Epicurean Calgary

New(ish) and/or Interesting Liquor Of The Week 2008

Each week a new product will be added that is either new to Alberta, or maybe just sadly overlooked and should be tried. To find who sells the products, click on the link at the bottom of the description.

12/28- Phillips Union Cherry Whiskey, CSPC 733421; Retail: $28-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Made by Phillips Distilling Co. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Phillips Union Whiskey uses the Scottish tradition of blending whiskeys by combining Kentucky Bourbon and Canadian Whisky. It begins with Kentucky Bourbon, which is aged and matured a minimum of four years in deep-charred American white oak barrels. During the steamy Kentucky summers and crisp winter months, the barrels expand and contract. The result of this epic ebb and flow exposes the bourbon to what’s known as the “red layer,” a level just below the char that gives it an amber color and signature flavor. It continues with  Canadian Whisky, which is made from using corn and barley and the purest Canadian spring-fed water. Smoothness guides every aspect of its creation — including the distillation itself, which ensures a silky flavor and great taste.  
In addition to the basic blend, this one is flavoured with Michigan Royal Anne cherries. Its sweetness and smell of the cherries really comes through, and can be had straight or used like any other whiskey. The vanilla whiskey is flavoured with Madagascar vanilla. All three whiskies are exceptionally smooth and light tasting. 35% alcohol

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Also available:
Phillips Union Vanilla Whiskey, CSPC 733422, $28-$35 per 750 ml. bottle, 35% alcohol

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Phillips Union Whiskey, CSPC 733423, $28-$35 per 750 ml. bottle, 40% alcohol

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12/21- Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, CSPC 731934; Retail: $50-$60 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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The very first ginger-infused white Cognac was made at a ginger estate called Domaine de Canton located in what was then called French Indochine. The original recipe now has a modern spin. The liqueur is hand-crafted with Vietnamese baby ginger, which is culled, sorted, washed, peeled and cubed by hand. It is then transported to Jarnac, France, where it is maserated with herbs and spices in a cast iron pot to create a ginger essence, then blended with eau de vie, VSOP and XO Grand Champagne Cognac. Before being filtered, Tahitian vanilla, orange blossom honey from Provence and Tunisian ginseng are added, then twice distilled in copper pot stills, and finally aged in French oak barrels. The end result, billed as the world’s first super-premium ginger liqueur, is sold in a distinctive bottle designed to resemble a bamboo stalk. Its taste is fresh, intense, with interesting notes of orange and cognac and rich, yet clean finishing sweetness. Neat or on the rocks, it hits the tongue with a bite of ginger, then ends with a long, tangy finish. This delicately-balanced liqueur with a rich and creamy texture can also be enjoyed in a number of fine cocktails.  28% alcohol.

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12/14- Graham's 10 Year Old Port, CSPC 715805; Retail: $30-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

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Graham’s wines come primarily from its
own vineyards: Quinta dos Malvedos near Tua and Quinta das Lages in the Rio Torto. Two others, privately owned by a member of
the Symington family, Quinta da Vila
Velha and Quinta de Vale de Malhadas,
also supply Graham with finest quality
grapes. All four Quintas are among the
best in the upper Douro valley.
Graham’s 10 Years Old is made from
wines of the very highest quality which,
following careful selection, are matured in
seasoned 534 litre oak casks until their
peak of maturity is reached. These are
among the most demanding and
challenging styles of Port to produce
requiring great skill and years of
experience from the winemaker and
blender. It is essential to strike the correct
balance between the delicacy and elegance
which results from prolonged cask aging
while retaining the fruit quality which
lends this old Tawny its structure and
longevity.
The result is fine deep tawny colour, with complex nutty, orange peel and marzipan aromas combined with hints of honey and figs. On the palate, rich mature fruit flavours,with hints of walnuts, beautifully mellowed with a luscious long finish.
Taste slightly chilled to appreciate the full
complexity of this wine. 20% alcohol

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12/07- Samiclaus Beer, CSPC 731181; Retail: $7-$10 per 300 ml. bottle

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Samichlaus beer is brewed in northern Austria by Castle Eggenberg, one of Europe's oldest breweries, dating back to the 10th Century A.D.. Commercial production began in 1681. Once a year, December 6th (Saint Nicholas' Eve), Samiclaus is brewed, stored and matured for over 10 months before it is bottled. Samichlaus beer, also known as "Santa Claus Beer", can mature for many years in the bottle; older vintages obtain a complexity and develop a creamy warm aftertaste. This beer can be served with heavy meals and desserts, particularly with chocolate - or as digestive and meditations drink. It is brewed exclusively of natural raw ingredients after the purity requirement of 1516 and is one of the world's strongest beers.
It has an amber colour, pours with almost zero head and smells of apples, yeast, caramel and molasses.  A very sweet taste is present, with very low carbonation and a chocolate finish. 14% alcohol

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11/30- Evan Williams Original Southern Egg Nog, CSPC 723850; Retail: $15-$20 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Declared “America's Native Spirit” by a 1964 act of Congress, Bourbon has always been the heart and soul of Kentucky distilleries. Evan Williams is widely considered "Kentucky's First Distiller" and today his
Heaven Hill Distillery (reopend in 1934) has the second largest holding of aging Kentucky Bourbon with 42 open brick warehouses situated throughout Nelson County, the heart of “Bourbon Country.”
By law, Bourbon must be made up of at least 51% corn and be aged a minimum of two years in a new charred white oak barrel, standards that were pioneered by early Bourbon makers such as Evan Williams and Rev. Elijah Craig.
Evan Williams Original Southern Egg Nog mixes a traditional southern-style rich cream and egg with seven-year-old Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon blended with sugar and spices. A true southern-style egg nog, Evan Williams Egg Nog capitalizes on the taste and popularity of Evan Williams, the country's second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon. One of the top selling seasonal products in the country, eggnog fans will appreciate the velvety custard flavor and subtle winter aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg, but more importantly, whiskey lovers will appreciate the taste of Evan Williams bourbon, whose toasty vanilla and caramel flavors leave a light, spicy finish, not qite as sweet as rum and eggnog. Be sure to chill the bottle well, however, as warm eggnog amplifies the taste of alcohol and detracts from its other flavors. Serve alone or garnished with your favourite holiday spices. 15% alcohol

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11/23- Kahlúa French Vanilla (CSPC 728056) and Kahlúa Hazelnut (CSPC 728048); Retail: $30-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

11/16- Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio, CSPC 731965; Retail: $20-$25 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Voga Sparkling is the only 100% Sparkling Pinot Grigio on the market today. Made with 100% Pinot Grigio, Voga Sparkling is produced using the Charmat method over a 7 month period. The grapes are sourced from Trentino & Veneto, both renowned regions for world class Pinot Grigio. The resulting wine shows a light golden color with a fine perlage. Aromas of white blossoms and ripe fruit prevail in this refreshing sparkler. The mouth feel is very smooth with yeasty flavours and a clean citrusy finish.
12% alcohol

