Interested in Something New?

The influx of summer seasonal goods continues, but we're also getting plenty of other new products as well. In case you missed it, click here for this week's Craft Beer Corner, where we exclusively discuss new brews.

Domaine Castillon Costieres de Nimes Rose 2015. It is rose season, so the timing is right. We carry the red and white from this winery, so it was natural to add the rose once it became available. This is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre, showing a classic saltiness and high quality raspberry, strawberry, spice and rising bread nuances. Medium-bodied, balanced, delicious and fresh, it leans a little bit towards the richer end of the spectrum, but stays lively and is highly drinkable. Drink now. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Mint Julep Ale. The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday in May, so let's get ready. Woodford Reserve is the official Bourbon, and we still have a few bottles of that available for purchase. This year, there's also an official wine, from 14 Hands. We detailed that when it was first released, and a few bottles remain. The Mint Julep is the beverage of choice at the race, so leave it to a Maryland craft brewer (home of the Preakness) to bring it all together in a beer.

If you're not drinking this during the decadence and depravity that is the Triple Crown, you're doing it wrong. 6.0% ABV, 20 IBU's. Mint Julep Ale was the brainchild of two Flying Dog sales managers (and resident cocktail mongers). The idea to incorporate the classic Derby flavor profile into a beer was a ringer.

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Shays' Rebellion American Whiskey. This unique whiskey was made in collaboration with the Sam Adams brewery. Berkshire Mountain Distillers had the idea to experiment with triple distilling a batch of Samuel Adams Cinder Bock, a fiery Rauch Bock beer. The resultant whiskey made from this beer was then aged in Samuel Adams Utopias casks for nearly three and a half years.

Shays' Rebellion American whiskey maintains the smokiness and malt character of the Cinder Bock that it was made from, but finishes with port and dried fruit notes from the Utopias casks that it was aged in, resulting in a mature, complicated and delicious whiskey. A definite collector's item, available in extremely limited quantities. $109.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Laudun & Chusclan Seigneurie de Gicon Côtes du Rhône Villages Rosé 2015. Vinified traditionally. On the nose, the wine is aromatic, open and elegant, with many notes of red fruit and candy. Some shades of white flowers enrich the sensation. Soft and sweet on the palate, this balanced rosé will fit perfectly your summer outdoor meals. 80% Grenache. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

2012 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. 96 points from Wine Advocate. Their review: "Revealing the great blending skills of Beringer’s winemaking team, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a winner. Having purchased Private Reserves for many years, I can attest that they age incredibly well. The 1991, one of the great successes of that vintage, is still aging beautifully at nearly 25 years of age. The sensational 2012 (10,000 cases) boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant

aromas of charcoal, burning embers, creme de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years." As you'd expect, extremely limited availability, at $99.99 in the Bottle Club®.

We've presented just a few of the many new products that are now on our shelves. For assistance in finding these items, or anything else that's new, please consult our store staff.

Build a Bar Workshop: Rye

Our Build a Bar series is designed to supplement your knowledge in the spirits category. Whether you're stocking a home bar, preparing for a party, or you just have an interest, we'd like to offer you the tools to properly evaluate your choices. And since we stock two dozen or more different Rye whiskies, that education is really useful.

The "recipe" for Rye Whiskey is the mash bill, which details what grains, and in what percentage, go into the whiskey. A rye whiskey must be at least 51% rye; corn, wheat and/or malted barley typically fill out the balance of the mash bill.

Rye whiskey is distilled to no more than 160 proof, and aged in charred, new oak barrels. The whiskey must be put into the barrels at not more than 125 proof. Rye whiskey that has been so aged for at least two years may be further designated as "straight", as in "straight rye whiskey".

Reaching back into US history, the Whiskey Rebellion was a protest against the tax applied to distilled spirits. At that time, the late 1700's, the whiskey in question was mostly rye. Prohibition severely damaged the rye whiskey business, and it has really only recently recovered, thanks in large part to the craft distilling industry. The fact that rye whiskey is an important part of many classic cocktails was another key factor in its rebound.

If you haven't sampled rye whiskey, your blogger finds the taste to be somewhat sharper than bourbon, which is no less than 51% corn. Bourbon, which can also include a significant percentage of wheat, tends to be a bit sweeter than rye whiskey. Think about the difference between rye bread, wheat bread and corn bread, and you can visualize the difference in the taste of these different whiskies.

