This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about resisting temptation
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
Late last fall after the ferns behind the pole barn had turned a dullish brown, after waking up three consecutive mornings to mist rising off the lake and after the evening chill made it too uncomfortable to have cocktails on the deck, I finally conceded that there would be no more fly fishing for the year and shipped my waders off to the Simms repair facility in Bozeman, Montana.
Simms makes good products but I'm tough on waders, probably because I’m no longer spry enough to gracefully climb over logs and shimmy up and down gravel banks without scraping my knees and derrière against fabric abrading objects. When there's still patches of snow in the woods and you're wearing long underwear, a sweater and a hoody underneath a rain jacket it's no fun being in a river with icy water seeping through a leak in your waders.
As we inch closer to spring I get more antsy and the antsier I get I find that my ability to resist temptation starts breaking down. Now when the Orvis and L.L. Bean catalogues come in the mail rather than tossing them aside I thumb through the pages. I'm tempted to buy a new Waxed-Cotton Packer Hat even though my old one, while frayed and battered, still does the job. I ask myself if I really need that Sherpa-Lined Scotch Plaid Shirt, Slightly Fitted. A new sling pack would be nice but there's really nothing wrong with my old fishpond wading vest.
When I'm daydreaming about fly fishing I have to keep reminding myself that success doesn't hinge on having a lot of expensive clothes and fancy gear. When it comes right down to it all you really need is a rod and a reel, a few leaders, a spool or two of tippet and a selection of flies. And, of course, in the spring at least, old sweaters, hoodies and stocking caps that keep you toasty and patched up waders that keep you dry.
Featured Wines of the Week
Naturalis, 2020, Sauvignon Blanc, Australia, $12.79/750ml (Organic)- Grapes for this wine have been entirely sourced from our Certified Organic Nanya Vineyard near Paringa, South Australia. The sandy loam over limestone soils, abundant sunshine, warm days and cool nights provide ideal conditions for nurturing flavour packed organic grapes with which to craft this exciting new, organic wine. Bright and clear with a faint green hue. Aromas of apple, passionfruit and lychee precede a palate that flows from these and adds a delicate gooseberry flavour to the mix in a refreshingly crisp wine. (Source)
Moon River, 2018, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $33.79/750ml- The Westside of Paso Robles is home to an appellation called, The Adelaida District. From this slice of heaven comes some of the densest and most lip-smacking wines on the planet. We haven’t released a new Spaceman for light-years, but this wine will make all that waiting well worth it. This wine is a Neutron Star of “hug your loved ones” and bow down to greatness. Iridescent purples, blues, and reds flash like a raven’s wing warning the senses of what is about to be unleashed upon them. Lush and dense with aromas of black cherry, warm strawberry pie, and a Carolina smokehouse explode from the glass. The intensity and decadence of the flavors are defined mostly by baked blackberry, caramel, and spice cake but the classic black-currant, violet, espresso, and milk chocolate shine brighter than quasar 3C 273 in the constellation of Virgo as well. Look it up!(Source)
Castel Maure, Col Des Vents, Corbieres, France, $12.49/750ml- "Col des Vents" means "Windy Mountain Pass" as it is quite windy and located at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper ... all are present in this authentic French country wine. There are also some aromas of Garrigue (Rosemary, thyme and lavender) giving a minty, herbal notes, that are quite refreshing as well. (Source)
Adesanya Mead, Cyser & Doughnuts, Michigan, $27.19/750ml- Coming from Grandville, MI this sweet still mead is made with wild flower honey, apple cider, and maple syrup. Also available as a cognac barrel aged version for $30.39/750ml. (Source)
Buy three or more bottles of wine get 10 % off.
"It's our mission at Siciliano's to sell quality wine at affordable prices."
Featured Spirits of the Week
Nelson's Green Brier, Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey, $31.59/750ml- We’re proud to resurrect our remarkable family recipe, with the first bottling since 1909. Painstakingly filtered through a mellowing bed of sugar maple charcoal and aged in new charred oak barrels, it’s easy to taste why Charles Nelson's wheated mash bill recipe and meticulous process set the standard by which all future Tennessee Whiskeys are judged. We think you’ll agree that it’s been well worth the wait.
Tasting Notes: Nose: Full and warm showing caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and apple Palate: Robust brown sugar, cinnamon roll, caramel apple, and a touch cocoa Finish: Long with lingering flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, Gala apple, and black cherry. (Source)
Mars Iwai whisky, Japan, $42.09/750ml- Kiichiro Iwai, the name sake for this Mars Whisky, was a silent pioneer of Japan whisky. This whisky is inspired by great whiskies of America. A majority of corn balanced with light malt aged in ex bourbon barrels. Ideal for daily sipping, in a mint julep or an old fashioned.
