J_Ozzy

Oh my. I am feeling a little envy.

The apartment's kitchen has a surprising amount of cabinetry given its small footprint. I've got a few shelves set aside for glassware, a drawer for bar tools and some space set aside for bar equipment; no photos yet as the counter tops are still being redone. I'm not sure I'll able to swing a dedicated bar station surface, though the wine fridge top does provide a little real estate if I keep it out in the open. Yes, despite all indications to the contrary, I'm not a very prodigious imbiber. Some of the bottles were acquired in college 10+ years ago (the Galliano, among others). I just enjoy having the ability to make any drink I read about (and I read a lot of cocktail literature) at close to original spec; hence ingredient library. This has admittedly become more difficult since the selection of amaro and bitters has taken off. The duplicate (triplicate) bottles were for products that had no real hope of local availability at the time. The tally works out to somewhere around 220-ish 750ml bottle equivalents, running the gamut from a 15ml Torres brandy atomiser to a duty-free magnum of cognac. One of my parent's neighbors has something like that; it works pretty well (the IKEA Akurum tall cabinet w/ heavy duty drawer kits is a similar design).

Pardon the necromancy, I think I've got something worth sharing. I recently moved across the country and moved my cocktail ingredient library with me. I used Matthew Rowley's Teflon tape trick to seal the open bottles, packed them in cases and carefully drove the car (containing more ethanol than gasoline) to my destination. Note the cargo netting, a key component in preventing head trauma from second layer cases during deceleration. Traveller's Tip: relatives can often provide a useful intermediate storage space, though judgments may ensue as stored case quantities increase. Note to self: do not knock over any edge bottles. I decided to shop for some furniture specifically for the task of bottle storage. Up until now, I'd had a basement with a couple of industrial storage lockers. This was not going to be an option in a 1-bedroom apartment. I looked at IKEA kitchen solutions and checked with a customizable closet storage designer, but anything substantial had to be wall anchored. I was really hoping for something free standing that could accommodate a maraschino bottle. Ultimately I settled on two pieces, a teak roadie case / coffee table that can handle up to Galliano height (which turned out to cover, surprisingly, all but six bottles) and a replica ice box with nice tall shelves. While I didn't set out with the intention for them to be mobile, both pieces are on wheels (though I wouldn't risk pushing the ice box while laden). Come to think of it, a wooden roadie case is basically a treasure chest. A treasure of of rum, brandy, tequila and whisk(e)y The walk-in fridge handle really clinched the ice box for me. Bitters on the roof, (mostly) liqueurs on the top shelf, vermouth/aperitif/vodka/gin on the middle shelf, vermouth/amaro/tall bottles/mezcal on the bottom.

I concur with heidih, a hand crank ice crusher hits the sweet spot for price & performance when you occasionally need a fair bit of crushed ice, crushed to a consistent size. Otherwise, the Lewis bag technique works just fine.

Just got back from a week in Barcelona: a pair of Amer Picon (club), a pair of Plymouth Navy Strength (old bottle and price), Edmundo Dantes 15yr and Santiago de Cuba 11yr rums Revisiting the Plymouth situation, the local shops in Barcelona were in quite a state of flux (as mentioned upthread, Spain was one of the first markets to see the change). The high end wine & spirits purveyors had the new bottles at the new price (44 Euro... ack), while the mid-range and value-range stores (where stocked) were still selling the old bottle designs at more reasonable pricing (14 and 18 Euro). Given the assumption that the turnover of Gin stocks is primarily tourist-driven, anyone hunting for older bottles there may have better luck on the fringes.

Please do tell us what you think. I could not tell from their website whether the nicotine has been removed. It only says "a form that greatly diminishes the health concerns associated with tobacco use." From what I understand, the nicotine has been removed. From what I understand. In the sense I've seen a blog or four or a review or five that's said, oh, we checked with the company/someone who'd know and they said there was no nicotine in beverage. I'm also fairly certain that in Australia you need a special permit to sell nicotine products in your store. And the place I got it--which is, so far as I know, the only place in Australia that sells it--doesn't have cigars, cigarettes or anything of that nature avaliable. I doubt they'd go to the effort of paying for a permit just to sell what is a fairly obscure form of booze. The first quote makes it sound like the nicotine is still there, but that may be just a bit of deception. The second statement sounds pretty vague and I'm not sure AQUIS would know to ask if there was nicotine in booze that is being imported so maybe Nick's is thinking it's better not to ask. If it helps ADHD, then it probably contains nicotine. Surly you have so student's to test this on.... Overall, it seems mostly like a gimmick that I can do without, but I don't have any strong moral objections to others messing around with it. Not like you are going to overdose with those prices and that much sugar. Ted Breaux's pretty exacting of the quality and safety of his products, I wouldn't worry about any toxicity beyond that of the alcohol itself.

I would love to be present for the 10th anniversary shindig, but, as it so happens, it coincides with my grandmother's 90th birthday. Family before revelry, this year gfweb: Tales of the Cocktail, a large spirits and bartending conference in New Orleans. Lots of fun.

Yes it did... and I'm seriously considering not replacing my almost empty bottle because of that huge price jump. Sheesh, it used to bother me that I could get it for $2 cheaper at the SAQ, but this just boggles the mind. I might feel ok with paying $30-$35 if they brought in the navy strength, but I can't justify the original gin for G&Ts at $45. Looks like it's time to stock up. I've still got one old-style bottle left.

I noticed today that Katie's book is up for pre-order on Amazon - Congrats Katie. Is your aquavit recipe included?