As we noted earlier, craft distillers have played a large role in the restoration of rye whiskey. This photo was taken when the Joe Canal's team paid a visit to the Corsair Artisan Distillery in Nashville. That's a pre-Prohibition still that was smuggled to Canada to avoid destruction, before being returned to the US. In Nashville, Corsair is located in a certified historical building, so the column had to be bent to conform to code. Yes, that still is currently used by Corsair.

Some craft distillers, Tuthilltown being one example, source their grain locally. Dad's Hat is even distilled in this area (Bristol, PA), showing the strength of the rye whiskey category. Other craft brands on our shelves include Whistle Pig, Old Pogue Five Fathers and Catskill Distilling Defiant Rye.

Here's evidence of the growth in the craft distilling segment: In 2003, there were 60 craft distillers operating in the United States. Today, that total is 760, according to the American Distilling Institute (ADI), and a further 200 are under construction.

As with craft beer, the craft spirits category is ascending swiftly. The ADI estimates current growth at around 30 percent. Its market share has doubled in the past two years, and analysts at the ADI believe that it could hit 8 percent by 2020, coming close to recent share levels achieved by craft beer. Much of the credit goes to whiskey, which represents 37 percent of all craft labels, followed by gin at 13 percent, vodka at 12 percent and rum at 10 percent.

The larger, national brands have joined the craft distillers in producing new (well, properly aged) rye whiskey. You can find rye whiskey from George Dickel, Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve in our stores.

Whether you're looking for a craft distiller or a national brand, the above lists are partial; you can find lots of other choices on our shelves.

The most classic of rye-based cocktails is the Manhattan. Here's a basic recipe:

2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Pour the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until outside of shaker is very cold to touch. Place a maraschino cherry in a chilled cocktail glass. Strain the contents of the shaker over the cherry and serve immediately.

Up next, one of your blogger's favorites, and a New Orleans classic, the Sazerac.

1 teaspoon sugar
3 or 4 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
a few drops water
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 teaspoon Pernod
lemon peel

Chill an Old Fashioned glass or small tumbler in your freezer. In a mixing glass, combine sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters, and a few drops of water. Mix until sugar is dissolved, and add rye. Add plenty of ice, and stir for about 30 seconds.

Pour Pernod into your chilled glass, and rotate glass until the inside is well coated; discard the excess. Strain the liquid from your mixing glass into the serving glass. Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink. Indulge.

Rye whiskey has been an essential part of the American experience since the beginning. We hope this will help you appreciate the value having of a rye whiskey in your collection.

Some information from wikipedia, Market Watch and seriouseats.com.

New Flavors of Summer

Because it's "shutdown week" (for our wholesalers, not us), we have a chance to discuss some of the products that we've recently received, but that we have not been able to feature. Some of our favorite brands have introduced new products, and they are always worth reviewing.

Patrón Citrónge Mango. The sweet and smooth Patrón Citrónge liqueurs are a Simply Perfect addition to any cocktail. Their newest flavor is clear & smooth with a refreshingly crisp mango taste.

The clear color gives an aroma of fresh, sweet mango. On the palate, you'll get more mango with hints of citrus, pineapple & peach. The long-lasting finish leaves you with even more juicy mango.

This is a delicate blend, made from high quality Ataulfo mangoes cultivated in Mexico. It's perfect for culinary as well as cocktail recipes, giving drinks and sauces a unique, exotic twist. 35% ABV. $21.99.

How about a Mango Mojito?

1oz Patrón Silver
1/2oz Patrón Citrónge Mango
1 cut lime
1 oz simple syrup
6-8 fresh mint leaves
club soda
lime wedge for garnish

In a tall glass, muddle mint leaves, lime and simple syrup. Add a cup of ice and Patrón Silver, Patrón Citrónge Mango and top with club soda. Stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge.

BACARDÍ® Tangerine™ Flavored Rum is infused with rich tangerine flavors to create a tangy and fresh taste, inspired by the brand’s Caribbean heritage. BACARDÍ Tangerine is a BACARDÍ original flavor that’s great as a shot drink or mixed with fruit juices and soda water for a refreshing drink that’s full of flavor.

This is available in the 1 liter size only, at $20.99.

Try a BACARDÍ Tango.

Tangy, smooth and sweet. The BACARDÍ Tango tastes like summer in a glass with the simple combination of orange juice and BACARDÍ Tangerine.

1 part BACARDÍ Tangerine
3 parts orange juice
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in ingredients and mix well.

Slaughter House American Whiskey. The Spirit: An irresistible American Whiskey with endless layers and an everlasting finish, procured by Dave Phinney.

