Tag Archives: bottles

The Bottles Private Barrel Selections, Part 1

It’s been a busy year in our spirits department, with the team traveling the country, tasting through hundreds of distinctive whiskeys, in search of exquisite, one-of-a-kind barrels good enough to bring home and call our own. This ever-changing collection meets our strict standards for taste and quality, and highlights the skill of each distillery we visit. We are very proud to offer these exceptional bourbons, ryes and malts — all available only in small quantities — and only to our loyal, whiskey-loving friends, family and customers.

But why do we do this?

For those new to whiskey, you may be wondering why we put such effort into bringing these bottles to Rhode Island. To understand, it helps first to know what gives whiskies their distinctive flavors. If you’re a seasoned whiskey lover and the process is old hat to you, skip to the bottom for a look at a few of our exclusive barrels. If you’re new to whiskey, read on.

Distillers start by making a huge batch of whiskey in one giant vat (we’re talking hundreds of gallons – some, thousands of gallons), using one proprietary recipe. Once distilled, the pure liquid spirit is siphoned off into new charred American oak barrels, which are then set to age for 3 – 10+ years in a rickhouse. (That’s a fancy term for the enormous warehouse lined from floor to roof with barrels at various stages in the aging process.) After years of aging, the contents of those barrels — remember, they contain that one recipe — will vary dramatically in taste.

So what accounts for the variations in flavor? It’s all about the aging. It’s all about how long a barrel is aged and where within the rickhouse it matures.

And here’s where your 5th grade science comes in: As a barrel of bourbon warms up in the hot Kentucky summer, the wood expands, drawing the whiskey through its inner charred charcoal surface right into the grain. As fall and winter approach, the wood contracts, forcing the whiskey back out, filtered through the charcoal and oak. This process is repeated for a minimum of 3 years, and all the while the whiskey is evaporating, evolving into a more concentrated version of itself. Naturally, barrels higher up in the rickhouse get hotter, evaporating at an accelerated rate, while those on the lower shelves are cooler, allowing evaporation – and the interplay with the wood – to occur at a slower, less intense rate. The sweet spot for aging is on the middle shelves: the barrels that age there are often considered superior. These variations in where a barrel ages and for how long dictate, in large part, its flavor profile.

After 3 years (the bare minimum for making what can – or should – legally be called bourbon) a master distiller will start to taste the barrels to see how they are developing, and to start determining which barrels will be married together to achieve the specific flavor profile of each of their various labels. For instance: At Heaven Hill, the bourbons in a bottle of their entry-level Evan Williams Black Label are pulled from all over the rickhouse and blended. Their next-level Evan Williams White Label, is made from bourbon that was aged in barrels for slightly longer, thereby coaxing more refined and nuanced flavors from the wood, and then bottled at 100 proof. These are small variations for sure, however they make a world of difference in the final product. At the other end of the spectrum is the Elijah Craig, which is made from barrels that have been aged only in the middle of the rickhouses. This placement results in a softer, more subtle whiskey, with warm baking spice notes on the finish.

The commonality amongst all of the bourbons is the liquid: It’s all the same going into the barrels, but the duration of aging and the location of where the aging is happening is what makes each final bourbon distinct and suited to fit the standard profiles for each different label.

However, because this is a wholly-natural process, there are barrels that every once in a while stand out as exceptional. They are barrels that due to patience, luck, and alchemy, are deemed by the distiller to be too unique to be blended into one of their house labels and are therefore set aside. When we travel to Kentucky to buy bourbon, these are the barrels that we taste and bring back to Rhode Island and call our own. These “snowflake” barrels are of extraordinary quality and are unique expressions that will never be replicated.

If this process intrigues you, we invite you to pick up an “everyday” bottle of these bourbons along with our selections. Try them next to each other at home, either neat, with a splash of water or a cube or two of ice. See what kinds of differences you can spot. We hope you’ll enjoy our selections as much as we do – just don’t fall in love. Once they’re going, they’re gone forever!

Here are three of our newest additions to our Private Barrel collection:


Knob Creek Single Barrel
120 proof 
Selected in April 2017
We selected this amazing barrel out of the 2 million aging in the Jim Beam rickhouses during a trip earlier this year. Among the samples we tried, there were two barrels that had aged right next to each other for the same amount of time. Despite their proximity, these siblings were as different as you are from your brother or sister. The barrel we chose in the end is a pristine example of the caramel and oak notes you get from the finest bourbons.

