Drink on Us - Bourbon Smash

Our latest installment of Drinks on Us, featuring Woodbridge Store Manager David Rudd and out friends from nj.com features a sweet bourbon cocktail called the Bourbon Smash

Bourbon Smash
-1 oz simple syrup
-4 basil leaves
-1/2 lemon
-2 oz bourbon
-3 ripe strawberries
Muddle lemon, basil, strawberries and simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice and add bourbon, stir to chill.  Fill glass with crushed ice, and strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with basil leaf and strawberry.

You can use your favorite bourbon, but we recommend a bourbon new to our product line called Groveland.  A recent addition to our product line and available at a fantastic price of $18.97 in both stores, we know you'll love it, so give it a try!

Groveland Reserve Bourbon - Smooth, sophisticated, and bold bourbon. This Bourbon has traditional oak aromas along with sweet vanilla and caramel. It has soft, subtle fruit notes with a subtly sweet finish. Groveland Small Batch Bourbon is a great whiskey for drinking neat, on the rocks, or as part of an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

Don't forget you can place your prepaid order online ahead of time, and it'll be ready and waiting for you for a quick and easy pickup!

Click here to view this on our Lawrenceville homepage!
Click here to view it on our Woodbridge homepage!

Mixology Monday -- New York Sour

Every Friday this summer, our friends at NJ.com have stopped by our Woodbridge store to feature our store manager and resident mixologist David Rudd in a segment called "Drinks on Us".  This past Friday, a Joe Canal's exclusive bourbon played center stage in a drink recipe called the New York Sour.

2 oz. Groveland Bourbon
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup
1/2 oz. fruity red wine

Combine bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup in an iced cocktail shaker and shake to chill. Strain into a double old fashioned filled with ice. Pour wine over the back of a spoon to float on top.

Groveland Bourbon is available at both Woodbridge and Lawrenceville for the Bottle Club® Price of $18.97.  It's a smooth, sophisticated, and bold bourbon. This Bourbon has traditional oak aromas along with sweet vanilla and caramel. It has soft, subtle fruit notes with a subtly sweet finish. Groveland Small Batch Bourbon is a great whiskey for drinking neat, on the rocks, or as part of an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

Don't forget you can place your prepaid orders on jcanals.com and they'll be ready for you when you come to pick it up!  It's easy, convenient and free!

Build a Bar Workshop: Bourbon

With all due respect to Rye Whiskey, Bourbon is what comes to mind for most people when the question is American whiskey. It's the largest category of American whiskey in our stores.

Woodford Reserve fermenters

Bourbon's roots go back to the late 1700s, when westbound British, Irish and Scottish settlers started making whiskey in Kentucky. As we detailed previously, rye was more frequently used as a whiskey base than other grains. In 1964, the US Congress established federal regulations for producing bourbon and other American whiskey. All American whiskeys are distilled from a fermented mash (mixture) of cereal grain and water without any coloring or flavoring additives. American whiskey must by law be aged in new, charred oak barrels and no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). In order to be classified as "straight" whiskey, it must be aged for at least two years and unblended. Bourbon must be made from a mash that is at least 51% corn. The rest of the mash is made up of any ratio of rye, wheat and/or malted barley. While most bourbon today is still made in Kentucky, it can legally be made anywhere in the United States, and you see that on the shelves at Joe Canal's. The spirit’s beautiful amber color comes from the wood that it's aged in for at least two years while the alcohol by volume climbs to a minimum of 40% (80-proof) before bottling.

Buffalo Trace

The best way to briefly describe bourbon might be this: Distilled from at least 51% corn, aged for at least 2 years, with nothing added and nothing removed.

Over the last ten years, bourbon has seen a rapid rise in popularity around the world. Demand has grown so much that distillers are having trouble keeping up. If you recall, Maker's Mark talked about cutting their bourbon with water to extend supplies, before deciding against that. As with any spirit, the more time bourbon spends aging in a barrel, the more the angels take. That means Pappy might have only 65% of a barrel to sell after it's aged to their standards. High demand, low product availability, and that often leads to higher prices for the remaining supply.

Jim Beam Rickhouse, one of many

In addition to the color, barrel aging tends to add vanilla notes to bourbon, as well as the obvious oak notes. In basic terms, here's how that bit of science happens. The barrels are stored in large warehouses, typically called a rickhouse. In warmer weather, the heat causes the wood to expand, and the whiskey seeps into the oak. In colder weather, the wood contracts, expelling the whiskey, after it has taken on some of the oak characteristics. That goes on year after year. Where the barrel is located within a rickhouse will have an impact on this exchange; higher floors get hotter, after all. Some distillers will move barrels around, so that all barrels are similar. Other times, barrels are left in place to preserve that individuality.

While not as vast a category as vodka, there are seemingly limitless choices in bourbon. Jim Beam remains the world's best-selling bourbon. Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams and Wild Turkey are also among the top selling national brands. We also carry a number of choices under each label, giving you more decisions to make.

The boom in craft distilling has brought a number of new brands to the market, and many of these producers are outside of Kentucky.