After spending 9 years in American oak, the spirit was further matured in our Papillon barrels which added perfumed aromatics and rounded out the mouthfeel. The spirit was then tamed with pristine water originating from a natural hillside spring found on Dave’s property 2000 feet above the Alexander Valley in California.

The Profile: Intense and inviting with caramelized sugar, baking spices, dark fruits, butterscotch and vanilla notes. The palate is smooth, ultra rich and layered. The finish is impressive with honey, toast and loads of caramel.

Only $41.99 in the Bottle Club®. We prefer this with a small amount of chilled, bottled water.

Cheers!

Introducing...

Over the last few weeks, many of the wholesalers that we buy from hosted portfolio tastings. Our staff attended many of these events, so that we can better understand what we're currently carrying, and so that we can consider new products. Here's a look at a few of our newest additions:

Hewitson Baby Bush Mourvedre

Taking cuttings from the 1853 planting of the Hewitson Old Garden vineyard, the oldest Mourvèdre vines on Earth, Hewitson grew, then crafted a wine from Baby Bush vines that takes a new look at an old treasure.

The 2012 Baby Bush is a wonderful expression of this variety. The aromas display classic Mourvèdre richness, ripeness and rusticity. The dark, brambly, blueberry aromas are matched with the sage, earth and undergrowth. These aromas carry right through the palate which delivers a rich, velvety mouth feel, backed by very soft and fully ripe tannins. The structure, balance and youthful poise of 2012 Baby Bush Mourvèdre ensures the wine is extremely enjoyable now. It will also reward with time in the cellar.

Rated 94 points by James Suckling. Only $17.49 in the Bottle Club®.

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey

Michter's is known for producing limited edition whiskies that are highly collectible, and highly enjoyable. That's what we have with this cask strength version of its rye whiskey. It is a stronger version of their US*1 Single Barrel Rye, which rings in at 84.8 proof.

The barrel entry proof for this was 103 proof, a strength that Michter’s believes will yield a richer, smoother product than a higher entry proof would. After aging, the barrel proof for the majority of barrels of this first release ranged between 108 proof to 110.8 proof. The single highest proof barrel reached a strength of 113 proof. Available for $74.99.

Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello 2010

Fattoria dei Barbi is among a prestigious group of estates that has played an integral part in writing the history of Italian wine. The Colombini family, one of region’s most influential families, founded the estate in 1790. The family has owned land in Montalcino since 1352. The estate is currently owned and managed by the 20th generation heir, Stefano Cinelli Colombini.

"Fattoria dei Barbi's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino starts with a tightly wound personality that begins to unravel slowly, one delicate layer at a time. As it does, you become aware of dried fruit, cigar box, crushed mineral, plum, tar and cola. The wine puts on a beautiful display. I also loved the mouthfeel of this beautiful wine: It is tonic, tight and brimming with energy. Well-integrated oak notes give the wine a spot of softness and velvety spice. This is one beautiful Sangiovese." Wine Advocate, 94 points. Available only in Woodbridge (but we can transfer a bottle to Lawrenceville, upon request), for $54.99.

Six Saints Caribbean Rum

The devout islanders of Grenada have been quietly hand crafting rum for over 200 years. Named after the Caribbean isle’s six saintly parishes, we distill divine natural rum, the way it has always been.

Using only the most hallowed ingredients, the rum is matured in once used bourbon barrels and presented at 41.7% ABV, the perfect sipping strength. You might say Six Saints is a truly immaculate conception!

Golden and light-bodied, this small-batch rum mixes honey and oaky vanilla notes with fresh apples, pears and pineapple. The slow-building alcohol heat makes this an ideal rum for tropical drinks. Only $32.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Don't Yell "Fire!"

While you may want to yell about this great new product, we ask that you wait until you're safely outside. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire has just reached our shelves.

Your blogger had the opportunity to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery about two years ago, and they weren't yet talking (to us, anyway) about this line extension. We "only" got to taste these:

Oh, and we also tasted some unaged and unmellowed whiskey. The signature Jack Daniel's taste profile, of course, comes from their charcoal mellowing process. During our tour, we watched the whiskey flowing through 10 feet of charcoal, among other highlights.

In that photo, you can see the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, which your blogger keeps in the freezer. That shows Jack Daniel's commitment to keep up with the market, while still delivering their traditional, legendary whiskey. And, at Joe Canal's, we're pleased to be among the first retailers in New Jersey to carry Tennessee Fire.

