takers for their
cocktails. Just in time, the number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment)
in Utah this month rose from around 260 for May to over 400 in June. That means there are some quality cocktail
ingredients on sale this month at the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State
Liquor Stores</a>, so you can get what you need to make some tall coolers or
stir up some great cocktails. Here are
some ideas on how to use this month’s sale items to improve your cocktail
offerings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Irish Whiskey lovers will be happy to discover that Jameson
Black Barrel is now on SPA for the first time since it became available in Utah
last year for $30 (from $35); I had a chance to taste this one in Portland three
years ago and can tell you that you will enjoy it. Rye aficionados are in luck this month, too: Bulleit
95 Rye is marked down 11% to $25, along with George Dickel for those seeking a
lower price point. As for Bourbons,
there are about a dozen on sale this month, including single barrel offerings
from Basil Hayden and Elijah Craig. If
you like <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-derby-day-time-for-a-classic-mint-julep-the-ultimate-derby-cocktail"><b>Mint Julep</b></a> (I know I do), you might
want to try one with Gentleman Jack (down 9% to $29.5). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lovers of Scotch Whiskies should be happy this month: there
are ten single malts and six blends marked down just in the 750ml size. The single malts range from ten to 16 years
old, so enjoy. The blended Scotch
Whiskies include Johnnie Walker 12 year old ($35) and Chivas 12 year for $32. If you’re searching for a Scotch cocktail to
try this month, consider trying the classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/bobby-burns-a-cocktail-fling-from-the-italian-highlands"><b>Bobby Burns</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are not a lot of Rums on SPA this month, but you might
want to try some Appleton Estates VX (14% to $19) in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Mojito-cocktail-is-there-madness-in-mint" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Mojito</span></b></a> or the
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Rum-and-Coke-is-a-cocktail-No-way" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Rum and Coke</span></b></a>. June 14 was World Gin Day (we missed it), but
there are only a few Gins marked down this month. If you love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d7-Gin-and-Tonic-classic-summer-cocktail-recipe"><b>Gin and Tonic</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span> to cool
down in the hot weather, you might want to stock up on New Amsterdam Gin (CS# 031475
down 19% to $13), an excellent Gin for the price. Try some Tanqueray ($23)
in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see a great
deal on anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy,
post a response to this article. See the
following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah
DABC website. You can check out what
else is on sale (e.g. the wines, etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of the
markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-58160020959070854322015-05-09T18:41:00.000-06:002015-05-09T18:55:31.501-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – May 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGzJuTuAn6A/VU6oyFTAIfI/AAAAAAAADuo/d-hHGjSnBJc/s1600/Aviation%2BP1000700-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGzJuTuAn6A/VU6oyFTAIfI/AAAAAAAADuo/d-hHGjSnBJc/s320/Aviation%2BP1000700-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Good
Gin makes an Aviation <br />as fresh as the sky itself!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) at the
<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month
dropped off again this month into the middle two-hundreds; that’s normal for
May. There are, still, some quality
cocktail ingredients available this month, so you might be able to get what you
need to shake up some great cocktails.
Here are some ideas on how to use this month’s sale items to improve
your cocktail repertoire.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, there weren’t a lot of Bourbons on sale for
the derby last week; if you’re into Evan Williams, you’re set. Otherwise if you want a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-derby-day-time-for-a-classic-mint-julep-the-ultimate-derby-cocktail"><b>Mint Julep</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blt-can-the-cocktail-be-better-than-the-sandwich"><b>BLT</b></a>, I hope you still have some in
your bar. There’s not much in the way of
blended Scotch Whiskies marked down this month either: liter bottles of Chivas
Regal 12 YO are marked down around $5 to $40 and the 1750 ml bottles of Dewars
White Label are marked down to $47. If
you’re searching for a Scotch cocktail to try this month, consider going outlaw
with a <a href="file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/What%20Scottish%20outlaw%20might%20steal%20your%20heart%3f%20Why,%20the%20Rob%20Roy%20cocktail,%20of%20course:%20http:/www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/rob-roy-this-scottish-outlaw-may-steal-your-heart"><b>Rob Roy</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Martini lovers will be pleased to know that they don’t have
to go thirsty this month. Hendricks
Gin (8% to $34 makes an excellent <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span>). The other pick of the Gins this month is the
large bottle of Tanqueray (marked down 4% to $45) goes well in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/campden-cocktail-a-gin-and-lillet-classic"><b>Campden Cocktail</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>;</b></span> this
little known cocktail is one you should try. If you love Tanqueray <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d7-Gin-and-Tonic-classic-summer-cocktail-recipe"><b>Gin and Tonic</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span> while
sitting in the yard in the summertime, this might be a good time to stock up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The selection of Tequilas this month is not bad! This month Milagro Silver is marked down 13%
range to $26 and the Reposado is marked down 9% to $30. Combine them with Gran
Gala Orange Liqueur (an excellent, low cost Triple Sec marked down 14% to $19)
to make a dynamite <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>.</b></span> You will also find 1800 Silver (9% to $30) on
sale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see a great
deal on anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy,
post a response to this article. See the
following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah
DABC website. You can check out what
else is on sale (e.g. the wines, etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of the
markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-29226822189247452492015-04-18T18:06:00.002-06:002015-04-18T18:06:45.860-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – April 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmKk1dx_CKI/VTLw3qqlryI/AAAAAAAADtg/V7MscmrOdvc/s1600/Tanqueray%2BTaj%2BIMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmKk1dx_CKI/VTLw3qqlryI/AAAAAAAADtg/V7MscmrOdvc/s1600/Tanqueray%2BTaj%2BIMG_0850.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Tanqueray
Taj Cocktail<br />A concoction with Gin and Midori</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month they will find that the number of
marked down items has increased; the number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) increased from around 350 last month to almost 400 for April. Cocktailians who need to stock their bars can
find some nice bargains. There are some
quality cocktail ingredients available this month, so dust off your wallet and
your wallet and your shaker and get ready to mix some great cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a handful of <b>Bourbons</b>
on SPA this month; let’s hope they are holding them in reserve for the Derby
next month, always a big day for Bourbon.
In the 750ml size there is only one Single Barrel offering marked down: Basil
Hayden 8 Year (7% to $40). Sip it, or
you can make a very good <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a>, or perhaps even a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/take-a-stroll-with-the-boulevardier-cocktail"><b>Boulevardier</b></a>. One Scotch Whisky marked down this month that
you might want to pour into a cocktail like a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blood-and-sand-cocktail-will-cure-those-utah-desert-blues"><b>Blood and Sand</b></a>, is the Johnnie
Walker Red that has an 11% mark-down to $25.
Johnnie Walker 12 Year 750 ml. is marked down 7% to $40.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rum deals are few and far between this month if you
don’t count the “Spiced and Flavored” category.
<span style="color: #333333;">Appleton Estates VX is marked down 14% to $19,
you might want to experiment with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/just-an-old-fashioned-old-fashioned-cocktail"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Rum Old Fashioned</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span> Fortunately,
the UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila lovers. There are 16 Tequilas (<i>Platas, Añejos</i> and <i>Reposados</i>)
on SPA. My favorites include Herradura
Añejo at $51. This month Familia
Camarena Silver and Reposado are both marked down 15% to $17. It’s <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a> time! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you need some Dry Gin, Tanqueray Ten is marked down 9% to
$29. Try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a>. Always reliable Tanqueray is marked down $3
to $22 (try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>). If you like <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m11d12-Bottled-by-Bond-Recipe-for-the-Vesper-cocktail"><b>Vesper Martinis</b></a>, Ketel One (it’s
great with a lemon twist) is also on SPA for $21. There are also deals on Belevedere and Effen,
as well as the usual multitude of flavored Vodkas that are better not mentioned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a couple of <b>Liqueurs</b>
marked down this month. Amaretto Di
Amore ($12) goes great in <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m5d21-Mai-Tai-No-2-will-take-you-to-Tiki-Paradise"><b>Mai Tais</b></a> and is marked down around
14%. Disaronno Amaretto is marked down
to $23. Midori Melon Liqueur is marked
down 10% to $19; try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/tanqueray-taj-cocktail-may-pave-your-passage-to-india"><b>Tanqueray Taj</b></a><b>.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-35272886593670966392015-03-13T09:25:00.000-06:002015-03-13T09:25:12.615-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – March 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIhjB6PB__c/VQMA_sMZkGI/AAAAAAAADsI/9rylw3WptHY/s1600/French_75_IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIhjB6PB__c/VQMA_sMZkGI/AAAAAAAADsI/9rylw3WptHY/s1600/French_75_IMG_2518.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The
French 75 has a reliable kick...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> in March, they will be pleased to see that sale
tags are a little more in evidence than they have been during the last couple
of months, but not overwhelmingly so.
