Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Dec 27

Our Annual Champagne Tasting with Frederick Leger, Key Account Manager of Thienot USA.

Canard Duchene Brut N.V. $29.99

Light gold. Fresh apple and lemon aromas and flavors are complemented by subtle floral and honey nuances. Light-bodied and clean, with good lift and finishing cut. 

Canard Duchene Brut Rose N.V. $36.99

Very elegant, with graphite, cherry and citrus aromas and flavors. Builds nicely on the palate, with lovely fruit and a refined texture. The finish lingers.

Is that... No it can't be!... Hirsch 1974?!?

On their final visit before riding with Santa tomorrow night those little elves really out did themselves with what looks like two impossible to get Whiskeys!

Just like the past few nights we took up our elf watching post behind the beer stacks and sure enough the little rascals showed up one more time before their journey with Santa to help make our customers Christmas merry and bright (or brown and delicious as the case is here).

Today's picture is a bit grainier but it was hard to get close to where they hid their surprises this time. If you have an great Bourbon or Rye fan on your list and you want them to be completely blown away this Christmas season, getting one of the two bottles in the picture will certainly do it!

In the box I can see a bottle of the 1974 Hirsch 16year and on closer inspection I see that it is also a cigar humidor! Very special and very unique! I have heard it called "The holy grail of American bourbon" for its rarity. The second bottle appears to be from the Buffalo Trace antique series. If I read it right it says Thomas H. Handy Sazerak Rye! Those are two very special bottles indeed and if I would love to grab them off the shelf for myself or the list of people a on our waiting list that would scoop them up quick. The trouble is that we are just hours away from Santa's visit and I sure don't want to get on his naughty list at this point.

It is Christmas time and we want those little elves to get their way so we will leave them out for a fast acting or lucky sole to make their own.

Anyone considering giving one of these bottles a home should be aware that we want them to go to a home that will offer plenty of love. :)

A very Merry Christmas to all of our Whiskey fans!

Those crafty little elves have outdone themselves!

It was late tonight when the lights finally went out but I thought I would duck behind the stacks and see what those little elves had in store for us tonight. I heard some rustling around and kept my head low but I listened closely to where the noise was coming from. There was lots of giggling and small little voices over on the other side of the store but I knew if they heard me all would be lost so after some time passed and I was sure that I was alone again I quietly crept out of my hiding place behind the beer stacks and made my way over to the shelves where the noise had comer from...

Those sneaky little elves had done it again!

This time even I didn't know what I was looking at! Exploratory cask??

"What does that mean" I wondered, and from the look of the label I knew that there must be some magic in this bottle. Intrigued I moved quietly to the back room and turned on the computer. I Looked on Google to find that the bottle they left tonight was quite rare indeed... 1 of just a few bottles for the entire state of Connecticut, and unlike Pappy or some other famous Whiskeys, this is one is one and done. This is a first edition. That means that it won't be repeated... ever!

Those sneaky little elves!

They have hidden it well and it won't be easy to find but the lucky person to search it out will be well rewarded according to this whiskey blog.

And with so few days left until Christmas and these elves showing us so many hard to find whiskeys, our store and staff are buzzing with the possibilities!

Come down and hunt around a bit, you might just get lucky. Even our staff is confused when while stocking the shelves, they are running across things that are "never seen".

If you're are a Whiskey lover, this is a great year indeed! :)

The Whiskey elves are back at it...

The store is closed and the doors locked up tight and when those lights went out the Whiskey elves went right to work hiding a couple of their gems in plain sight once more. If you have a whiskey fan on your list there are a few fun choices as Christmas draws near.

The only question is...

How well do you know your Whiskeys?

In this picture there are a few small batch "browns" that a knowledgeable collector would love to get his/her hands on. One of them has been conspicuously absent from our market for way too long and showed up earlier this week so we were able to get our hands on some. Another is making big noise recently in the world of Whiskey and there is yet another that is a very limited release and our best research shows very few left out there (we have one).

Are you having fun yet? ;)

Be careful how you select since there are still a couple of days before Christmas. Anyone grabbing one of the "Cherries" in this game will only get one so that everyone gets a shot and not just the person that lives around the corner. (only 1 "Cherry" in this picture, the others are also very limited but will not exclude from future opportunities).

Do you know a Whiskey fan? Is it you?

Share the post on Facebook and see if someone in your circle of friends can help, or do some research based on what you see in the photo and decide if one of these is just the right Christmas gift for the aficionado in your life!

