[Image-1]
Is it too much to ask to be able to find some variety in spirits in our liquor stores? The NSLC’s selection of gins is laughable (nothing but London dry? Where’s my Old Tom, New Modern, Plymouth, or Genever?); I’ve only ever seen two brands of vermouth; there’s no amari to speak of beyond Aperol or Campari; and the selection of liqueurs is laughable (crème de violette or maraschino would be nice).
While the selection at the few private stores is slightly better, those places concentrate on beers and wines. Spirits seem like an afterthought at best.
I can’t wait until this province gets caught up with the trends of the past 5 years or so and I can actually make the craft cocktails I can currently only read about. —Lacking in Provincial Spirit
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2015.
I like the screw top wine selection.
“Do you carry any wines with a cork?”
“Well, they are all good wines.”
No. No, they are not.
I think you can make a request with the NSLC for something specific as long as it’s legal for them to purchase it. Everclear would be out – I asked (I make soap and “alcool” would be needed for transparent soaps) but they said they couldn’t bring it in. But it’s always worth asking for the possibility that they may accommodate you.
“Spirits seem like an afterthought at best.”
As well they should be. And that goes for beer as well.
http://www.mynslc.com/Pages/ProductAvailab…
Your Plymouth gin is available at 8 stores across HRM. Maybe try exploring a store beyond the Queen Street Sobeys…
I prefer Tanqueray for a nice summer time Gn’T myself. But to each his/her own.
Cukes25, that’s a good catch, and a good suggestion (use the website to find multiple products). But the main point is that diversity of products is really lacking. Gin is just one example where there’s a huge variety of types of gin that aren’t represented. Old Tom and Genever aren’t brands as much as they are separate types of gin. Its like if the NSLC only carried white rum, and didn’t have spiced, amber, dark, etc.
Brand diversity is pretty bad here in general. Go to a liquor store in the states and you see such brand and type variety in spirits and beer(s) as well as liqueurs. When you go to the NSLC you see an entire rack of Captain Morgan. You see an entire fridge full of Keiths, Olands, Bud Light, Canadian.
The bourbon selection is pretty slim, considering how popular the spirit is elsewhere in North America.
I’m pretty sure you can’t buy any amari here either (e.g. Averna, Montenegro, Cynar, Fernet Branca, Lucano, Amer Picon). Of course I would be grateful if someone could direct me to a source!
The bourbon and Irish whiskey selections are always slim, but for whatever reason always a dozen shelves of the same three crap rye whiskeys. It’s like the NSLC is stocked by my dad, for whom anything but Canadian Club is considered undrinkable. Even the big shop on Portland Street has only barely a better selection. It’s just more of the same.
Port of Wines does a great job though. Go there instead.
Alberta Premium rye is amazing. Never had a good one before my buddy suggested it. Couple ice cubes and bam. Best value for a very nice whiskey.
Having spent considerable amount of time in my early twenties working for the NSLC (various locations across the province) I can tell you each store is stocked by demand and contractual agreements with suppliers. Each store is classified 1-5 and as such each store will be required to carry their stock items and then the manager has the opportunity, with input from staff and customers, to carry additional items at request. Check the “managers selection” shelf at your local NSLC or request specific products when you are at your store. The staff do listen to feedback and appreciate knowing what the people want (they’re drinkers too after all).
Screwcap Whites aren’t so bad. They’re great for sauteeing scallops and throwing back on a hot summer day, don’t be such a snob.
Great White-esque stuff, excluded.
You’re not seriously comparing the states with here.
You can buy booze at walmart and fucking walgreens (a pharmacy ffs) in the states.
It all tastes the same after the 4th drink anyways.
http://www.letssmiletoday.com/uploads/imag…
Pretentious much? The NSLC will order in anything you want, just ask. You don;t have to pretend to be a Gin snob on here to impress people with your imagined sophistication.
It’s always a surprise to see the amount of rum for sale in Halifax. The old expression from the 19th. century still seems to hold good: “The business of half the population of Halifax is to sell rum, and the business of the other half is to drink it.” Bottoms up!
NSLC has anything I ever drink. My only issue is the fact that the sales here suck because the stores are government owned, whereas in Alberta you can get wine on sale for less than $10/bottle. You’re lucky to get a bottle of wine for $10.99 in NS.
WHO would buy a $10.99 bottle of wine?! WHY? I suppose it’s Nova Scotia wine you’re buying?
A $10.99 bottle of wine… really!
^^^ I buy this red as an “every day” wine for $10.49. It’s a great deal.
http://www.mynslc.com/Products/PID-1000628
Ackkkkkkkkk!
Well, Jesus, (as in the poster above ^^^) I presume you can just turn any old water into wine whenever you feel like, so you don’t have to worry about which particular vintages are for sale at the NSLC.
RSVP
Angel of the Tarsands (04/18, 11:25PM)
You must be very careful about calling Jesus Sonofabitch by his first name. It was one of the reasons I had one of my comments deleted on this thread. It’s also not a good idea to refer to his last name. This was another reason I had another comment deleted from this thread. I wondered, given his obviously canine devotion to a late and esteemed contributor to this board, if he had the name printed on the back of his sweater like one of those mindless hockey fans. It appears this was just too much. So beware, you must tread cautiously.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
* That should be “Tax Credits,” not this thread.
Sadly, MM, I too have had to learn that while religion may be a prime target for hilarity and ridicule, hockey is most definitely not.
RSVP
Angel of the Tarsands (11:20AM)
You are absolutely correct, Angel. I meant no disrespect to any hockey fan but I was unable to come up with a suitable comparison for that flyspeck, that mindless cartoon. Perhaps you can think of one.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
I guess Angel couldn’t think of a suitable comparison either. God knows it’s not easy.