The number of marked down items has increased from January and February
lows into the “average” range. The
number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) rose from around 270 last
month to almost 350 in March. A few
quality cocktail ingredients are available this month, so get ready for some
great cocktails, but this is not a real bar-stocking opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With an incredible lack of timing (just like last year)
there is only one(!) Irish Whiskey on SPA for St. Patrick’s Day this month:
Tullamore Dew. If you enjoy Bourbons,
selections this month range include Knob Creek and Elijah Craig 12 Year, both
marked down around 5%. If you want to
make a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a>, or perhaps a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/take-a-stroll-with-the-boulevardier-cocktail"><b>Boulevardier</b></a>, try some. This month you might want to stock up on your
favorite <b>Liqueurs</b>. Liqueurs like Underground Herbal Spirit ($26)
and Frangelico ($23) are on sale, and also an excellent Triple Sec substitute
that works well in <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span>: Gran Gala Orange Liqueur (14%
to $19).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila lovers this
month. There are 13 Tequilas on SPA with
ten <i>Platas</i> and <i>Reposados</i> (there are four different 1800’s marked down). With seven different Platas... it’s <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a> time. Rum seems to have been overlooked this
month. If you like Dark Rums, Mount Gay
Eclipse Barbados Rum is marked down over 15% to $17, try it in a Rum <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/just-an-old-fashioned-old-fashioned-cocktail"><b>Old Fashioned</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>,</b></span> but
that’s about it for Rums. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you need some Gin, you can get Beefeaters for $21 or a
good “economy Gin”, New Amsterdam (CS# 031475), is marked down 13% from $16 to
$14 (try them in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>). If you have an open bottle of sparkling wine,
but you’re in the mood for something a little stronger than a Champagne
cocktail, try a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d18-Beat-the-heat-with-delicious-champagne-cocktails"><b>French 75</b></a> – a reliable Champagne
(and Gin) cocktail that is sure to have just the kick you need. If you’re more into Vodka Martinis, Tito’s
Handmade is marked down 10% to $18 this month.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website. You can check out what else is on sale (e.g.
the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-76582735137697183492015-01-24T13:05:00.000-07:002015-01-24T13:05:23.218-07:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – January 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip2u5jHPOC8/VMP6jK0stZI/AAAAAAAADqE/5YU7vxJyFgQ/s1600/BLT%2Bphoto%2B4-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip2u5jHPOC8/VMP6jK0stZI/AAAAAAAADqE/5YU7vxJyFgQ/s1600/BLT%2Bphoto%2B4-001.JPG" height="320" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLT Cocktail... better than a sandwich!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month, they will know that Santa Claus has
left the building. Special Price
Adjustments (SPAs) originate with the distributors of the products, not the
UDABC (only Clearance item price reduction come from the UDABC). Last month they were generous with the
holiday promotions. This month those
promotions are scarce. The number of
items on SPA drops from over 600 last month (when Santa was here) to barely
over 200 this month. Part of the reason
this post is so late is that things are so very depressing… Cocktailians in search of ingredients who
didn’t stock up in December will wish they had.
If this post seems short, you now know why. The forecast for next month is not much
better (230 items?), so tighten up your belt and wait for March.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tequila lovers may shed a tear at the lack of SPA tags on
the Tequila shelves; unless there is something wrong with my program, they will
find none! For those who love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martinis</b></a>, 1750ml bottles of Tito’s
Handmade are marked down 13% to $35, plus there is a small selection of other
Vodkas on sale. There isn’t much
excitement in the Rum shelves either this month: a trio of mid-price Darks
marked down around 20%: Cruzan, Bacardi Añejo, and Bacardi 1873 Solera.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re into Bourbons, liter bottles of Jack Daniels Black
Label is marked down 10% to $27. These should make a great <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blt-can-the-cocktail-be-better-than-the-sandwich"><b>BLT</b></a>; too bad that’s about it for
Bourbons (unless you count the $2 off Knob Creek). There are a couple of single malt Scotch Whiskies
that reside in the $50 range marked down this month (a Macallan 10 Year and a
Highland Park 12 Year) if you’re looking for something to put into a high end <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/bobby-burns-a-cocktail-fling-from-the-italian-highlands"><b>Bobby Burns</b></a>, give one a try. As usual, the number of Rye Whiskies on SPA
this month is low: one. <span style="color: #333333;">Knob Creek Rye Whiskey is
marked down </span>$2 to $33<span style="color: #333333;">. Try it in a Rye
cocktail like the </span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/celebrate-repeal-day-with-a-scofflaw-cocktail"><b>Scofflaw Cocktail</b></a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span> If you
need some liqueurs, there’s not much action there, either. Tuaca is marked down
a little over 10% this month; this vanilla and citrus-based liqueur mixes well
with Tequila (too bad there’s none of them on sale!) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-71211398933134811502014-12-12T15:58:00.000-07:002014-12-12T15:58:08.895-07:00Santa arrives early as Utah DABC rolls out sales for December 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pNnisfMsf8/VItxlt_fANI/AAAAAAAADow/ppU68o2Nmig/s1600/Negroni%2BIMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pNnisfMsf8/VItxlt_fANI/AAAAAAAADow/ppU68o2Nmig/s1600/Negroni%2BIMG_0519.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Negroni may be served in a cocktail glass,<br />or on the rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again there are over 600 items on Special Price
Adjustments (SPA) for the <b>December</b>
holidays (up from 329 last month), so when Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month, they
will expect to hear Santa chuckling.
These deals are great for gifts (given or received), or for stocking
your bar. Still need a <b>Christmas</b> gift for Dad (or Mom)? Don’t
forget to look at the gift items that are often found on the top shelf of the
Utah State Stores. These gift packages usually contain a bottle of liquor and
items like glasses or a shaker for about the same price as the bottle without
the gift. Some of them are pretty nice, others might be a little tacky. Shop early in the month for a better
selection and buy one for a lazy relative to give you for Christmas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First for Gin lovers: as the Gin revival continues, stores
have expanded their Gin sections to accommodate new brands. If your local store has a small selection,
visit a larger store when you have the chance to check out the new items. This month there is a variety of Gins marked
down, most of the good ones around 10%, more or less. Gins with price adjustments include offerings
from Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Beefeater, and even bargain Gin: New Amsterdam
(1750ml for $24). While you’re picking
up a nice bottle of Gin, pick up a bottle of <b>Campari</b> (on SPA this month) and try one of my favorite Gin
cocktails, a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m7d24-The-Negroni-a-delicious-twist-on-the-Americano"><b>Negroni</b></a>. You can look up all of the prices for
yourself by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month; then search on “Gin” or the product of your choice. Oh, and there are 13 non-flavored <b>Vodkas</b> marked down this month too
(including Ketel One and Chopin, if you’re a Vodka drinker.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now for the Whiskeys: There are 44 Whiskeys on SPA this
month (60 if you count 1750 ml bottles), so it’s a great opportunity to stock
up. Twelve different <b>Bourbons:</b> most of the major brands are represented, try
Bulleit ($25), and there are single barrel offerings from Basil Hayden, Elijah
Craig, and Evan Williams. <span style="color: #333333;">Kick back on Christmas Eve and enjoy a nice Bourbon </span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Manhattan</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">. </span>Three <b>Irish</b> that normally retail around $25 to $35 are marked down around
10%. <span style="color: #333333;"> There
are 20 Single Malt and Blended <b>Scotches</b>
marked down, including 9 twelve year olds and Glenlivet French Oak 15
year. This is your big chance to cheer
up <i>and</i> impress your old man with a
gift he’ll enjoy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is your chance to stock up on your favorite <b>Liqueurs</b> or buy them as gifts; 30 are
on SPA this month. Try Di Saronno
Amaretto ($23) over ice, or a favorite for cocktails: Amaretto Di Amore ($11);
both are marked down. Godiva Chocolate
Liqueur ($27) and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur ($16) are on SPA, along with a variety
of Irish Cream Liqueurs (great gifts for light drinkers) and Liqueurs like
Alize and Midori. A favorite Triple Sec
substitute: Gran Gala Orange Liqueur ($20) is on SPA, or feel free to go
upscale with Cointreau ($34). There are
only 11 (non-spiced) <b>Rums</b> on sale
this month. Appleton Estates VX Jamaica
Rum is the best of the bunch, or you can try Mount Gay Eclipse for $17. Sadly there are no high-end premium Rums to
put under your tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re looking for <b>Champagne</b>
for New Year’s Eve, there’s not a lot of the good stuff on sale this
month. Mumm Napa Brut is the pick at
$19, but the Barefoot Bubblies in the $9 range are decent and have won some
awards for their price range. I haven’t
quite forgotten you <b>Tequila</b> lovers,
either. There are 31 choices this month
in the Blanco or better categories, including some top brands!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website. You can check out what else is on sale (e.g.
