Switcheroo, Part 2

If our regular Thursday posting appeared on Wednesday, then our regular Wednesday feature out to appear on Thursday, right? There's logic on our side. Sometimes.

We're fully involved now in stocking up for the holidays, including some seasonal items. As we've noted previously, we do suggest shopping early. Many of the items we stock are, just by their nature, available only in limited quantities (Speaking of limited availability, look for news about Pappy in tomorrow's blog post).

Now that we've covered our usual preamble and caveats, let's see what's new.

21st Amendment Fireside Chat. Like FDR’s Depression-era radio addresses, which were like a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time, our Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark, English-style ale and then we improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation.

Fireside Chat is our early winter seasonal brew available from October through December. Brewed like a classic, warming Strong Ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices for just the right festive flair.

7.9% ABV, 45 IBU's. Available in 6-packs, 12 oz cans.

Nothing says fall like Evan Williams Kentucky Cider. It’s as American as apple pie, but better, since it's made with the all-American spirit, Kentucky Bourbon. Evan Williams Kentucky Cider is a seasonal blend of apple cider liqueur and Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is the original Bourbon-based apple cider that is made with extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon.

As the leaves begin to change color and you need a little something extra to stay warm on cool nights pour yourself a glass (try it warmed) and enjoy.

Nose: Cinnamon, ripe fruit, & cotton candy. When Warmed: Apples & graham crackers.

Palate: Sweet, soft apples with allspice. When Warmed: Baked apples & nutmeg.

Finish: Short, sweet, & mouth coating. When Warmed: Longer with citrus & cobbler.

Tröegs Mad Elf Ale. The Mad Elf is a cheerful creation to warm your heart and enlighten your tongue. The combination of cherries, honey, and chocolate malts delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies its pleasant yet intriguing flavor.

11% ABV. 15 IBU's. Serve in a Chalice or Tulip glass.

The Mad Elf is always one of our most requested products. Grab enough for now, and to hold until Christmas. If you can wait that long.

Natura Cabernet Sauvignon. From Chile's Central Valley. The 100% organically grown grapes are hand-picked in mid-April. After the crush, the must is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks for a cold soak before undergoing alcoholic fermentation with gentle low-volume. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation. 20% of his wine is aged in oak barrels for 6 months.

Tasting Notes: Color: Bright lively ruby color. Bouquet: Aromas of ripe, red and black berries with a touch of chocolate. Taste: Fresh and juicy palate has good structure and sweet, smooth tannins, persistent finish.

Available exclusively at our Woodbridge location.

Glendalough Single Grain Double Barrel Whiskey. Ireland’s first craft distillery gives you a whole new style of Irish whiskey. A single grain whiskey, aged first in American Bourbon barrels and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.

This single grain will blast the cobwebs off the Irish whiskey category. A new and unique style of light and floral whiskey distilled in a Coffey still (like whiskey, another great Irish invention!) from a mash bill of Irish malted barley and corn. It spends three and a half years in American oak first-fill Bourbon barrels before being finished for six months in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. The Bourbon barrels impart deep, robust chocolate and caramel notes, while the Oloroso casks lighten the palate with fruitier notes and touches of nutty tones. With both barrels being oak, you get that beautiful vanilla thread you’d expect to run through an Irish whiskey. Both barrels are porous too, allowing Ireland’s temperate, maritime air through to make its impression.

Tasting Notes: The nose is slight but undoubtedly rich with dark fruit; cherry, raisin, fig (with Christmas pudding notes on the nose for those lucky enough to know what that is) along with floral lemongrass and a touch of nutmeg.

The taste is sweet and creamy on the palate, with butterscotch, honey and peppercorn bringing along sweet Bourbon Cask notes with dried fruit returning through notes of maraschino cherries and a pinch of brown sugar.

The finish has lingering notes of ginger spices with a faint glimmer of almond to end a complex Irish Whiskey from start to finish.