Cocktail ingredients Utah update – October 2012

Vieux Carré may be served up,
or on the rocks.

Utah cocktailians can rejoice that it’s October, and the colder weather means it’s time for cocktails that are brown, bitter, and stirred.  The Utah DABC State Liquor Stores number of items marked down seems to be returning to normal.  The number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) this month (318) is almost flat against the 312 in September, but it’s not too late to get ready for cold weather cocktails by stocking your bar with October bargains.  So as the nights grow cooler and the early autumn days grow noticeably shorter, here are some cocktail ideas that, combined with these sale items, can reduce your monthly cocktail spend.

Now that Diageo markets a Rye Whiskey, we don’t have to wait for one to go on sale as long as we used to for Jim Beam Rye.  Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey (CS# 027025 marked down 12% to $22) has been well-reviewed and rated as a good value.  Try it in a Rye cocktail like the Vieux Carré.  If you are into Bourbons, two good examples this month are Ridgemont Reserve 1792 Bourbon (down 7% to $28) and Woodford Reserve Bourbon (down 13% to $30).  If you want to make a very mellow Manhattan, try one with some Woodford Reserve. 

If you are tempted more by imported, brown liquors, there are a couple of good, blended Scotch Whiskies marked down, too, so if you’re looking for something to put into a really top-shelf Blood and Sand, you can get some Chivas Regal 12 Year ($32) or a bottle of Dewars Special Reserve 12 Year ($30), both marked down around 9%.  How about Rum? Appleton Estate Rums, are represented 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 11% to $17, use it in your next Rapture. 

If even this late in the year, your taste runs to liquors of a lighter color, there are still some deals for you.  It seems like there are fewer Tequilas than normal marked down in October, but Familia Camarena Tequilas, one of my favorite brands for mixing, have the Silver and Reposado both marked down 10% to $18.  If you’ve never tried one, give the El Diablo a try.  Deals on Vodka this month include liter bottles of Absolut (CS# 034007 down 12% to $23).  (Great in a White Russian.)  You might also like to try Belvedere (CS# 034155, down 7% to $28) (or even Belvedere Intense) in a Vodka Martini.