Bourbon Barrel Selection – August 17th, 5pm

Your favorite whiskeys are ones that consistently deliver a specific flavor profile, never letting you down. In order to ensure this quality, a careful blend of whiskeys from a number of barrels is created by the master distiller. After all, each and every barrel is a little different and even the height at which they are stored in the warehouse effects how the whiskey develops over many years.

Colonial Spirits has been offered a unique opportunity to purchase a single barrel of whiskey from either Blanton’s or Eagle Rare. This barrel will be a unique expression of the whiskey and, although similar to the fine offerings we see on the shelves, is distinct and sold only by Colonial Spirits. The unblended, raw product from one single barrel will be bottled exclusively for Colonial Spirits and labeled as such. These offerings are available only in the quantity left in the chosen barrel and will present an irreplaceable interpretation of a classic Bourbon.

The selection will take place on Friday, August 17th at 5pm and we want you to decide with us. We have 3 samples of Eagle Rare and 2 sample of Blanton’s, however only about 150mL of each so the opportunity to taste and vote is limited.

Please join us and bring your most discerning palate in order to assist in choosing the best barrel to be bottled and offered this fall.

Ardbeg – June 23rd, 2-5pm

Scotch fans, it’s Ardbeg time…

If you are not a fan already, it is time to become one.  Ardbeg is just so good.  Revered around the world as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt of them all. Yet it does not flaunt the peat; rather it gives way to the natural sweetness of the malt to produce a whisky of perfect balance.  Typically most whiskies are chill-filtered and reduced to a strength of 40% ABV. Ardbeg Ten Years Old, however, is non chill-filtered and has a strength of 46% ABV, thus retaining maximum flavour, at the same time giving more body and added depth.

Classic Malts – Friday, June 8th from 5 – 7 pm

Friday, June 8th from 5 – 7 pm

Colonial Spirits will be presenting the Classic Malts portfolio with a few bonus whiskeys on the side.

With Father’s day right around the corner, this is a great opportunity to find the perfect gift for Dad – or maybe a great opportunity for Dad to pick out the gift that he really wants! Continue reading Classic Malts – Friday, June 8th from 5 – 7 pm

Irish Whiskeys for the Connoisseur March 16, 5-7pm

March 16th, 5-7pm

This evening we will be showing some of the best of what Irish Whiskey has to offer.  The tasting will feature:

Jameson Selections – Jameson, Jameson 12yr and Jameson Gold Label

Red Breast 12 yr Pot Still Whiskey, regular and cask strengths

Powers

Midleton Rare

This is a great opportunity to sample Irish Whiskey and learn about a unique category in the Whiskey world.  Presented by Chris Rose and Colonial Spirits.

Big publicity, little liquidity…

I love drinking beer.  I also love being a purveyor of beer.  There are so many enthusiasts out there who I have been pleased to meet and talk beer with.  Finding great beer and getting it to these people is a lot of fun.

A recent trend in the beer market is one that marketing professionals have been studying for years – developing demand for a product that is so intense that everything produced is immediately consumed yet consumers regard the product as highly as ever and demand remains at its peak.  It is a delicate supply line to walk.  Just how many consumers should be lucky enough to get this golden nugget before so many have had it that its glitter begins to fade?

In the beer world, the answer seems to be, very few. Continue reading Big publicity, little liquidity…

A fundamental style turned elitist?

The other day I was approached in the beer aisle by a customer looking for Stout.  I was immediately fired up to get into the wonderful world of stout beer with an eager drinker.

Stout has really come into a style of its own, but was originally the term for the strongest (or stoutest) porters.  Today stout is of the darkest of the ales, made with dark roasted malt and often lots of hops.  Stout generally has a rich flavor, a full body, is quite hearty but is not necessarily that high in abv, anywhere from 4-10+% (originally the ‘stout’ porters were ~8%).

I began to think more about stout today when the guy I was speaking with began to explain that he was well aware of many of the options but, as a person who likes to drink stout, wanted a 6 pack of something worth his time and money.  As a few top-tier 4 packs came to mind: Old Rasputin, Ten Fiddy, Dark Truth, Brooklyn Black Chocolate, I realized that I was only 2/3s of the way to answering his question. Continue reading A fundamental style turned elitist?