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11/09- Krušovice Cerne, CSPC 244673; Retail: $3-$4 per 500 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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The Královský Pivovar Krušovice (the Royal Brewery of Krušovice) is one of the oldest breweries in the Czech Republic. The brewery was established in 1517 when the Svatováclavská Contract enabled the aristocracy to brew beer on their own farms. Family owned for over 400 years, after 1945, the Krušovice Brewery was part of many state-owned companies until 1991. The brewery was fully privatised in 1993, and major reconstruction commenced to increase capacity. The construction of large dimensioned CK tanks, new filling lines for bottles, barrels and cans, highly efficient waste water cleaners and new brewing facilities have helped to lift the brewery from its origins as a regional brewery to part of the group of the most modern producers of brandname beers in the Czech Republic. Natural spring water drawn from the protected Křivoklát area and Moravian malt and hops gathered from the Žatec area are the founding ingredients of the beer. The age old recipes have improved over the passage of time through the work of generations of Krušovice Brewing Masters and with the most modern technology available today the way is wide open for the high quality product.
Krušovice Cerne is a dark beer with a full, sweet caramel taste and a light hop flavour. The high quality of the raw ingredients assures the excellent taste of the beer. There are several types of malt, natural spring water from the Křivoklát Wood and hops from the Žatec area. 3.8 % alcohol
Also available is Krušovice Imperial Lager, a product belonging to the Premium group. It has a slight gold colour, a deliciously bitter taste and an excellent foam. Pleasant and significant sharpness is another of its qualities. Superior quality Czech malt, natural spring water from the Křivoklát Woods and hops from the Žatec area are used in the production of this beer. 
5.0% alcohol

Find Krušovice Cerne here
Find Krušovice Imperial Lager here 

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11/02-  Sobieski Estate Vodka, CSPC 732166; Retail: $36-$40 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Sobieski Vodka, the #1 premium vodka in Poland and the world's #7 bestselling and fastest growing international spirits brand, builds on a noble heritage, having been produced exclusively since 1846 in the birthplace of vodka, Poland which has been producing vodka dating back to the early Middle Ages. Vodka (Polish: wódka), is not only the official national drink of Poland, it is the centerpiece of Polish life, enjoyed at most every celebration and occasion. Sobieski Vodka  begins in Poland's rich Mazowse fields where the golden Dankowski rye is harvested. This grain has been recognized for centuries for its distinctive character. It is then continuously distilled whereupon the crystalline water from Oligocene springs contributes to the silky finish of this noble spirit. Sobieski Vodka represents a careful blend of authenticity and modernity that enables it to meet the strict requirements of the Polish Product Origin Control System. It received a Gold Medal and “Best Buy” Award at 2007 International Review of Spirits Competition by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), and was ranked the #1 premium vodka and #2 overall in a random blind-tasting of 108 vodkas, It was noted to have “Great subtle, pure, and spicy rye flavors with a lively texture and superb smoothness… A silky entry and lingering sweet citrus fade with virtually no heat.”
Also avialable: Sobieski Vodka, CSPC 732157; Retail: $24-$28 per 750 ml. bottle. Both are 40% alcohol.

Find Sobieski Estate Vodka here 
Find Sobieski Vodka here

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10/26-1921 Cream Of Tequila, CSPC 733257; Retail: $30-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

  New in Alberta

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1921 Tequila Cream is the only Tequila Cream made in Mexico. 1921 Tequila Cream is loaded with bold coffee latte, caramel & wild flower honey aromas which follow through to cocoa, latte and agave flavours with a roasted nutty finish. It is made with the finest real Tequila Blanco and cream.
It can be used in place of cocktails that call for Irish cream to give it a Mexican flair, or mixed with a little Coffee liqueur and/or tequila, or just have it straight or on the rocks.
It is made in Mexico, sealed with white chocolate color wax and bottled under the classic presentation that distinguish “1921” product high class line. 15% alcohol

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10/19- Kluge Estate CRU, CSPC 730018; Retail: $20-$25 per 375 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Established in 1999, Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard 2,000-acres are tucked into Carter's Mountain on the edge of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia. This fortified aperitif is a 100% Chardonnay from the Monticello Appellation, Albemarle County, fortified with Virginia-distilled brandy, and then aged in Jack Daniel’s barrels, 30% for 12 months and 70% for six months, to develop complex and unique spicy aromas.
The wine has deep, fresh aromas and flavors of pear, peach, and citrus, with notes of licorice, vanilla, and roasted almonds. The taste is sweet, and the aging and brandy fortification comes through later, giving it almost a liqueur quality. It's finish is sweet and smooth. This refreshing and full-bodied aperitif is a wonderful match for rich appetizers such as foie gras, paired with desserts or enjoyed on its own. It is best served very cold but can also be enjoyed as a cocktail, over ice. 18% alcohol

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10/12-  Brewdog Paradox Grain-Invergordon 1965, CSPC 730128; Retail: $6.50-$8.00 per 330 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Brewdog commenced brewing in April 2007 in Fraserburgh on Scotland's N.E. coast. They set about to unite two of Scotland proudest heritages and produce a product which combined all that was good about Scotland’s whisky producing history with a contemporary take on a traditional Scottish style of stout. They have developed this product in conjunction with Duncan Taylor Ltd. of Huntly means they mature their beer in the casks that once housed some of the most prestigious whiskies available today. The distinct flavours of these whiskies is beautifully infused into the beer giving a unique and unrivalled experience for both beer and whisky lovers.
Paradox is produced in very small batches and each batch is bottled in a unique numbered limited edition bottle. Batches of Paradox which are soon to be released are:
Edition 001- ISLAY - Caol Ila.
Edition 002- GRAIN - Invergordon 1965.
Batch 003- To be released.
Batch 004- To be released.
Batch 005- SPEYSIDE - Glen Moray.
Batch 006- ISLAY - Caol Ila. Refill of Edition 001 casks.
Batch 007- GRAIN - Carsebridge 1963.
Batch 008- ISLAY - Bowmore.
Batch 009- ISLAY - Ardbeg.

All Brewdog's beers are hand brewed in small batches with a variety of speciality Scottish malt and imported hops. A ton of malt is added to the hot water in the mash tun to make a 1600 litre batch. The resulting wort is then transferred to the kettle where is it boiled for 90 minutes. During the boil hops are added for bitterness and aroma. This is then transferrred to 8 Cylindro-Conical uni-tanks where the yeast turns the sugars in the beer into alcohol. After the fermentation, these tanks are also used to condition and mature the beer. The beers then go through a two stage filtration process before arriving at the bottling machine, where they are lightly carbonated to allow the flavours to come through before being bottled, capped, labelled and packaged. 10% alcohol

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10/05-Cockspur Bajan Crafted 12 Year Old Rum, CSPC 70672 ; Retail $35-$40 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Cockspur rum was founded in Barbados by iin 1884. All Cockspur rums are made using high quality sugar cane grown across the rolling fields of Barbados and water from natural underground springs at the distillery in Spring Garden, combined with a special natural culture of yeast that was specially developed and propagated by Cockspur. Both the water and the yeast have a significant impact on the taste profile of the rum.
Using two different methods of rum distillation: continuous distillation (where still rum is distilled by a column still) and batch distillation (using smaller batches of "must" in copper pot stills) allows truly unique flavour profiles to be developed. The process is conducted two times producing a double distillate rum that is more intense and robust than the single distillate. Pot still rums are full of aroma and flavour. The most important part of the process  is when the “Master Blender” oversees the transfer of the distillate into American oak barrels, which have been used previously in the aging of American bourbon. At this point the matured single and double distilled rums, from different ages, are blended together to make the various products in the Cockspur range. Each blend is left to marry for a few days, after which pure water is added to reduce the rum to bottling strength. 
The combination of distilling, aging and blending are based on 124 years of skill and expertise, which determines the superior quality of the brand, and has earned Cockspur Rum many gold awards at international wine and spirits competitions worldwide. 
Cockspur Bajan Crafted 12 is blended with the oldest rums kept on reserve at the distillery, none younger than 12 years old. It has a deep golden colour with copper tones and an aroma of sweet molasses with oak and vanilla. The taste is extremely smooth with sweet escences of vanilla, oak, caramelized molasses, nuts, spice and flowers. The finish is long with a bit of spicy oak. Drink this straight up or on the rocks. 40% alcohol