TASTING NOTES: Sweet with fruit flavors like pear, quince and hints of red fruits and vanilla. (Source)
Mars Iwai Whisky 45, Japan, $42.09/750ml- This new, higher proof Iwai (pronounced EE-why) was designed for cocktails; however, it’s supple and more than capable as a neat sipper too, with pleasing aromas of honey, ripening pear, barley, exotic woods, and citrus. The palate of honey sweetness, sugar cubes, vanilla, pear, apricot, and spice bows out with honey, breakfast cereal, nougat, and white chocolate. It’s a delicious and unusual whisky from Japan, less aligned with the country’s scotch-like tradition of malts and blends and more similar to bourbon, being made mostly from corn. —Jonny McCormick (Source)
Black Button Distilling, Four Grain Straight Bourbon, New York, $52.59/750ml- Our Four Grain Straight Bourbon has a big aroma of fresh oak, toffee and leather. It then opens with a sweetness of light caramel and vanilla flavors and ends with a dry, clean and easy finish, with slight hints of charred oak and vanilla. (Source)
Black Button Distilling, Bespoke Bourbon Cream, New York, $26.29/750ml-
Whiskey and cream naturally go so well together and this delicious spirit combines our hand finished Bourbon and local farm fresh New York State cream for a drink that delights. Bourbon Cream is similar in concept to that of an Irish Cream, but has a more complex flavor profile. The bourbon base creates that rich feel with a sweet vanilla and smooth caramel taste.Our Bespoke Bourbon Cream is similar in concept to an Irish Cream; sweet on the nose with a richer feel and a bolder taste of vanilla and caramel. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Abita Spring IPA, $1.89/12oz - If you like our Jockamo, you’re going to love this big, bold Spring I.P.A. It’s a great pale ale that’s just right for this time of the year, when the weather starts to warm up again.” The brew is made with both Amarillo and Centennial hops for a rich and resinous flavor of citrus and spice. (Source)
Brew Detroit Pander Bear, $3.79/16oz - Our new Double West Coast-style IPA was dry-hopped with Simcoe, Mosaic, Michigan Chinook, and Cascade. The body is light-medium, with a slightly off-white head. The aroma is well balanced with tropical fruit and pine. On the palate, notes of mango, citrus, and passion fruit. Finishes with a slow fading bitterness.
Decadent Ales Berry Berry Pancake, $5.49/16oz - Our double IPA designed to be reminiscent of our favorite breakfast. Over 100 pounds of blueberries are added to caramelized sugar and maple syrup to create a faint pancake backdrop. (Source)
Decadent Ales Pineapple Upside Down Cake, $5.49/16oz - DIPA brewed with Pineapple Puree, Black Cherry, and Burnt Sugar. (Source)
Evil Twin Blue Raspberry, $3.59/16oz - Sour IPA with raspberry flavor
Fat Orange Cat Baby Kittens, $3.79/16oz - A lovely hazy pale yellow brew with a tiny hint of sweetness on the nose. Up front we find a relaxed medley of fresh citrus, mangos, and pineapple. It finishes with a hint of pine and invigorating grapefruit with just enough bitterness to cleanse your palette and invite you back for another sip. (Source)
Greenbush A Great Reckoning, $1.9/12oz - IPA - Belgian
Greenbush Magnetic Fields, $1.99/12oz - Mexican Black Lager
Hoof Hearted Maxx Profits, $5.69/16oz - Sour IPA Ale with strawberry, pink guava, lemon, Tahitian vanilla and lactose added. (Source)
Marlowe Replacing Memories, $4.89/16oz - Pale ale brewed with flaked wheat and flaked oats and hopped with el Dorado, Galaxy, and Citra hops. (Source)
Saugatuck Maggie's Irish Ale, $1.89/12oz - A beautiful mahogany color and well rounded flavors of caramel and tea with subtle hints of malt and a dry finish. (Source)
Shine Strawberry Blond, $1.79/12oz - This small batch brew is the seventh beer in our Brewers Pride Craft Brew Series. Strawberry Blonde is brewed with perfectly ripe, juicy strawberries from the strawberry capital of Texas, Poteet. A mix of pale and wheat malt provides a crisp finished to bring you a truly refreshing brew. And with that we encourage you to harvest this beautiful blonde today. Prosit! (Source)
Territorial Brewing Big Yellow Truck, $2.39/12oz - Michigan Pilsner. A crisp, refreshingly bitter pale lager born in Springfield, Michigan but raised wherever you feel at home. (Source)
Territorial Brewing Springfield Slammer, $2.39/12oz - One sip and you’ll get Happy-Go-Jackie like a donkey eating a waffle! It’s a light American Amber Lager with an extra dry-hop kick… AND Boom Goes the Dynamite! Boomshakalaka! (Source)
Territorial Tropical Storm Pete, $3.19/12oz - A delicious golden lager with a mountain of citrusy hops. Named to honor a dear friend. (Source)
Untitled Art Chocolate Raspberry Stout, $5.49/12oz - Imperial stout with raspberry puree and milk sugar. (Source)
Stay safe. Please wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. Spread kindness not germs!