Christmas Liquor News for All Our Charlotte Friends!

Keith Haze, normally the Scrooge McDuck but for today, your best friend in the liquor world because he’s going to show you the BEST gifts for everyone on your list! Come pick his brain for gifts, recipes and MORE!

Hey there booze fans, we have an amazing weekend lined up for you guys.  I am super excited and I hope you will join us.  Yes it will be crazy, but we will still provide our excellent service and keep those lines moving.  I hear a lot of people say “Keith I would love to listen to your expert advice BUT I know this is what he normally drinks.”   I promise you I am taking that information very seriously and am basing my recommendation on precisely that.  Once again, none of my staff gets commission, our loyalty is to you.  This isn’t Total Wine where they try to get you to buy “their brands”.  I dealt with that at my first store and second, but made it clear from day one here that there will be none of that here, and my owner Don, loves that about me and the rest of the staff.  Our only priority is to send you off with the best option for you, and I do take it personally when I miss.  I want you guys to go home and feel rewarded for choosing us.  We are very aware that you have many stores to choose from and not only do we appreciate you choosing us but we want to make certain that we deliver the goods each and every time.  That even if I am tired and cranky I still put the right bottle in your cart.  

TASTINGS 

TODAY 3:30-6:30  MICHTERS WHISKEY!

I am and have been a huge fan of this distillery.  They consistently deliver well above average whiskey and have a variety of styles that should suit everyone.  From the robust Small Batch, to the ultra smooth unblended, and the full bodied and spicy rye, this is a distillery that continues to impress.  Please join us on today and see for yourself.

TODAY FOUNDERS TAP TAKE OVER 4:00-7:00

One of the best breweries around, try some limited edition beers on tap! ALSO UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER CONTEST WITH REAL PRIZES!

WINE 4:00-6:00

Simonet:  The hardest thing to find are affordable sparkling wines.  Martha has done so for you 🙂

SAINT COSME:  A Cotes-Du-Rhone from one of the best houses in France.  Good goldilocks wine, not too big, not too small.

AZELIA:  Barbera.  Italy makes over 700 grapes, stop drinking Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio all the time and try something else.

VINA ARDANZA:  Spanish royalty!  This wine is why we drink wine.  Great Christmas gift!

SATURDAY  2:00-5:00  MAESTRO DOBBEL TASTING WITH MARIA LEHMAN TEQUILA AMBASSADOR!

Who knew there were all of these booze ambassador jobs?  I really need one of those.  At least long enough to get the business cards that say it.  Keith Haze “Gin Ambassador”  has a nice ring to it.

This lineup of tequila’s are quite exceptional.  In particular the Anejo, which has a full rich and creamy body.  Never had anything like it, and found it quite irresistible.  Of course they are famoused for their clear reposado, which has the smoothness of a silver but retains a lot of the character of a reposado.   The entire lineup is noteworthy and will make a great Christmas gift to anyone that likes or loves Tequila.

Keith’s Cabinet: What Keith is drinking now

Ciroc Apple:  I think they found a winner here.  Mixes great with cranberry juice.

Four Roses Single Barrel:  A welcome return to one of the best distilleries.  This bottle was speaking to me and I answered it.  Glad that I did.  It is important to remember when chasing all of these “special” bourbons that without the guys that do it day in and day out, no one would care one bit.  This bottle is why people like bourbon.

Dictador 12yr:  The more I have of it the more I like it.

Merrys’ White Chocolate Cream:  So much fun, love adding this to things.

NEW ARRIVALS

MANCINO VERMOUTH:  It was time to get some super-premium vermouth in here, and I found all three of these to be spectacular.  Seriously you can drink these on their own.

HAT TRICK GIN:  This local gin is back by customer request!  I do listen to people sometimes.

DU PEYRAT ORGANIC COGNAC:  I know we are not in California, but Organic Cognac just means that the grapes used were not drowned in pesticide, and that caramel coloring wasn’t added to the product after it was made.

USQUAEBACH SCOTCH:  What a perfect time for a new scotch to arrive.   You guys have been asking for me to get this for a while, and now here it is!  Have not had a chance to taste it yet, but it is very well reviewed.  I am certain I will be pouring some for myself soon!

LONGMORN 16: This awesome scotch has been gone for a long time but is back now.  While it never be as well known as The Macallan, it is a fantastic whisky that is a great substitute for Oban 14, and a good bottle for people looking to spend more but not wanting a whisky that is too intense.

BLADE AND BOW WHISKEY:  The latest in the Orphan Barrel series from Diageo.  This is a long, even tempered whiskey with nicely balanced oak that is a break from all of the big cask strength offerings that are the rage these days.

TAVI PLATINUM:  If you remember the super premium Patron Platinum and are sorry that it is gone, well I am going to make your day, because this Tequila is much better and much less expensive.  Literally the smoothest I have ever had.

INGA GRAPPA:  During this Holiday season I will show my love for the Italians, by bringing in some of the best grappa in the world.  Even though I think it tastes like licking a dead cat, buon appetito!

KEITH’S HOLIDAY GUIDE

YOUR ONE STOP RESOURCE INTO MY BRAIN BECAUSE I WILL BE BUSY WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS AND YOU JUST WANT TO GET THE BEST AND BE ON YOUR MERRY WAY!

VODKA

PARTY VODKA: PEARL AND PEARL-our number two selling vodka is perfect for your holiday party, “snobs” will have no idea and you will save lots of money.

ALL PURPOSE VODKA:  DIXIE, ICEBERG-These two favorites will do anything you need them to, from Martini’s to Vodka tonics, or just straight drinking.