Remember, we open at 8am and the first person to find the bottle gets it.


BTW, Norm was the first to find the Sazerak 6yr Rye this morning and will be putting it under the tree for his son. Perfect!

Santa's Elves are hard at work Hiding a few gems around the store!

When it comes to special and highly allocated items, we are very fortunate to get a few gems along the way. Some things are on the shelf for a day or two and others are special ordered for particular customers.

As many people know the Whiskey craze is at an all-time high right now as evidenced by our 9 year wait list for things like Pappy Van Winkle. Yes that's correct NINE years. As we often tell people "The stuff isn't magic" and there are a bunch of other pretty fun things out there if you know what to ask for and where to look.

At Harry's we do our homework and over the past few weeks and months we have found a number of things that we think would be great Christmas presents for the whiskey fan in your life. So, for the next few days after the store closes, our elves will hide one or two of these gems around the store and when we open the next day it will be first come first serve!

Our first one is hidden (in plain sight) by our crafty little elves and available to the quickest customer when we open our doors at 10:00am. The bottle is hidden in this picture in plain sight and is among a few other hard to find gems that are also on our shelves right now. Do you know which one it is? Do you want it?

See you in the morning!

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 12

Your host is John from 
Jack's Abby.

Hoponius Union        $9.69/6pbtl

Our India style Pale Lager is like a traditional IPA but with a twist - it’s fermented cold and aged for extended periods. A blend of classic American hops creates a huge tropical fruit and citrusy hop aroma. A dry finish accentuates the pleasant bitterness and hop profile. Hoponius Union uses locally sourced ingredients.

Lashes Lager              $9.69/6pbtl

This hopbock lager balances an assertive Munich Malt character with an infusion of Super Styrian, Columbus and Palisades hops. It’s full-bodied and malty with a hop aroma that’s both spicy and piney. The lager’s beautiful amber hue takes after our head brewer’s luscious lashes.

Smoke and Dagger      $9.69/6pbtl

This dark black beer skirts the line between a schwarzbier and smoked porter. The use of a small percentage of traditional Beechwood smoked malt adds complexity and balances the liberal use of chocolate malt. Notes of roasted grains, beechwood smoke and coffee accompany a full bodied and sweet chocolatey malt character.

Mass Rising                  $10.69/4pbtl

In the spirit of our local history we are revolting against the status quo. We are writing our own story by fueling the fire surrounding extra hoppy beers. We infuse Mass Rising with increasing amounts of American hops during the kettle, hopbock and dry hopping processes. Together, we have taken a journey to redefine the term 'lager.'

Holiday Celebration 2014

Wine Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Dec 13

Your Host is Donna Pace from Gathering Harvest

Ca Furlan Prosecco N.V.                                                     $12.99

 This sparkler is fresh and bright and immediately likable.It shows very tasty favors of yellow apple and pear along with a creamy Champagne-like sparkle and offers wonderful fruit forward character.

Windisch Niersteiner Spiegelberg Riesling Kabinett 2012     $11.99

This wine has wonderful floral aromas that lead to a flavor profile of peaches and apples.Flowers and apple blossom flavors race across the palate that ends with a little honey around the edges.A very delicious and delightfull German Riesling.

Accornero Barbera Campomoro 2011                                $14.99

This wine is a dark, rich color, but shows very nicely bright and crisp on the palate. The nose is redolent of dried fruits and herbs with notes of cinnamon.It fills the mouth with berry flavors that are a result of the blend of 95% Barbera and 5% Freisa.

Guliano Rosati Valpolicella Ripassa Superiore 2011          $23.99

Richly textured, ripe and complex, this wine reveals its finesse with the first sip. There is a pleasing balsamic aroma that provides a contrast to its bold flavors of black cherry, plum and raspberry liqueur.Wines made in this Ripasso style match well with rustic, earthy fare like lamb, game, pate and mushroom flavors.Winemaker’s Notes

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 12

Your host is from Relic Brewing Company.

Biere De Noel$10.29/4pbtl

With its amber color, fruity and spicy bouquet, and its creamy foam, Leffe Biere de Noel is a beer full of character. Very expected during the holiday season, it continues the tradition of master brewers who kept their best barley and hops to brew once a year

Demiana$9.69/4pbtl

This dark saison is crisp and balanced with notes of chocolate roast and raisins, a blend of authentic yeasts adds a layer of delicious spice.

