A One Stop Shop: revision

Around the corner from downtown Charleston is a hidden treasure: The Liquor Company, a locally-owned liquor store that provides great service and quality products. This upscale liquor store features many new wine, spirits, and craft brews.

The Liquor Company is the one of the largest retailer of spirits in the valley. The store provides many great services that many of the other stores do not offer. There is usually an on-hand bartender that can assist you in creating the perfect drink. Also, a trained wine consultant can help you choose that wine for somebody special. And all employs are well rounded beer drinkers that can point you to the best brew. The liquor company also provides services to many of the local bars in Charleston. So, if you’re looking for place to let loose or hear some good music, they can send you in the right direction.

Here are a few fine examples that I enjoy.

Wine

The wine section is carefully categorized to be customer-friendly. Signs hang sown from the ceiling, labeling each type of wine, (i.e. Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc).

Located in the back of the store is a wine tasting bar. This section features an electronic wine pouring system from Napa Technology. A guest can buy a smart card and use it to taste several wines.

Every other weekend, a professional wine consultant comes to give a wine tasting. He goes over some basic facts about each wine and also explains what they taste. This will help the guest be more comfortable buying wine because they will understand the differences between wines.

The wine tasting also give wine lovers a chance to discuss what they like and have some responsible fun.

2006 Right Red Hand

One of the newest showcased wines is the 2006 Right Red Hand from Australia. This complex wine is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Tempernillo. The youthful hues of purple and savory flavors of dark fruit and spicy aromas make it a great wine. This wine will only cost the guest about $17.00. I really like the fact that this wine is very easy to drink. After a long day, it's relaxing and soothing to the palate. It's also goes well with steak and sautéed mushrooms.

Sebastiani Merlot

I am not much of a merlot person, partially because it is a difficult wine to enjoy. There are many flavors, with some strong tannins. But the Sebastiani Merlot is one varietal that I really enjoy. This merlot is quite drinkable due to its abundance of mixed dark berries from Sonoma County in California. There are soft notes of cinnamon and espresso, with a nose of dark chocolate. This bottle will run about $24.00 a bottle.

For more info, check out: www.Sebastiani.com


Spirits

The Liquor Company prides itself on carrying the best selection of spirits. If you find it difficult to choose a drink, there is an on-hand bartender to help make that decision.

There are wide varieties of vodka, whiskey, bourbon, scotch, tequila, and rum. If you can't handle the sting, then there are plenty of mixers to make the drink go down smooth.

Hennessy Black

The Liquor Company has finally welcomed Hennessy Black. This cognac has distinct tasting notes that contrast with the original Hennessy.

This fine cognac if made a lot like a wine. The best grapes of the Cognac region are selected. The grapes are then made into wine and distilled twice.

This method helps preserve the complex flavor of the grape. The "eaux-de-vie" is then aged in black oak barrels. Finally, the master blender chooses the best of the best for bottling.

This cognac presents a smooth flavor with notes of jasmine, daffodil, citrus, and fresh grapes. You can enjoy this drink, responsibly, by mixing:

-2 parts Hennessy Black
-1/4 simple syrup
-A dash of bitter
-Shake into a high ball glass over ice

For more info, check out: www.hennessyblack.com

Russian Standard

The guys down at the Liquor Company really know there vodkas. One of the vodkas they swear by is the Russian Standard Vodka. This is premium vodka of Russia. In the past ten years it has become of the fastest growing vodkas in the world. The mix between winter wheat and glacier water from Lake Ladoga, makes for a smooth vodka. This is an easy by because it is smoother and more affordable that Grey Goose, another popular vodka.

There are thousands of ways to enjoy vodka, but is one of my favorites:

Peach Bellini:

-2 parts Russian Standard

-1 part peach puree

-Fill glass with champagne

For more info, check out: www.russianstandard.com


Craft Brews

There are many new and exciting craft brews that are located in the store. Craft brew is a term used to describe brews made the traditional way, using barley malt, hops, and water. It can be argued that a craft beer can be made from other traditional ingredients.

Craft brews are also not just limited to "micro-breweries"; they can also be produced on a larger scale. For example, Rogue Ales is a large brewery in Oregon, featuring many great beers. This company prides itself on delivering beer that has no preservatives, additives, or chemicals.

John John Dead Guy

This beer is one of the newest brews of the Rogue family, made in collaboration with Rogue Spirits. The master brewer and distiller took the popular Dead Guy Ale and aged it inside whiskey oak barrels for one month. This creates a deep caramel color with hints of vanilla and oak finish.

This beer can be enjoyed with a mouth-watering pull-porked sandwich.

XS Imperial IPA

This brew is not for the faint at heart. This beer comes from the XS series of brews that carry a higher alcohol content.

Hearty cascade and northwest golden hops, along with barley, are used to make this big brew. It is intensely hopped and should be consumed responsibly.

For more info, check out: www.rogue.com


The Liquor Company is your one- stop shop for a good time and great drinks. They are located in the Patrick Street Plaza, in Charleston. If you have any question on the products, don't be afraid to call 304-346-6000. They are also on Facebook.

Remember: Drink Responsibly.