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Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $28.23 $29.72
12 bottles: $22.79
TOP 100 SPIRITS 2015. Luxe and velvety, this port-finished Bourbon shows bold caramel and toffee up front, morphing...
WE
94
Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $11.57 $12.18
24 bottles: $9.15
This charming bourbon has a truly subtle nose that suggests a freshly baked apple pie with a sprinkle of cinnamon and...
UBC
90
Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $33.86 $35.64
6 bottles: $33.60
This limited run of bourbon is a classic Bourbon mash of New York Corn, Rye and Malted Barley. Aged in 30 gallon...
Dessert/Fortified Wine
375ml
Bottle: $65.94
The acidity of the Riesling grape keeps this sweet dessert wine in balance with notes of honey and caramel.
12 FREE
Instore only
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $18.99
Golden and bright, this straight Bourbon whiskey is one of the most versatile around. Though it starts with a sweet...
WE
95
UBC
94
Rapid Ship
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $19.94
Shows an expertly blended combination of red-fruited vermouth with spicy rye whiskey, mouthwatering herbs, bright...
UBC
88
Sale
Rapid Ship
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $17.54 $18.46
Enjoy a bar-quality cocktail experience straight from the bottle with Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail. This...
Case only
Spirits
375ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $22.93
Dark amber and gold in color with spicy aromas of oak and delicate corn. lively and smooth flavors of caramel, spice,...
Case only
Spirits
375ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $20.52
Beautiful amber hue with golden highlights and a rich, satisfying aroma. Luscious flavors of toffee, dark fruits,...
Red
375ml
Bottle: $12.99
12 bottles: $11.40
Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $39.90 $42.00
12 bottles: $38.76
A slightly sweeter bourbon with round, smooth flavors, and a hint of smoke.
12 FREE
Rapid Ship
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $69.94
Toasted cereal, honey roasted walnuts, cinnamon, and golden raisin dominate the nose. Smooth and round mouthfeel,...
12 FREE
UBC
93
Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $10.09 $10.62
24 bottles: $7.67
Created in 1860, Early Times grew up during the early days of the country, when most of America was still country....
Instore only
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $7.99
Sweet nose of baked corn, cinnamon candy, fresh peach, and raw almond. On tasting further rich cask flavors echo the...
UBC
92
Instore only
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $10.99
Beautiful nose of peanut brittle, caramel crème candy, mint syrup, and dusty leather. A very approachable whiskey...
UBC
91
BTI
90
Sale
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $15.26 $16.06
24 bottles: $13.78
Freshly crushed cornmeal mingles with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves on the nose. The palate opens with sweet...
UBC
91
Instore only
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $8.99
Fireball is made with Canadian whisky and natural cinnamon flavours. It's certainly very cinnamony, and it's not too...
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $8.74
24 bottles: $6.60
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $25.20
12 bottles: $21.66
Bourbon with New York attitude! With an average age of four years, our High Rye Bourbon punches above its weight....
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $39.10
12 bottles: $31.92
This bold and assertive whiskey shows a generous bouquet of black cherry, orange cream, brown sugar, smoked clove,...
BTI
91
UBC
91

American Whiskey Bourbon Ice Wine Lambrusco 375ml

The United States of America is a country of great cultural diversity, influenced by migrating nations from across the world. As such, its whiskey industry is a fascinating and complex one, which represents the range of regional differences found there.

The Irish were the original pioneers of American whiskey, and when they emigrated in their thousands from the old country, they brought their skills, knowledge and distillation techniques with them, to give them something to remind each other of home in the New World. This is why American whiskey goes by the Irish spelling, with the additional ‘e’, and why many traditional American whiskies closely resemble the original Irish style.

Today, there are several different types of American whiskey, and the styles and production techniques are now set out in US federal law, cementing a set of characteristics and production methods to preserve and protect the industry.

Corn whiskey, which is made from a minimum 80% corn in the mash and aged for a short period, is probably the most historic of the American whiskey styles, but others like rye whiskey, which is made from a minimum of 51% rye and aged in charred barrels, are growing in popularity among a new generation of drinkers looking for something unique, interesting and independently produced. Alongside these styles, we find Tennessee whiskey, which uses maple charcoal for sweeter notes, the softer wheat whiskies, the world-dominating Bourbon whiskies, and others which are peculiar to specific states and regions.

Bourbon has survived all manner of difficulties and restrictions to become one of the world’s best selling and most recognizable spirits. This unique and distinctly American whiskey came from humble origins, allowing poor farmers in the fields of Pennsylvania and Maryland to make a living from their crops. Prohibition, temperance movements and conflict continuously threatened to wipe Bourbon from existence, but today the drink is stronger than ever and has a global audience of millions. Over time, it has become more refined, and innovation and experimentation has set modern Bourbon apart from other whiskey styles.

Today, the Bourbon heartland and spiritual home is in Kentucky, where the whiskey producers of northern states traveled to seek a new home, free from oppressive tax regimes in the early days. It is now far from the rough and ready spirit of yesteryear, governed by strict rules and regulations to maintain standards and keep quality high. Modern Bourbon must be made from a mash which is no less than 51% and no more than 80% corn (the rest of the mash being made from rye, wheat or barley), giving it a distinctive sweetness, and it must be aged in charred, white oak casks with no other added ingredient but water.

The varied flavors of different Bourbons come about mainly from the different quantities of the permitted grains in the mash. A larger proportion of rye will produce a spicy, peppery whiskey, whereas more wheat will result in a smoother, more subtle drink. Ageing and water quality, as well as the expertise and vision of the craftsmen who distill it, will also make a difference, meaning there is much more to Bourbon than might first meet the eye.

Some grape species are distinct and unique varietals, clearly separate from each of their cousins. Others, like Lambrusco and Muscat, are more like umbrella terms, featuring several subspecies which show slight differences from each other from region to region. Indeed, there are astonishingly more than 60 identified varieties of Lambrusco vines, and they are almost all used in the production of characterful Italian sparkling wines. They are distinguishable by their deep ruby blush, caused by strong pigments present in their skins, and their intensely perfumed character.


Lambrusco vines are grown in several Italian regions, although we most closely associate this varietal with Piedmont and Basilicata. It has also been grown successfully in Argentina and Australia. The varietal suffered from a fairly lowly reputation in the late 20th century, due to bulk, low cost production of Lambrusco sparkling wines, aimed at markets across northern Europe and America. However, things are rapidly changing, and the older, more traditional methods of bottle fermentation are returning, along with a higher level of quality and expression, as consumers become more discerning and demanding. Many of the Lambrusco sub-varieties have their own established DOC, such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Modena, where new regulations are keeping standards high and methods traditional.