We know you’ve waited for it and thank you for your patience. Jack Daniel’s might be the best-selling American whiskey brand worldwide, but it takes time to perfect products worthy of our name. We don’t cut any corners. We are delighted to bring you a product that Mr. Jack himself would love.

Jack’s original red-hot cinnamon liqueur is blended with Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. The result: Jack Fire, a Classic spirit that delivers a delicious finish.

Look for Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire in the following sizes: 1.75L, 750ML, 375ML and 50ML. We're even offering a money-saving coupon on the 1.75L size. Click on the store name below to claim your coupon:
Lawrenceville
Woodbridge

The Boys Are Back In Town

One of the challenges in our industry is communicating the idea that, eventually, many of our products are not coming back. There are only so many bottles of a vintage 2010 wine that can be produced, only so many casks of whisk(e)y laid down in time to be mature in 2015, only so much capacity among our craft brewers.

Fortunately, with most wineries, there's the next vintage. And that means we will be welcoming the return of a few Coppola Director's wines. Look for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to be back on our shelves in the next day or two.

Coppola's Director’s Cabernet Sauvignon is endowed with gorgeous impressions of boysenberries, cherries, anise and toasted oak. Ripe, juicy fruit flavors build upon a luscious texture with supple tannins. Enjoy this wine with a bison burger, pesto tortellini, or a grilled roast beef melt. tannins. Enjoy this wine with a bison burger, pesto tortellini, or a grilled roast beef melt.

The Director’s Pinot Noir reflects the beauty of the vintage with an alluring fragrance of raspberries, cherries, and rose petals. Silky upon entry, the wine broadens on the palate, growing richer and more flavorful with sweet juicy flavors of strawberries, cherries, and cloves, as well as notes of tea leaves and candied orange peel. Toasted oak rounds out the spice character and helps sustain its elegant structure. Enjoy with grilled salmon, spice rubbed pork chops, or mushroom risotto.

Finally, the Director’s Chardonnay delivers an intense fragrance featuring peaches and figs, pretty spice notes and a subtle floral quality. The wine is perfectly balanced with luscious flavors of apple and melon, tropical fruits and a hint of citrus. It has a long finish, vanilla and spice notes, and just the right amount of body and lushness. Enjoy with crab cakes, sweet and sour pork, or baked Brie.

Freshness is often the hallmark of an excellent beer. Stone Brewing captured the attention of craft beer lovers everywhere by exchanging the "created on" date for their "Enjoy By" label. Both stores have a very limited amount of Stone's Enjoy By 2-14-15 still in stock.

Stone says this is "a devastatingly desirable double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers – especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs – we’ve taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We’ve not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you’re getting this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn’t randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we’ve sent a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA."

750ml size

We've been carrying the  750ML size of Crown Royal Regal Apple® since it was first introduced in New Jersey. It was an extraordinary addition to the Crown Royal® portfolio, Crown Royal® Regal Apple™ is a blend of hand-selected smooth whiskies infused with natural apple flavors.

The blend opens with a nose of bright apples balanced with our signature Crown Royal whisky and hints of spice. Crown Royal® Regal Apple™ offers a flavorful palate of slightly tart, crisp apple with notes of caramel and light spice that culminates in a full-bodied smooth finish of refined apple notes.

Late next week, as we re-stock the 750ML bottles, look for this in the 50ML size.

From Tennessee, only for the Holidays

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey holds a place of its own within our industry. From its humble beginnings in the backwoods of Tennessee, and in a "dry" county no less, Jack Daniel's bacame an iconic brand.

And when an iconic brand produces something unique, we all take notice. That's what we have with Jack Daniel's Holiday Select.

2014 marks the first time that Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett chose Holiday Select barrels to be bottled individually. This year, he wanted to showcase the depth and richness that a single barrel can offer and selected the most robust and complex whiskey he sampled. Each barrel is truly unique and we hope the bottle you’ve selected helps make your holidays special.

(For those still learning about whiskey, a single barrel bottling means that only a specific number of bottles were filled from that one barrel. A whiskey is usually a blend of multiple barrels, each aged in a different part of the rickhouse, for differing lengths of time, to achieve a consistent taste. Single barrel bottlings will be consistent within any specific barrel, but there can be noticeable differences in taste between two different barrels.)

Jack Daniel's Holiday Select is available in limited quantities, for $56.99. Their single barrel bottlings tend to sell out quickly, so get your today!

Midwinter Arrived Already!