Flavor Profile: Hot and uncompromising. We don’t know if you can handle this bourbon. It’s like getting socked in the mouth with a nerf ball steeped in bourbon, caramel, dried fruit and more bourbon.
Serving Suggestion: Best tamed with some water or ice. Also suitable for robust cocktails, like a Reanimator or Boulevardier. $34.99

Old Forester Single Barrel
90 proof 
Selected in May 2017
In making this selection we were looking for a bourbon with the classic Old Forester expression: caramel on the verge of burning with just a hint of baking spice on the finish, along with those difficult-to-put-your-finger-on nuances that come with bourbons that have aged longer. After tasting through 3 excellent samples, we chose this single barrel, realizing it hit the nail on the head!

Flavor Profile: Direct and stalwart. A little dark caramel, a little chocolate, a little roasted fruit, a little dusty oak, a little toffee. A little bit of everything in this well-balanced bourbon.
Serving Suggestion: Well suited to fruitier or sweet cocktails. A sour. A Bourbon Bramble. A Julep! $44.99

Elijah Craig Small Batch
94 proof 
Selected in March 2017
We selected this barrel in Rhode Island back in March, based on samples that distiller Heaven Hill sent. Then, in a moment of bourbon kismet during our trip to the Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky a month later, we stumbled upon – among the 1.5 million then aging at Heaven Hill – the very barrel we had selected in March! Against staggering odds. But there it was, sitting on the bottling floor, just waiting to be emptied. Unlike the core expression of Elijah Craig Small Batch, the juice from this barrel has a more pronounced oakiness, and less clove on the finish. We prefer it to the “everyday” Elijah, and at this price, it won’t last long!

Flavor Profile: Savory & satisfying. Like a warm cherry pie where the crust is just a little dark in places.
Serving Suggestion: Great on the rocks. More than suitable for any classic Bourbon cocktail $34.99

Tune in next week for a dive into our remaining collection. In the meantime, our entire Private Barrel collection is available at our sister bar, The East End . Stop in for a taste and let us know what you think!

Cheers!

Wines for Winter Holidays

It’s official: Home entertaining season has reached its fever pitch. And because wine plays a key part in most winter occasions – from a romantic fireside dinner for two to a holiday open house for 100 – we selected 9 1/2  wines that are ideal for your table, under the tree, or for your host.

DSC_0012 copy
NV Serafini & Vidotto “Bollicine” Sparkling Rose
Veneto, Italy
A medium weight sparkling rose tailor made for winter celebrations.The bollicine (Italian for bubbles) are crisp yet creamy and lead to brambly strawberry and toasty flavors. It’s a great bottle to pop open with hors d’oeuvres and makes a great gift, too.

DSC_9983 copy
2014 Domaine Salvard Cheverny Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)
Loire Valley, France
Crisp and lively, this sprightly wine is an ideal aperitif and pairs exceptionally well with shellfish (we’re partial to oysters). Open a bottle and start shucking! A super gift, it’s classic French label belies its gentle pricing.

DSC_0005 copy 2013 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, CA
A statement wine for your table or as a gift: Classic California chardonnay at its richest: creamy pear flavors accented with oak spice. It’s a dream of a wine, and pairs best with rich seafood: think butter-basted salmon or lobster ravioli.

DSC_9984 2013 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, OR
Pinot Noir’s savory, herbal and tart berry flavors, coupled with its light body style, were made for roast chicken, baked fish, braises, and other less demanding winter fare. It’s organic and biodynamic, too.

DSC_0015 copy
2007 Aljibes Red Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc)
Tierra de Castilla, Spain
Herb-crusted roasts and the like will love the dark berry, spice and raisin flavors that flow from this Spanish beauty. And its high scores make it a great gift for your wine-loving pal who’s into that type of thing.

DSC_9981 copy
2009 Haut-Corneau Graves
Bordeaux, France
This isn’t good bordeaux for under $20. It’s great Bordeaux and its coffee, chocolate and pepper notes will play nicely with duck and beef dishes. It’s our house-wine for the holidays – and at this price – can be served at an open-house for 50+ without breaking the bank.