the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-73632611764423465242014-11-21T13:33:00.000-07:002014-11-21T13:33:25.653-07:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – November 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGapJFxCmqM/VG-hLTk-hvI/AAAAAAAADn0/PGU-fOzqhFk/s1600/Cinco%2Bde%2BMayo%2BMargarita%2B-%2BCropped%2BIMG_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGapJFxCmqM/VG-hLTk-hvI/AAAAAAAADn0/PGU-fOzqhFk/s1600/Cinco%2Bde%2BMayo%2BMargarita%2B-%2BCropped%2BIMG_2481.JPG" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
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Salt Lake City cocktailians will be disappointed to see that
the Special Price Adjustment (SPA) list this month is a lot leaner than it was
last month (down from 419 to 329). This
is the normal pre-December slump that we experience every November; Santa Claus
comes in December, and his SPA list is usually <i>very</i> generous. We will soon
be presented with a cornucopia of liquor oriented gift items and sparkling
wines for New Year’s celebrations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember: November is the time to start looking up… to the
top shelf, that is. Boxed gift items that
are usually found on the top shelves of the Utah State Stores. These
promotional packages usually contain a bottle of liquor and items like logoed
glasses or a shaker for about the same price as the bottle without the gift
(quality of these “extras” varies).
These deals are great for gifts (given or received), or for stocking
your bar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For those who love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martinis</b></a>, this month it’s liters
of Skyy Vodka that are marked down from $22 to $19. There are also a bunch of other Vodkas and
the usual large number of flavored Vodkas on SPA. The standout Tequila deals this month are a
pair of El Jimadors: the Reposado and the Blanco are both marked down from $20
to $17. Regular readers will know that a
good Silver (or Plata or Blanco) is an essential ingredient in the ever popular
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/margarita-your-favorite-cocktail-for-cinco-de-mayo"><b>Margarita</b></a>, but this Reposado also
makes outstanding cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you were hoping for some Gin this month, you’re almost
out of luck. One good bet is Tanqueray
Rangpur Gin, marked down from $25 to $22. Try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>. New Amsterdam Gin, an excellent economy
Gin, is marked down this month (CS# 031475 down 20% to $12). If you have an open bottle of sparkling wine
and you’re in the mood for something a little stronger that a Champagne
cocktail, try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d18-Beat-the-heat-with-delicious-champagne-cocktails"><b>French 75</b></a> – a reliable Champagne
(and Gin) cocktail that is sure to have just the kick you need. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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November is not totally devoid of deals in the cocktail
area, however. If you’re into Bourbons,
and if you like something a little pricier, Jack Daniels® Single Barrel (CS# 026906)
is available for $47 (that’s a generous $3 off) should make a great Bourbon <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Manhattan</span></strong></a>. All (both!) of the Scotch Whiskies marked
down this month are blends, so if you’re looking for something to put into your
top-shelf <a href="file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/What%20Scottish%20outlaw%20might%20steal%20your%20heart%3f%20Why,%20the%20Rob%20Roy%20cocktail,%20of%20course:%20http:/www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/rob-roy-this-scottish-outlaw-may-steal-your-heart"><b>Rob Roy</b></a> you can get a bottle of Chivas
Regal 12 Year marked down 9% to $32.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Regarding any other sale or clearance items, if you see a
great deal on anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might
enjoy, post a response to this article.
See the following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how
to use the Utah DABC website. You can
check out what else is on sale (e.g. the wines, etc.) by clicking through to
the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA
Product List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of
the markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-72059095871889715352014-10-11T17:07:00.000-06:002014-10-11T17:07:49.166-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – October 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ZVhqgCRSk/VDm3ee_bOWI/AAAAAAAADms/2EnhLtGGqa4/s1600/Tequila%2BMole%2BManhattan%2BP1000101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ZVhqgCRSk/VDm3ee_bOWI/AAAAAAAADms/2EnhLtGGqa4/s1600/Tequila%2BMole%2BManhattan%2BP1000101.JPG" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tequila Mole Manhattan is both dry and sweet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Utah
cocktailians can rejoice that it’s October, and the colder weather means it’s
time for cocktails that are brown, bitter, and stirred. The count of items
marked down by the </span><a href="http://abc.utah.gov/"><b><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</span></b></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> has revived! The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) this month (419) is quite an increase compared to the 335 in
September, so now is a good time to get ready for cold weather cocktails by
stocking your bar with October bargains. As the nights grow cooler and the
early autumn days grow noticeably shorter, here are some cocktail ideas that,
combined with these sale items, can reduce your monthly cocktail spend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">If you
are into Bourbons, some good ones to try this month are Bulleit Frontier (down 11%
to $25), Elijah Craig 12 Year (down 8% to $23), and Woodford Reserve (down 8%
to $33). If you want to make a very mellow<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Manhattan</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">,
try one with some Woodford Reserve. If
you are tempted more by imported, brown liquors, there are a couple of good,
blended Scotch Whiskies marked down, too; so if you’re looking for something to
put into a really top-shelf<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blood-and-sand-cocktail-will-cure-those-utah-desert-blues"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Blood and Sand</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">, you can get some Dewars Special Reserve 12 Year (17% to $30). You might want to try a Glenlivet French Oak
15 Year (9% to $52). Feeling like some Barbados Rum? Mount Gay Eclipse is
marked down 10% to $18 this month, try it in your next<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-rapture-cocktail-will-carry-you-off-to-heaven-1"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Rapture</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">. There is also a large selection of spiced
Rums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">If your
taste runs to liquors of a lighter color even this late in the year, there are
still some deals for you. There are about 14 Tequilas marked down in October,
not counting the flavored ones. Familia
Camarena Tequilas, one of my favorite brands for mixing, have the Silver and
Reposado both marked down 10% to $18. If you’ve never tried one, give the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m2d18-The-El-Diablo--a-hot-cocktail-the-Devil-himself-might-enjoy"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">El Diablo</span></strong></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">a try. Deals on Vodka this month include liter bottles of
Tito’s Handmade (CS# 038176 down 15% to $17). (Great in a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m3d30-White-Russian-Cocktail--it-sounds-wintry-but-is-good-all-year-round"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">White Russian</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">.)
You might also like to try Ketel One (12% to $22) in a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Vodka Martini</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-21527164294135097722014-09-20T11:35:00.000-06:002014-09-20T11:35:27.076-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – September 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1wKPNGx3g0/VB24OI6ftlI/AAAAAAAADl8/dx5WJ1UFMUQ/s1600/Sidecar_cropped_IMG_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1wKPNGx3g0/VB24OI6ftlI/AAAAAAAADl8/dx5WJ1UFMUQ/s1600/Sidecar_cropped_IMG_2535.JPG" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">For a smooth ride, try a Sidecar!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Utah cocktailians can thank heaven that August is officially
over and the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a>
have once again loosened the SPA purse strings for September. The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) this month increased from only 288 in August to 335 in September.
That means it’s time to get ready for cold weather cocktails by stocking your
bar with September bargains. So as the
nights grow cooler and the late summer days grow noticeably shorter, here are
some cocktail ideas that, combined with some sale items, can stretch your cocktail dollar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In case you’re looking for liquors to
accompany the key ingredient of your cocktail, or even be the main ingredient,
you might want to try one of the following.
A favorite Triple-Sec substitute (if you’re still using that $10
Triple Sec, why not treat yourself? If you do, you may never go back...) is Gran
Gala Orange Liqueur, marked down 14% to $19.
It’s cheaper than Grand Marnier, but almost as good. E&J VSOP is a decent Brandy for mixing;
it’s marked down 21% to $11.5, can do good duty in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d18-Sidecar-the-perfect-cocktail-to-end-a-bumpy-day"><b>Sidecar</b></a> (or any other cocktail),
and will hurt your wallet far less than mixing with your favorite Cognac. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are some nice Plata Tequilas on sale this month. A couple you might like to try are Milagro
Silver (13% to $26) or 1800 Silver (6% to $29).
