Cocktail ingredients Utah update – March 2012

When Utahans walk into the Utah DABC State Liquor Stores this month they will be pleased to see that the number of marked down items has increased from January and February lows into the “above average” range.  The number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) rose from around 250 last month to over 350, so sale tags are more in evidence than they have been in the last couple of months.  Cocktailians who have been waiting to stock their bars will see that the time has come.  Quite a few quality cocktail ingredients are available this month, so dust off your shaker and get ready to mix some great cocktails.

First, though, some exciting news.  As the Utah Mixologist was making his pre-publication visit to his local state store, he spotted some Bulleit® 95 Rye Whiskey (CS# 027025, $25).  Not only is this new Rye a welcome addition to the rather short list of Ryes available in Utah, but it has been well-reviewed and rated as a good value.  Sadly, I must go out and won’t be able to try it until much later in the evening.

St. Patrick’s Day falls in March, and the UDABC has answered the call with a selection of Irish Whiskies. Prices on Bushmill’s®, John Power®, and Michael Collins® have all been reduced around 10% to fall in the $20-24 range.  There is also a variety of brands and sizes of Irish Cream Liqueurs for the less hard-core drinkers. This month you might want to stock up on your favorite Liqueurs.  Two varieties of Kahlua Coffee Liqueur® ($17 and $19) are on SPA, along with Liqueurs like Hpnotique® ($20) and Frangelico® ($22), and a favorite Triple Sec substitute that works well in Margaritas: Gran Gala® Orange Liqueur (14% to $19).

If you enjoy Bourbons, selections this month range from Jack Daniels® Black Label (down 9% to $20) to Blanton® Single Barrel (down 4% to $46).  If you want to make a very good Manhattan, or perhaps a Boulevardier, try some Woodford Reserve® or Knob Creek®, both marked down to $30.  There are a couple of good, blended Scotch Whiskies marked down, too, so if you’re looking for something to put into your Bobby Burns you can get some Chivas Regal® ($30) or a large (1750 ml.) bottle of Dewars® White Label for $46.

If you need some Dry Gin, bottles from Tanqueray® and Brokers® are marked down $2 and Beefeaters® is marked down $3 this month.  Try these in a Classic Martini.  My favorite “economy Gin”, New Amsterdam® (CS# 031475), is marked down 15% from $15 to $13 (try it in a Tom Collins).  If you have an open bottle of sparkling wine but you’re in the mood for something a little stronger than a Champagne cocktail, try a French 75 – a reliable champagne (and gin) cocktail that is sure to have just the kick you need.  If you like Vodka Martinis, Teton Glacier® is marked down 14% to $19 this month.

If you like Appleton Estate® Rums, you will like the Rum deals this month.  Appleton Estate V/X Rum® (a blend of 15 Rums aged 5 to 10 years) is marked down 15% to $17 this month, try it in a Rum Old Fashioned. If you like dark Rums, Mount Gay Eclipse® Barbados Rum is marked down over 15% to $15.  The UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila lovers, either.  There are 19 Tequilas on SPA with plenty of Platas and Reposados.  My favorites range from El Jimador® through Sauza Hornitos® to Herradura®; leave your credit card at home... it’s Margarita time.

As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response to this article.  See the following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website.  You can check out what else is on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “SPA Product List” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns for the current month.