Beat the August Heat at Your Favorite Liquor Store!

12 Aug, 16 /  Uncategorized /  southernsc /  Comments Off on Beat the August Heat at Your Favorite Liquor Store!

Hey there boozefans, a wise man once said to me “you are what you drink”.   Oh wait that was me! This could easily turn into another unending rant about drinking quality over crap, but I will save that for a hundred other times. Instead, I want to discuss why this one costs more than that one. Some bottles have to pay for advertising costs so you get an expensive and pretty bottle that does not contain the best stuff. They are much more interested in making it look good and establishing a reputation as a “known” brand rather than making the best spirit possible.   Then there are bottles that are expensive because they come from small distilleries. They don’t churn out the volume to be able to charge less. They are spending all of their time making sure they make the best bottle possible. So what is the value of the actual bottle? I use a little chart, that is price plus quality.   El Charro Tequila is a high quality low price item, that dominates in its bracket and can compete with the price bracket above it. Grey Goose is a high quality, high price item that can be defeated by items that are much less expensive. Then there are items like Tempus Fugit Crème De Cocoa, which is the most expensive of its type by a wide margin but is also the best by a wide margin. Do you have to have the Tempus Fugit when making a drink? No, you do not, but if you do use, you will absolutely notice the difference, because despite paying more you are getting more as well. Now with something like Patron, you pay more but you do not get more. Is Patron bad? No it is well made, but you will not notice the quality over many other less expensive options. That is why I go so nuts when I see people buying items that do not graph well on the price plus quality scale. That and I am obviously a crazy person 🙂

TASTINGS:   FRIDAY WINE 4:00-6:00

FRANK FAMILY CHARDONNAY: This time Martha is serious, she is actually going to pour this amazing Chardonnay!

LEFT COAST CELLARS PINOT NOIR: The hardest two things to find in the booze business, is affordable Scotch that doesn’t suck, and affordable Pinot that doesn’t suck.

LES FAMELLES PINOT NOIR: What? Another affordable Pinot Noir? That is right! Martha is really looking out for you guys and your wallet!

FILUS MALBEC: The Malbec craze might be over but that doesn’t mean that they are not still making good ones.

SUMMERS CABERNET: Another affordable red! 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. A blend of Napa and Sonoma grapes.

BEER TASTING FRIDAY 4:00-6:00 SIERRA NEVADA!!!

My body is here in the Carolina’s but that is right, I left my heart in California! So whenever I drink California beers I get my liquid nostalgia, and Sierra Nevada will always have a special place in my heart as the beer that started my craft beer journey! Come and taste a true American Original. A brewery that was a huge factor in the craft movement. Without Sierra Nevada we would not be able to enjoy many of the wonderful beers that we have today. They served as an inspiration for many brewers and drinkers alike!

SATURDAY COINTREAU 4:30-6:30

We pick on Grand Marnier quite a bit here at Southern Spirits. It falls into the expensive but good category, but as a lot of you know, you can do better than it.   Cointreau is less sweet than Grand Marnier as it does not have any added sugar. It is more aromatic of the two and has a lighter mouth feel. It does not contain Cognac and is essentially a high end triple sec instead of a curacao like Grand Marnier or Bauchant.

KEITH’S CABINET: What Keith is drinking now.

Ron Cartavio Black: I am really enjoying making cocktails with this excellent and affordable rum. This is definitely a high quality low cost rum!

David Nicholson Bourbon: I have enjoyed this bourbon quite a bit. I am glad someone finally put out another wheated bourbon, since that is what everyone seems to want.

Signatory Glenlivet: Finally killed this wonderful bottle last night. I am sad that it is gone but I enjoyed every bit of it!

Green Man IPA: This local brewery makes one of the most balanced IPA’s around. It scores very highly on the drinkable and redrinkable scale. There are too many IPA’s that try to hit you with the shock and awe of their hops, this is a refreshing and well made beer.

Big Gin Peated: This Oregonian makes a lovely Martini! I did not find the peat to be very strong at all. This is just an excellent gin, through and through!

NEW ARRIVALS:

Macallan Double Cask 12yr: Well would you look at that? A major house puts out a scotch with an age statement?? Let me be the first to congratulate them and hope that this is a sign for future releases from everyone!

360 Huckleberry: With the popularity of the 44 North Huckleberry, I knew that you guys wanted more! Since 360 does a great job with every other flavor, I just know they will do well here too.

MILAGRO SINGLE BARREL SERIES: Milagro is a very consistent distillery that puts out a quality product, but when they go top shelf, they really deliver!

BARROW’S INTENSE GINGER: Captain Fussy Pants loves Ginger, and this is supposed to be one of the best! I will be trying this very soon!

DOLIN GENEPY: I have to admit that I got caught with my pants down and didn’t have a Genepy in the store. I was shamed and had to immediately correct this problem. I thought about resigning in shame, but I decided to press on.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:   SABOR LATIN GRILL

Want amazing Latin food? Who doesn’t? Try out this fantastic eatery and explore a top to bottom wonderful menu! The Carne Asada Fries are a must, and the Dominican Nacho’s are transcendent!

RECIPE OF WEEK: BARROWS CIDER

2OZ BARROW’S INTENSE (DOMAINE DE CANTON, KINGS GINGER)

1OZ VODKA (Pearl, Kozak, Dixie)

4 oz of Apple Cider (Windy Hill, Crispin, JK Scrumpy)