DSC_0003 copy
2012 Antigal Uno Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
Smooth vanilla spice notes and luscious black & red berry fruit mean this bottle will be superb with rich roasts and aged cheese. Its bold packaging makes it an impressive gift, too.

DSC_9987 copy
2011 Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
A Bordeaux blend, forward with blackberry, sage, and forest floor aromas. Its suppleness and medium-body style lend it to lots of winter foods — and it’s this versatility, coupled with its elegant packaging, that makes it an impressive gift for the host/hostess.

DSC_9993 copy2012 Fattoria di Lucignano Chianti
Tuscany, Italy
Serving lasagna, are you? The balanced tannins and acidity found in this Chianti will be molto perfecto. It’s great with other creamy casserole dishes, too, as well as with antipasti of all types.

&

…for our “1/2”: 2005 Fattoria di Lucignano
Vin Santo (375ml – half bottle)
If not now, when? Sweet dessert wines are ideal after big winter holiday meals, when the thought of another bite is too much to bear. A classic style, Vin Santo is thick with sweet dried apricot, honey and toffee notes and is lovely with blue cheese or biscotti.

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

The Bottles’ 2015 Gift Guide

We scoured the wide world of beverages to select the perfect gifts for wine, beer and cocktail enthusiasts this year. They’re the bottles that are in-demand, on-trend, highly-acclaimed, and flat-out awesome.

Here’s what to give (and get) this holiday season:

gift1Four Roses Private Label Bourbon: Bottles’ Barrel #3 

Available only at Bottles: our private barrel (hand-selected by us!) of this highly sought-after bourbon: extremely rich & uncut – ideal for the hard-to-shop-for bourbon lover. Limited quantities availability. 

$59.99

 

gift2True Born Gin “The Belgian Wheat Act” – Sons of Liberty 

First released earlier this year, this genever-style gin distilled from beer brewed with traditional gin botanicals is for beer and gin lovers alike. Locavores, will love it, too – it’s made in RI.

$34.99

 

gift3Fifty-Fifty Eclipse Imperial Stout 

Delicious esoterica for the beer geek: award-winning Imperial Stout (various flavors) aged in oak bourbon barrels. The color of the wax enclosure indicates which bourbon casks were used.

$29.99 (22oz)

 

gift42010 Barolo 

The gift for serious collectors: 2010 is widely regarded as the most outstanding vintage for Barolo in the past several decades. Choose from our selection of acclaimed producers of this iconic wine.

$45 and up

 

gift5Creme de Noyaux Liqueur – Tempus Fugit Spirits 

Hand-crafted, all-natural almond & hazelnut creme liqueur for the serious at-home bartender and after-dinner drink aficionado. It’s what we want this year. Limited quantities available.

$39.99

 

gift6Sotol Por Siempre 

Wildly popular with the country’s most talented mixologists, this regional mezcal is made with wild-harvested sotol rather than the standard agave. A must-have for the tequila / cocktail enthusiast.

$44.99

 

chartreuse_giftGreen Chartreuse V.E.P 

The limited-edition, V.E.P bottling of this classic, secret-recipe liqueur is given special treatment with long aging in oak barrels. Each bottle is hand numbered and encased in a collectable wooden box. A truly special gift.

$164.99 

 

etna_giftMt. Etna (Sicilian) Wine 

They’re what sommeliers across the country are buzzing about: wines from this volcanic region are the most interesting being produced in Italy today. An outstanding gift for all wine enthusiasts. 

$15 – $65

 

gift_yellow_wine1999 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 

One of the world’s most iconic wines is at the top of the bucket-list for many an oenophile. The pricing on the critically-acclaimed 1999 vintage makes this a splurge-worthy gift-of-a-lifetime. Don’t miss out.

$249.99 (375ml)

 

nips_giftBottles’ Mystery Box of Nips 

Five tiny bottles of booze all in one mystery box – who knows what they’ll get? One of our most popular gifts year after year. Makes a fun stocking stuffer or contribution to the Yankee Swap.

$14.99

 

AND, for true one-stop-shopping, ask a team member about our various, festive wrapping & gift card options.

Happy Holidays, and Cheers!

