JL Denois Extra Brut Cremant

$35.69

Good Crémant is often lauded as a less expensive alternative to Champagne, but while this is true, the more important project is to create a crémant of place and substance that does not seek to replicate or outshine Champagne but rather to introduce its own terroir in its own rite. This, indeed, is what Jean-Louis Denois has done with his sparkling wines. Inventive in its blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a 10% kick of Chenin Blanc, the estate's organically tended vineyards in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude benefit from an ideal climate. Thanks to their altitude and the proximity of the Pyrenees, the berries are perfectly balanced between acidity and fruit. No need for chaptalization or acidification, it is the precise harvest date that is decisive for a perfect balance and here Jean-Louis's years of expertise honed in his Champagne homeland, his education in Beaune, and his working travels in California, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have all culminated in this life long project of proving Limoux's viability for world-class bubbles. The palate shows white fruit, almond frangipane, nectarine, and salted pineapple, a harmonious, dry, elegant, and joyfully fruit-oriented wine. Then the finish saunters in with notes of hazelnut, red berries, and toasted bread.

Tantalus Syrah

$52.69

Tantalus was established in 2004 when Proprietor Eric Savics was presented with the opportunity to acquire one of the Okanagan Valley’s premier vineyard properties. Originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, the site was first planted to table grapes in 1927 by renowned, local horticulturist JW Hughes. The old vine plantings – 1978 Riesling and 1985 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay became the backbone of the vineyard. Other varietals were removed and new plantings of the 3 flagship varietals commenced in 2005. The vineyard would not only have considerable vine age as its anchor, but it would also grow to have superior clone variation as well. With the success of the wines and the increase in production came the need to build a new winery. Tantalus’ sleek new facility was completed in March 2010 and has the distinction of being British Columbia’s first LEED-certified winery. This wine has been awarded best overall BC wine in previous competitions. The vines are generally regarded as the oldest vinifera plantings in the Okanagan.

Feudo Montoni Terre di Elio

$44.19

Feudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469 and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir. Rosario Sireci purchased the Feudo Montoni estate in the late 1800s upon discovering a wealth of ancient vines, and passed down the property his son. Located in the heart of Sicily and planted in sand and clay, this certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals – Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia– in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.

Cut Above Agave Blanco Non-Alc

$41.39

From the Producer
"A bold, Double Gold award winning Tequila with a spiced earthiness entrance followed by notes of cooked agave and aged wood that leads to a balanced citrus finish. A 1:1 replacement in Margaritas, Palomas, and other Tequila cocktail favorites. Want a low proof cocktail? Simply replace half of the traditional Tequila with Cut Above in your cocktail. The only non-alcoholic Tequila built for Cut Cocktails!"
 

Cut Above Whisky Non-Alc

$41.39

From the Producer, 

"Crafted in the heart of Bourbon country, our Whiskey opens with notes of cherry and oak, followed by peppercorn, warm malt and finishes with hints of coffee and orange. A 1:1 replacement in an Old Fashioned, Brambles, and other Whiskey cocktail favorites. Want a low proof cocktail? Simply replace half of the traditional Whiskey with Cut Above in your cocktail. The only non-alcoholic Whiskey built for Cut Cocktails!

 Zero Proof Whiskey.  "

Clink 0% Raspberry Limoncello Mocktail

$4.04

Producer Description

"This little match made in heaven introduces the tangy kick of a lemon liqueur with the slight sweetness of real raspberry juice. Refreshing, not too sweet and slightly tart it pops with the balanced and effervescent flavour of champagne.

40 calories. 8 g sugars. 355 ml. 0% alcohol."

Two Rivers Bourbon Style Whisky

$107.99

A new Bourbon-style whisky from Calgary's Two Rivers Distillery! Made from a mash of 76% corn, 22% rye, and 2% barley, this single cask release spent four years maturing in a combination of a charred new oak barrels followed by an ex-Bourbon barrel. It is bottled at 40% ABV.

Producer Description

"Made to honour our neighbours in the south using Albertan corn, rye, and barley. Double batch distilled and aged in freshly-charred American White Oak barrels and finished in specialty barrels selected by our Master Distiller. Brewed, distilled and aged at Two Rivers Distillery, Calgary, Alberta"

Compass Box Secrets of Smoke

$244.79

Primarily built from parcels of Caol Ila, Ardmore, and The Peat Monster, it also contains a little Laphroaig and Bowmore. 52% - Limit 1 Per Customer!

Producer Description

"Secrets of Smoke takes you beyond the smoke screen. With this whisky we uncover the sometimes surprising inherent sweetness of peated malts. Take some time to get through the smoke. The longer you sit with it you’ll become accustomed to it as the veil of smoke drops, the sweet side shines through."

"For Secrets of Smoke, we allow those wine casks to crack the smoky outer shell and release the unexpected sweetness at the core of peated whiskies. Palo Cortado sherry-seasoned butts enhancing the toffee apple qualities of malt whisky from the Caol Ila Distillery. Refill red wine barrels tempt bright cherry notes from the depths of The Peat Monster, our own assemblage of Islay malts. And those Marsala barriques bring blueberry flapjack flavours to the surface of malt whisky from the Laphroaig Distillery."

Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year

$34.19

A new Rye from Alberta Distillers! With no press release or information or web page on the bottle to be found. What we can tell you is that it carries a stated age of 9 Years Old, and is made from 100% Rye Grain. Oh, and it is bottled at 45% ABV.

The back label does mention three barrel types used, but does not specify which types. It is from ADL, so the liquid should be good. Plus, the price is very reasonable if the quality is there.

If only this small, plucky Calgary Distillery was owned by a large spirits conglomerate that could afford to throw some money into marketing and entice us on what makes this bottle special... Sure, the same company owns a distillery on Islay that pointlessly co-brands some of their high-end single malts with a luxury car brand because they don't see the whisky as premium enough to sell on its own. That is just fine, but throwing a bit of a spotlight on one of the best rye distilleries in the world would be a bridge too far!