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09/28- Djangoa, CSPC 729804; Retail: $20-$25 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Djangoa is the first liqueur that blends anise (licorice) and chocolate. Djangoa is named after a village in Madagascar and is a blend of smooth chocolate from the best cocoa beans of the Ivory Coast and Ghana, with a subtle hint of star anise from China in a cream base. The liquid has a strong chocolate overtone that is not sweet like milk chocolate, with a note of anise that comes through on the finish. Djangoa can be drank clean or with ice. 17% alcohol

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09/21-Deerfield Ranch Red Rex 2003, CSPC 720657; Retail: $25-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Winemakers Robert Rex and Matthew Wilson believe "Winemaking is 60% cooking and 40% chemistry". Red Rex is the ultimate Sonoma style blend. It's blended on a base of Cabernet and Syrah with support from Merlot and Sangiovese with touches of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel. The idea was to make an everyday red wine that would still pair well with gourmet food, was fruit forward, yet complex and multi-dimensional.
The 2003 Vintage is the second Red Rex. "The broad structured, long finishing Cabernet was enriched and grounded with Syrah. Merlot and Sangiovese added flavor in a forward cresting wave at the front of the palate and flowers to the nose. Malbec added its inky color and blackberry fruit. Cabernet Franc added the chocolate affect by giving the whole experience an upward, almost aerial lift.The wine was made cleanly, from hand sorted and gently pressed fruit, no fining was necessary". Their specialized whole berry, open tank, hand punched fermentation technique assures full fruit character, soft tannins, low acid and a rich mouth feel. The component wines were aged in the best oak barrels, 35% New, 85% French, for 34 months. The Blend: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 22% Merlot, 4% Sangiovese, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc.
Total acidity: 5.8 g/liter
Free SO2 at bottling: 18 ppm
Free SO2 at release: less than 8 ppm
Bottled: September 15, 2006
Cases Produced: 1,900
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume

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09/14-Pumpkin PI Spiced Ale, CSPC 733630; Retail: $12-$14 per
6 x 341 ml. bottles

 New in Alberta

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Contract brewed by Alley Kat for Sherbrooke Liquor, both of Edmonton, Alberta. This is Alley Kat's Full Moon pale ale with an Fall twist. Smells of pumpkin pie, with nutmeg, cinnamon, and a touch of ginger and cloves with faint floral hops. Clear copper in colour with a beige head. Thin sheet of lacing. Head ends up as a thin cap about half way down the glass. The taste has a distinct floral/citrus-like hops presence in the forefront, followed by a slight sweetness, then the pumpkin pie effect. Mouthfeel is light to medium, with a moderate amount of carbonation. Hopping is faint, finish is more notable for spice. This has light body and subtle carbonation which makes it feel slightly more watery and light, rather than full and meaty, like you'd expect from a pumpkin pie. 5.4% alcohol

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09/07-Tito's Handmade Vodka, CSPC 709985; Retail: $45-$50 per 750 ml. bottle

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Tito's Handmade Vodka is produced in Austin at Texas' first and oldest legal distillery. It's made in small batches in an old fashioned pot still by Tito Beveridge (actual name), a 45-year-old Geologist, and distilled six times. The handcrafted technique offers more  control over the distillation process, resulting in a spectacularly clean product of incomparable excellence. Only the heart of the run, "the nectar" is taken, leaving behind residual higher and lower alcohols. The vodka is cleansed of phenols, esters, congenersand organic acids by filtering it through the finest activated carbon available.
A double gold medal in its first entry into the World Spirits Competition, the unanimous judges choice up against 72 vodkas around the world including flavored vodkas. Sales went from 1000 cases in '97 to 220,000 in 2007. Despite its Texas roots and simple appellation, Tito’s is surprisingly good, crisp and fresh-tasting. It is made by a small crew using American corn and old-fashioned pot stills to produce the country’s only handcrafted vodka. The mild flavor lingers on the front of the tongue, and doesn’t taste watery or syrupy. It mixes well, but can be done neat or chilled. 40% alcohol

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08/31- Dewar Rattray Glen Spey 1995, CSPC 727691; Retail: $120-$130 per 700 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Founded by Andrew Dewar and William Rattray in 1868, A. Dewar Rattray began trading as an importer of French wines, Italian spirits and olive oil. More importantly, however, the company also established itself as a specialist in the field of blending and storage of malt and grain whiskies. The company is now owned by Mr Tim Morrison, a fourth generation descendent of Andrew Dewar. A. Dewar Rattray Ltd.'s resurgence stems back to early 2004 when, using his extensive knowledge and expertise in the whisky industry, Mr Morrison bottled a selection of his own handpicked stock of whiskies for market release.
Today the company's principal purpose is to bottle unusual and exclusive casks of Scotch Whisky, with each one chosen to reflect the different styles of the six individual whisky regions of Scotland. Whether from Mr Morrison's own stock or independently sourced, only casks which are found to be of exceptional quality are bottled under the Dewar Rattray Cask Collection label and released into selected markets.
This whisky is natural cask strength and colour without chill filtration. One result is that in cold temperatures the whisky may develop a slight haze, which will disappear at normal room temperature. The colour is deep straw/mid gold with a nose of walnuts and coffee. It is dry and well developed to the palate with a chewy and rich biscuity tatse with subtle peat and cocoa finish.
59% alcohol

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08/24- PKNT Carmenere 2006, CSPC 715968; Retail: $13-$15 per 750 ml. bottle

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One of 9 PKNT varieties available in Alberta. Since nowhere else in the world is so much Carmenere grown, it may be regarded as a typical Chilean specialty. Until the arrival of phylloxera in Bordeaux, Carmenere was a much-grown variety there, but after this scourge it was not replanted at all. As phylloxera did not manifest itself in Chile, Carmenere continued to grow but it was often being planted as and propagated in with Merlot. 
This wine is 90% Carmenere 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, hand picked on last week of April 2005 with the Carmenere grapes coming from 12 year old vines located in the Rapel Valley. Grapes were cold macerated for 2 days before crushing. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at a temperature between 25° and 28° C. 60% of the blend was aged with American and French oak. It has a deep purple, almost black colour with sweet tannins that fill the mouth. It has a flavour profile of red pepper, coffee, black pepper, blueberries and blackberries with a long velvety finish. 13.5% alcohol

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08/17- Downtown Brown, CSPC 727789; Retail: $14-$15 per 6 x 355 ml. bottles

New in Alberta

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The Lost Coast Brewery and Café began 1990 in the fomer Pythian Castle, a 100-year-old building in Eureka, California.
The cool maritime climate of the Humboldt Bay region has proved to be very conducive to brewing quality ales. The year round average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for top-fermenting ale yeast. While embracing the rich tradition of English-style ales, Master Brewer Barbara Groom has added a distinctive West Coast flavour to her ales by brewing with Western Plains barley and wheat and the exceptionally clean water of Humboldt County.
Since it's humble beginning in 1990, the brewery has outgrown the original facilities in the Pythian Castle and moved production to a larger site down the street. Lost Coast Brewery is the 37th largest craft brewery in the United States and distributes its fine ales in 19 states.
The beer is a beautiful dark brown, but light is still able to penetrate through. Poured a delightfully thick and foamy head. It's aroma has faint notes of caramel and other roasted sweets. The taste is a smooth, medium-bodied nut brown ale, lightly hopped, with a hint of roasted and crystal malts. This ale is dark in color without the heavy taste of a porter or stout. Very balanced. Underscores of caramel, chocolate along with a bit of hops to give it a little character. Malt taste is definitely the star of the show though, although it isn't overwhelming in the least. It has a creamy mouthfeel to begin with, with a smooth finish. The beer is handcrafted in small batches in the brewery's original kettle. 5.0% alcohol

