Hard liquor and wine thread

[mr x]

Sounds cool!

[jeffsmith]

Man, if I could get away from work…

[chalmers]

Sounds tempting!

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Road trip?

[mr x]

NSLC slashes markup to promote local spirits
Ironworks Distillery predicts sales will jump by 25 per cent

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot ... -1.2879876" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In an effort to repeat the explosive growth of local breweries and wineries, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation says it will slash its markup on locally produced distilled spirits.

The markup will be reduced from 160 per cent to between 60 and 80 per cent per bottle. The markup will drop by another 10 per cent if distillers use Nova Scotia agricultural products.

"It enables them to put products on our shelves at a price that is palatable to consumers," says NSLC spokesperson Heather MacDougall.

The provincial Crown corporation is also cutting the annual license fee from $2,000 to $500.

The preferred pricing policy, as it is called, was announced Friday in Lunenburg at the Ironworks Distillery, one of four distilleries in Nova Scotia.

Currently the liqueurs, vodka and rum produced at an old blacksmith shop are sold on the Ironworks premises or at weekend farm markets.

"We would be delighted to be in the NSLC. It will increase our reach where we are not represented," says Pierre Guevremont of Ironworks.

He predicts sales will increase by 25 per cent.
'Pretty quick turnaround'

For several years his company has been stockpiling and aging rum for the day it would be sold at government liquor stores. That day has come sooner than expected.

Guevremont says distillers wrote to Premier Stephen McNeil in February asking to receive the same discounted markup given to craft brewers and wineries.

"This was a pretty quick turnaround."

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Diana Whalen says the government was happy to oblige.

"We should be looking at distilleries in the same light as craft breweries and wineries," she says. "These businesses make a real impact in these communities."

The markups may not result in lower prices. Distillers say the better margins will allow them to compete with international giants with much lower costs of production.

"This will give us a fighting chance to get our products on the shelves," says Lauchie MacLean of Glenora Distillery.

MacLean is also president of the recently formed NS Distillers Association. He predicts within a few years there will be a dozen distilleries operating in Nova Scotia.

[akr71]

Distilling season is upon us, I will be starting to distill on December 1st. I have about 8000 litres of blueberry wine, 10,000 litres of blueberry mash, 1000 litres of grape skins and various others to do.

Should anyone be interested in the process, get in touch with me. I'm looking at about 3 weeks worth at 12 hour days. Unfortunately, this is during weekdays only, however, if enough interest is out there, I can sacrifice one Saturday (oh the joys of self employment, haha).

I'm running two 150 L copper pot stills with 3 bubble plates each, pre-condenser, main condenser and internal circulator.

May be of interest. I'll be here, would love to show it to you, bring shorts and a tank top, tends to get a bit warm (30C @ 80% humidity).

I took RossBee up on his offer & spent 4 or 5 hours watching him do his thing, turning blueberry wine into spirits. I thought I was going to be put to work, but I did a lot of watching and sampling which is probably for the best. I got to sample some brandy, grappa, gin and an anise eau de vie. I had never had grappa before and it was quite tasty. The anise eau de vie was surprisingly tasty too - the licorice aftertaste was intense! The gin was subtle, which is a good thing in my books and the brandy incredibly smooth.

I've had Steffen's brandy before - I like brandy as much as whisky (I know, that's a pretty general statement - both can be all over the map, taste wise), but for my money, I can't justify spending twice the money at the NSLC for an import when I can literally drive down the road and get something of quality and locally made. Don't take me for any kind of expert - I just know what I like.

I took some pics, but I can't seem to upload them. I'll have to re-sample to a smaller file size and try again later.

[RossBee]

Just finishing my last run of distilling before Christmas, back at it on the 29th and 30th, recovering until the 5th of January! Looks like another 12 days of distilling after that, the offer stands if anyone is interested, let me know, bring a driver (there will be sampling, I can walk home).