Tuthilltown Spirits has the Hudson Baby Bourbon. This upstate New York distiller keeps things local. When you take the Hudson New York Corn Whiskey and store it in a first-use charred American Oak barrel,out pops the Baby. The barrel aging process gives this spirit a light sweetness and deep amber color. This 100% corn bourbon has a bright,defined taste and a warm finish with notes of marzipan and roasted corn. Look also for the Four Grain Bourbon, as well as other whiskey from Tuthilltown.

A self-admitted whiskey nerd founded the Breckenridge distillery, in Colorado, at the highest altitude of any distillery.

Year round, we make grain to bottle Whiskeys and Rum, distill botanicals, and blend Bourbon Whiskey in small batches. Our Blend of Bourbon Whiskeys also consists of Barrels selected from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana chosen for their unique qualities, heritage, and ability to marry in our blend, always made from a high-rye mash bill.

Breckenridge Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys: Deep honey-amber hue with warm, pronounced aromas of under-ripe banana and brown sugar, with spicy notes of white pepper and toasted sesame. Light body with warm texture and long sweet oak, vanilla finish with a touch of bitterness to balance. Reminiscent of a slice of toasted rye bread with honey drizzled on it.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout is distilled in the southeastern part of West Virginia. Appalachia has always been known for whiskey. Like the Scotch-Irish farmer-distillers and settlers who forged western Virginia from the surrounding jagged hills, we too, have built our homes and lives here. Ingrained are the virtues of beauty, family, quality and hard work in everything we do; including the world class whiskeys and white spirits we produce. From grinding our  own carefully selected regional grains, to labeling and signing each bottle, Smooth Ambler does everything by hand, the old-fashioned way. Our folks have one goal; to create a truly rare drink you and your friends will never forget.

We carry their Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 7 plus year old barrels with a high rye content of 36%, this fine whiskey has exceptional taste and smoothness.  Non chill filtered, non carbon filtered.  A robust 99 proof, it’s strong, but deliciously drinkable like all of Smooth Ambler’s offerings.  Bold, sweet-spicy flavors with subtle apple, cherry and tobacco aroma. 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malt – a ‘high rye’ bourbon. Look also for Contradiction.

Contradiction blends two whiskeys. One is a 'wheater', or wheated Bourbon and the other is a Bourbon made with rye. We are very proud of our knack for bringing you great spirits we hand-make and excellent spirits we hand-select; Contradiction is the opportunity to enjoy in a single sip,  the convergence of those two very different efforts.

We think you'll have no trouble finding something that fits your palate and budget at Joe Canal's. Please stop in and ask questions if you need.

Some information courtesy of Liquor.com, as well as the distillers mentioned in this post.

Last Weekend Grab Bag

The reference in the title, of course, is to the fact that this is the last weekend to shop before Christmas. To accommodate the greatest number of people, we will have special store hours beginning Sunday.

Sunday, December 20, 9am-9pm
Wednesday, December 23, 8am-10pm
Thursday, December 24, 8am-7pm
Friday, December 25, Closed
Thursday, December 31, 8am-8pm
Friday, January 1, noon-4pm

We do anticipate that our stores will be busy, so please plan accordingly.

New Products

We are adding several different styles from the Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Collection. These are outstanding champagnes that offer possibly the best price:value ratio among our sparkling wines.

Our vision for the wine is simple, almost simplistic: It must be an expression of its terroir. The oak used for our barrels is sourced from the Écueil forest or from Champagne-Ardenne. Each plot is pressed and vinified separately and the juice is moved by gravity as far as possible and not pumped, to conserve the musts’ intrinsic qualities. The wines stay in tank or barrel in contact with their lees deposits, without racking, for the whole autumn period, so they develop their full complexity and unique personality. For the wines made in oak barrels, no stirring or filtering is carried out. The chilling process then takes place... outside in the winter cold!

Look for the following styles:

Brut, Non-Vintage. 91 points from Wine Spectator: "Well-balanced, this well-cut, aperitif-style version features a mix of savory accents of fleur de sel, almond skin and raisin bread, paired with dried apricot, lemon curd and honey notes. The mouthwatering acidity brings you back for another sip."

Brut, 2008 Vintage. 90 points from Wine Spectator: "A fresh version that offers a lively, lacy bead and subtle flavors of green pear, slivered almond, dried apricot and fleur de sel. Disgorged January 2015. Drink now through 2020. 370 cases made."

Demi Sec. 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay. This is our lowest-priced Demi Sec Champagne. On the nose, red fruit and floral notes that gradually reveal the predominance of the Pinot Noir grapes. It's full-bodied, with a lively attack. Enjoy with desserts or as an aperitif.

Extra Brut. Drier than Brut but not as dry a Brut Nature (Natural). This is our only Extra Brut Champagne. 91 points from Wine Spectator: "An elegant, well-cut sparkler, with a lively, lacy texture carrying a ripe note of poached apple and accents of chalk, almond skin and sea salt. Disgorged October 10, 2013. Drink now through 2019. 250 cases made."