Not that it helps the current situation, but my experience with the SAQ has been that restocks of blanc and paille rhum agricole start showing up in late spring/early summer. I haven't seen it every year, but when it does happen they bring in 4 or 5 offerings. My current wish list: Nikka Yoichi 15 (too pricey) Thomas Handy (too pricey locally) Van Winkle Rye Willet Rye Old Potrero Hotalings Kuchan barrel aged peach brandy Toriani Amer Cocchi Americano Various amaros some of the George Dickel products My list was a lot longer in previous years, but some fortuitous travel paired with dedicated bottle luggage have pared it down considerably.

There are competing products (ex. Verveine du Velay), but I don't think they're much less expensive, as available, or fully compatible as a substitute. edit:weird spacing

Kerry - Nice find, I didn't realize the SAQ had Dolin; I'll add that on my list to haul back over the holidays.

Annual November clearance sale at one of the local liquor chains. Walked in 10 minutes after open and there were some shelves that were already bare. Picked up some Lapostolle Armagnac XO, Canadian Club sherry cask, splits of champagne and a bunch of incredibly low-priced (for my locale) airplane bottles of Beefeater. I figure I'm set for travel-sized French 75s for the next little while.

The Montreal SAQ Signature store is awesome for weird and rare spirits, along with the limited release and greater aged expressions of more common brands. I scored some Combier cocoa eaux-de-vie a couple years ago.

Ah, that's too bad. That was indeed the one I tried, courtesy of the LCBO.

There are South African blue agave spirits (that can't be called tequila). Though I can't comment on the overall quality of the genre, I've had a decent unaged expression in the past.

Yeah, it seems most provinces really take it to you above the duty free allotment. Alberta's got a flat provincial markup, but most others have a high percent-of-purchase-price based markup.

Hi, fellow Canadian travel scavenger here. I usually focus on (sub)categories that are weak in my home area: american straight rye, exotic rum, high quality liqueurs and unavailable amaros & aperatifs. Stuff available in higher proof versions (such as gin) is also of interest. I see you've covered American straight rye (rittenhouse) and I agree you should grab some agricole (the La Favorite blanc is a decent place to start). You can certainly go deeper in either category, but those are excellent starting points. Are you driving? If so, Lemon Hart 151. Strong flavour in spades, used primarily (sparingly) in Tiki drinks. Not a sipper, but irreplaceable in certain recipes. Only for land travel, mind you. The airlines don't appreciate products above 140 proof. Other strong and/or distinctive (and more airline friendly) flavours: Hayman's Old Tom Gin - don't make the mistake of buying the Hayman's gin liqueur, it's not the same thing. Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum - funky, deep and rich Carpano Antica Vermouth - a powerhouse italian vermouth Batavia Arrack von Oosten - Incredibly funky, used in classic punch recipes and some adventuresome modern cocktails. (not a sipper, usually) Any amaro you don't recognize - always an adventure Any of the Del Maguey mezcals - not cheap, but a smoky experience different from that of tequila George Dickel #12 - If you'd like an introduction to the Tennessee spirit that isn't Jack Daniels Also, you might consider grabbing some of the wonderful cocktail bitters that are available, though many can be mail ordered in BC if required.

I finally did my border run this morning. Unfortunately, the current release of Handy rye was sold out by the time I ordered; fortuitously, Lemon Hart 151 was available. Looking forward to trying out some WhistlePig, Vizcaya and Tiki drinks in the next couple days. Now, to find some more storage space...

Wow -- it's back!? Anyone see it in the NY/NJ area yet? I didn't see it at Astor Wines last weekend. Dan I was wondering the exact same thing? Does anyone have any news about this? Ed Hamilton (via Caribbean Spirits) managed to negotiate the release of the last production lot from Walkerville, Ontario. Apparently Mosaiq (brand owner) intends to bring it back to market in the near future, but this will be the last bit for a while.

Once a week or so I find myself with a full cart at a certain New York online retailer. Vizcaya rum; Whistlepig, Handy, Templeton & Redemption rye; Del Maguey Vida. I hope the Handy lasts until later in the spring (a faint hope, sadly). I can get shipments staged at the Montana border, but the long drive down can be a challenge in winter weather. For now, I look longingly among the virtual shelves.

How good of a friend? running off limited personal experience and a bevy of Iberian internet shops: For older fare: - Havana Club 15 (though even for good friends, that might be pushing it) or Santiago de Cuba 20 if they can find it and price is no object. - Santiago 11yr, Edmundo Dantes 15, Varadero Gran Reserva 15 & Ron Vigia Gran Reserva (18yr) are pricey but interesting buys (unclear on the local availability in Cuba). - Legendario Anejo (9yr) can be found more easily, and is quite nice while being moderately priced. Alternatively, I've had friends come back with an assortment of "cuban proof" (38%) rums that were inexpensive and delightful, though some were a little rough. The folks over at the ministry of rum would probably be better equipped to comment on the relative merits of the spirits than I am.

Expanding on KD1191's herbal comment: basil, rosemary or sage definitely change things up

Agricole Haven't found an option for one of those through the LCBO. Hey Tri2Cook, How close are you the the Quebec border? Though the selection is a little thin at the moment, the SAQ's got La Favourite.

If that refers to my post, the answer is, I don't have a clue - I've never tried the stuff. But if any commercial Swedish Punsch products are available in the US, the distribution seems limited and there surely must be some brands that have not been imported. I'd be willing to be flown to Sweden to help with the research, though... Carlshamn Flaggpunsch is one I've tried (thanks Tiare). Edit: bah, looks like Absolut owns them