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------------------------------------------08/10- Luxardo Sambuca Cream, CSPC 603381; Retail: $24-$29 per 750 ml. bottle

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A smooth blend of Sambuca dei Cesari Luxardo with milk cream, and a pinch of espresso coffee. The liqueur is obtained directly from Sambuca dei Cesari Luxardo acknowledged as the "best Sambuca" by the Beverage Testing Institute - USA (classified in 1999 as "exceptional", obtaining 90/100 marks). It has a caffèlatte colour with balanced aromas of anise, coffee and a hint of chocolate. It has a a good creamy body on the palate with a long-lasting taste, aromatic after-taste, with the anise persisting in the mouth. Delicious espresso coffee nose.
Drink it neat, in coffee, on the rocks or aAs a cocktail ingredient. 17% alcohol

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08/03-Don Julio Anejo, CSPC 730907; Retail: $85-$95 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Long available in B.C., this fine tequila is now available in Alberta. Don Julio González began his journey in the world of tequila in 1942. He established his distillery, La Primavera, and spent nearly forty years perfecting the craft that would produce extraordinary the bottles of tequila that carry his name. Still produced at the same distillery in Atotonilco under the supervision of Don Julio González.
This tequila has a light amber colour, derived from its 18 months of aging in American oak barrels. The nose is alluringly fragrant, with a fresh blend of lime, grapefruit and mandarin citrus aromas with a rich touch of caramel. It produces a wonderfully complex taste with expressions of cooked agave and wild honey. Notes of cherries and strawberries with vanilla and oaky butterscotch. Distinctively full-bodied with a depth of character. It's finish is bright and lightly spiced, with rich smokey hints of oak married with nuances of agave in the finish, and the essence of wild honey in the background for a rewarding long finale. Prized for its enticing layers of flavors and softness, Don Julio Añejo is best appreciated neat or over ice.
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER SAN FRANCISCO SPIRITS COMPETITION. 91 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST.
40% alcohol

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------------------------------------------08/03- Blossom Blueberry Wine, CSPC 616839; Retail: $16-$20 per 500 ml. bottle

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Researchers have found that Blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. This Blueberry wine is fermented with the whole Blueberry fruit. Selected from a traditional variety of blueberry that grows in the rich fertile soil of the Fraiser Valley. The soil conditions and climate produce a smaller berry with a thicker skin which has a more intense flavour, perfect for winemaking. The result is a wine that has a smokey nose and a Blueberry jammy taste that is balanced by the tannins of the Blueberries. 
Served chilled or room temperature, the best serving suggestion for this wine is to simply enjoy the unique aroma and taste of a special wine made from healthy Blueberry fruit.  
Blossom Winery is located in the Fraser Valley Appellation and produce a wide array of wines but is especially known for its Raspberry and  Blueberry wine. 11% alcohol. Sweetness Code: 9

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07/27- Estrella Damm Lager Beer, CSPC 726693; Retail: $3-$4 per 500 ml. can

 New in Alberta 

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A 2 - time Gold Medal winner at the World Beer Championship - this lager from Spain gets more popular each year. The flagship beer brand of Grupo Damm of Barcelona, it was first launched in Spain in 1876. Estrella Damm has become the most-popular beer in Barcelona and one of the most-popular brands in Spain’s premium beer category. The brand remains the only beer produced in Barcelona.
Estrella Damm was born in the city centre of Barcelona, where August Kuentzmann Damm established the first brewery in 1876. The original brewery functioned until 1992, until the production was moved to the town of El Prat de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona in order to increase the beer production capacity and modernize its processes. Damm’s current headquarters still remains on the site of the original brewery. With Spanish cuisine becoming more popular in the form of tapas Spanish beers have not fared so well. At restaurants, most beverage directors play up either their extensive list of Rioja wines or champion exotic sangrias.
Estrella Damm tastes like a typical summer beer: light, crisp, drinkable, low color and frothy white head. It's flavor profile -- subtle nose with slight hints of citrus, malty and clean on the palate with a dry fast finish -- is pleasant, and goes well with food or on its own. 4.6% alcohol

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07/20-Whaler's Spiced Rum, CSPC 566505; Retail: $28-$32 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta

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Whaler's Spiced Rum uses purely Hawaiian recipes and combines smooth, rich rum with a delicate blend of exotic island spices. A different style of rum, Whaler's is made according to an old Hawaiian recipe. Legend has it that early seafarers rattled vanilla beans in empty rum bottles at sunset to entice migrating whales to their boats to guide them to the tropical haven known as Hawaii. Once in Hawaii, these sailors discovered old rum makers from the isle of Maui and were so impressed by their Hawaiian homegrown rum that they called it Whaler's. Inspired by tropical flavors and colors of Hawaii, other rum flavors were later developed. Whalers Spiced Rum is blended with a variety of exotic spices from the distant tropics. 35% alcohol

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07/13- Hangar One Straight Vodka, CSPC 730866; Retail: $45-$55 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Jorg Rupf and Lance Winters figured out how to make straight vodka taste good. First they pot-distill a vodka from expensive viognier wine. Then they blend it into an excellent column still wheat vodka. Here’s the magic: there’s no harsh alcoholic smell or taste, just soft beautiful purity.
The “straight” vodka is a blend of grain (wheat) neutral spirit and a vodka crafted from viognier wine. Viognier vodka is used to diminish the alcoholic overtone found in most other vodkas.
Viognier is an old varietal wine grape that makes a delicious white wine, but it’s relatively new to California. Viognier grapes are hard to grow, and they don’t produce a whole lot of fruit. To get the full flavor, you have to pick them when they’re perfectly ripe. Despite, or perhaps because of, this precariousness the viognier grape has the most amazing clear, golden colour and the aroma of flowers and fruits at their freshest. Hangar One also makes flavoured vodkas. 40% alcohol

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07/06- Black Cluster Hunter Valley Shiraz 2003, CSPC 728230; Retail: $65-$75 per 750 ml. bottle

New In Alberta

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Black Cluster Hunter Valley Shiraz honours Wyndham Estate's founder, George Wyndham's, first vintage in 1835. The name 'Black Cluster' derives from his diary note penned the day he began his first vintage at Dalwood Estate (now Wyndham Estate) on February 9, 1835: "Began my vintage. Filled the pipe with the must of the Black Cluster."
Black Cluster Shiraz is sourced from the single block Black Cluster vineyard in the Hunter Valley. It produces low yields of rich, stylish fruit which is hand picked to ensure only the best bunches are selected and to protect the fragile vines from damage.
The colour is a deep crimson red with rich purple hues. The bouquet has an intense, complex aromas of ripe plum, spice and lifted fresh berry fruit coupled with integrated subtle savoury and subtle mocha oak. On the palate, this wine has enormous depth of fruit with ripe concentrated plum, berry fruit and spice seamlessly integrated with savoury, mocha oak. Well structured tannins give this wine elegance and finesse while still providing balance with the wines intense ripe fruit. Wyndham Estate “Black Cluster” Shiraz is ready to be enjoyed now but can be cellared.
The 2003 Vintage had an unusually warm and dry growing season resulting in lower
than average crop levels and an early harvest. These perfect conditions produced intense ripe fruit with excellent colours and
stylish flavours. Warm conditions extending into February ensured disease free fruit. Once harvested, the “Black Cluster Shiraz” was fermented in small, static fermenters and inoculated with a neutral strain of
yeast. After pressing, the wine was transferred into a selection of new and old American oak barrels for maturation. After approximately 18 months in oak there was a further bottle maturation of approximately 18 months to soften the tannins and increase the complexity. A perfect match with beef, lamb, game meats and cheese.
AWARDS
1 Double Gold medal – 2007 Taster’s Guild Int. Wine Judging
1 Gold medal – 2006 Hunter Valley Wine Show
HARVEST DATE: February 2003.
BOTTLING DATE: August 2006.