Breaker Wheated Bourbon Whisky is meant to serve as a counterpart to Breaker Bourbon Whisky. By replacing the rye in our mashbill with wheat, we have created a bourbon that is slightly softer on the palate. Remaining true to tradition, this bourbon is aged in new, deeply charred 53-gallon White American Oak barrels for a minimum of 5 years. Only eight barrels are carefully hand selected by our Master Distiller for each batch that we bottle. 45% ABV. Limited availability, at $56.99.

2014 Michel Tete Domaine du Clos du Fief Julienas Tradition. Beaujolais wines like this are really popular at this time of year. Currently, this is our only wine from Julienas and each store has only a few cases. Rated 92 points by Wine Advocate: "The 2014 Juliénas Tradition comes from 45-year-old vines and underwent a 10- to 12-day maceration. It has a lively, vivacious nose with animated red cherry and wild strawberry scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe, citrus fresh red and black fruit, leading to a generous finish that is harmonious and tender. It will be hard to find Juliénas better than this little gem in 2014." Only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale. If it tastes like Christmas, it probably works with K-9. Flavor notes: Sweet malt base with roasted, nutty, and spicy flavors Pairs with: Buttery cheeses; sweet breads; spice cake; squash, yams, and sweet potatoes; hearty meats and stews. 7.4% ABV.

                                                             Links n Stuff

We published several blog posts with additional recommendations for the holidays. Click here for wine, craft beer and sparkling wine. Click here for craft beer and sparkling wine. Click here for craft beer. Click here for sparkling wine and table wine. And click here for table wine only.

Click here for other gift ideas, like cheese and pre-made gift sets. Stock will vary by store.

Click here for events in our Lawrenceville store. Click here for events in our Woodbridge store.

Click here for the most misunderstood wine terms.

Have a great weekend!

Mid-Year Gift Giving Time

We're going to offer a gentle reminder that Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Even if you missed our bottle-engraving events this past weekend, we still have great gift choices available.

2013 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most sought-after ultra-premium California wines. We've just received a shipment of the latest vintage, the 2013. Caymus Napa Valley delivers big aromas and flavors that include cocoa, cassis and vanilla. Caymus prides itself on producing wines that are as approachable in youth as well at maturity.

Like all wines of this stature, availability is fairly limited. Priced at only $64.99 in the Bottle Club®. We always sell out of the Caymus, so we recommend getting your bottle, or bottles, as soon as you can.

For those who prefer a Scotch whiskey, we can recommend the Laphroaig 15 year old. Laphroaig 15 year old was first created 30 years ago. Barrels were individually selected for their particularly mellow rounded flavor, then batch bottled at the higher export strength of 43% ABV. The resulting flavor soon became a firm favorite, winning many awards. Its highlight was being chosen for the famous ‘Erskine Charity Bottling’ in 2000, when 270 bottles were drawn from a single 15 year old cask signed by HRH The Prince of Wales for this charity of which he is a patron.

On the nose, there are initial scents of grapefruit and fresh mint. A touch of water releases salted caramel, with signature Islay peat smoke underlying sweet orchard fruit aromas. On the palate, enjoy pink peppercorns, light peat smoke with a soft dryness, before a finish of tobacco and faint sea salt.

If you're inclined toward the Laphroaig 15, please note that we have a coupon posted on our website for an additional saving. Please click here to view the coupon. Only $69.99 in the Bottle Club®, before the coupon savings.

While there's no time for a bottle engraving, a purchase of Dewar's Higher Marques offers you the option of a wax seal gift tag. Click here for more information on this, which will run from 2-4pm on Saturday, at both stores.

Maybe a shared special dinner interests you. On Monday, June 22, we are hosting a Bourbon dinner at Vidalia's in Lawrenceville. Great Bourbons, like Elmer T. Lee, Basil Hayden and more will be paired with some of Vidalia's exceptional dishes. Lawrenceville's Store Manager Toni Carver will be your host for the evening. Please click here for information.

Of course, if you don't want to make a final decision yourself, a Joe Canal's Gift Card is available from any cashier, in any denomination.

At Joe Canal's, we have hundreds of items that will make great gifts. If you're not sure, just ask any store associate for assistance.

Small Batch, Big Favorite

Anchor Brewers & Distillers produce products from multigenerational family-owned companies, and are sought by connoisseurs for their superior handcrafted artisanal qualities. You may already be familiar with Anchor Beer, which is from this San Francisco-based company.

Hirsch Small Batch Reserve is an artisanally produced, hand crafted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This fine bourbon demonstrates a combination of precise distillation techniques, careful barrel selection, and patience over maturation. Bottled only when the master distiller is completely satisfied with the quality of the finished product, we proudly present this whiskey at between four and six years old.

The color is amber, with excellent clarity. On the nose, you'll find classic bourbon notes of oak resin, vanilla and soft fruits. On the palate, the initial spiciness leads to a complex mid-palate of dried fruits. The finish is long and satisfying, with a mouth coating honeyed sweetness. 46% ABV. Available at $34.99.