Either of these will make a dynamite <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>.</b></span> Why not mix them with Gran Gala Orange
Liqueur (see above)? There
is also a nice selection of Reposados marked down this month, check them out at
your local store.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are only a couple of Bourbons on price adjustment this
month; Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon can make a great <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blt-can-the-cocktail-be-better-than-the-sandwich"><b>BLT</b></a> and is available for $25 (7%
off). Another Bourbon on sale is Jack
Daniels Black Label for $22.5 (12% off). <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you enjoy Rum, the state has limited markdowns this
month. You might want to try Cruzan Dark
at $11. If you’re a fan of Appleton
Estates, VX is marked down 14% to $18. Vodka
lovers will be pleased that there is a good selection of Vodkas in bottles
large and small on sale this month, including Skyy and Stoli. All Vodka brands have their fans and
detractors, but there is something for almost everyone. Finally, Martini lovers will be pleased to
know that they don’t have to go thirsty this month. Hendricks Gin (6% to $34 makes an
excellent <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span>. There
are a handful of other Gins on sale, mostly in 1.75 liter bottles, so this might
be the time to stock up on your favorite.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-44170190862400557072014-08-15T18:43:00.000-06:002014-08-15T18:43:34.279-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – August 2014 – It’s raining Rye!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMi57AkeQ_U/U-6oyW186_I/AAAAAAAADkk/PQvSsX2fOvI/s1600/Corpse%2BReviver%2BNo2%2BIMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMi57AkeQ_U/U-6oyW186_I/AAAAAAAADkk/PQvSsX2fOvI/s1600/Corpse%2BReviver%2BNo2%2BIMG_0385.JPG" height="320" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc378197229"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Corpse
Reviver No. 2 cocktail will rattle your bones</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Utah Rye Whiskey lovers should be grateful to the UDABC this
month. As you may remember from these
posts, most months there are no Rye Whiskeys marked down in Utah. This month there are three, and good ones,
too! Knob Creek Rye, Pendleton 1910
Canadian Rye, and High West Double Rye Whiskeys are all on sale this month (all
about 10%). Whether you like them for
sipping, or in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/let-the-good-times-roll-with-a-sazerac-cocktail"><b>Sazerac</b></a>, this is a great month to
stock up on Rye! In other news, there
are two new Scotch Whiskies available this month in the $50-60 range for you
Scotch lovers: Talisker Storm (single malt) and Johnnie Walker Double Black
(blended).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last August, the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State
Liquor Stores</a> seem to have begun a new pattern. Rather than enter the doldrums in August,
they have maintained an average level of items on SPA, this month there is a respectable
288 item marked down, slightly more than in July. August usually marks the beginning of a
cooling trend as the days begin to grow noticeably shorter, but it’s still warm
enough that Utah’s amateur mixologists will have plenty of takers for their
cocktails when cocktail hour rolls around.
Here are some cocktail ideas that will save you money by taking
advantage of the marked down items.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In case you haven’t noticed, the UDABC has been slowly
expanding their selection of Gins, and there is now a made-in-Utah Gin
available: Beehive Jack Rabbit Gin ($28, Google it for more info). A classic Gin cocktail from The Savoy Cocktail
Book is the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m4d6-Corpse-Reviver-No-2-cocktail-is-good-enough-to-rattle-your-bones"><b>Corpse Reviver No. 2</b></a>. This month you might want to try one using
Bombay Sapphire Gin (CS# 028236 down 11% to $24). If you’re looking for something to go into a
summer cooler like a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0099cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Tom Collins</span></b></a>, try
some New Amsterdam Gin (CS# 031475 down 20% to $12), an excellent economy
Gin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lovers of Brandy cocktails will be pleased to find that
E&J XO Brandy is on SPA for $13.5 (an 18% reduction); try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d18-Sidecar-the-perfect-cocktail-to-end-a-bumpy-day"><b>Sidecar</b></a> (or any other cocktail
calling for Brandy), where it will hurt your wallet far less than using your
favorite Cognac. Deals on Vodka this
month include Grey Goose (CS# 034433 down 9% to $31) and Absolut
(CS# 034006 down 15% to $17). Try these
in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m3d30-White-Russian-Cocktail--it-sounds-wintry-but-is-good-all-year-round"><b>White Russian</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martini</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Purists may be offended by the Rum deals this month, all of
the Rums on sale are spiced or flavored...
If you are so inclined, you can check out the selection and try one
in one or two of my favorite Rum coolers: the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Mojito-cocktail-is-there-madness-in-mint" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Mojito</span></b></a> and the
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Rum-and-Coke-is-a-cocktail-No-way" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Rum and Coke</span></b></a> (with
lime, of course). You can check all of
the prices for yourself by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month; then search on “gin” or the product of your choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-70340290161805219832014-06-14T12:19:00.000-06:002014-06-14T12:19:51.265-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – June 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maSHgNrMaKA/U5yRnqdL4GI/AAAAAAAADdA/H-9GiGWng-k/s1600/Aviation+P1000700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maSHgNrMaKA/U5yRnqdL4GI/AAAAAAAADdA/H-9GiGWng-k/s1600/Aviation+P1000700.JPG" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy an Aviation Cocktail in honor of World Gin Day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June brings the beginning of summer, and with summer comes
hot weather. Hot weather and yard work
make for thirsty people, so when cocktail hour rolls around Utah amateur
mixologists should have plenty of takers for their cocktails. The number of
items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) in Utah this month rose from around 270
for May to a more generous 420 in June. That
means there are some quality cocktail ingredients on sale this month at the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a>, so you can get
what you need to make some tall coolers or shake up some great cocktails. Here are some ideas on how to use this
month’s sale items to improve your cocktail offerings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rye lovers are in luck this month, Knob Creek Rye is marked
down 11% to $40. As for Bourbons, there
are about a dozen on sale this month, including single barrel offerings from Elijah
Craig and Ridgemont Reserve. If you like
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-derby-day-time-for-a-classic-mint-julep-the-ultimate-derby-cocktail"><b>Mint Julep</b></a> (I know I do), you might
want to try one with Jack Daniels Black Label (down 8% to $24.5). There are not a lot of Rums on SPA this
month, but you might want to try some Appleton Estates VX (14% to $18) in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Mojito-cocktail-is-there-madness-in-mint" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Mojito</span></b></a> or the
classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Rum-and-Coke-is-a-cocktail-No-way" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #006699; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Rum and Coke</span></b></a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June 14 is World Gin Day, but there are only a few Gins
marked down this month. If you love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d7-Gin-and-Tonic-classic-summer-cocktail-recipe"><b>Gin and Tonic</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span> to cool
down in the hot weather, you might want to stock up on New Amsterdam Gin (CS# 031475
down 20% to $12), an excellent Gin for the price. Try some Tanqueray
($22) in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lovers of Scotch Whiskies should be happy this month: there
are nine single malts and eight blends marked down in a variety of sizes. The single malts range from ten to 16 years
old, so enjoy. The blended Scotch
Whiskies include Johnnie Walker 12 year old ($38) and Chivas 12 year for $40. If you’re searching for a Scotch cocktail to
try this month, consider trying the classic <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/bobby-burns-a-cocktail-fling-from-the-italian-highlands"><b>Bobby Burns</b></a>. The usual mix of Tequilas is marked down in
June, but you might want to try my favorite bargain Tequila: Familia Camarena
Silver or Reposado, both of which are marked down this month 15% to $17. If you want something a little more
expensive, I also like El Jimador Reposado, marked down to $37. If you’ve never tried one, give the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/tequila-mojito-cocktail-great-summer-cooler-for-tequila-lovers"><b>Tequila Mojito</b></a> a try. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Irish Whiskey lovers will be happy to discover that Jameson
Black Barrel is now available in Utah for $35 (not on SPA); I had a chance to
taste this one in Portland two years ago and can tell you that you will enjoy
it. As to any other sale or clearance
items, if you see a great deal on anything at your local state store that other
cocktailians might enjoy, post a response to this article. See the following list “Suggested by the
author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website. You can check out what else is on sale (e.g.
the wines, etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of the
markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-21548924243193081422014-05-17T14:56:00.000-06:002014-05-17T14:56:32.303-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – May 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Ldkna1UxY/U3fMns5kjFI/AAAAAAAADcU/_YuzP5AVFYQ/s1600/Campden_P1000050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Ldkna1UxY/U3fMns5kjFI/AAAAAAAADcU/_YuzP5AVFYQ/s1600/Campden_P1000050.JPG" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Campden Cocktail is quite a treat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) at the
<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month
dropped off again this month into the high two-hundreds. There are, still, some quality cocktail
ingredients available this month, so you might be able to get what you need to
shake up some great cocktails. Here are
some ideas on how to use this month’s sale items to improve your cocktail
repertoire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surprisingly, there weren’t a lot of Bourbons on sale for
the derby this month; if you’re into Evan Williams, you’re set. Otherwise if you want a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-derby-day-time-for-a-classic-mint-julep-the-ultimate-derby-cocktail"><b>Mint Julep</b></a> or a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blt-can-the-cocktail-be-better-than-the-sandwich"><b>BLT</b></a>, a liter of Jim Beam is about
it this month. There’s not much in the
way of blended Scotch Whiskies marked down this month either: 1750 ml bottles
of Chivas Regal are marked down around $5 to $65 and the large bottles of
Dewars White Label are marked down to $46.
