This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about a bad case of writer's block
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
It doesn’t happen a lot thank God but every so often my creative juices run dry and I have a hard time coming up with ideas for this weekly blog. I’m sitting in the garage up at the cottage. My deadline is approaching and I’m toggling between staring at a blank sheet of paper, staring out the window at the yellowing leaves falling from the tall birch tree next to the lake and staring at the fire in the wood stove.
The fire doesn’t need attention but I get up anyway to throw on another log. When I open the latch to the glass door the heat singes the hairs on my knuckles. There’s a nice bed of glowing coals and within seconds the log is flaming. I sit back down and think about how I once believed that God would be cruel enough to send me packing to hell. I like the Supreme Being I believe in now a whole lot better.
Early this morning Yeoman showed up at the door with a package that UPS had delivered to his cottage by mistake. Inside were three boxes of the Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares that I had ordered on line. I had started the fire that morning with one of the squares that Gary Evans had given me last week when Barb and I were at Trail Point. Gary uses them to start fires on the patio. I have no idea what they’re made of but they work great.
Yeoman, as usual, was wearing shorts. He refuses to don long pants until it snows. He joined us in the garage for a cup of coffee and when Barb asked if he was going golfing he told us about his sore toe. He had injured the toe the day before when he was removing his speedboat. I told him I was sorry to hear about his injury but if he needed help with something around the cottage he would have to ask Barb. I had a bad case of writer's block and there was a blog that I needed to write.
Featured Wines of the Week
The Supernatural, 2018, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, $24.99/750ml- Harvest is by Pellenc Selective Process with selective head harvester which ensures high quality of fruit while excluding all other materials. Six hours soaking on skins before gentle pressing. Settled overnight at 15°C before racking off heavy lees while maintaining contact with light lees. Fermented with indigenous yeast at cool temperatures. Extensive lees contact and stirring for six months. Prepared for bottling with a minimal sulphur addition. Unfined, lightly filtered. (Source)
The Mill Keeper, 2018, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $33.59/750ml-Concentrated aromas of black raspberries, toasted almond and espresso beans, with hints of nutmeg and clove spice. On the palate, enjoy dark fruit of blackberries, brambleberries and juicy plum with integrating notes of dried cranberry and molasses. Bursting with flavor and balanced with big and rounded tannins, enjoy this bold and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon now or age for the next 5-8 years. (Source)
Kobal, Bajta, 2017, Dry White Blend, Slovenia, $24.69/750ml- Wine description: this unique, copper – gold colored wine is exotic on the nose and is reminiscent of orange peel, cinnamon, white coffee, white chocolate on nose and taste. This is the wine for people who want to enjoy special wines, where a creation of nature makes for an unforgettable experience. (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
Dzama, Nosy-Be, Prestige Rum, Madagascar, $15.79/750ml- Surprisingly approachable overproof beauty to match with game, meats, good cigars, and a fireplace. Rated one of the “50 Best” on the market. Vanilla and spice are evident in the nose. The palate is very layered, at first with alcohol, then toffee, fruits and spices. Blend it if you must, but this tropical masterpiece is best sipped like a fine cognac. (Source)
Bowmore, 15yr Single Malt, Scotland, $99.99/750ml- Matured first in bourbon barrels then Oloroso casks, there's no finer example of a sherry cask finish than our 15 Year Old. It's the final three years spent in Oloroso sherry casks that gives Bowmore 15 Year Old the rich, deep colour and robust warming finish.
Tasting Notes
On The Eye: Burnt Sienna Breathe In: Dark chocolate and raisin aromas compliment the classic Bowmore smokiness Sip: Wonderful cedar wood and rich treacle toffee flavours Savour: Spicy, toffee, sherry and barley
(Source)
St. George, Baller Single Malt Whiskey, California, $74.59/750ml- We start with 100% American barley (predominately two-row pale malted barley, the remainder is lightly roasted).
After distillation in our eau de vie pot stills, the whiskey is aged in used bourbon casks and French oak wine casks, as well as filtered through maple charcoal. We then finish the whiskey in casks that had held house-made umeshu (a Japanese style of plum liqueur we made entirely from California-grown ume fruit).
Crisp and dry, with a touch of malt sweetness. The smoky finish lingers and builds with each sip. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Beards Deez Nutz, $2.19/12oz - A full brown ale with a roasted, nutty flavor.
Beards Michigan Hop Water, $1.59/12oz - Michigan Hop Water uses a Michigan grown & Michigan indigenous hop strain called Michigan Copper. Locally grown in Williamsburg by Mi Local Hops, it offers a BRIGHT, CLEAN and REFRESHING hop flavor. (Source)
Founders Big Luscious, $2.89/12oz - Stout packed with all-natural dark chocolate a subtle suggestion of burnt coffee grounds, and a kiss of tart raspberries. (Source)
Genesee Lemon Strawberry Cream Ale, $9.99/12pk - Cream Ale
Mitten Brewing Fogout, $3.79/16oz - A juicy New England IPA dry hopped with copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Columbus hops. Huge tropical fruit aromatics lead to fantastic tropical flavors, all wrapped up in a silky smooth and soft body. (Source)
New Holland Cabin Fever, $1.99/12oz - Robust in character yet smooth in delivery, Cabin Fever is a roasty brown ale and a hearty, comforting companion for long, mind-bending winters. Its rye, roast and raisin notes play off a subtle caramel sweetness and culminate in a dry finish. Excellent with roasts, stews, caramelized onions and snowfall. (Source)
Omnipollo Argus, $8.99/16oz - Stout - Imperial / Double Pastry
Pigeon Hill Beach, Please, $1.99/12oz - Clean, crisp and delicately-balanced summer ale with subtle hop character. (Source)
Rockford Mocha Brown, $2.39/12oz - English Brown Ale infused with Mocha!
Stillwater Why Can't IBU? 2020, $3.99/16oz - Double dry-hopped farmhouse pale ale
Thornapple 6 Foor Blond, $2.79/16oz - Always impressive, this light American Ale is sure to satisfy the entry level craft beer enthusiast as well as the seasoned beer-geek looking for a lighter option without sacrificing any complexity or balance. (Source)
Thornapple Hopped Tea, $2.79/16oz
Thornapple Marzen the Martian, $3.29/16oz - Märzen
Timber Ales Between State and Main, $5.19/16oz - This Spelt IPA dry-hopped with Cashmere and Citra hops was brewed in collaboration with our friends from Second Draft Beer. (Source)
Urban Artifact Epicurean PB Raspberry Jelly, $4.69/16oz
Urban Artifact Polygraph, $3.59/12oz - This Midwest Fruit Tart has 3,000 lbs of Montmorency cherries and 60 g of vanilla beans per 30 BBL batch. (Source)
Whiner Bleu Tub, $3.09/12oz - Farmhouse Ale - Saison
Whiner Fast Food Foggy IPA, $3.09/12oz - citrus and melon, Light toast, with a soft bitter bit. (Source)
Whiner Flamingo Prince, $3.49/12oz - Beer and Kombucha blend, infused w/Hibiscus. (Source)
Whiner Oona Guave, $3.49/12oz - Funky, tart booch, very juicy with subtle saffron aroma. (Source)
Whiner Polly Hard, $3.49/12oz - Funky, tart booch, and citrus notes. (Source)