We also stock Hirsch Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey. Classified as a Single Malt, at 45% ABV. It's a  smooth and truly alluring whiskey that dances on your palate, showing hints of oak and notes of sweet vanilla. Exceptional in quality with a chewy richness and delicate balance.

New Products, New Reviews, New Month

Our buyers have been very busy, and we have lots of new products to discuss because of their efforts. Let's jump right in.

J.R. Ewing Bourbon

With more than 5 million viewers per episode, the updated version of the Dallas TV show mixes some of the original cast members into the story lines. J. R. Ewing, as played by the late Larry Hagman, was the central character of the original show. The legacy of that character lives on in this inspired Bourbon.

Distilled in Kentucky, every batch of J.R. Ewing Bourbon is handcrafted, and aged 4 years in newly charred American oak barrels. It provides classic flavor profile, balancing the sweetness of corn with hints of caramel, vanilla, oak, and a touch of orange.

Only $25.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Patrick Piuze Chablis "Terroir de Chablis" 2013

Patrick Piuze is a French-Canadian in his late thirties who first ran a wine bar in his native Montreal, but then got the wine bug and ended up making Chablis for Olivier Leflaive, Jean-Marie Guffens of Verget and Jean-Marc Brocard before setting out on his own in July 2008.

Harvest in Chablis

The Terroir de Chablis is completely unoaked and vinified in stainless steel tanks. Therefore, the terroir is what dominates here with intense minerality and puckering acidity.

This rated 90 points from Wine Advocate. Their review: "The 2013 Chablis Terroir de Chablis comes from the north-facing hill in Les Forets and another north-facing parcel opposite Vaillons. It has a more introspective but nicely defined bouquet that takes more time to unwind. But the palate is fresh with good tension and plenty of energy, complemented by a dash of white pepper on the slightly resinous finish. Drink now-2020."

Available in Lawrenceville only, at $24.99.

Brandon Bartfalvi is the Senior Wine Manager at our Lawrenceville location. Here are a few of his tasting notes on some recent arrivals.

2013 Castelfeder Pinot Grigio

A zippy and vibrant Pinot Grigio, offering flavors of ripe apples and pears with a dominant mineral streak. This is what Pinot Grigio should taste like! Great price and tons of personality!

2010 Chateau Macquin Saint Georges St. Emilion

Ripe, dark fruit notes of blackberry and cassis are balanced by firm tannins and good acidity. After a little decanting the wine reveals more spice and pepper notes especially on the finish. Good value!

2005 Oremus 5 Puttonyos Tokaji

One of the most underrated and overlooked dessert wines in the world!  This is a wine to be savored because of its immense complexity (sensory overload alert!!). Concentrated and dense, with notes of candied tropical fruits and sweet citrus flavors. As the wine opens in the glass, it reveals nutty undertones and coffee flavors on the long finish. A honeyed, complex effort! (owned by Vega Sicilia).

Cheers!

Cures For Thirsty Thursday

We know that it was a bit of a challenge for some people to get to work today. You should consider treating yourself to one of our new arrivals as a reward. Here's a quick preview of what's new, or what's about to arrive.

Locations by Orin Swift

Dave Phinney is the winemaker behind the Orin Swift brand. Wines like The Prisoner and Saldo  received critical acclaim, and sold briskly. His newest project, Locations, aims to take the best grapes from a given area and make a great wine.

For example, French wine tradition is such that grapes from Bordeaux would never be found in the same bottle as grapes from the Rhone region. For Locations France, however, the grapes are sourced from some of the finest locations throughout France. Grenache from the Roussillon, Syrah from the Rhone, and assorted Bordeaux varietals have been sensibly blended in an original style that showcases the best of what this historic land has to offer.

Look for Locations France, Italy and Spain in our stores within the next couple of days. Only $16.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Joel Gott Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Here's another trusted wine name, Joel Gott (and when you visit Napa, lunch at Gott's Roadside is a must), delivering an outstanding Pinot Noir from Oregon. 

The 2012 Joel Gott Oregon Pinot Noir has aromatics of raspberry, blueberry, tart cherry, and violets with hints of sweet cedar and spice. On the palate, lush fruit flavors lead to soft, velvety tannins on the mid-palate and a well-balanced finish.

This is 100% Pinot Noir, sourced from the Willamette Valley. The vineyards are flanked by low rolling hills with the Oregon Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east. The cooler climate stresses the vines, creating smaller, more concentrated fruit clusters. Low yields helped to create a more intense, concentrated, complex wine with more flavor, color and tannin. The distinctive minerality in the wine comes from the valley’s volcanic soil and silt.

Only $20.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Orphan Barrel Whiskey

For the whiskey lover, we have a very limited amount of a couple of amazing, extremely allocated, bourbons on hand.

The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Company was started to share barrels of rare and delicious whiskey, hidden away and nearly forgotten in the back of rickhouses and distilleries.

Stories of these lost whiskeys have become the stuff of legend. Their goal is to bottle these rare, small offerings for the world to try.

Every Orphan Barrel is hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tennessee, to ensure that these rare whiskeys are treated with the care they deserve – because some of them will only be available once. And once they're gone, they're gone forever.  