Whether you're motivated by this week's arrival of the season's first Polar Vortex, or by the holiday shopping season, it's a great time of year for something new. We recommend something from High West Distillery & Saloon in Park City, Utah.

The distillery is in the center

 Merry wanderers of the night, take heed! High West Distillery & Saloon, Park City’s award-winning, ski-in gastro-distillery, is proud to announce the release of its latest spirit, A Midwinter Night’s Dram™. Named after Shakespeare’s comedy about love “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the newest whiskey debuted on Valentine’s Day. A Midwinter Night’s Dram™ is a limited-release of High West’s award winning Rendezvous Rye whiskey finished for several months in port and French oak barrels. “The rye forms a beautiful vanilla, caramel and cinnamon base, the port barrels add plums and dried fruits, and the French Oak adds a spice accent,” High West proprietor David Perkins said. “It tastes like a proper Christmas plum pudding with lovely mulling spices, dried fruits and crème Anglaise. We knew this was just perfect in the middle of a long cold winter.”

A Midwinter Night’s Dram™ joins 4 other award-winning High West spirits at our stores. Bottled at 98.6 proof so it goes in at body temperature and retail priced at $79.99 per 750ML bottle, it is available at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge for only $73.99 per bottle.

“Whiskey is an indispensable part of making it through a long, cold winter,” Perkins said. “In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ Lysander describes how quickly true love can vanish. We feel the same about a dram of our new whiskey. But rest assured, if you savor it slowly, we can attest that A Midwinter Night’s Dram™ will help you through the coldest night.”

Joe Canal's Takes Kentucky, Version 2.0

On occasion, Joe Canal’s staff members are able to go on trips to meet the producers of the items that we sell. Whether we travel to the great wine regions, or any other location, the trips are educational, great for team-building, and, of course, they’re fun.

David Rudd, Floor Manager at our Woodbridge store, recently visited Bourbon country on just such a trip with other Joe Canal's team members. Here's his report:

Early this September, I had the awesome experience of traveling to Bourbon Country in Kentucky. We arrived in Louisville on a beautiful sunny afternoon and got ourselves situated at the lovely Seelbach Hilton, which is located downtown. Immediately, it became clear that this would be a trip that would become a lifetime memory…the Seelbach is so rich with history.  F. Scott Fitzgerald was inspired by this very hotel to write some of the scenes in “The Great Gatsby” and it was every bit as opulent and strange as the Art Deco descriptions in the literary work would have you believe.

From the hotel, we walked a short distance to the Main Street hub of old Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship. We arrived at the Evan Williams Experience for a tour and were impressed right away with the production values.

The Evan Williams Experience is slick and polished and brand new and very clever. High production values and media created with professional actors take you through the history of Bourbon County’s most famous export. The EWE is located right on Main Street in Louisville’s Whiskey Row…in the next five years, several more distilleries are expected to open on Whiskey Row.


My travel companions and I had a wonderful time and we went to bed very happy that first night…

The next day found us up and at ‘em for a trip to the Jim Beam Distillery. Similar process and presentation, but with the added bonus of lunch on the lawn!

Jim Beam, Clermont, KY

Jim Beam’s Distillery gives a great tour – I had the opportunity to operate the bottling line and I hand numbered my own Single Barrel from the distillery. Jim Beam uses a traditional mash bill and houses millions of barrels of whiskey in several locations around Kentucky.

Our second distillery on the second day of the tour was in Loretto. I had to admit that I didn’t know that much about Maker’s Mark before this trip, but if anything was going to give me an appreciation for wheated bourbon, Maker’s Mark is the one. I still can’t get over the cool buzzy feeling that the recipe gives your mouth…mouthfeel, baby, it’s everything.

Maker’s Mark, Loretto, KY

Named after the markings left on hand-made pewter, the Maker’s Mark Bourbon is one of a kind. Maker’s Mark uses a wheated mashbill and the red winter wheat used gives an incredible mouth-feel.  When you taste it, inhale slowly and feel the edges of your tongue tingle…I hand dipped my own bottle of Maker’s Mark in their signature red wax, and it dripped down the label – they told me I’d be fired.

Our last day of tours began with a little more gusto at the Heaven Hill Distillery.  Earlier in the trip I was musing out loud, “Who makes the Parker’s Heritage?!”  Turns out:

Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY

Heaven Hill is the largest family-owned distillery in the US – and maybe the most prolific.  They produce some of the best whiskies on the market, from Elijah Craig to Evan Williams and Parker’s Heritage, as well as several other spirits we all know and love.  This year’s 8th Edition of the Parker’s Heritage will be a Wheat Whiskey…definitely don’t miss it this winter – it’s delicious.