13.5% alcohol

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06/29- Marston's Oyster Stout, CSPC 457663; Retail: $5-$6 per 500 ml. bottle

New In Alberta

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Marston's Oyster Stout is a rich, dark and exceptionally creamy stout with a fruity, floral and spicy character derived from English aroma hops – Fuggles and Goldings and a bitterness derived from roasted malts.
Traditionally in London at about the time of Dickens, Stout and Oysters were the poor man's meal, taken as good hearty tasty food. There are no Oysters in Oyster Stout, but the association is well established.
The unique character of Oyster Stout is brought about by fermentation with the Marston's strain of yeast. Taken from the Burton Unions, this yeast is very active and gives full attenuation of beer giving a dry clean after-palate. English Aroma Hops, Fuggles and Goldings are added for their fruity, floral and spicy contribution to the taste with the majority of the bitterness coming from the roasted malts. The final result is a rich, dark and extremely creamy smooth stout with good character and strength.
Best Bottled Stout, 1998 Brewing Industry International Gold Medal Winner. Marston's PLC operates three excellent, traditional breweries, Oyster Stout is brewed at the Marston's Brewery in Burton upon Trent. 4.5% alcohol

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06/22- Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Whiskey, CSPC 480616; Retail: $50-$60 per 750 ml. bottle

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It was once a privilege reserved for Jack Daniel's Master Distiller. Exploring the nuances of whiskey from a single barrel. Today, connoisseurs around the world can savor this experience on their own. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, the world's first charcoal mellowed single barrel Tennessee Whiskey, allows whiskey aficionados to sample the work of individual barrels, comparing the subtle differences imbued by each barrel's unique oak wood and aging experience. Every barrel of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel absorbs its own personality and character from its charred White American Oak barrel and its special location in the warehouse.
The full flavorful character and dark amber color of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel comes, in part, from aging the whiskey barrels in the upper floors of the warehouses where the spirit enjoys a more intense maturation. Though every bottle is charcoal mellowed and crafted by the Jack Daniel Distillery, each bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey yields a subtle taste difference, and bears a neckband with its rick, barrel number and individual bottling date. Each barrel has its subtle nuances -- a strong caramel or vanilla presence, perhaps; or maybe the toasted oak flavor or fruit drawn from the barrel wood captures your tastebuds.
Some time ago, the Jack Daniel Distillery set aside a limited number of barrels of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey for personal ownership in the United States. Shops, bars and restaurants, companies, and even a good number of individuals decided they wanted a personal barrel of whiskey specially selected for them by master distiller, Jeff Arnett. 
Nestled here and there in the hills above the Jack Daniel's Hollow stand the weather worn barrelhouses where whiskey waits until it comes of age. Summer after summer, the pores of the oak barrels open up, allowing a bit of whiskey to slowly seep in. Then with each winter's chill, the grain contracts, forcing the whiskey from the wood. Passing in and out the charred oak interior of the barrel, the whiskey is imbued with the rich amber color, the natural caramelized sugars and the subtle flavors that give Jack Daniel's its distinctive, time-honored taste. Because no two barrels and the place they occupy within the warehouse are the same, the whiskey that emerges from each barrel boasts a difference in character. 46% alcohol

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06/15- Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 year old Rum, CSPC 724100; Retail: $85-$95 per 750 ml. bottle

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The Ron Zacapa is produced from a blend of vintage rums with up to 23 years of barrel age, Ron Zacapa Centenario represents the pride of Guatemalan rums, the pride of closely guarded recipes known only to skilled master blenders, and the pride of a government that strictly mandates the aging process. Rich chestnut color. A Christmas spice and caramel fudge nose. This full-bodied rum has rich brown spice, vanilla and subtle molasses flavors envelope the palate with sugar caney sweetness. Finishes with a sweet, light molasses and ashy mineral fade. A nice, supple, and surprising sweet aged rum. 
Zacapa Centenario’s balance of beautiful bouquet and unique flavours is derived from a blend of aged rums between 6 and 23 years old, originating from the Solera System process. The mature rums used in the solera have been produced using only the sweetest first-crush sugar cane honey. Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Anos is matured at an altitude of 2300 metres in selected barrels that previously aged robust Bourbons, delicate Sherries and fine Pedro Ximenez wines.  The altitude and lower temperature enable the rums to be aged for longer than in other tropical climates.
Zacapa Centenario has won the Platinum award at the Caribbean Rum Fest and was the first rum to be inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2003 after five consecutive First Place awards in the Super-Premium category (1998-2002) in the 13-year history of the event. It has also been awarded the Best Spirit prize on two consecutive occasions (2001 & 2002) by the Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute and received an outstanding rating from Wine and Spirit magazine, with a score of 98/100 points.
40% alcohol

Temporarily unavailable

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06/08- Masi Osar 2001, CSPC 580233; Retail: $55-$65 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Osar is produced principally from the ancient Veronese variety Oseleta, rediscovered and replanted by Masi. This grape, with its extraordinary concentration, colour and tannin content, produces a wine of modern style, with a structure and complexity not usually to be found in the Verona area. It is
ideal with red meats, game and mature cheeses. 
Planted in selected hillside vineyards in the communes of Marano, Sant’Ambrogio
and Bussolengo, chosen for suitablity to this variety. Mostly alluvial and stony soil.The wine is 100% Oseleta, taking advantage of its noteworthy capacity to be left on the vine even after the normal time of harvest - in order to carry out a late harvest which gives the wine greater concentration, roundness and a higher level of alcohol.
The destalked grapes are fermented at controlled temperatures, using selected yeasts (25 days on the skins, 35 days total). The malolactic fermentation follows immediately afterwards.
Aging 24 months in high toast, new Allier oak barrels. Followed by at least 6 months bottle age. Long potential for aging (15-20 years).
2001 harvest was favored by the excellent climatic conditions. After a long summer drought, the maturation of the grapes recovered thanks to the beneficial rains at the end of August. Picking of red grapes begun after the middle of September. As far as quantity is concerned, production was 10-15% lower than previous years. Although occasional rain disrupted the harvest, the grapes were all healthy and also displayed good sugar levels.
Deep dark ruby red colour. Berry fruit on the nose with a bouquet of raspberies, blackberries and blueberries, together with coffee and cocoa and a faint hint of cinnamon. Serious and impressive on the palate. The tannins are well balanced by the supporting aciidity. Full flavoured, full bodied
and with long finishing berry fruit aromas. Coffee and bitter chocolate on the finish.
13.77% alcohol

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06/01- Black Cat Lager, CSPC 724915; Retail: $12-$15 per 6 x 355 ml. bottles