Blustery, boastful, and unapologetic, Old Blowhard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been around too long to suffer fools. In the warehouses of mass-production, you might say there isn't much room for a whiskey full of flavor and big on personality. For 26 years, this well-traveled whiskey has been demanding attention, too bold to play well with others.

Character this powerful has a way of crossing folks, and that's just fine. The flavor of this extraordinary whiskey is exuberant and rich with undertones of smoke and honey. The finish is dry and spicy, with a hint of orange peel.

A whiskey like this doesn't come around all that often. Only a very small amount of Old Blowhard exists, and it will only be made available once. After the last bottle of this release has been sold, it's gone for good, once again to become but myth and legend...

45.35% ABV.

Twenty years in American Oak will make your average spirit a bit mellow. Take all the fight out. Well this here is no ordinary spirit, and twenty years is long enough to pick up a trick or two. For one barrel in particular, it was long enough to develop the gift of a silver tongue. The old rickhouse hands had it written off as a rumor. A character so smooth, it could clean out the card sharps and take the shirt off a traveling salesman's back.

But the rumors were true. And when the chips are in, a smooth operator can be mighty persuasive indeed. One sip of Barterhouse Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and you just might find yourself forgiving Robert Johnson for trading his soul to the very devil himself. 

45.1% ABV.

You already know how difficult it is to get your hands on Pappy. If you enjoy bourbon, don't let the Orphan Barrel pass you by. Check with the store manager for current availability.

Previews

It's that day - the day we take a look at some of the newest products in our stores, or that are about to arrive.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon

Old Scout is blended from 6 and 7 year old barrels with a high rye content of 36%. This fine whiskey has the exceptional taste and smoothness that comes with age. Non chill filtered, non carbon filtered. A robust 99 proof, it’s strong, but deliciously drinkable like all of Smooth Ambler’s offerings. Bold, sweet-spicy flavors with subtle apple, cherry and tobacco aroma. Smooth Ambler is a craft distiller from West Virginia, where they know a thing or two about making whiskey. Old Scout received an impressive 95 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout is available in very limited quantities for only $34.99.

Rombauer Napa Zinfandel

Year after year, the Rombauer Napa Chardonnay is one of the most requested white wines in our stores. We've now brought in another of their wines, the 2011 Zinfandel. From the winemaker notes:  "Rich, deep purple color with a dark red hue. Opening with vibrant boysenberry and black cherry aromas. Subtle hints of spice and licorice aromas follow, inviting a taste. Jammy, luscious wild berry and cinnamon flavors weave across the palate for a succulent mouth-feel. Fresh acidity and soft tannins round out the blackberry flavored finish." This is a great red for summer barbecues, especially if wings are on the menu.

New York Yankees Wines

Two sophisticated California wines are in stock, with the NY Yankees official logo. 

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is slowly fermented to maintain the aroma of currants and dried cherries, while extracting the colors and flavors associated with the Paso Robles region. The wine was aged in a combination of American and French oak to add complexity and to allow the wine to soften prior to bottling.

The 2012 Chardonnay comes from three select vineyards in 2 distinctly different micro climates ranging from very cool in the Green Valley area to warmer days in the Russian River plain area. The gravelly soil associated with the Russian River provides minerality and structure to grapes. Our Chardonnay had 20% malolactic fermentation to help round out the edges while maintaining the crisp Russian River influence. Aromas of apples and citrus combined with a hint of French oak make this wine enjoyable by itself or with food.

K Vintners 

Another spectacular group of wines from Washington State's Charles Smith. First, the 2011 River Rock Syrah. Sure this Walla Walla fruit came from the rocks, but man, this is different. Lean and mean, a wine for its time. Cured meat, camphor, forest floor, cool stone, and oh soooo refined tannins. 100% Syrah, this rated 93-95 points from Wine Advocate.

Then there's the 2011 Northridge Merlot, which also rated 93-95 points from Wine Advocate. Pencil shavings, graphite, cocoa powder, milk chocolate, espresso. Complex aromas of a woman's evening bag, perfume, coins, paper money, lipstick, pencil and even a broken matchbook.

Finally, we have their 2011 Clifton Hill Syrah, which only rated 92-94 from Wine Advocate. It's a "Wow" wine. Focused, rich, and kick-ass - serious stuff here! Raw meat, cedar, forest floor, coffee grounds, Asain five spice. Plenty of round tannins and a lengthy finish. 

All are available in extremely limited quantities.

Chateau Hyot

How about a Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux that scored 90 points from Wine Spectator for under $15? Look no further. From the WS tasting notes on this 2010 vintage: "Very ripe, offering saturated cassis, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors that are racy and distinctive, thanks to fresh acidity and sleek tannins. The long finish has nice density. Drink now through 2016." This wine blends 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, from 40 year old vines.

Fresh From the Docks. Loading Docks.

We present a round-up of some of our newest products.

Woodford Reserve, Kentucky Derby Edition

Horse racing is still called the Sport of Kings, and the Kentucky Derby is arguably the most famous race. This year brings the 140th Derby, and Woodford Reserve again commemorates the race with a very limited edition 1 liter bottle of its exceptional bourbon.

