by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

It’s not very often that a classic comes along, particularly in the liqueur category. Most of the truly classic liqueurs have been around a long time, came from Europe, and often as not were created by monks–see Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Frangelico, and others. And sadly, too many new entrants in aisle 9B are poseurs, with some or another frou-frou ingredient backed with frenzied marketing. But every once in a while, an artisan with some vision and passion comes along that you just know will still be here in a century or two. The latest, and greatest, of these is Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. Between its understated Asian lantern-style bottle, harmony of ingredients, and its effortless mixability, Canton is a future liqueur hall of famer.

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Considering the wealth of American microdistilleries we carry at The Party Source, I suppose I should not have been surprised when a couple of amazing little bottles showed up on our doorstep from Bowling Green, Kentucky. But I was surprised–probably you heard my jaw when it hit the floor–not only to find an artisan distiller in Kentucky, but the first commercial red abisnthe in America. G0 Kentucky!

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Lots of Champagne gets drunk on Valentine’s Day, as well as a distressing number of frilly-fruity-fuchsia cocktails. But what about spirits? Can we get some love in here for flammable beverages? Here are three picks for the sexiest, supple-ist, swingingest spirits for any romantic occasion, any of which will close down a dinner date in style.

Château de Beaulon Cognac

Château de Beaulon, March 2007

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The reintroduction of absinthe to American markets last year was unprecedented. Probably not since the end of Prohibition had we seen a whole category of banned spirit suddenly become legit once again. Certainly we at The Party Source–which debuted absinthe for the Greater Cincinnati market on Thursday, May 15–had never seen such a rapturous, ravenous reception for a new product. Everyone was crazy for absinthe! Since then , various voices in the liquor industry have predicted the demise of this noble spirit. It’s true that some people have hopped off the absinthe bandwagon, remembered they don’t really like licorice, or did not achieve the presumed trippy experience; and surely the present economy does not help a $60 bottle of booze. However, what’s left is a dedicated and sizeable band of true absinthe lovers. Absinthe is not going anywhere. For these people, we are pleased to announce yet another artisanal absinthe in our collection. Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, here is Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

In this inaugural season, we’re pleased to welcome a patriotic new gin, one that beats the English at their own game as Philadelphians have been doing since 1776. Bluecoat Gin–proudly labeled “American Dry Gin”–comes from Philadelphia Distilling, a crafty little distiller that is spreading its own spirit of brotherly love.  I love the Bluecoat package nearly as much as the flavor, using organic juniper as well as other organic botanicals, including all-American citrus. It is carefully distilled five times to arrive at a properly potent 94 proof. Philadelphia offers as well a 100% rye vodka called Penn 1681, mashed and distilled from scratch at the distillery, and an artisanal absinthe Vieux Carré. Look for reviews of the other spirits in the weeks to come.

Bluecoat Gin 750 ml $25.99

Bluecoat Gin 50 ml $2.99

by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine & Spirits Manager

The great Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, changed their name in 1999 from the George T. Stagg Distillery to Buffalo Trace. But in fact, for much of the 20th century they were popularly called the Ancient Age Distillery, due to their flagship brand. Ancient Age Bourbon is one of those old-school Bourbons that your grandfather drank, but it has always been excellent whiskey. The top of the line is Ancient Ancient Age, or “Triple-A” for short. It’s bottled at 10 years and 86 proof, and is not sold outside Kentucky. It’s long been a favorite of mine and many Bourbon lovers–writer Jim Murray is one noted adherent–but now there is possibly the best triple-A yet, available only at The Party Source. That would be our latest Private Barrel, the first ever Ancient Ancient Age single barrel bottling.

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Master of Whisky Robert Sickler ventured from Ohio’s capitol city to our EQ cooking school for a spectacular Scotch tasting last Friday, May 16. Possibly there is no group of EQ students more devoted to their favorite product than our Scotch crowd, and they came out in force tonight for 8, count ‘em eight delicious and definitely classic single malts.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

By now the craft beer revolution in America is complete, as microbreweries and brewpubs have changed the way we think of beer. Now a similar movement is trickling along in distilled spirits. American craft distillers are producing a huge range of spirits, from maple syrup vodkas to tea liqueurs to wild whiskeys and brandies of every stripe. These small stills are truly “micro,” little start-up operations working out of barns and sheds, basements and old airplane hangars.

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Along with being my favorite place to be shipwrecked, the Scottish island of Islay holds eight working single malt Scotch distilleries. While such smoky, peaty monsters as Lagavulin and Laphroaig are enormously popular, there is another Islay (pronounced EYE luh) distillery that has utterly captured the hearts of whisky lovers worldwide. This is Bruichladdich, the only independent distillery on Islay, owned and operated largely by natives of the island (who are Ileachs). I spent time with Bruichladdich Master Distiller Jim McEwan at several events in late October—including a smashing tasting for EQ@The Party Source—and got the low-down on Bruichladdich, and the fearlessly creative distiller at its helm.

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