Party Math: A Guide to Buying – and Serving – Booze

The good news is the party’s a raging success and your guests are having the time of their lives. The bad news is the party’s a raging success and you’re about to run out of booze. Here’s how to never let that happen again.

party_web

Now that you have that down, ensure your party’s a smash by following these 8 Tips for Entertaining from team Bottles:

1. Don’t forget mixers & garnishes. Figure 1 liter of soda water/tonic/juice for every 3 guests; plan on 1 lemon/lime/orange for every 3 guests as well.

2. Have on hand at least 1 lb. of ice per person for storage & drink-making purposes. Which means your ice trays aren’t enough. Just go buy ice already, and put it in a cooler on the back porch. Trust us.

3. White wine is to be served chilled, not ice cold. Take your whites out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving. Most red wine is to be served a touch cooler than room temp. So don’t store it in direct sunlight, or, gasp, near the oven.

4. Worried about temperature fluctuations when buying cold beer? Fear not. Too much light and extreme heat (think noon heat in an un-airconditioned-car in August) are what will damage your brews. Subtle temperature changes are fine.

5. Always serve food alongside alcoholic beverages.

6. Place pitchers of water near the bar – and keep them filled.

7. Have a designated driver – or your Uber account – queued up for over-indulgers.

8. Reduce party stress by ordering your bottles in advance either in-store or via phone, and Bottles will deliver to your door day of!

Cheers!

 

 

Top 9 Fall Wines: New York, Washington, Oregon

Top Fall Red & White Wines

Ah, autumn.

It’s time to ditch your summery drinks and pull out those velvety reds and luscious white wines.

After all, you need something perfect to drink for the cooler weather, and equally yummy when with paired with harvest veggies, slow roasts, and big pasta dinners.

Luckily, the shop has tons of incoming wines. It was a hard job to taste them all and choose just nine favorites, but we did it.

We’ve focused on notable non-California wine regions—Long Island, the Finger Lakes, Washington State, and Willamette Valley Oregon.

Cheers!
– Eric Taylor, Bottles General Manager

 

OREGON

Firesteed Wine

Firesteed Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon

A great example of the elegance of Pinot Noir from Oregon.

Featuring great gobs of bright cherry fruit and cola (yes, cola) with hints of mocha and vanilla from the judicious oak aging.

Brilliant with salmon or lighter meat dishes.

 

Kings Ridge Pinot Gris - White Wine

King’s Ridge Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Pinot Gris is often overlooked because of its famous cousin Pinot Noir, but this beautiful white certainly demands some love.

Fresh and lively with pretty peach, citrus and herbal flavors like lime, nectarine and thyme.

Drink this with harvest veggie dishes and TV snack time foods.

 

Ken Wright Cellars - Willamette Valley Oregon - Pinot Noir - Red Wine

Ken Wright Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Ken Wright, maker of very high end Pinot Noir, makes this wine by blending grapes from his very best vineyards.

Extremely enjoyable, lush and full of pure Pinot fruit flavors like ripe raspberries and cherries.

This wine and roast chicken are meant to go together.

 

WASHINGTON

Columbia Crest 'Horse Heaven Hills' Merlot - Washington Wine

Columbia Crest ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Merlot
Washington

Merlot is making a big time comeback amongst serious wine drinkers and this wine is one of the reasons why.

This medium-bodied Merlot delivers aromas of spice and blackberry, with a perfect balance of earth, cocoa and ripe cherry flavors with a rich velvety finish.

Slow braised pork or beef with this wine will make you happy.

 

Owen Roe 'Lenore' Syrah - Washington Red Wine

Owen Roe ‘Lenore’ Syrah
Washington

In our opinion, Syrah is the showcase grape coming out of Washington and Lenore is a great example why.

This is powerful and intensely concentrated and while shows boastful fruit flavors, this comes across as more savory than fruity with flavors of wild herbs and black pepper.

Lamb + Lenore ≥ Heaven

 

K Vintners Viognier - Washington White Wine

K Vintners Viognier
Yakima Valley, Washington

Rock star winemaker Charles Smith turns it down a bit from his head-banging Syrah set with this elegant and frankly sublime white from a top-tier vineyard in Yakima Valley, Washington.

This Viognier shows layers and layers of complex flavors and aromas of Meyer lemon curd, clove, melon and bee’s wax all with big mouthfeel that a Chard drinker would love.

Can stand up to meat dishes, but will excel paired with savory veggie soups and side dishes.