These special collector's editions are only available for a limited time, and Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge each have a small supply.

One of the great Kentucky bourbons, Woodford Reserve isn't manufactured, it's hand crafted in small batches. This artisanal process allows them to craft it at all five sources of bourbon flavor giving it its distinct taste and crisp, clean finish.

New Sizes of Rum Chata

Rum Chata is one of the hottest specialty beverages on our shelves. It's combination of rum, cream and spices make it a perfect and versatile drink, as well as an exceptional base for cocktails. Visit their web site to find not only cocktail ideas, but recipes for using Rum Chata in dishes ranging from pumpkin pie to sweet potato casserole.

We've been carrying the 750ML size for some time, and we've now added the 1.75L "handle", the 375ML half bottle, and the 50ML shooter size.

El Dorado Rum 15 Year Special Reserve

This has been added based on customer requests. Long acknowledged as the Caribbean’s premier rum, continuously winning major awards over the past decade, El Dorado 15 Year Old Special Reserve is viewed as a fine, cognac-like rum possessing the most intriguing and complex character in its class. Perfect for long sipping, straight or on the rocks. A Classic!

A combination of specially selected aged rums, some as old as 25 years, from the Enmore and Diamond Coffey stills, the Port Mourant double wooden pot still and the Versailles single wooden pot still, it is blended to perfection and aged in old bourbon oak casks.

Tasting Notes:

Full nose packed with dark coffee, candied orange, almonds, dark chocolate, pepper and rich vanilla. Beautifully rounded palate with a great spread of flavors: grilled tropical fruit with smooth oaky spice – silky, vibrant and moderately full-bodied.

Chateau Nenin Pomerol

We'll close today's post by noting the addition of two vintages of an exceptional Bordeaux. The 2009 and 2010 vintages of Chateau Nenin Pomerol scored exceptionally well, and are ready to be added to your cellar.

The 2009 is "a noticeably grippier style, showing a chunky edge to the bittersweet cocoa and charcoal notes which support the core of dark fig and blackberry fruit. This has good, racy structure though, so it should settle down with cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2027. 4,580 cases made. 93 points." -Wine Spectator.

The 2010 "is deliciously plump, with blackberry and plum fruit at the core, studded with lightly toasted spice and framed with a roasted vanilla bean note. A lingering cocoa edge chimes in on the finish. Best from 2014 through 2023. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,166 cases made. 92 points". -Wine Spectator.

Please make time to visit this blog tomorrow, as we discuss special sale items, upcoming after-hours events, and industry news.

Friday Grab Bag

A look at industry news and Joe Canal's updates that we couldn't fully cover earlier in the week.

Ripped From The Headlines

There are laws that spell out the requirements for a Tennessee whiskey. The elements include the mashbill, the specifics of the barrel used for aging, and so on. Lawmakers in Tennessee are considering changes to the current law. Read about it here.

A trailer-load of a rare Canadian whiskey is missing. That's 1532 cases of Mastersons 12 year old, with a value of about $700,000. Read the whole story here, which includes tasting notes on a 12 year old whiskey that we'll probably never see.

Hungary abolishes three and four Puttonyos Tokaji grades, effective later this year. While this change won't have an immediate impact, if your favorite Tokaji falls in that range, you might want to stock up. The Puttonyos scale refers to sugar levels. Read about it here.

In California, a warehouse worker was arrested, accused of stealing over $400,000 worth of wine. That's about 350 cases. The story, with snark, is here.

In-Store Tastings

We're covering all of our product categories in Lawrenceville this weekend. On Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00pm, we're offering a complimentary tasting of Dad's Hat Whiskey. Based in nearby Bristol, PA, Dad's Hat is made by hand, in small batches, using only natural, local ingredients and the most careful methods. It's crisp, smooth and delicious, and is produced in the original home of American Rye Whiskey.

Also at 5:00pm, we have our weekly specialty Growler tapping. Our featured brewery in March is DuClaw Brewing Company, and we're tapping Naked Fish.
 Like most traditional Stouts, Naked Fish is medium-bodied and nearly black in color, with a light tan head. But where Naked Fish turns the stout style upside down is in its flavor profile. Gourmet Chocolate Raspberry Coffee is added to the grain bill to produce a taste experience you’ll never forget.

Finally, we have our regular weekly wine tasting on Saturday, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. You can find the tasting menu here.

We've just added a Lost Distillery Scotch Whisky tasting for Friday, April 11, from 4:00 to 6:00pm. In their words: "The Lost Distillery Company is an independent boutique Scotch Whisky company. We are obsessive about our craft and uncompromising when it comes to whisky quality. Our mission is to create present day expressions of legendary whiskies that belonged to the craft of whisky distilling almost a century ago."

There's also plenty to taste in Woodbridge. The normal wine tasting schedule is in force, with the Friday hours 4:00 to 6:00pm and 1:00 to 3:00pm on Saturday. Friday's tasting is themed to the arrival of Spring, as suggested by the staff. You can find both Friday and Saturday tasting menus here.