Genevieve$8.99/22oz.

Strong Saison with a blend of saison and brettanomyces yeast hopped with Amarillo.

Ryddle$7.99/22oz.

This farmhouse inspired beer has a touch of tartness and spicy complexity created by a unique and tasty American yeast strain.

Christmas Beer - Carrying on a long honored tradition

While the holidays alone can easily sell themselves, Christmas beers are rooted in tradition rather than the commercialization of the holidays. Back in the middle ages, monasteries marked the birth of Christ by brewing their strongest, most robust beer. Norwegian farmers were required by law to brew Yule ale for their workers. In the 19^th century, the British offered free Christmas ale in their workhouses. Christmas beer often means bigger, bolder, and more of everything, however the only true guideline is that it’s something special, used in the spirit of giving.

We got together to taste through a selection of the Christmas beers we have at the shop. Our panel consisted of Joey, Renzo, and myself, as well as fellow beer aficionado, Sean. We tasted through ten Belgian Christmas beers because Christmas beers have strong Belgian roots and we also have a good selection of Belgian beers at the store. Most of these beers are dark, with strong flavors and rich spices. La Rulles Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux was the unanimous pick of the night for its light, refreshing mouthfeel and carbonation. Here's our take on Harry's ten Belgian beers of Christmas.

Cheers, and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

-Amy

Wittekerke Winter White Ale, $10.69

ABV: 7.5%

Style: Belgian Witbier

 Light and pale. Both the nose and the taste were lacking the bold, spicy flavors typical of belgian ale yeast. Almost more similar to a lager yeast. It tasted a little bland and watered down. For a 7.5% abv, the alcohol didn't show through at all.

Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux, $9.99

ABV: 9.5%

Style: Belgian Blonde

Brasserie Dupont is known for their world class saisons. Dry, spicy, and fruity. Strong honey flavor and a sharp yeasty presence. A smooth carbonation and secondary bottle fermentation give it depth and complexity. Another world class saison from Brasserie Dupont.

Gouden Carolus Noel 2013, $7.99

ABV: 10%

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Currants, licorice and sharp anise on the nose followed by a similar taste. Overwhelmingly full of black licorice, dark fruits, and herbal medicinal notes. Someone called it a bottle of Jagermeister at first sip. Pungent, bitter and syrupy, this one is definitely a slow sipper.

La Rulles Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux, $9.99

ABV: 7.3%

Style: Belgian Dark Ale

From one of the only Belgian breweries that uses American hops. The nose on this was spicy and a lot lighter than expected. Peppery and mild with a balanced darker fruit flavor. Very easy drinking. The carbonation was light and refreshing with a solid clean finish. The La Rulles was the unanimous pick of the night.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, $12.29

ABV: 10%

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

 Sweet banana nose and taste. Sticky and pruney, packed with dark fruity esters and clove, and a layered complexity that St Bernardus beers are known for. A spicier, dressed up version of the St. Bernardus Abt 12. The perfect carbonation for a smooth and creamy beer gives it a super light mouth feel. It drinks incredibly easily for such a big beer.

Scaldis Noel, $ 16.99

ABV: 12%

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Pours a beautiful deep reddish-brown. The nose is full of sweet, malty, dark fruits. Tastes of ripe fruit, sweet malts, and figs. This one definitely has a warm, alcohol presence. Sweet, Belgian candi sugar makes it more of a dessert beer.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale, $8.69

ABV:

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

 Dry and spicy with dark fruits and roasted malts. This one drinks more like a brown ale with some citrusy notes.

Delirium Red, $ 11.29

ABV: 8%

Style: Fruit beer

Described as a Belgian jolly rancher and a fruit lambic gone wrong. It pours a deep red color and smells like cherry cough syrup. The taste is just as artificial as the nose. A cloyingly sweet and concentrated syrup flavor.

Delirium Noel, $ 12.49

ABV: 10%

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

The perfect beer for a cold night spent by the fireplace. Fruity and spicy nose. It has notes of caramel, breadiness, and dark fruits. A boozy, bitter finish leaves a little bit of burn.

Petrus Winter Ale, $9.49

ABV: 9%

Style: Belgian Strong Dark ale

Another clovey, dark fruit beer. Sweet and a little syrupy, tastes of figs, plums, and caramel.

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Dec 6

Your Host is Deidre Magnello of DM Selections.