New in Alberta 

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Paddock Wood Brewery's first release, and still their best selling beer! This is a Pilsner that has loads of subtle flavours. First there is a good shot of Munich malt to build more malt profile than a light Pilsner, then a special dehusked roasted malt (Carafa III) gives a dark colour with just a hint of coffee floating in the background.
Paddock Wood is Saskatchewan's first craft (or micro) brewery. Craft beer is typically unpasteurized and not micro-filtered. These are two techniques for extending the shelf-life of unrefrigerated beer. Craft brewers want to offer beer in its purest form, not cooked in a pasteurization tunnel and not stripped of flavour and mouthfeel by microfilters. The beer is stored best in a cool place, ideally under 4C, but drink it for peak flavour in the 8C to 10C range. Voted Best Domestic Lager at the 2008 Calgary Beer Fest out of a field of 35 breweries. 5.4% alcohol

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05/25- Tuaca Liqueur, CSPC 630889; Retail: $30-$35 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Tuaca is a brand of Italian liqueur that is sweet, viscous, and golden brown in color, and its ingredients include brandy, vanilla, and citrus. The recipe supposedly dates to the Renaissance; legend has it that Lorenzo De Medici created an exquisite amber liqueur that became a favourite among 16th century Italian nobility. However, It was not until 1938 that Tuscan Brothers-in-law Geatano Tuoni and Giorgio Canepa re-discovered this centuries old recipe - made it even more desirable - and named it Tuaca. Today, it is produced by the Tuoni family in Livorno, Tuscany.
Based on fine, cask-aged brandy, with an exhilarating blend of vanilla and orange, Tuaca has an intriguingly fruity flavour and a heavenly amber glow. It is smooth, irresistible and uniquely different.
Enjoy Tuaca as a straight shot or a slammer; try it in your coffee or savour it on the rocks as an after dinner drink. It's also the barman's dream, as Tuaca provides a distinct foundation for a comprehensive range of cocktails. Ideal for re-vamping traditional old favourites, and perfect for creating his own signature drinks. 35% alcohol

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05/18- Quintessential Gin (Q Gin), CSPC 723488; Retail: $25-$30 per 750 ml. bottle

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In 1761, one of the most distinguished distillers in England began producing a smooth, botanical-infused gin quite unlike the coarse imports of the times. In the bustling Navy port of Warrington, the gin was an instant hit among the wealthier classes, naval officers and exporters, bringing new life to a dying craft and a new style to England's aristocracy.
Quintessential Gin (Q Gin) is imported from England, and distilled 5 times to create a pure and flawless spirit. The essence of lotus leaves and lavender have been added to the traditional profile of juniper and other botanicals, giving this gin a distinctive and smooth taste matched by no other super-premium gin.
The silky flavor profile of lavender and exotic lotus flower leaves combined with the water from one of England's purest springs, impart a uniquely refreshing, smooth taste. Quintessential Gin takes the fine British tradition of gin distillation in brave new directions. Q Gin is smooth enough to be taken straight up, graceful enough to be mixed in any cocktail and always deliciously unforgettable. 40% alcohol

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05/11- 2004 Le Grand Vin Osoyoos Larose, CSPC 724633; Retail:  $45-$55 per 750 ml. bottle

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Osoyoos Larose is a joint venture that was formed in 1998 between Vincor Canada and Groupe Taillan of Bordeaux. Osoyoos refers to the location of the vineyards in the Okanagan Valley, on the mountain slopes above Lake Osoyoos. Larose is derived from one of Groupe Taillan’s most prestigious  estates in Bordeaux, the Deuxième Cru, or second growth, Château Gruaud-Larose, which reflects the centuries-old winemaking traditions of the world-famous wine region. Except for marketing, the French have been calling most of the shots, including the choice of the vineyard, the Merlot-dominant planting strategy, the recruitment of a
winemaker and the equipping of the cellar. Pascal Madevon, the Parisian winemaker, insists that he is making Okanagan wine, not French wine. However, the Bordeaux signature to his wines is unmistakable. The grapes used in the 2004 vintage: Merlot (66.5%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), Petit Verdot (3.7%), Cabernet Franc (3.6%), and Malbec (3.1%)
This is a generous and dark-hued wine, with inviting red fruit aromas and flavours of plums, black cherries, and chocolate well integrated with oak flavours (the wine has 18 months in barrels, 60% of which were new, 40% one-year old). The tannins are long and supple but firm enough for reasonable longevity. On the palate, the texture shows excellent concentration. The finish is long and elegant. For wine collectors, Le Grand Vin from Osoyoos Larose has emerged as a must-have Canadian red. This is the fourth vintage – and certainly the
finest – to be released. The improved refinement of the wine reflects the maturity of the vineyard, and the volume is almost five times what it was in 2001, so more of this wine is available in Alberta than ever before. 13.9% alcohol

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05/04- Detonator Doppelbock Lager,  CSPC 724719; Retail: $7-$9 per 650 ml. bottle 

 New in Alberta

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Oak-aged Doppelbock is a full-bodied lager with a deep reddish-brown color. It is brewed it in the classic German tradition, with noble Hallertauer and Columbus hops added to Pale and Chocolate malts and a large portion of Munich malt. It is then conditioned in American oak wine barrels from one of Cascadia’s premier wineries for three months. Then, as one of Cascadia’s lusty rites of Spring, Fish releases this lager on Earth Day. It pours a dark brown color, with a filmy head and a runny lace. The nose has strong caramel tones, and a little chocolate milk scent. Detonator offers a malty aroma and palate, which is balanced by its relatively dry finish, plus the subtly melded character of the robust ales and fine Merlot which previously filled the oak.
Working from their 40-barrel steam-fired brewhouse, the Fish Brewers have been hand crafting exceptional beers since the latter half of the 20th Century. They create Fish Tale Organic Ales purely from certified-organic malted barley and the finest hops available. The result is robustly delightful ales that promote organic agriculture and
all the benefits it holds for wild salmon habitat and the environment in whole. 8.5% alcohol

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------------------------------------------04/27- Navan; CSPC 715926; Retail: $45-$50 per 750 ml. bottle

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Marnier-Lapostolle has mastered the art of infusing aged Fine Champagne cognacs with flavor. Made in Neauphle-le-Château, Cognac, Navan is crafted from a base of cognacs obtained exclusively from the preeminent Grande and Petite Champagne growing regions. The aged Fine Champagne cognac is then infused with black vanilla from Madagascar, the fruit of the orchid and the rarest, most expensive spice after saffron. The assemblage is then further
aged to allow the flavors in the liqueur to fully integrate. 
Navan has an amber hue with gold highlights and a smooth, light body. After a few minutes the generous, slightly sweet bouquet brings forth the aromas of vanilla and spice with subtle notes of brandy. The
palate is largely dominated by the flavor of the vanilla, but the alcohol balances its sweetness and the character of the cognac
eventually shines through. The finish is long and gloriously flavorful. Navan is ideally showcased in a heated snifter, on the rocks or in cocktails. 40% alcohol

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04/20- Sortilège Maple Syrup and Whiskey Liqueur, CSPC 364133; Retail: $28-$35 per 375 ml. bottle

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Sortilège Maple Syrup and Whiskey Liqueur is made in Montreal at Maison des Futailles (MDF) from Canadian whiskey and maple syrup. Founded in 1922, Maison des Futailles is a leading bottler and supplier of wines and spirits in Quebec.
The color of Sortilège is that of a very light maple syrup. The aroma is a light but with a slight sharp whiskey nose, with overtones of maple, some dried fruit and spice cake notes, and very light hints of vanilla. The taste is very light and medium sweet with a light, but syrupy body. It has hints of whiskey under the very mild maple flavor.
This is a nice, mild liqueur that can be served as is, chilled, or on the rocks. 30% alcohol