 

NEW YORK

Ravines Riesling - Finger Lakes Wine

Ravines Riesling
Finger Lakes, New York

Dry and crisp without being sweet. Some of the best wine from the Finger Lakes Region!

Look for flavors of peach and honeysuckle with a nice crisp ripe lemon/lime finish.

Try it with roasts that include apples in the recipe.

 

Shinn Estates Wine

Shinn Estate Vineyards Red Blend
Long Island, New York

A blend of all of the Bordeaux grape varieties (Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot) grown in the beautiful North Fork region of Long Island.

Luscious bright fruit and acidity with flavors and aromas of red cherries, licorice and spice.

Goes great with red meat based pasta sauces.

 

Southold Wine - Devils Advocate

Southold Farm + Cellars ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ Chardonnay
Long Island, New York

An intriguing, one may even say beguiling, Chardonnay from the North Fork.

This is certainly not the oaky/butter bomb that you would get from California – this is much more restrained and truer to the flavors of Chardonnay.

Look for beautiful tropical fruit flavors and big rich body – great as a cold weather aperitif or paired with squash based soups.

 

 

 

Top 5 Fall Beers

 

Top Fall Beers 2015 - Pumpkin

At the end of summer, there is a sudden and abrupt change in season, at least in the beer world.

Though we may not be ready for it, we are inundated with mountains of pumpkin, harvest, and fest beers, even though it’s still warm outside. Each year, the familiar arrivals are joined by a growing roster of newbies, and it can be easy to overlook some unfamiliar gems.

So here are some of our favorites for your perusal. We hope that, when you’re ready, you’ll be able to find a new favorite from the mix. Cheers! – Liam, Bottles Beer Manager

1. Grey Sail Autumn Winds

What’s better than Grey Sail’s award winning Captain’s Daughter? A Grey Sail beer you can actually find! This rich & bready brew is a great way to usher in another New England fall, especially with the sausages you barbecue before packing up the grill for another season.

2. Mayflower Autumn Wheat

Mayflower’s perennial favorite among the Bottles’ staff. A dark wheat ale, it has the richness & complexity of a robust ale, but with the lightness of a wheat beer. It’s the perfect brew for those in-between days, when it’s not quite summer & not quite fall yet.

3. Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen

When in doubt, go for a classic. Ayinger makes a benchmark Oktoberfest beer. Deep amber in color, with a crisp, clean, & refreshing maltiness. Drink like a German!

4. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale

Smutty pumpkin makes the list because it’s one of the driest, purest pumpkin beers out there. It tastes like a real beer, with just a smattering of spice & toasty pumpkin. With a dry, lightly hoppy finish, it accentuates the best flavors of the season without a cloying finish.

5. Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby

On the other end of the pumpkin spectrum is this surprisingly quaffable rum barrel-aged beast of a beer. We think everything Two Roads makes is liquid gold, and this beer is no exception, striking a very tasty balance of spice, oak, & malt.

BONUS BEER!

Allagash Saison Beer

Not ready for summer to be over? Can’t find your favorite summer ale in midst of the pumpkin conflagration? Try one of our favorite Saisons as an alternative to the autumnal madness. Allagash Saison is available year round, and tastes like sunshine in a glass. Cheers!

 

Favorite Kosher Wines at Bottles This Fall

Kosher Wines - Victor Lazio

With the fall High Holidays coming up, you’re most likely looking for new and exciting Kosher wines, in addition to the already extensive selection at Bottles.

This year, a must-try is this trio of delicious wines from the Lazio region of Italy (the area around Rome). They’ll surprise you with their quality and price!

Really, these wines fall into the category of ‘great wines that just happen to be Kosher’.

Victor Chardonnay – Not a big oak/butter bomb, like from California, but much more subtle and true to the flavors of Chardonnay: ripe red apple and pear. A dry white that would be great with appetizers and lighter first courses.

Victor Merlot – This has everything that is great about Merlot: soft and smooth without any sharpness or bite and big delicious flavors of dark plums and cherries. Great as a party wine as it doesn’t need food to be enjoyed, but would love to paired with roast lamb or chicken.

Victor Cabernet Sauvignon – A great example of Cabernet, with big flavors of black currants and blackberries with plenty of stuffing to stand up to the most decadent of Holiday meals.

The best part of these wines is that they’re only $9.99 each – one of the best values in the store!