Lunch was at the purportedly haunted “Old Talbott Tavern” – not sure if it’s true but they make a fine Kentucky Hot Brown…and they were serving the luxurious winner of the 2013 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Cocktail Contest – “A Sidecar Named Desire”…see my write up in a Shopper’s Showcase about two months ago.

I was really excited to head out to Wild Turkey as I’d been told there was a surprise awaiting us there.  I had no idea….

Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg, KY

You guys, you guys…Wild Turkey has always produced my favorite 101 proof Rye, but I have to admit that the tour of Campari’s Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg was my A #1 favorite. Not only did I get to sample a brand new product not even available yet (ask me about Sting this winter), but I got to fire a shotgun and I was surprisingly good.  We are proud to have a Canal’s Family Selection of both the Russell’s Reserve and Kentucky Spirit whiskies…both are knockouts.

The crew at Wild Turkey treated us like royalty. The spread they put out at the end of the tour is still giving me good dreams. I cannot thank them enough for the amazing generosity of time, spirit, energy and kindness…

I highly recommend visiting the land of America’s one true spirit.  Thank God for bourbon!

Then This Happened

To prepare for the busy holiday weekend, our buyers brought in more great new products. There are some outstanding values here, so we had to blog again.

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, Canal's Family Selection

The newest addition to the Canal's Family Selection (CFS) series! CFS spirits are always bottled from hand-selected barrels. Here, each bottle came from a single barrel, meaning this is a very limited-edition whiskey.

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the first truly new variety of American straight whiskey introduced since Prohibition. Bernheim is also the first whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain creating a soft, sweet flavor and medium finish.

Produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, Bernheim is aged in Rickhouse Y at Heaven Hill's Nelson County facilities. Bernheim has earned numerous medals and distinctions for their award-winning taste since beginning in January of 2000.

As a straight whiskey, Bernheim meets all the same criteria as Bourbon or rye -- Bernheim is aged a minimum of two years in a new, charred oak barrel, distilled at less than 160 proof, and contains no coloring, flavoring or blending agents.

This is definitely something unique for the whiskey (or whisky) lover, and would make a great gift for Father's Day or Graduation. But you have to act fast, as each store received only about 1 case. Priced at $29.99.

Mont Gravet Cotes de Gascogne 2013

Mont Gravet has a pale, bright yellow color, with a very intense and refreshing nose. It displays flavors of citrus fruit and black currant leaf.

This is also a Wine Spectator Best Value. From their review: "Shows good acidity behind the bright green herb and crunchy pippin apple flavors, with notes of citrus zest. Hints of richness emerge on the creamy finish. Colombard. Drink now."

At only $7.49, this should be your summertime white wine. Mont Gravet will be a perfect pairing with seafood and salads.

Cameron Hughes Russian River Chardonnay Lot 415

As the premier American negociant, Cameron Hughes always delivers amazing quality and solid value. This Russian River Chardonnay is no exception.

Lot 415 shines with vivid notes of white peach, floral honey, lime, dried apricot, and crushed rocks. Focused fruit and lavish texture conspire to deliver a long and sinuous mineral finish. Splendid.

You'll find Lot 415 to be a perfect compliment to grilled chicken or lobster mac & cheese. This should arrive in the next day or two, and is priced at $14.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Curious Beasts Red

The Evocative Wrapped Bottles collection is made up of beautifully labeled wine bottles in an innovative, patent-pending resilient wrapped paper, made in the United States. The wraps perform like a fully synthetic paper but print as traditional pulp-based paper. It’s made with a poly layer between two sheets of traditional paper; the poly layer imparts tear-resistant qualities. The resulting "wine wrap" achieves the look and feel of a hand-wrapped bottle while production of the packaging remains at a high level of consistency. The wraps are 100% FSC certified and recyclable via single-stream recycling.

A rich blended wine that is composed of fruit harvested with one thought in mind: Big ripe rich FLAVOR. Not for the faint of heart, this is a BLOOD RED WINE, meant to deliver on the promise of its label . . . dark as night, rich as sin, and scary good. Serve with beef, lamb or pork Blend: Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Franc. Only  $14.99 in the Bottle Club®. This also should arrive in the next day or two.

If you're getting an early start on the holiday weekend, be safe and have fun. Otherwise, please check this space tomorrow for the Friday Grab Bag, and don't miss our tastings (beginning tonight in Lawrenceville) and free food (both stores on Saturday).