Blanco Nieva Verdejo 2013         $14.99

Pale yellow color. Strong bouquet of citrus, green apple, and passion fruit.  Round and zesty mouthfeel with citrus, grapefruit, and green herb flavors. Smooth and elegant on the palate with intense lemon / lime and pear skin flavors.  Importer’s Notes

Lafond Canon Fronsac 2010     $19.99

This displays vivid herby, merlot-based cherryish fruit nicely rounded by its short stay in French oak casks.  It shows polished cedary spicy oak, with a plush underlying core of fine black cherry and cassis-like fruitiness.  UK Retailer

La Rayne Cahors (Malbec) 2011    $16.99

This shows nuances of deep plum damp earth, black currant, smoke and licorice notes on both the nose and palate.  It has good acid and a nice level of tannins along with medium body and a long finish.

Lou Dumont Morey St Denis 2010 $54.99

Aged over 18 months in 40 percent new oak and bottled unfiltered. Dense and concentrated fruit, with animal and earthy notes. Outstanding vintage for this wine, premier cru quality! Just 200 cases produced.  Importer’s Notes

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 5

Your host is from Yuengling.

Lager             $8.99/12pb

An iconic American lager famous for its rich amber color and medium-bodied flavor - with a roasted caramel malt for a subtle sweetness and a combination of cluster and cascade hops, this true original delivers a well-balanced taste with very distinct character.

Light              $6.99/6pb

Good color and has a fairly strong aroma for a light brew.  Taste is mild and does not leave an aftertaste. For those who love a cold one while mowing the yard, you will enjoy the mild but refreshing flavor.

Black and Tan         $6.99/6pb

A dark brew, smooth and mellow, with a slight caramel flavor.

Saying Goodbye to "The Wine Tutor"

Len "The wine tutor" Gulino has been a mainstay on our staff for many years, first as an associate on our wine floor and then an instrumental part in the success of our very popular Harry's Wine School. He has brought a great deal of knowledge to our store and has left an unforgettable mark on our history.

Now, aged to perfection, it is time for him to settle into retirement and enjoy "the life at leisure" and will not have to report to anyone. We could not think of a better way to send him off than with our annual "Holiday high end class" this past Wednesday evening. It is the class where we pick some of our favorite top tier wines off our retail floor and taste them while Len expounds on the merits of each of these magical wines.

Last night Len had fun!

He was really enjoying his last class and there was a real feeling of merriment in the air as many of our most tenured students and friends joined us to send him off in style. He and Christelle picked a wonderful array of wines that had everyone in the room buzzing all night, one after the next they came to the table and each seemed to be just the right choice. At the end of the evening Len even played a little St Nick as he went into his own cellar and picked out a 1977 Dow vintage port that had aged longer than some of our guests had even been alive! Great opportunity and a fitting way to end the evening.

or so you would think...

You see, that port had a flaw, it was corked. All those years later... after all that aging and decades of care, it was never right in the first place. The cork that they had used to seal that particular bottle all those years ago was infected with TCA (2,4,6- Trichloroanisole) and was cork tainted. One more opportunity for the tutor to teach! There was no way to have known at the time that when he pulled it out for this special evening, it was going to let him down. Wine is funny like that...

We weren't going to let that ruin such a wonderful evening. Fortunately we had some Grahams 1970 vintage port in inventory so thinking quickly we opened it up and sent our friend Len (The Wine Tutor) off in style. What a special bottle and it capped a lovely evening and career for a man we all like and admire so much.

Its funny... Through the evening there were lots of people saying "aww Len, don't go" and some suggested just giving up the backroom stuff he does for us. There was a suggestion that he do the "Holiday Highend class" each year and/or to do some special appearances in the future at our "Guest Speaker Series". We like his "Wine 101" class the best and when he was asked about his plans for the future, he didn't have a concrete plan for spending his days. "Travel maybe, or some other things". Maybe that bottle he brought was sending him a message... Perhaps his plan to pack it up is a bit "flawed".

No one knows what the future holds and Len is well aware that we like having him around. We'll see...

There have been a number of people that have thrown their hat in the ring to begin teaching our classes and there is certainly a good amount of talent out there to help fill his shoes. Harry's Wine School is ready to begin its new semester in early February 2015 so keep your eyes open for the release of our upcoming classes.

As for Len...

Lets send him in to retirement with our respect and gratitude for all he has done and wish him the best. Thank you my friend.

For now however, I'm not going to clear out your desk. Lets just make sure that you are really ready.

-Cheers