Shop one of the best selection of Kosher wines in the area at Bottles. Plus, these qualify for the Bottles case discounting (6% off 6 bottles, 12% off 12, 15% off 18 or more).

Happy Holidays and we hope to see you in the shop!
– Eric Taylor, Bottles General Manager

 

 

Top Spring Wines!

springtablewines-blogheader Spring’s arrival brings to mind new ​beginnings: the snow banks are melting, the days are getting longer and the sun is making itself known. Just as you pack away your bulky, winter jackets and unearth your light, spring coats – your wine choices gravitate away from hearty reds that pair well with comforting stews and towards delicate, white wines that complement fresh salads and grilled fish served optimistically outside. Here are our top picks for the season! springtable-terraprima Terra Prima Blanco – Mostly Xarel-Lo, an incredibly aromatic Spanish grape with vivid lemon flavor and a bright acidity. Winemaker Carlos Esteva actually defeated a proposed mining operation next to the winery to preserve the region’s rich limestone soil. springtable-chateaupesquieterrasses Château Pesquié ‘Terrasses’ – Grenache and Syrah lend a bright raspberry and strawberry flavor with an underlying spice note and a smooth finish. Great pairing for goat cheese. springtable-borgopg-600 Borgo M Pinot Grigio – A remarkably dry Pinot Grigio, notes of honeysuckle and melon are woven through this complex yet completely approachable wine. springtable-cheverny Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Blanc – Loire’s best secret, the village of Cheverny is located two hours from Sancerre and has similar limestone and chalky soil which creates mineral, dry focused white wines. Blended with a touch of unoaked Chardonnay, this wine is Sancerre’s cousin at a very attractive price. springtable-saintpeyrepicpoul Saint Peyre Picpoul de Pinet – Long time staff favorite, such intense acidity that will match vinaigrette dressing, pair beautifully with oysters and all sorts of shellfish dishes. Super thirst quenching, also pairs well with all sorts of rich, soft cheeses. springtable-chateauvitallispouilly-fuisse Chateau Vitallis Pouilly Fuissé – Rich, dry with a hint of minerals, Pouilly-Fuissé is a wonderful pairing for lobster and grilled bacon wrapped scallops. springtable-ilcasolare Fattoria San Lorenzo ‘Il Casolare’ Rosso – A blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, light with bright acidity, great slightly chilled. Substantial enough for pizza or pasta, soft enough to pair with take-out sushi or cioppino.

PAIRING IDEA: Il Casolare Rosso & Cioppino

Cioppino, a kitchen sink of a spicy, seafood stew was created by Italian and Portuguese fisherman in San Francisco and is a perfect addition to our spring recipe line up. Stop by your local fish market, pick up some cod and mussels and enjoy this flavorful and hearty stew! Feel free to use this recipe from Serious Eats as a jumping off point, adding shrimp, scallops,  crab, catch of the day special at your favorite fish monger.

springtable-birichino

Birichino Malvasia – An interesting Greek grape relocated to Santa Cruz, California, this wine boasts an amazing aroma of honeysuckle and elderflower. Dry with a lovely pear note, this will pair well with spicy pan fried noodles.

 

All About Absinthe!

So, what is the deal with Absinthe? The notorious spirit is known for its tumultuous history and its fluctuations in legality throughout the years, its associations among some of the most famous artists and writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries (particularly those who called Paris home), and of its supposed hallucinogenic qualities, especially of ‘la fée verte‘ – or ‘the green fairy.’

1-absinthe

Find Absinthe in the cordials section of our shop—we even carry traditional Absinthe spoons, sugar cubes, and the perfect glass!

History and Definition

Absinthe originated in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland in the late 18th century and is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic (45–74% ABV / 90–148 proof) beverage. True absinthes are carefully distilled from a variety of all natural herbs. Some of these herbs are regional and can include: sweet flag, angelica, dittany, marjoram, peppermint, tansy, melissa, sage, coriander, veronica, angelica, and hyssop, but will always include: green anise, fennel and the most important being, grande wormwood or Artemisia absinthium.

Absinthe traditionally has a natural green color but may also be clear. All absinthes are clear until they are soaked in natural herbs to color them after the initial distillation process. Although it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a liqueur, absinthe is not traditionally bottled with added sugar; it is therefore classified as a spirit. Due to its high level of ABV, Absinthe is typically served diluted with water and sugar if served in the traditional fashion.