New York State of Mind

New York State has become an important player in the craft whiskey boom. The clean water and excellent conditions for growing grain in Upstate NY have made it possible for Joe Canal's to offer you another outstanding whiskey line from Finger Lakes Distilling.

Like many great things, Finger Lakes Distilling started with an unusual coincidence. In this case, appropriately, it was at a craft distillers’ conference.

Brian McKenzie, a former Vice President of an upstate New York bank, and Thomas Earl McKenzie, a winemaker, brewer and distiller from Monroeville, Alabama, met at that conference in 2007. They aren’t related, but the two share the passion for craft spirits that led them to build a distillery in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country, on the shores of Seneca Lake.

It might seem like an odd choice, putting a distillery in the middle of a wine region. But if you think about it, it makes sense. For one thing, there is immediate access to the crop of one of the best grape-growing regions in the country. There is even a vineyard in front of the distillery. The Finger Lakes region is also home to quite a few small farms, from which they get their corn, rye, barley, and the other grains and fruits that are use to make the premium spirits.

Finger Lakes Distilling is a NYS Farm Distillery, which means that they’re a small operation making a handcrafted product. It also means they’re able to devote all their attention to every product; there are no shortcuts. The flavored vodkas and liqueurs are made in the traditional manner, by soaking real fruits in the spirit. They don’t add extracts or synthetic flavoring to speed up the process. The whiskies rest in oak barrels for as long as they need to, until they mature into the rich aged spirit that are offered with pride.

Although we are bringing in three different styles of their McKenzie Whiskey, the season requires us to focus on their Irish-style Pure Potstill Whiskey.

McKenzie Pure Potstill Whiskey  is their take on an Irish-style whiskey – soft, smooth and easy drinking. Finger Lakes Distilling uses a combination of locally-grown unmalted barley and malted barley. The whiskey is aged in used bourbon and rye barrels. Master Distiller Thomas Earl says: “Our Potstill Whiskey is a richer version of the commercial Irish whiskies on the market. It’s full of flavor, but smooth as silk stockings.”

Please ask for McKenzie Whiskey on your next visit to Joe Canal's!

A Slew of New

With a bit of a weather break, the delivery trucks were lined up at our loading docks, and everyone hustled to empty those trucks. Here's a glimpse at what we've added to our shelves.

We've received a very small amount of the BenRiach 15 Year Pedro Ximinez Sherry Finish. Matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels, this whisky is then finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry butts, sourced from the bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucia, Southern Spain. During this second period of maturation the whisky derives many interesting characteristics specific to the Pedro Ximenez butt.

Just 510 six-packs are available world-wide, and the Pedro Ximenez Finish is part of the first BenRiach "Wood Finish Series", released November 2006. This expression has a nose of honey, sultanas and dark chocolate, with a flood of Pedro Ximenez Sherry. On the palate, it's cream and honey, infused with papaya, rosehips, eucalyptus and dark chocolate, all interwoven with rich Pedro Ximenez Sherry and oak wood.This is priced at only $79.99.

While we're discussing spirits, look for Masterson's 10 Year Rye Whiskey. Masterson’s is a 100% rye whiskey that far exceeds industry standards. Their artisans incorporate only the most fragrant and plump grains of rye and pure glacial water from the northern Rockies into a meticulous distillation process that utilizes an old-fashioned pot still.

Oak barrels are one of the many ways Masterson’s attains its unique taste profile. And white oak has the tightest grain and is heavier than other oak wood, allowing the wood to maintain its integrity during the ten-year aging process while imparting a subtle but distinct flavor.

Masterson’s is all rye and only rye, meeting the strictest definition of traditional rye whiskey. The rye is grown in the verdant Pacific Northwest, and they choose only rye that exhibits the perfect combination of weight, plumpness and rich, earthy fragrance. These key characteristics, along with the meticulous distillation process, give Masterson’s its uniquely smooth taste. This is an exceptional value at $59.99.

Of course, we've also added a number of wines to our shelves. One requested item that's now on our shelves is the Duck Commander line. The line consists of a Red Blend, Chardonnay and Pink Moscato, and all three are priced at only $11.99.

The Triple Threat Red Blend exposes the fresh, ripe, jam like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. This medium bodied wine is fruit forward, silky and soft with smooth tannins.

Duck Commander Wood Duck Chardonnay offers rich tropical fruit aromas with hints of lemon and crisp apple laced around the complex nose. The palate is vibrant and full of pear, melon and apple pie with a silky, creamy finish.