And the Woodbridge specialty tapping of DuClaw Naked Fish will be at 6:00pm on Friday.

                           Now In Stock

Both stores have received a limited amount of the Canal's Family Selection Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Single Barrel Canal's Family Selection. A genuine small batch Bourbon, it's named after the Rev. Elijah Craig, the man who discovered the method of making true Kentucky Bourbon when he stored his wares in barrels that had been charred in a fire. Single Barrel means that the Bourbon is bottled exclusively from one hand-selected barrel, rather than from a blending of 70 barrels for a typical Bourbon. This leads to uniquely rich and distinct flavors.

Due to arrive today is a new Canal's Family Selection product: Maestro Dobel™ Tequila. This tequila is sourced from single estates and is distilled from 100% blue agave and bottled in Jalisco, Mexico. Each bottle of Dobel™ Tequila is double-distilled, matured in Hungarian White Oak barrels, and filtered for exceptional smoothness and clarity.

Please Allow Me To Introduce...

It's been a busy week back at the receiving dock. Let's unpack some of our newest products that are ready for you to enjoy.

In stock now, in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge, is Beluga Noble Vodka (Beluga Gold should arrive within the next day or two). The Gold and Noble are available in very limited quantities, so act fast.

Beluga Noble was first produced in 2002, and its refined, rich taste is due to the malt spirit and pure water from Siberian artesianal wells. That helps smooth the taste. The vodka is triple filtered and aged for 30 days, softening the aromas and flavors.

Beluga Gold is made similarly, but is filtered five times. The packaging is also upgraded, with a wax seal, and a hammer/brush combo to clean the wax. Beluga Gold has been routinely special-ordered, and it's sure to sell out.

Over in the wine aisles, look for Chateau Jean Faux Bordeaux Superieur. Just outside the appellation limits of Castillon, this property is located on fairly steep slopes protected by pine trees. The 25 year old vines are planted on clay and limestone plateaus. The 2010 vintage is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

"This is quite ripe, with almost flashy plum, raspberry and boysenberry flavors, but they stay focused and driven, with mouthwatering anise and apple wood notes that cut through the middle and extend the long, fleshy, polished finish. A latent minerality chimes in at the very end, boding well for the future. Drink now through 2020." - Wine Spectator 92 points. With a regular price of $26.99, the Chateau Jean Faux Bordeaux Superieur is only $23.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Looking at brown spirits, arriving soon will be Jim Beam® Single Barrel Bourbon, the Pride of the Rackhouse.

For those who take their bourbon a bit more seriously, there’s Jim Beam® Single Barrel.

The master distillers carefully select each barrel by hand—less than one percent are chosen for Jim Beam® Single Barrel—ensuring the highest quality and craft. No two barrels are the same, and each is individually bottled, labeled and hand-numbered so that its heritage is unquestionable.

Every glass is full-bodied and smooth, with attributes of oak, vanilla and caramel. Sip it neat or savor it on the rocks. After all, it’s some of the very best bourbon that the Beam family has ever produced. Only $33.99 in the Bottle Club®.

You can collect it, or drink it, or both: Three Olives® Elvis Presley™ Coconut Water Flavored Vodka. It's an incredible blend of imported English vodka and the natural taste of fresh coconut water. The one-liter bottle is priced at $19.99 in the Bottle Club®, and it is currently in stock.

Three Olives® Elvis Presley™ Coconut Water Flavored Vodka makes a spectacular base for easy and imaginative cocktails. Grab a few recipes here.

  

 

So What's New With You?

Our thoughts are with our neighbors in Ewing and Jersey City, who have endured an awful lot this week.

Because it's important to get back to one's normal routine, today we'll talk about some of the new products at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Current vintage is 2012

We start off with a really special wine, the Domaine Balandras – Les Gravières Macôn- Serrières. The Mâconnais is the soul of southern Burgundy, celebrated by its native son, the poet Lamartine. It extends over some 40 km of the Côte Chalonnaise as far as the Rock of Solutré. Lying between the rivers Saône and Grosne, its valleys and hillsides seem to make the vines welcome. Indeed, vines have been grown here since Gallo-Roman times and their cultivation received a boost from the powerful Abbeys of Cluny and Tournus.

Intense ruby red, purple reflection. Nose of strawberry, spice and licorice. Soft tannins that still exhibit great length. The terroir influence had a surprising and very pleasant minerality to the great 100% Gamay. Mâcon-Serrières goes marvelously well with fine charcuterie (hams, terrines, pâtés)
whose meaty and mouth-filling texture is offset by his vivacity, matched also with more fibrous and subtle meats such as rabbit, and boiled or braised beef, burgers and tapas. This wine has the ability to age up to 5 years, and is only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Another new wine, and another great value, is the 2008 Urbion Crianza. It rated 91 points from the Wine Advocate, who said, "It has a more -serious- bouquet with blackberry, a touch of burnt toast and Asian spices. The palate is very well-balanced with fine, supple tannins. It has superb purity and refinement with lovely blackberry and licorice towards the finish. Once again, this is unbeatable value. Drink now-2016." Did we mention great value? Only $11.96  in the Bottle Club®.