[canuck]

Having a small sample of this now. I gotta say, it's the real deal and a phenomenal rum! Too bad this wasn't available here in NB, but at $70 per bottle perhaps that's a good thing.

[mcgster]

Shane, i'm a rum novice.. unless its mixed with coke or served in a coconut shell i wouldn't know what it tastes like.. but my dad loves rum and he is a hard guy to buy for. Would you recommend this as a gift? Any other ones you would suggest?

[canuck]

Shane, i'm a rum novice.. unless its mixed with coke or served in a coconut shell i wouldn't know what it tastes like.. but my dad loves rum and he is a hard guy to buy for. Would you recommend this as a gift? Any other ones you would suggest?

Mark, I'd definitely recommend this if your Dad is into aged Rums. My go to rum is El Dorado 12, and for me, it's easily the best bang for your buck at $38. Zacapa is phenomenal, but you're also paying $70 for it. Zacapa isn't available at ANBL either, but El Dorado 12 is. El Dorado 15 and 21 are also available at ANBL, but surprisingly I personally like the 12 better.

[gyorke]

Has anyone seen this product around town Private Preserve wine preserver? http://www.privatepreserve.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I know I have seen it somewhere but I can't remember where.

[bluenose]

Just finishing my last run of distilling before Christmas, back at it on the 29th and 30th, recovering until the 5th of January! Looks like another 12 days of distilling after that, the offer stands if anyone is interested, let me know, bring a driver (there will be sampling, I can walk home).

When's your next distilling session?

[Celiacbrew]

Has anyone seen this product around town Private Preserve wine preserver? http://www.privatepreserve.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I know I have seen it somewhere but I can't remember where.

Premier wine and spirits used to carry it. I don't know if they still do at their new location as I haven't been. I have bought that stuff before and I don't know if I am convinced it works. It probably matters how much you pour out of your bottle and how soon you add the gas and cap it. And probably how long you flush the bottle out with the gas. When my wife was pregnant I was using it to preserve half finished bottles that I had sitting on the table during the cooking and then eating of supper. So out for maybe 2 hours.if I sprayed them down and put them on the counter the bottle wouldn't be good in a week. If I put the bottle in the fridge it was good after a week. But so was a bottle that I didn't spray the gas into but put in the fridge. Sucks having to wait for a glass of wine to warm up to 15c but that is my go to now. If you want my leftover can of the preserver you are welcome to it.

[darciandjenn]

Has anyone seen this product around town Private Preserve wine preserver? http://www.privatepreserve.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I know I have seen it somewhere but I can't remember where.

Premier wine and spirits used to carry it. I don't know if they still do at their new location as I haven't been. I have bought that stuff before and I don't know if I am convinced it works. It probably matters how much you pour out of your bottle and how soon you add the gas and cap it. And probably how long you flush the bottle out with the gas. When my wife was pregnant I was using it to preserve half finished bottles that I had sitting on the table during the cooking and then eating of supper. So out for maybe 2 hours.if I sprayed them down and put them on the counter the bottle wouldn't be good in a week. If I put the bottle in the fridge it was good after a week. But so was a bottle that I didn't spray the gas into but put in the fridge. Sucks having to wait for a glass of wine to warm up to 15c but that is my go to now. If you want my leftover can of the preserver you are welcome to it.

I've actually seen it around in various NSLC stores as well.

[bluenose]

a bottle of wine doesn't last long enough in my house to worry

[dean2k]

Went to a bourbon tasting and learned a metric shit tonne about spirits that I was otherwise completely ignorant about. Decided to make a concerted effort to get a better understanding of the differences, and what it is that I like about those which I like. Picked up a bottle of 100% rye Lot 40 to contrast and compare what I already have in the cupboards. Wish me luck.

[mr x]

Concrete decision: Fermentation tanks don’t have to be oak or steel to produce rich, distinctive wines


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/foo ... e26923664/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;