If you’re searching for a Scotch cocktail to try this month, consider
going outlaw with a <a href="file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/What%20Scottish%20outlaw%20might%20steal%20your%20heart%3f%20Why,%20the%20Rob%20Roy%20cocktail,%20of%20course:%20http:/www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/rob-roy-this-scottish-outlaw-may-steal-your-heart"><b>Rob Roy</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Martini lovers will be pleased to know that they don’t have
to go thirsty this month. Hendricks
Gin (8% to $33 makes an excellent <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span>). The other pick of the Gins this month is the
large bottle of Tanqueray (marked down 6% to $45) goes well in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/campden-cocktail-a-gin-and-lillet-classic"><b>Campden Cocktail</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>;</b></span> this
little known cocktail is one you should try. If you love Tanqueray <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m6d7-Gin-and-Tonic-classic-summer-cocktail-recipe"><b>Gin and Tonic</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span> while
sitting in the yard in the summertime, this might be a good time to stock up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The selection of Tequilas this month is not bad! This month Milagro Silver is marked down 13%
range to $26 and the Reposado is marked down 9% to $30. Combine them with Gran
Gala Orange Liqueur (an excellent, low cost Triple Sec marked down 14% to $19)
to make a dynamite <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>.</b></span> You will also find 1800 Añejo (5% to $37) and
Silver (9% to $30) on sale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see a great
deal on anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy,
post a response to this article. See the
following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah
DABC website. You can check out what
else is on sale (e.g. the wines, etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of the
markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-77542918628798751442014-04-08T13:07:00.000-06:002014-04-08T13:07:39.845-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – April 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhg1ZbZYTiQ/U0RIm4ndUGI/AAAAAAAADa4/s0aguLfM2V8/s1600/Tanqueray+Taj+IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhg1ZbZYTiQ/U0RIm4ndUGI/AAAAAAAADa4/s0aguLfM2V8/s1600/Tanqueray+Taj+IMG_0850.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray Taj will put your Gin & Midori to good use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month they will find that the number of
marked down items has dropped back into the “high average” range. The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) dropped from around 440 last month to around 356 for April. Cocktailians who need to stock their bars can
still find some nice bargains. There are
some quality cocktail ingredients available this month, so dust off your wallet
and your wallet and your shaker and get ready to mix some great cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a few <b>Bourbons</b>
on SPA this month; let’s hope they are holding them in reserve for the Derby
next month, always a big day for Bourbon.
In the 750ml size there three Single Barrel offerings marked down: Elijah
Craig 12 Year (8% to $23), Knob Creek (6% to $33), and Basil Hayden 8 Year (7%
to $39). Sip it, or you can make a very
good <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a>, or perhaps even a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/take-a-stroll-with-the-boulevardier-cocktail"><b>Boulevardier</b></a>. The only Scotch Whisky marked down this month
that you might want to pour into a cocktail like a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blood-and-sand-cocktail-will-cure-those-utah-desert-blues"><b>Blood and Sand</b></a>, is the Bowmore
Legend Single Malt that has a small mark-down to $26. Johnnie Walker 12 Year 1750 ml. is marked
down 6% to $73.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, the UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila
lovers. There are 16 Tequilas (<i>Platas, Añejos</i> and <i>Reposados</i>) on SPA. My
favorites include Herradura Añejo. This
month Familia Camarena Silver and Reposado are both marked down 15% to
$17. It’s <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a> time! The Rum deals are few and far between this
month if you don’t count the “Spiced and Flavored” category. <span style="color: #333333;">Cruzan Dark is
marked down 23% to $10, you might want to experiment with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/just-an-old-fashioned-old-fashioned-cocktail"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Rum Old Fashioned</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you need some Dry Gin, Tanqueray Ten is marked down 9% to
$29. Try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-classic-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages-or-you"><b>Classic Martini</b></a>. Always reliable Beefeater is marked down $3
to $22 (try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>). If you like <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m11d12-Bottled-by-Bond-Recipe-for-the-Vesper-cocktail"><b>Vesper Martinis</b></a>, Ketel One (it’s
great with a lemon twist) is also on SPA for $22. There are also deals on Belevedere and Skyy,
as well as the usual multitude of flavored Vodkas that are better not
mentioned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a couple of <b>Liqueurs</b>
marked down this month. Amaretto Di
Amore ($12) goes great in <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m5d21-Mai-Tai-No-2-will-take-you-to-Tiki-Paradise"><b>Mai Tais</b></a> and is marked down around
14%. Midori Melon Liqueur is marked down
10% to $19; try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/tanqueray-taj-cocktail-may-pave-your-passage-to-india"><b>Tanqueray Taj</b></a><b>.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-54374029354658676892014-03-19T20:08:00.001-06:002014-03-19T20:08:37.179-06:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – March 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tayQHh5Ov6w/UypNJyAq4JI/AAAAAAAADaE/MTlP_GJyCJ0/s1600/CampariOle-P1000121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tayQHh5Ov6w/UypNJyAq4JI/AAAAAAAADaE/MTlP_GJyCJ0/s1600/CampariOle-P1000121.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campari Ole will put that sale Tequila to<br />good use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> in March, they will be excited to see that sale
tags are more in evidence than they have been during the last couple of
months. The number of marked down items
has increased from January and February lows into the “above average” range. The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) rose from around 230 last month to over 440 in March. Cocktailians who have been waiting to stock
their bars will see that this is an opportunity. Quite a few quality cocktail ingredients are
available this month, so get ready for some great cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila lovers this
month. There are 16 Tequilas on SPA with
plenty of <i>Platas</i> and <i>Reposados</i>. My favorites range from El Jimador to
Herradura; and there are four different 1800’s marked down, too. Leave your credit card at home... it’s <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a> time. Rum seems to have been overlooked this
month. If you like Dark Rums, Mount Gay
Eclipse Barbados Rum is marked down over 15% to $17, try it in a Rum <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/just-an-old-fashioned-old-fashioned-cocktail"><b>Old Fashioned</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>,</b></span> but
that’s about it for Rums. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you need some Gin, my favorite “economy Gin”, New
Amsterdam (CS# 031475), is marked down 13% from $15 to $13 (try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>). If you have an open bottle of sparkling wine
but you’re in the mood for something a little stronger than a Champagne
cocktail, try a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d18-Beat-the-heat-with-delicious-champagne-cocktails"><b>French 75</b></a> – a reliable champagne
(and Gin) cocktail that is sure to have just the kick you need. If you’re more into Vodka Martinis, Tito’s
Handmade is marked down 15% to $17 this month.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you enjoy Bourbons, selections this month range from Jack
Daniels Black Label (down 8% to $23) to Blanton Single Barrel (down 5% to $53). If you want to make a very good <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><b>Manhattan</b></a>, or perhaps a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/take-a-stroll-with-the-boulevardier-cocktail"><b>Boulevardier</b></a>, try some Woodford
Reserve ($30) or Ridgemont Reserve 1792 ($29).
This month you might want to stock up on your favorite <b>Liqueurs</b>. Liqueurs like Underground Herbal Spirit ($25)
and Frangelico ($23) are on sale, and also an excellent Triple Sec substitute
that works well in <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/it-s-the-day-for-a-margarita-the-classic-cinco-de-mayo-cocktail"><b>Margarita</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span>: Gran Gala Orange Liqueur (14%
to $19).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-5145351017544054292014-02-22T13:02:00.001-07:002014-02-22T13:02:28.196-07:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – February 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5KHN7gEBfE/UwkBLPxjBeI/AAAAAAAADZE/-g71Jh3aTpg/s1600/El+Diablo+IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5KHN7gEBfE/UwkBLPxjBeI/AAAAAAAADZE/-g71Jh3aTpg/s1600/El+Diablo+IMG_0309.JPG" height="200" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Diablo is a cocktail the <br />Devil himself might enjoy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As is usually the case in February, a monthly UABC post that
appears this late means that there is not much to write about. If the Utah Mixologist had not stocked up in
December and didn’t expect to see around 400 items on markdown in March, he
would be really depressed this month. The number of marked down items at the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a> in February has
increased only slightly from January.