We're not forgetting about the interesting developments in the world of bourbon. Look for Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea. Inspired by the original Jefferson’s Ocean, which was new-filled bourbon barrels, the Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea takes older bourbon barrels and brings it around the world. Stopping in 5 different continents and crossing the equator 4 times, this bourbon truly is a world beater. It's allocated, which means it's only available in extremely limited quantities, and it's priced at $75.99.

At Joe Canal's, there's always something new on our shelves. Our helpful staff will be more than happy to help you find that perfect bottle.

Hot Drinks for Cold Days

With all the cold, snowy weather we've had, it's easy to forget that we really haven't quite reached winter yet. To help get through more of that lousy weather, Joe Canal's is featuring a couple of drinks that pair perfectly with the cold, snowy days ahead.

The Captain Morgan® Black Toddy

Ingredients
25 oz (about one 750Ml bottle) Captain Morgan® Black Spiced Rum
17.5 oz fresh lemon juice (about a dozen lemons)
9 oz honey
24 pieces of clove
2 oz orange rind

In a large pot, combine Captain Morgan® Black Spiced Rum, lemon juice and hot water.Slowly add the honey, stirring to combine.
Pierce the orange rind with the cloves and float the studded rinds in the mixture.
Ladle the toddy into coffee mugs to serve.

That one was perfect for a crowd. If you have a quiet night at home, try the next one:

Kentucky Mulled Cider

Ingredients
1-1/4 parts Maker's Mark® Bourbon
Hot apple cider
1 thinly sliced lemon with rind
1 dash of allspice
1 tall cinnamon stick

Add Maker's Mark® Bourbon to a footed mug. Fill mug with hot apple cider and the dash of allspice. Garnish with a tall cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

And since coffee remains a popular base, try this:

Bushmills Irish Coffee

 

Ingredients
1.5 oz  Bushmills Irish Whiskey

1.5 oz hot coffee

1-2 tsp sugar
Slightly whipped double cream

Pour coffee into a warmed glass mug, add sugar to taste and stir to dissolve. Add Bushmills, then top with whipped cream, poured gently over the back of a spoon. Enjoy.

Cooking with Joe Canal's

It's the time of year when home-made everything seems to be a first choice, even with our busy lives. We thought we'd share a few recipes with you that include ingredients that you can find at our stores.

Bourbon Chocolate Bread Pudding (from food52.com)
Serves 6

•     2 cups whole milk
•     4 eggs
•     1/3 cup bourbon
•     8 ounces 72% dark chocolate, chopped
•     4 cups day-old French bread cubes (packed)
•     1/2 cup turbinado sugar

-Preheat oven to 350.

-Whisk together milk, eggs, and bourbon. In a large bowl, combine the liquids with the chocolate, bread cubes, and sugar. Toss to coat and set aside to soak for about 45 minutes. Gently stir once or twice while soaking.

-Pour mixture into a 1.5 quart baking dish. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the custard has set and the top of the pudding is slightly crispy (be careful not to overcook). Serve warm or at warm temperature.

If you need Bourbon for this recipe only, ask at Customer Service for 375ML ("pint") or 200ML ("half-pint") bottles. We carry Knob Creek in the pint size at both stores, and Jim Beam and Woodford Reserve are available in Lawrenceville.

Pasta with Shrimp, Spinach and Lemon Garlic

Several Joe Canal's team members visited St. Francis Winery, in Sonoma County, earlier this year. They have an award-winning restaurant there, and were just voted Best Restaurant in the US by Open Table readers. This dish, which will pair beautifully with the St. Francis Sonoma Chardonnay, is best viewed at their web site: Pasta with Shrimp, Spinach, and Lemon-Garlic - Pasta - Categories - Recipes - Culinary - St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

If you enjoy cooking, you should definitely check their many other recipes.

 

Corn-Jalapeno Cakes with Smoked Salmon

From Chateau Ste. Michelle. Follow the link to the recipe and pair with their Sauvignon Blanc.

http://www.ste-michelle.com/wine-and-food/recipes/corn-jalapeno-cakes-with-smoked-salmon

 

Main Course Suggestions

Castello Banfi, a winery that this writer was fortunate to have visited last year, offers a number of recipes for all courses on their web site. Follow/copy and paste this link for main course suggestions from the heart of Tuscany:

http://www.castellobanfi.com/pdf_files/MainCourses.pdf

 

Beer Braised Shrimp with Louisiana Salsa and Rice

From Abita Beer, who learned this from Rachel Ray. Again, follow/copy and paste the link. You'll be happy that you did:

http://abita.com/brews/recipes/beer-braised-shrimp-with-louisiana-salsa-and-rice

 

With just this small sampling of recipes, we've illustrated how the wine, beer and spirits that are available at Joe Canal's can add sop much to your meals. And we've also shown that our partner wineries, brewers and distillers can provide crowd-pleasing recipes on their own web sites. So when you need a fresh meal idea, check the web site for your favorite brand; they just might have the answer for you.