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04/13- Henry's Drive Dead Letter Office 2005 Shiraz, McLaren Vale/Padthaway, CSPC 1014236; Retail: $32-$40 per 750 ml. bottle

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The 2005 Dead Letter Office is composed of 98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Padthaway Shiraz is sourced from the 14 year old family vineyards grown in red loamy soil over limestone. The McLaren Vale Shiraz is grown on a mix of yellow and red clay loam. The wine is barrel fermented and matured in oak hogsheads and barriques, 95% American, 5% French; 15% new oak, 55% one year old & 30% two year old oak.  
This varietal Shiraz displays a beautiful balance of warm and cool climate fruit. The Padthaway Shiraz contributes perfumed, minty/menthol aromas. The McLaren Vale portion adds dark chocolate and licorice. The palate is well rounded with a blend of ripe blueberry and blackberry fruit. Secondary
characters of spice, vanilla and coffee are balanced by supple tannins, nicely integrated oak, and a long lingering finish. Full-bodied, ripe, and sweet, the wine has well-concealed tannins that will support 2-3 years of further bottle age. Drink this solid value through 2015. 15% Alcohol

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04/06- La Messagère Beer, CSPC 682880; Retail: $18-21 per 6 x 341 ml. bottles

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La Messagère is a gluten free beer brewed by Les bières de la Nouvelle-France in
Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Québec. La Messagère is a limpid and a crystalline pale ale. Its fine bubbles give it a delicate effervescence and its aroma brings to mind a touch of citrus fruits. The subtle aroma of hops is revealed ever so delicately. Enthusiasts of gluten-free products will be delighted to learn of the availability of North America’s first gluten-free beer, brewed from rice and buckwheat. The owners of the microbrewery had become keenly aware
that people affected by problems relating to celiac illness needed a beer that would answer their special requirements.
It has virtually no head, and is very pale gold coloured. It has an aroma of earth, honey sweetness, and citrus. The taste is a bit bland, dry, and there is a bit of earthiness, a light honey sweetness, and a hint of citrus with high levels of carbonation. The feel is quite sparkling, and the finish is lightly hoppy with a bit of a sweet aftertaste  4.7% alcohol

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------------------------------------------03/30- Porfidio Cactus Single-Barrel Añejo Tequila, CSPC 727635; Retail: $150-$165 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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New to Alberta, the Single-Barrel Añejo has been the most successful product of the popular Porfidio line. The tequila pours with a deep golden, almost light copper color, with some light reddish orange hues. It has a very light smoky aroma with some soft fruitiness and a somewhat spicy, clove-like smell. Soft, smooth, and mellow beyond belief. This is a tequila that's sophisticated and gentle on the palate but with an enormous complexity. There's an unmistakable vanilla edge that contributes to the overall softness.
Normally tequila añejo is stored in a number of charred oak barrels and upon completion of the aging process the contents of each barrel is then combined prior to bottling in order to achieve a level of consistency from bottle to bottle. The contents of each bottle of Porfidio Cactus Single-Barrel is direct from 3 years aging in a single selected barrel. Porfidio Añejo Single-Barrel has been the winner in four consecutive years of the World Champion Añejo Tequila Award by the Wine Enthusiast with the highest qualification ever given to a tequila brand (98 out of 100). The Cactus bottle has also received numerous awards for it's beautiful and innovative design. 40% alcohol
See info on other Porfidio products available. Click here.

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------------------------------------------03/23- Maker's Mark Bourbon, CSPC 103747; Retail: $35-$40 per 750 ml. bottle

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Maker's Mark is a blended bourbon whisky,
They are the only bourbon distillery to use pure, iron-free limestone spring water
exclusively from a 10-acre limestone spring-fed lake at the distillery. They use yellow corn, red winter wheat, and naturally malted barley from specially selected local small farm cooperatives, which gives the whisky its soft, mellow taste. Cooked in an open cooker which allows more aromatics from the air about to penetrate the mash.with a slower process that involves a lot of hands-on attention, they extend the subtle grain flavors into the whisky. They are among the few remaining bourbon distillers that propagates its own yeast for fermentation with cultures that can be traced back to the pre-prohibition era. They also use the traditional sour mash method, where they leave over some culture from one batch to start another.
Their rare cypress fermentation tanks are historically irreplaceable. Some of the planks are more than 100 years old. Maker’s Mark is currently the only operating bourbon
distillery to make whisky in batches of less than 19 barrels-- the traditional standard for small-batch whisky. Maker’s Mark double distills its whisky -once in an all copper column still to produce what they call low
wine, and again in a copper pot still to produce high wine. This added step removes impurities and produces a more refined sipping whisky. Their low wine is distilled off at 120 proof, while the high wine is 130
proof and is aged in charred white oak barrels.
Each Maker's Mark bottle is turned upside down and hand-dipped in red wax, which leaves the mouth and neck of each bottle uniquely coated and sealed bottle.The taste is loaded with vanilla, and has a slight creaminess to it. 45% alcohol

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------------------------------------------03/16- Night Harvest Sauvignon Blanc,
CSPC 983403; Retail: $12-$15 per 750 ml. bottle

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In 1984,  brothers Karl and John Giguiere established R.H. Phillips Winery in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County, due east of
Napa Valley across the Vaca Mountains. The brothers harvested their first grapes in a very innovative way – not under the hot sun, but beneath the starry night sky! Their new name, Night Harvest by R.H. Phillips, and packaging pay tribute to their 25-year history of harvesting at night and celebrating the romance and tradition of picking under the night sky.
To craft Night Harvest by R.H. Phillips wines, winemaker Barry Bergman uses 80% estate grapes and traditional artisan winemaking techniques. Harvesting at night ensures that Barry and his winemaking team have cool, firm grapes with which to fashion fresh, fruit-forward, varietally expressive wines. The whites are bright and crisp, with notes of fresh citrus, pear and green apple fruit, while the reds are ripe and jammy with luscious berry flavors softened by aging in oak barrels. Sauvignon Blanc is the first variety night-harvested back in 1983 and
the first wine released with “Night Harvest” on the label. Night Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and zesty, with vibrant citrus, green melon and cut grass aromas and crisp, mouthwatering, melon and tangerine
flavors. To accentuate its fresh, bright fruit, they ferment the Sauvignon Blanc entirely in stainless steel tanks with no oak aging and bottle it within six months of the harvest. 12.7% alcohol

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03/09- Brooklyn Lager, CSPC 722428; $11-$15 per 6 x 355 ml. bottles

 New in Alberta

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Brewed by Brooklyn Brewery, New York. In the 1800s, Brooklyn was home to over 45 breweries. Prohibition and national branding killed almost all of them. Brooklyn Brewery was founded in 1987 by a former Mideast  correspondent for the Associated Press, Steve Hindy, with his downstairs neighbor, a Chemical Bank lending officer, Tom Potter. Brooklyn Lager is a Vienna style lager, clear amber brown in colour with a malt and hops aroma and a caramel finish. The aromatic qualities of the beer are enhanced by dry-hopping, the practice of steeping the beer with fresh hops as it undergoes a long, cold maturation. The result is a smooth flavourful beer which matches up with many foods. 5.2% alcohol