This month the number of items on SPA rose from under 180 to around 230,
barely more than a third of the over 615 items marked down in December. Obviously, this is not the time to stock your
bar, but there are still a few quality cocktail ingredients available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re into Bourbons, you’re almost out of luck this
month. The pick of the lot is the Knob
Creek, marked down $2 to $33, but Evan Williams Single Barrel is marked down,
too. The only Scotch Whisky marked down
this month is Macallan Ten Year Old, marked down $2 to $40, so if you’re
looking for a blended Scotch to put into a <a href="file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/What%20Scottish%20outlaw%20might%20steal%20your%20heart%3f%20Why,%20the%20Rob%20Roy%20cocktail,%20of%20course:%20http:/www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/rob-roy-this-scottish-outlaw-may-steal-your-heart"><b>Rob Roy</b></a> you’re out of luck. If you need some liqueurs, Amaretto Di Amore is
marked down almost 15% this month. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of Tequilas on SPA this month has been generously
increased from one to four! Discerning
Tequila lovers may want to forgo the Tortilla Gold Blend at $7, but the
Herradura Añejo (CS# 003656) marked down $5 to $50 might be worth the
investment. Regular readers will know
that a good Silver (or Plata or Blanco) is an essential ingredient in <span style="color: #333333;">the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m2d18-The-El-Diablo--a-hot-cocktail-the-Devil-himself-might-enjoy"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">El Diablo</span></strong></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;">, but this month the only
Plata is El Charro, marked down from $17 to $15</span></span>. For those who love <a href="http://www.utahmixologist.com/search/label/Cosmopolitan"><b>Cosmopolitan</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>s</b></span> or <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martinis</b></a>, there are two Vodkas
in 750 ml bottles on SPA. Effen Vodka,
down 7% to $25, may interest some of you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no excitement in the Rum shelves this month. Bottles of Bacardi 8 are marked down around
16% to $16, and that’s it! Let’s hope
for better pricing next month. As to any
other sale or clearance items, if you see anything at your local state store
that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response to this article. See the following list “Suggested by the
author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website. You can check out what else is on sale (e.g.
the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-51348362031865784622014-01-10T17:21:00.000-07:002014-01-10T17:21:02.955-07:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – January 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PO6FbdXopNY/UtCN5osyCxI/AAAAAAAADX8/mm5UAOGyylE/s1600/BLT+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PO6FbdXopNY/UtCN5osyCxI/AAAAAAAADX8/mm5UAOGyylE/s1600/BLT+photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLT Cocktail: simple, but delicious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah
DABC State Liquor Stores</a> this month, they will know that Santa Claus has
left the building. Special Price
Adjustments (SPAs) originate with the distributors of the products, not the
UDABC (only Clearance item price reduction come from the UDABC). Last month they were generous with the
holiday promotions. This month those
promotions are scarce. The number of
items on SPA drops from over 600 last month when Santa was around to under 200
this month. Cocktailians in search of
ingredients who didn’t stock up in December will wish they had. If this post seems short, you now know why. The forecast for next month is not much
better, so tighten up your belt and wait for March.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’re into Bourbons, liter bottles of Wild Turkey 101
and Jack Daniels Black Label are both marked down 10% to for $27. These should
make a great <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/blt-can-the-cocktail-be-better-than-the-sandwich"><b>BLT</b></a>; too bad that’s about it for
Bourbons. There is only one Scotch
Whisky (a blend) marked down this month: liter bottles of Chivas Regal 12 YO
are marked down 7% to $40, so if you’re looking for something to put into your
high end <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/bobby-burns-a-cocktail-fling-from-the-italian-highlands"><b>Bobby Burns</b></a>, give it a try. As usual, the number of Rye Whiskies on SPA
this month is low: one: <span style="color: #333333;">Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey is
marked down </span>11% to $24<span style="color: #333333;">; my friends and I
almost killed a whole bottle New Year’s Eve, so it’s time to stock up. Try it
in a Rye cocktail like the </span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/celebrate-repeal-day-with-a-scofflaw-cocktail"><b>Scofflaw Cocktail</b></a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span> If you
need some liqueurs, there’s not much action there, either. Tuaca is marked down
a little over 10% this month; this vanilla and citrus-based liqueur mixes well
with Tequila. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tequila lovers may shed a tear at the lack of SPA tags on
the Tequila shelves; unless there is something wrong with my program, they will
find one! Your option for Tequila deals
this month is Epsolon Reposada (12% to $23).
For those who love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martinis</b></a>, 1750ml bottles of
Ketel One® are marked down 10% to $45, and there is a variety of under $20
Vodkas on sale. There isn’t much
excitement in the Rum shelves either this month: Cruzan Light Rum is marked
down 8% to $22 for a 1750ml bottle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response to
this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-65214784851073518402013-12-06T22:01:00.000-07:002013-12-06T22:01:01.695-07:00Santa arrives early as Utah DABC rolls out sales for December 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og8o0cewfdE/UqKrECCSk7I/AAAAAAAADXM/CXyzf_JuCV0/s1600/Aviation+P1000697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og8o0cewfdE/UqKrECCSk7I/AAAAAAAADXM/CXyzf_JuCV0/s320/Aviation+P1000697.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Try an Aviation cocktail made with Aviation Gin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are over 600 items on Special Price Adjustments (SPA)
for the <b>December</b> holidays, so when
Utahans walk into the <a href="http://abc.utah.gov/">Utah DABC State Liquor Stores</a>
this month, they will expect to hear Santa chuckling. These deals are great for gifts (given or
received), or for stocking your bar.
(Note: later in the month there will be a separate post on pre-New
Year’s price adjustments (actually available all December) on sparkling
wines.) Need a <b>Christmas</b> gift for Dad (or Mom)? Don’t forget to look at the gift
items that are often found on the top shelf of the Utah State Stores. These
gift packages usually contain a bottle of liquor and items like glasses or a
shaker for about the same price as the bottle without the gift. Some of them
are pretty nice, others might be a little tacky. Shop early in the month for a better
selection and buy one for a lazy relative to give you for Christmas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First: great news for Gin lovers: the DABC is now stocking
Aviation Gin (CS 400413, $30). This highly
rated American Gin makes a great Martini or <b><a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/take-flight-with-the-aviation-cocktail">Aviation
cocktail</a></b>. Give it a try (call
ahead to see if your local store carries it).
This month there is a variety of Gins marked down, most of the good ones
around 10%, plus or minus. Gins with
price adjustments include offerings from Bombay Sapphire®, Tanqueray®,
Beefeater®, and even the surprisingly good, bargain Gin: New Amsterdam (1750ml for
$24). While you’re picking up a nice
bottle of Gin, pick up a bottle of <b>Campari</b>
(on SPA this month) and try one of my favorite Gin cocktails, a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2010m7d24-The-Negroni-a-delicious-twist-on-the-Americano"><b>Negroni</b></a>. You can look up all of the prices for
yourself by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month; then search on “gin” or the product of your choice. Oh, and there are 24 non-flavored <b>Vodkas</b> marked down this month too, if
that’s your thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now for the Whiskeys: There are 70 Whiskeys on SPA this
month, so it’s a great opportunity to stock up. 18 different <b>Bourbons:</b> Most of the major brands are represented; try
Buffalo Trace ($22), and there are single barrel offerings from Blanton, Eagle
Rare, and Evan Williams. Four <b>Irish</b> that normally retail around $25
are marked down around 10%. <span style="color: #333333;"> Kick back on Christmas Eve and enjoy a nice
Bourbon </span><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Manhattan</span></strong></a><span style="color: #333333;">. There are 23 Single Malt and Blended <b>Scotches</b> marked down, including 10
twelve year olds and Glenlivet French Oak 15 year. This is your big chance to cheer up <i>and</i> impress your old man with a gift he’ll
enjoy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Now is your chance to stock up on your favorite <b>Liqueurs</b> or buy them as gifts; 30 are
on SPA this month. Try Di Saronno
Amaretto ($23) over ice, or a favorite for cocktails: Amaretto Di Amore ($11);
both are marked down. Godiva Chocolate
Liqueur ($27) and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur ($16) are on SPA, along with a variety
of Irish Cream Liqueurs (great gifts for light drinkers) and Liqueurs like
Alize and Midori. A favorite Triple Sec
substitute: Gran Gala Orange Liqueur ($20) is on SPA, or feel free to go
upscale with Cointreau ($34.3). There
are only 10 (non-spiced) <b>Rums</b> on
sale this month. Appleton Estates VX
Jamaica Rum is the best of the bunch, or you can try Bacardi 8 for $16. Sadly there are no high-end premium Rums to put
under your tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything
at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response
to this article. See the following list
“Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC
website. You can check out what else is