The Miss Priss Pink Moscato has luxurious aromas of white peaches, honeysuckle and caramel. Luscious passion fruit and honeydew melon flavors with hints of sweet vanilla are perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity.

An outstanding 100% Pinot Noir just arrived from Kathryn Hall. Winegrowers Stephen and Cathy Pepe own a truly exceptional piece of land. Combine their amazing site with the vineyard leadership of Wes Hagen, and you find a team determined to grow fruit that fully expresses the personality of its vineyard. With very limiting soils and a strict adherence to natural winegrowing, the Clos Pepe vineyard optimizes the complexity and nuance of Pinot Noir.

The WALT “Clos Pepe” Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir displayed its remarkable character even as pre-fermented juice. They knew they had something special on their hands and exercised extreme care throughout vinification in order to preserve the distinctive perfumes, flavors and textures of the wine. Displaying a Burgundian disposition, this wine is dark, earthy, smokey and spilling over with red fruits. The texture allures with its richness and density while the wine’s supple lift and delicate mouthfeel warrant an enduring balance and completeness. 

WALT “Clos Pepe” rated 92 points from Wine Spectator, and is priced at $53.99  in the Bottle Club®. And this is also available in extremely limited quantities.

This six-pack of new products should get you through the weekend. Look for more product introductions next week. 

New Limited Edition Bourbons & Other Whiskeys

Canal's Discount Liquors and Joe Canal's have joined forces to create the Canal's Family Selection of single barrel bourbons, whiskeys and other high-quality "craft" spirits.  Our committee of owners have sampled hundreds of barrels and selected those that have the best bouquet, flavors, smoothness, and finish.  When you taste a Canal's Family Selection you will know you are getting the very best single barrel whiskey experience and the most value for your dollar.  Our goal in creating the Canal's Family Selection and the Single Barrel Club is to put together an unparalleled selection of quality spirits from producers you already know and love, AND keep you informed of when these very limited products are being released (so you don't miss the ones you want!). 

In the next few weeks a total of sixteen different barrel selections will be arriving.  Our Canal's Family Selections will ALWAYS have new and exciting products.  Please stop in and talk to one of our knowledgeable associates, and take a look at these great whiskeys and bourbons from the best names in the business, while supplies last. 

A New Products "Hat" Trick

As the holidays approach, Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge are finding spaces on our shelves for some great new products. And the gift sets can't be far behind!

In keeping with our "Hat" theme, let's first turn to one of the most famous hat wearers of all: New Jersey's own Frank Sinatra. New to our stores is the Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select.

Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select is bottled at 90 proof and gains its rich character from specially crafted “Sinatra Barrels” mingled with Jack's classic Tennessee Whiskey. The Sinatra Barrels are handcrafted with the addition of deep grooves on the inside of the barrel staves. This exposes the whiskey to extra layers of oak which imparts a rich amber color, bold character and a pleasant smokiness, followed by an incredibly smooth vanilla finish. The smooth, bold character of the whiskey embodies the smooth, bold character of the man himself, Frank Sinatra. This is a very limited availability whiskey, priced at $179.99.

Our theme continues with our next new product, Dad's Hat Port Wine Finish Rye.

Dad's Hat is distilled in nearby Bristol, Pennsylvania. Rye has been coming on strong as a category, and PA is an historic home for distilling the grain into a beautiful whiskey. The rye is double finished (for an additional three months) in separate barrels which previously contained port wine, made with red grapes and known for a fruity, pleasant sweetness. Dark, robust color with a nose of deep florals, fruit and spices. Forward pepper yields to the port fruit on the mid-palate, complemented by cinnamon and cloves. Coats the tongue and finishes with black cherry. Well-balanced and smooth, pairing perfectly with fine cheeses and charcuterie. Dad's Hat Port Wine Finish is available at $42.99.

Our third new product, filling out the hat trick, is Gozio Amaretto. We received so many special requests for Gozio Amaretto that we've finally added it to our shelves. Gozio is made from a secret formula that yields a smooth pale liqueur. Gozio is produced using only the highest quality natural ingredients: alcohol, burnt sugar and the pure essence of various selected fruits coming from four continents, left in infusion for at least 60 days. And it's 100% natural.

Gozio Amaretto liqueur is available for only $22.99.

Whether you need something as an everyday treat, or something special as a gift item, our new products or our current inventory offer you outstanding selections at value prices. Stop in to Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville or Woodbridge today!