03/02- Hendrick's Gin, CSPC 710631; Retail: $35-$40 per 750 ml. bottle

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Hendrick's is an iconoclastically produced small batch gin distilled in Ayrshire, Scotland. From one of four Carter-Head Stills in the world, Hendrick's still was built in 19th century London and has been restored to its original condition by coppersmiths. Instead of crudely boiling its ingredients, the Carter-Head "bathes" them in vapours. By keeping their eye on the round windows, they enforce the slowest possible build-up. This makes an enormous difference in flavour. The more leisurely the distillation, the smoother and more thorough the instillation. This is especially critical when dealing with the peculiar orchestra of botanicals that are are instilled during distillation. Then two infusions are added.  First is a lovely hint of Bulgarian Rose, which is extracted by gently pressing essential oils from the petals. Next comes the coup de grace — Cucumber, the essence of which is obtained by mashing the fresh fruit, then mixing the pulp with cold water.This initiates a slow infusion process that extracts the essential subtle flavours, which are then painstakingly infused into the spirit, one small batch at a time. The Hendrick's bottle is shaped like an old apothecary bottle which once upon a time, the was relied upon to cure diseases and redeem healthfulness. 44% alcohol

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02/24- Compass Box Hedomism, CSPC 722968; Retail: $60-$65 per 700 ml. bottle

New in Alberta
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Compass Box was founded in 2000 by John Glaser on the belief that great  grain whiskies from well chosen casks are the undiscovered treasures of Scotland's whisky kingdom. They are the elegant, almost feminine alter ego to Scotland's malt whiskies. Hedonism is an award winning "vatted grain" blend (a blend of 8-15 single grain whiskies from different distilleries which are between 12 and 29 yaers old) that is supple, silky, with elegant, rich flavours of
vanilla, toffee, coconut and cocoa. It's also a rare whisky in that it's composed of the most perfectly mature casks of grain whisky they can find, and also because it always contains at least some component whiskies
from Cambus which was sadly shut in the early 1990s, but is beloved by blenders for its soft, sweet style. Aged in 100% first-fill bourbon barrels and first-fill American oak hogsheads.
It's nose is fresh, lightly fruity with a hint of intensity.It is soft, silky and chewy, with a spicy fruit sweetness to the palate that leads to a fragrant citrusy finish. 43% alcohol

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02/17- Enrique Foster Reserva Malbec
Finca Castro Barros 2003,  CSPC 720016; Retail: $33-$37 per 750 ml. bottle

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In the center of the world's premier location for Malbec - Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, they have built a state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery surrounded by 90-year old vines. Estate grown and bottled, 100% Malbec made of selected grapes from old vines with a production limited to 5000 lbs per acre. Aged in French and American oak for 12 months and in bottles for an additional 6 months. This is a huge wine with fruity aroma and berry flavors, a stunning
example of a full-bodied Malbec. This wine is a deep red-violet with dark fruit aromas, firm structure, full body, and a pleasantly long finish. It pairs fantastically with rich spiced dishes, strong cheeses, roasted or grilled meats, tuna, salmon and chocolate. 14.5% alcohol

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02/10- Tripel Karmeliet, CSPC 715739; Retail: $15-$18 per 4 x 330 ml. bottles

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The Tripel Karmeliet is brewed from an authentic monastic recipe from 1679. The name refers to both its origin and its in-bottle refementation. bottle. With its golden bronzed color, it has an enormous and creamy head. Made with 3 kinds of grains
(wheat, oats and barley), in a malted and non-malted combination, and with 'Styrian Golding hops. The nose is both refined and complesx with hints of vanilla and citrus. Its look is golden-brown with a creamy head derived from the grains and the restrained hopping and the fruity nature of the house yeast. Its taste has the lightness and freshness of wheat, also the creaminess of oats with a spicy quinine dryness. 8% alcohol

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02/03- Flor de Cana Rum 12 Year Old Centenario, CSPC 715387; Retail: $45-$50 per 750 ml. bottle

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Flor de Caña is made by Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A, (CLNSA) and is renowned as one of the best rums in Latin America having obtained more than 72 medals over the past 5 years and has been the most award-winning rum brand during this period. Flor de Cana Rum 12 Year Old  Centenario has a copper color and an aroma of toffee, dried fruit and roasted nut surface notes plus deeper scents of oak, black raisins, cinnamon, prunes, vanilla bean, honey and mild brown spice. Smooth dry medium-to
full-bodied palate entry is stately and semisweet; by midpalate, lip-smacking flavors of nougat, almond butter, molasses and Sherry abound. Finishes with a peppery spice, dark caramel, dried fruit flavors. and
charred oak fade. So smooth, it can served straight up or on ice without mix. 40% alcohol

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01/27- Domaine Pinnacle Crème de 
Pommes, CSPC 727964; Retail: $27-$32 
per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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A unique taste sensation that's made in 
Quebec. Rich and creamy flavour, Crème de
Pommes is lighter, more subtle and refreshing
than other cream liqueurs with fruity and
spicy aromas. It offers a refined and complex
taste with a touch of apple on the finish. All
natural with no artificial colours or flavours.
Main ingredients are fresh cream, ice cider 
and apple brandy.  It is delicious on ice, in
cocktails, used to flavor coffee, served over ice cream and
fresh fruit or as an ingredient for baking.
5% alcohol

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01/20- Wyndham Estate BIN 555
Sparkling Shiraz,  CSPC 714620; Retail;
$19-$25 per 750 ml. bottle

 New in Alberta
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Sparkling reds are becoming the new alternative to regular, méthode
champenoise, or méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines. Australia has become the leader in this category. Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Sparkling Shiraz is one of the best examples of this kind of wine. This non-vintage, skilfully blended wine utilizes younger wines of full flavoured Shiraz to impart lifted primary fruit characters with older wines to soften and add complexity. Light oak maturation, subtle yeast contact and secondary fermentation ensure that a balanced and well integrated sparkling wine is produced. The result is a medium to full weight wine, with soft tannins and a fine
persistent mousse, which has medium crimson red and purple hues. The bouquet is
rich with berry fruit and Shiraz spice, while subtle yeast complexity and light vanillin oak are evident. Introduced in 2003, and in Canada in 2006 it has won numerous awards worldwide. 13.5% alcohol

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------------------------------------------01/13- Fuller's Vinatge Ale 2007, CSPC 676213; Retail: $5-$6  per 500 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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Vintage Ale is a truly distinguished bottle-conditioned ale, crafted by Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling. Each vintage is a blend of that year’s finest malt, hops, and unique yeast, creating a limited edition brew.
Bottle conditioning means that a little yeast is left in the bottle after bottling, which will mature slowly over time like a fine wine or whisky - well beyond the best before date that they are obliged to state.
The 2007 edition marks ten years of brewing this extraordinary ale. It is a classic Vintage Ale with an aroma which incorporates spicy hop notes with rich fruit character and leads on to a very full malty, fruity, sweet palate which has a surprisingly clean finish coupled with a matching bitterness.There are just 150,000 bottles produced. Bottles of old Vintage Ales are now very hard to come by but some 2006 Vintage are still available. 8.5% alcohol

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01/06- Crown Royal Cask No. 16, CSPC 728057; Retail: $100-$110 per 750 ml. bottle

New in Alberta

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The Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is Canadian whisky aged in cognac casks made of oak from the renowned Limousin Forest in France. Crown Royal is a blend of more than 50 different individually aged whiskies which are then placed in the casks which give the blend a fruity and spicy finish but much more subtle than your standard Canadian rye. The casks deliver the true essence of a fine
cognac; creaminess, smoothness and subtle hints of rich, dried fruit. Its slightly fruity aroma with hints of peach, pear and spice subside into a long and pleasant finish. 40% alcohol

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