on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns
for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-82098631994729054792013-11-14T16:11:00.001-07:002013-11-14T16:11:18.038-07:00Cocktail ingredients Utah update – November 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RDK-plELgg/UoVYPJXymtI/AAAAAAAADWs/RCXw78WctP8/s1600/Vodka_Martini_IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RDK-plELgg/UoVYPJXymtI/AAAAAAAADWs/RCXw78WctP8/s320/Vodka_Martini_IMG_2504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vodka Martini with a twist <i>and </i>an olive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Salt Lake City cocktailians will be disappointed to see that
the Special Price Adjustment (SPA) list this month is a lot leaner than it was
last month (down from 422 to 301). This
is the normal pre-December slump that we experience every November; Santa Claus
comes in December, and his SPA list is usually <i>very</i> generous. We will soon
be presented with a cornucopia of liquor oriented gift items and sparkling
wines for New Year’s celebrations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember: November is the time to start looking up… to the
top shelf, that is. Boxed gift items
that are usually found on the top shelves of the Utah State Stores. These promotional
packages usually contain a bottle of liquor and items like logoed glasses or a
shaker for about the same price as the bottle without the gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you were hoping for some Gin this month, you’re almost
out of luck. One good bet is Tanqueray
Rangpur Gin, marked down from $25 to $22. Try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Blue-Tom-Collins-You-must-be-kidding"><b>Tom Collins</b></a>. New Amsterdam Gin, an excellent economy
Gin, is marked down this month (CS# 031475 down 20% to $12). If you have an open bottle of sparkling wine and
you’re in the mood for something a little stronger that a Champagne cocktail,
try it in a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d18-Beat-the-heat-with-delicious-champagne-cocktails"><b>French 75</b></a> – a reliable Champagne
(and Gin) cocktail that is sure to have just the kick you need. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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For those who love <a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/the-ultimate-vodka-martini-a-cocktail-for-the-ages"><b>Vodka Martinis</b></a>, this month it’s
bottles of Tito’s Handmade Vodka that are marked down from $40 to $35. There are also a bunch of other Vodkas and
the usual large number of flavored Vodkas on SPA. The standout Tequila deals this month are a
pair of El Jimadors: the Reposado and the Blanco are both marked down from $20
to $17. Regular readers will know that a
good Silver (or Plata or Blanco) is an essential ingredient in the ever popular
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/margarita-your-favorite-cocktail-for-cinco-de-mayo"><b>Margarita</b></a>, but this Reposado also
makes outstanding cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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November is not totally devoid of deals in the cocktail area,
however. If you’re into Bourbons, and if
you like something a little pricier, Jack Daniels® Single Barrel (CS# 026906)
is available for $46 (that’s a generous $3 off) should make a great Bourbon <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8584-Salt-Lake-City-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m5d16-Manhattan-Cocktail-recipes-for-an-old-standard"><strong><span style="color: #3e72a7;">Manhattan</span></strong></a>. All (both!) of the Scotch Whiskies marked
down this month are blends, so if you’re looking for something to put into your
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/What%20Scottish%20outlaw%20might%20steal%20your%20heart%3f%20Why,%20the%20Rob%20Roy%20cocktail,%20of%20course:%20http:/www.examiner.com/cocktails-in-salt-lake-city/rob-roy-this-scottish-outlaw-may-steal-your-heart"><b>Rob Roy</b></a> you can get a large (1750
ml.) bottle of Dewars® White Label marked down 8% to $46.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see a great
deal on anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy,
post a response to this article. See the
following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah
DABC website. You can check out what
else is on sale (e.g. the wines, etc.) by clicking through to the “<a href="http://abc.utah.gov/products/documents/spa_pricelist.pdf">SPA Product
List</a>” to open an online price book in PDF format that shows all of the
markdowns for the current month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-15040054158067432742013-10-28T18:41:00.000-06:002013-10-28T18:41:03.907-06:00Cripple Creek rocks out at Portland Cocktail Week<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aHQ2etJQKNQ/Um8DZCxjaOI/AAAAAAAADWU/Ozqv4CAbX0A/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aHQ2etJQKNQ/Um8DZCxjaOI/AAAAAAAADWU/Ozqv4CAbX0A/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0812.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cripple Creek mixes and pours cocktails live on stage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday night’s <b><a href="http://www.portlandcocktailweek.com/">Portland Cocktail Week</a></b>
(PDXCW) bash was “An Evening with Cripple Creek” at the Star Theater in
Portland, which was billed as a “live multi-sensory cocktail experience”. While a key component of PDXCW is Bartender
Education, and the well-attended classes show how important that is, a cocktail
week would not be a cocktail week without a shaker-full of parties, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The event is a total cocktail experience, with loud music,
rock-star bartenders, cocktails with coordinated scents, paired lighting and
DJ'd music by Michael O'Rourke, and a turned on audience. While Aaron Polsky of Amor y Amargo, Damon W.
Boelte of Prime Meats, and Mayur Subbarao of Bittermens Spirits and Dram
cavorted and mixed cocktails on stage, PDXCW volunteers waited to dash along
roped-off access routes to get cocktails to every member of the audience almost
instantly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The size of the audience dictated that glassware not be
used, so while a large batch of cocktail was being mixed by the rockers on
stage, six or eight large trays full of one-ounce plastic glasses were ferried
in and placed on tables at the front of the stage, ready for the pour. These might be empty, or contain ice, or
perhaps a garnish. When the theatrically
mixed concoction was ready, it would be carefully (LOL) poured into the
mini-glasses and then run up to the crowd by the volunteers. Audience members were encouraged to drink as
many of the mini-cocktails as they wanted.
All things considered, most were fairly good and only a couple were so-so
(out of around eight); not bad, actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The process seems to poke a little fun at molecular mixology
and rock-star bartenders, with dry ice, fog, grated truffles, drops of liqueur dribbled
or mists of scent broadcast into each of the one-ounce cups (and there were a
lot of them!). At the same time it
showed what you could do with these tools.
Cripple Creek seemed to combine known cocktails with some originals (or original
ingredients) to create a fun, multi-sensory evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-6798498503048393272013-10-28T18:03:00.000-06:002013-10-28T18:03:18.178-06:00US launch of high-end Beefeater Burroughs Reserve Gin at PDXCW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sP1th3y98/Um73kk-35RI/AAAAAAAADWE/9IcREPFN9vs/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sP1th3y98/Um73kk-35RI/AAAAAAAADWE/9IcREPFN9vs/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0819.JPG" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beefeater hosted a tasting of its new Burrough’s Reserve Gin
Wednesday as part of <b><a href="http://www.portlandcocktailweek.com/">Portland Cocktail Week</a></b>
(PDXCW) and the Gin’s American launch. Master
Distiller Desmond Payne was present at The Rookery at Raven & Rose in
Portland to present his new Gin and to talk about its development. The new, hand-crafted, ultra-Premium Gin is
named in honor of Beefeater founder James Burrough and begins by using Burrough’s
original 1860s recipe and an original copper pot “Still Number 12” that has a
capacity of only 268 liters (about 70 gallons).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Payne has been making Gin for 46 years and, as designer
of Beefeater 24, definitely knows his business.
He believes that Gin is coming back in fashion, and wanted to create a
Gin that would appeal to specialists. Beefeater
still uses the original recipe from 1860s, but in more industrial size
batches. One of Payne’s first
discoveries was that when he made the much smaller batches in the original pot
still, it changed the character of the Gin.
He reported that the first time he tried putting it in wood, he didn’t
really like the result, but experimentation and perseverance bore fruit when he
tried used French oak Jean de Lillet (an aperitif) barrels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The barrels add a new dimension to the Gin, but they may
only be used twice before their taste contribution is exhausted. Even then, the second fill doesn’t taste
quite like the first, so barrels from the two fills are blended to achieve the
final result: an excellent, ultra-premium sipping Gin. Special, two-part glasses were designed for
tastings to show off the different characteristics of Burrough’s Reserve (see
photo). Payne states that the Gin is
best when stored in the freezer and sipped undiluted. We were given two portions of Gin: one in the
top saucer-like glass and the other in the lower columnar glass. The top glass brings out more fruitiness and
some of the wood, while the bottom glass brings out even more wood and emphasizes
the contribution of some of the botanicals.
The bottom glass delivered my favorite sensory combination, and I soon
poured my top glass into the bottom to enjoy more of my favorite flavor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><a href="http://pernod-ricard.com/5837/press/news-press-releases/headlines/burrough-s-reserve-the-gin-for-free-thinkers-by-beefeater">Burrough’s
Reserve</a></b> is intended to be sipped, and goes well with dried fruit and
cheese. It is pale gold in color, it is
rested in wood, but not aged like a Whiskey.
