Springtime Madness From Southern Spirits!
18 Mar, 16 / 
Today Keith Haze goes on a rant about springtime madness from his rocking chair on his front porch waving his cane at unruly kids…
Hey there booze fans! It has been so warm out that I have busted out the gin already. Listen up gin haters, there is almost nothing in this world more refreshing than a gin and tonic on a hot day! Not only that, a perfectly made Martini adds a high level of sophistication and class to any proceeding. Try to stop saying no all the time, it is quite boring. This does not pertain just to my industry but to life in general. The thing I have learned the most in this profession is that pre-conceived notions and writing things off is absurd and limiting. I do not like anise, so maybe there will never be one of those that I like, but I have found some cocktails with anise in them that I have enjoyed. Why are we so eager to say no and rule something out. What is to be gained by this negation? Do you really want to be laying on your death bed congratulating yourself on all of the stuff you never tried or did. My parents say no as an instinct. “Hey mom, would you like a million dollars?” “No!, I mean wait what???” “Too late you said no!” Being raised in that house it was a struggle to say yes. I still struggle saying yes, no is so much easier. You say this tiny word and then it all ends, and that is the point! Yes opens things right up. Yes I will try this rum, and then boom! Now you discover there are twenty rums you enjoy and you can make fifty cocktails from those twenty! Every Tuesday my roommate and I try a new place to eat. Every week we cook new recipes at home. I have found these simple activities to be very rewarding. So when you come into the store and we are pouring something, give it a try. They are only going to pour you a tiny bit. What I think makes this store special is that we are always ready to guide you into something wonderful and new!
TASTINGS: JACK AND FRIENDS FRIDAY 3:30-6:30
Jack Fire is Jack’s answer to Fireball and a lot of people prefer it because it is not as sweet.
Jack Honey: This liqueur allows people to say “they like whiskey” without ever having to taste any 🙂
Gentleman Jack: A much fuller bodied version of Jack that is definitely worth trying.
Jack Single Barrel: A whiskey that will change your perception Jack, a high quality product.
WINE 4:00-6:00
PRAIA VINHO VERDE: Portugal does not just make Port! They make a light and refreshing white perfect for this weather.
Reynolds Family Chardonnay: Carneros is my favorite Napa region for Chardonnay. Stainless steel is the perfect way to showcase the fruit of that region. I have had enough buttery Chardonnay to last me for the rest of my life. The grape has much more versatility than that.
La Quercia Montepulciano: A perfect red for this warm weather. The Italians are the true masters of food wines.
D66: Orin Swift is at it again with this huge Grenache from France! Fire up the grill and serve this up.
SATURDAY HOT DOGS AND BOOZE CREAM ICEBOOZE, 21 AND OVER ICE CREAM
Yes that is right, we could have cured cancer or aids but instead our top scientist have made ice cream with booze in it! Guess what? it is delicious! Don’t worry it is only 7% abv so you can have a pint and still do your taxes.
So stop by from 12:00-5:00 grab a pint, a hot dog, and some ice cream. How are we not on the cover of every booze publication in America?
KEITH’S CABINET: What Keith is drinking now.
WOODFORD RYE: I had been waiting for this rye for a very lonnnng time and it did not disappoint! A big full bodied rye that is delicious on its own, but makes great cocktails as well.
EDINBURGH GIN: Another Scottish gin, another awesome gin. I made gin and tonics out of this both citrusy and green gin, and was quite taken with it.
TAVI TEQUILA: This tequila was released to be the answer to the Gran Platinum Patron and it is and then some. Quite literally the smoothest silver I have ever consumed.
MEZAN XO: That lovely Jamaican rum that no one has heard of. High quality and unique. Not too sweet and not too dry.
STRONACHIE 18: Wow!!! This is the early contestant for Scotch of the year. What balance, what grace! Only a few of these left.
YELLOW SPOT: My favorite Irish whiskey. The biggest and boldest one out there. Has very little in common with its younger brother Green Spot, except that they are both lovely. (yes we have some in stock, I would not torture you like that!)
SMOOTH AMBLER SINGLE BARREL: I am super excited to taste this! I love everything these guys make. Only got a few cases of this so do not delay.
LOW GAP RYE: One of my all time favorite Rye’s is back. Just six bottles this time, also it took a price increase, apparently they figured out how much better their rye was than some of the others out there.
KILCHOMAN SINGLE CASK SHERRY: How about a cask strength, single barrel Scotch from one of my favorite distilleries? Yes please!
KILCHOMAN SINGLE CASK BOURBON: Do you prefer whisky flavored whisky? Well here you go. Both of these barrels were chosen specifically for my distributor, so they are super limited.
SHOUT OUT OF THE WEEK: SALSA’S IN ASHEVILLE
Happen to be in Asheville and want some of the best Mexican food ever? Then stop by Salsa’s like I did on 
Sunday! Don’t stress about your menu choices because it is all awesome. Additionally, they make fantastic cocktails. There is usually a line but it is worth the wait.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
IRISH BUCK from Rebecca’s Sugar and Soul Blog
2OZ OF IRISH WHISKEY (paddy’s, jameson, bushmills)
3oz of ginger ale (fever tree, blenheims)
Splash of lime juice
1 to 2 lime wedges
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