Owing in part to its association with bohemian culture, the consumption of absinthe was opposed by social conservatives and prohibitionists. By 1915, absinthe had been banned in the United States and in much of Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary.

Although absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more dangerous than ordinary spirits. Recent studies have shown that the absinthe’s psychoactive properties (apart from that of the alcohol) have been exaggerated.

What does Absinthe taste like?

The core of absinthe lies with anise, fennel and grande wormwood. These 3 herbs combine to give what is usually explained as an herbal and anise taste and smell, and NOT that of black licorice, as many inaccurately describe. Originally used as a digestive to settle one’s stomach, absinthe is a refreshing drink, especially when prepared correctly!

Preparation

absinthe4

What is perhaps the oldest, and thought of as the purest method of Absinthe preparation is often referred to as the ‘French Method.

The preparation involves placing a sugar cube on top of a specially designed slotted spoon on top of a glass filled with a measure of absinthe. Iced water is poured or dripped over the sugar cube to slowly and evenly distribute the water into the absinthe. The final preparation contains 1 part absinthe and 3-5 parts water.

As water dilutes the spirit, those components with poor water solubility (mainly those from anisefennel, and star anise) come out of solution and cloud the drink. The resulting milky opalescence is called the louche (French for opaque or shady). The release of these dissolved essences coincides with a perfuming of herbal aromas and flavors that “blossom” or “bloom,” and brings out subtleties that are otherwise muted within the neat spirit.

absinthe

So though you may not see the green fairy, this delicious historic drink is most definitely worth a try, come check out our great selection in store!

Cheers!

 

 

The Bottles Instagram Beer #Regram Giveaway!

UPDATE:
We’re so excited about this week’s @gansettbeer / @Revivalbrewing H.P Lovecraft Honey Ale release that we decided to add it to our #bfwbeergiveawayInstagram regram contest! Simply follow us, like the picture, regram, and @ mention @bottlesfinewine and ##bfwbeergiveaway to join the contest and a chance to win a 6pack of Honey Ale, or any of the 3 previous beers! Ends Sunday 1/25 at 11:59PM! 3 winners, 4 choices!

instagram-new

The Iris Cantillion beer from our last giveaway was so popular we decided to feature ALL beer, 3 awesome and delicious beers that is, for our second Instagram giveaway!  So take a chance and join in on the regraming! Choose from our sweet selection of: Jester King Brewery: Mad Meg Provision Ale, De Glazen Toren: Saison d’Erpe-Mere Lentebier, and Prairie Artisan Ales: Prairie Ale Saison!

instagram-2

How to enter:

1. First, follow @bottlesfinewine on Instagram.
2. Like and regram the Giveaway Prize Photo.
3. In your regram, you must @-mention @bottlesfinewine and #-hashtag #bfwbeergiveaway!
That’s it!

The Bottles Instagram Beer Giveaway ends at 10:59PM (Eastern Time) on Sunday, January 25rd. Three winners will be announced on Monday, January 26th, and winners will also be contacted privately through Instagram direct with details on how to claim their prize!

Giveaway Rules:

-Must be 21+ years of age to enter contest
-We cannot ship to Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah or Vermont. We do not ship outside of the United States.

– Enjoy responsibly!

1-megJester King Brewery Mad Meg

A Provision Ale unique to Texas Hill Country, where naturally occurring wild yeasts impart a sense of place. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% naturally conditioned beer. Named after “Mad Meg”, a peasant woman from Flemish folklore who leads an army of women to pillage hell. Also known as “Dull Gret”, she’s famously depicted in Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s 1562 painting​ by the same name.

1-glazenDe Glazen Toren Saison d’Erpe-Mere Lentebier

An unfiltered Begian dry-hopped saison. It’s springtime in a glass! Also, it’s delicious dry, sparkling, and very, very floral.

1-prariePrairie Artisan Ales Prairie Ale

A beautiful golden toned saison with a generous addition of Saaz hops, which adds a spicy, floral flavor and aroma. Brewed with a mix of three different yeasts, including ‘brettanomyces bruxellensis’, a yeast known for its pineapple and mango flavors.

  Good luck! 1-grouptopsCheers!  The Bottles Team

For official rules click here–