Cocktail recipes are available, but I recommend enjoying this one as
intended. It is expected to retail for
around $70 a bottle in the US, but the small batch size (each bottle bears the
number of the batch <i>and</i> the number of
the bottle) means it may be hard to find.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-65417686778812331712013-10-23T18:57:00.000-06:002013-10-28T18:56:46.437-06:00Vraie Absinthe tasting at St. Jack in Portland for PDXCW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n11j6NfYj7U/UmhwGfXryhI/AAAAAAAADVo/EdIEF6werY0/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n11j6NfYj7U/UmhwGfXryhI/AAAAAAAADVo/EdIEF6werY0/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pernod has announced the re-launch of its original Absinthe formula,
and hosted a comparison tasting of the two products at <b><a href="http://www.portlandcocktailweek.com/">Portland Cocktail Week</a></b>
(PDXCW) Monday. After Absinthe was
outlawed in the early twentieth century, the “real deal,” when it could be
found, was known in France as “la vraie Absinthe.” Absinthe was reputed to have hallucinogenic
powers due to the presence of wormwood and would be banned for almost a
century. In reality, Absinthe is not any
more dangerous than other distilled spirit, although its high ABV (as high as
74%) probably made it popular among alcoholics who might have been prone to
hallucinations anyway. It is also true
that the French wine industry wanted it banned because people were drinking
more Absinthe and less wine. (Learn more
of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe">history of Absinthe on
Wikipedia</a>.) Within a few years, the
Pernod company had a pastis available that contained less alcohol and no
wormwood (as did other makers) and that’s how things remained until almost the
present day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssADqjdLm6U/UmhwGTLmVNI/AAAAAAAADVs/w4ojyi7nsDA/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssADqjdLm6U/UmhwGTLmVNI/AAAAAAAADVs/w4ojyi7nsDA/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0775.JPG" width="191" /></a></div>
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Around the turn of the century it was found that many
countries did not have a formal ban on the ingredients in Absinthe because none
of them were harmful, and a revival began.
More and more countries began to allow Absinthe and brands proliferated. Pernod released a new Absinthe, but there was
a demand for the original formula. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pernod has expended some effort researching the recipe from
original documents and trying to make the product as authentic as possible. The base spirit will be wine-based (not
grain), made with grapes from Languedoc as it was in the original. The wormwood will be cultivated in
Pontarlier, France, the historical home of Pernod Absinthe, and the Absinthe will
be naturally colored through maceration of green nettles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The tasting was held at <a href="http://stjackpdx.com/">St.
Jack restaurant</a> in suburban Portland.
This small, French restaurant features French café food, and their
cocktail hour is called “The Green Hour” in a nod to the Green Fairy, Absinthe. You will be happy to hear that Pernod’s effort
has paid off. The new “original formula”
compares well with the current product.
It seems slightly sweeter, but also more mellow. The taste of wormwood and anise, combined
with other herbal notes, is what Absinthe is all about. Absinthe aficionados will want to give this
one a try. (ABV 68%, $68)<o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-31054068246832606832013-10-23T18:51:00.002-06:002013-10-23T18:58:54.911-06:00Bartenders pick up advanced bar techniques at Portland Cocktail Week<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjld2kaofzU/Umhwky1db7I/AAAAAAAADV0/BgYyLTinhgo/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjld2kaofzU/Umhwky1db7I/AAAAAAAADV0/BgYyLTinhgo/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">From the left: Angus Winchester, Derek Brown, <br />Sam
Ross, and Joaquin Simo </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Living up to its billing as a conference organized by and
for bartenders, <b><a href="http://www.portlandcocktailweek.com/">Portland Cocktail Week</a></b>
(PDXCW) is placing heavy emphasis on bartender education this year. The four major courses of study being offered
by the Portland Bartender Institute are Advanced Craft Cocktail Bartending, Beyond
the Bar, Bar Ownership, and Product Development. Classes are intended to
improve bartenders’ technical skills as well as help them plan their long-term
career aspirations. The students take
these classes seriously and take plenty of notes during the sessions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Monday, the Advanced Craft Cocktail Bartending track
opened with a session titled “Advanced Bar Technique” that was a panel
discussion featuring Derek Brown of The Passenger and Mockingbird Hill, Joaquin
Simo of Pouring Ribbons, Sam Ross of Attaboy, and Angus Winchester, Tanqueray
Global Ambassador. This session was
interesting because it expanded the concept of technique beyond what most
people think it is. Derek Brown kicked-off
the class by proposing that technique is everything we do to create cocktails,
and that we must keep four P’s in mind:</div>
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<ul>
<li>People (including reading your guests, staff development,
and interpersonal skills)</li>
<li>Property (including bar design, Mis en Place (where you put
the items required to make a cocktail), and equipment)</li>
<li>Profit (we’re in this to make money, but how well you do on the
other P’s will drive this one)</li>
<li>Product (it is not just the craft cocktails you’re creating,
it’s also the food and the ambiance)</li>
</ul>
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The presenters were very entertaining (they are all bartenders,
after all) and had plenty of tips and good advice for their bartender students.
Here are some notes that stood out in the wide ranging discussion:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Customer relations are paramount to your success, and it’s
not just how you treat people, it’s also how you make them feel.</li>
<li>Top level bartending is like a sport, practice is necessary.</li>
<li>Everything in your back-bar should be there for a reason; to
impress people is <i>not</i> a good reason.</li>
<li>Many popular, inexpensive liquors are still around because
they are good products that have amortized their physical plant, don’t look
down on them.</li>
<li>Mis en Place is important to efficient service and will
ultimately drive profits.</li>
<li>Customers are a lot more knowledgeable than there were ten
years ago, and there are a lot more craft cocktail bars for competition.</li>
</ul>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037291149269900795.post-41423341634278524542013-10-23T18:43:00.003-06:002013-10-23T18:43:57.307-06:00Eighty Six Company shares its brands at Portland Cocktail Week<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zd4dvd6Niw4/UmhtEXyb1fI/AAAAAAAADVY/luhXVt9CcDk/s1600/PDXCW13-IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zd4dvd6Niw4/UmhtEXyb1fI/AAAAAAAADVY/luhXVt9CcDk/s320/PDXCW13-IMG_0752.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Ford makes a point about Fords Gin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <b><a href="http://the86co.com/">Eighty Six Company</a></b> introduced four new
products in 2012 and poured them in Oregon for the first time Sunday night:
Fords Gin, Caña Brava Rum, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, and Tequila Cabeza. The event, part of <b><a href="http://www.portlandcocktailweek.com/">Portland Cocktail Week</a></b>
(PDXCW), was titled “86 Co at The Common for The Calm before the Storm”. Eighty Six Company says that their products
are designed by bartenders for bartenders, and one thing this means is that
they are designed to be mixed in cocktails.
I was able to sample all four, and to try the Gin and the Rum in cocktails.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The tasting, at The Cleaners (in the Ace Hotel), was open to
PDXCW students and pass-holders. It
opened with a short tasting and presentation by founder Simon Ford to a small
crowd that grew rapidly as latecomers arrived.
Simon told some war stories about bringing his four new products to
market. Eighty Six had listed all of the
ingredients and proportions on the labels, and it turns out that the Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) does not allow it. Product launches were delayed six months, some
labels physically on bottles were altered by employees with Sharpies, and the most
labels had to be redesigned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.aylesburyduckvodka.com/index.php">Aylesbury
Duck Vodka</a>’s label says it is “certified clean, odorless, & tasteless”
and it almost lives up to its billing; it’s very smooth, having only enough of
a burn to let you know it contains alcohol.
The name </div>
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Aylesbury Duck is actually a take-off on another avian-themed
Vodka. The name was selected because the
Aylesbury Duck is described as “the noblest of woodland birds.” Nobler than, say, a goose. Although the label is semi-satirical, it was
the only one approved by the TTB without modification.</div>
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The products are ingredient flavor forward (except, of
course, for the Vodka) so that they may be tasted when mixed in cocktails. They are very mixable, and the cocktails I
sampled were delicious. They are
manufactured by four different distillers, each expert in their own liquor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fords Gin is excellent, nice and smooth with no burn. The
blend of notes from the botanicals and florals is very pleasing, and the oils
give it a good feel. It makes a damn
fine Negroni. Caña Brava Rum, while it
is a light Rum, is not a Rum flavored Vodka.
Bartenders told Simon that they wanted old style Rums (similar to Havana
Club) that would make an excellent classic Daiquiri. It is fashioned after the Rums that were
being made 90 years ago, and is a little reminiscent of a Rhum Agricole. It verges on the sweet without getting there,
and has some nice fruit in the finish. Tequila
Cabeza is a nice Blanco, earthy with a strong hit of agave accompanied by a
hint of citrus, that I can’t wait to try in a Margarita. <o:p></o:p></div>
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--UtahMixologisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908034750478399815noreply@blogger.com0