IMPRESS PEOPLE VODKA:  But Keith I WANT to spend more!  ZYR, BELUGA, JEWEL OF RUSSIA, STOLI ELIT, and my beloved 162.  These are the best of the best.

RUM

PARTY RUM:  DON Q, quit buying Bacardi already!  Blackheart Spiced, quit buying Captain Morgan already.

ALL PURPOSE RUM:  RON MEDELLIN 8, BRUGAL XV, FLOR DE CANA 7, these beauties can make any cocktail but can still enjoyed straight.

IMPRESS PEOPLE RUM:  But Keith is there really a RUM, that can stand up to Scotch?  Yes!!!  VIZCAYA, DICTADOR, RON ABUELO, RON ZACAP, AND DOS MADERAS!  One sip and you will be in on the best kept secret in booze!

IRISH

PARTY IRISH:  PADDY’S, stop buying Jameson already!

ALL PURPOSE IRISH: TYRCONNEL, BLACK BUSH, neat or mixed these guys are lovely.

IMPRESS PEOPLE IRISH: REDBREAST, TEELING, AND MIDLETON, want to challenge Scotch drinkers, that is the lineup to do it with.

SCOTCH

PARTY SCOTCH:  BANK NOTE, yes Bank Note, I know you haven’t heard of it, but just trust me or not, the rest of us will keep it for ourselves.

Better than daily:  GLEN GRANT 10, GLENMORANGIE, OLD PULTENEY 12, none of these will cost you a fortune, but to an avid Scotch drinker they will just make for an excellent Friday night.

IMPRESS SCOTCH DRINKERS:  We are not very easy to impress!  GLENDRONACH 15 TAWNY, EDRADOUR CALEDONIA, SIGNATORY ANYTHING, CASK ISLAY (PEATED), GLENROTHES 95, LAPHROAIG TRIPLE WOOD (PEATED)

THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD ALL YEAR WHAT THE HELL:  BALVENIE 21, GLENFARCLAS 25, LAGAVULIN DISTILLERS EDITION (PEATED), SIGNET, these are not cheap but you can “taste the money”

TEQUILA

PARTY TEQUILA:  EL CHARRO, stop buying Cuervo!  It is not good and it is the reason that so many people hate tequila!

MIX OR STRAIGHT:  BLUE HEAD, CENTENARIO, PENASCO, any of these can be had alone or make a great cocktail.  I know you think you should use bad stuff to make mix drinks, and that is why I am not coming over to your house.

EVEN MY FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN TO MEXICO LOVED IT:  CASA NOBLE, DON FULANO, MAESTRO DOBBEL, HERENCIA, TRIANON, these tequila’s will impress anyone at anytime.

BRANDY:

PARTY BRANDY:  EL PRESIDENTE, TORRES 10, stop buying E and J!  These two can be mixed or had straight and will greatly improve whatever drink you are using them for without breaking the bank.

ALRIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING:  PIERRE FERRAND, MEUKOW, MARIE DUFFAU, these are mid level brandies that will help you understand what the fuss is all about.

KING ME!:  GRAND DUQUE D ALBA, DE LORD 25, PAUL BEAU 15, GERMAIN ROBIN XO, these exquisite brandies will transport you to a place where your name is sung in praises and electricity bills, and dirty dishes are simply someone else’s responsibility.

BOURBON:

PARTY BOURBON:  HENRY MCKENNA, FOUR ROSES YELLOW, these are both tastier than they should be for their price.

ALL PURPOSE BOURBON: MEDLEY BROTHERS, OLD GRANDAD 114, HENRY MCKENNA 10, make wonderful Manhattans or have them straight.  These will get the job done without breaking the bank.

THEY ARE TOTALLY WORTH IT:  FOUR ROSES SINGLE, TOWN BRANCH, SMOOTH AMBLER, WOODFORD DOUBLE OAKED

THEIR CABINET ALREADY LOOKS LIKE A BAR:  JEFFERSONS’ GROTH, STRANAHANS, MAKERS CASK STRENGTH, JACK CASK STRENGTH, CONTRADICTION, these whiskeys can stand up to those “lottery” whiskeys.

GIN:

PARTY GIN:  FLIGHT 69, CITADELLE, what a great deal!!!  This gin will do anything you need it to.

GIN AND TONICS:  ST. GEORGE BOTANIVORE, HENDRICKS, FORD’S, these gins will make the best gin and tonics you have ever had.

MARTINI’S:  MARTIN MILLERS, PLYMOUTH, TANQUERAY 10, BLUE COAT, so clean, so smooth, such an adult beverage!

NOTHING BUT THE BEST:  OLD RAJ AND NOLETS:  These are the two most famous gins ever, because they are the best.  Nothing else tastes like them.

AFTER DINNER:  COPPER HORSE PECAN PRALINE, MY AMARETTO, ST. GEORGE SPICED PEAR, AND TEMPUS FUGIT CREME DE CACAO, these are all fantastic after dinner drinks that can also be used to make amazing cocktails.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

HOMEMADE EGG NOG

4 EGGS (YOLKS IF YOU CARE TO SEPERATE)
1/3 CUP OF SUGAR/PLUS 1 TABLESPOON
1 PINT WHOLE MILK
1 CUP COPPER HORSE PECAN PRALINE (BUFFALO TRACE CREAM, BAILEYS ETC)
4 OUNCES OF BLACKHEART RUM (MAKERS BOURBON, TORRES BRANDY)
4 EGG WHITES
1 TEASPOON OF NUTMEG

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture.  Chill and serve.  Feel free to float a splash of booze on top.