Mandated by Mendeleev!!!

What better pedigree is there for a vodka then being from Russia?

Well, how about Russian Standard Vodka, which uses the original recipe from 1894, as created by Dmitri Mendeleev, the creator of the Periodic Table of Elements, as well as a chemist and inventor. He was also the Director of the Bureau of Weights and Measures, where he was tasked to formulate new state standards for the production of vodka, where he developed the formula and perfect proof for Russia's national drink.

But enough about him, we are here to talk about vodka!

Russian Standard Vodka is created using water from Lake Ladoga. The largest lake in Europe and a natural landmark unto itself, Lake Ladoga spans more than 17,000 square kilometers, and about 219 km in length from north to south. The history of this lake could be said to be a crystallized form of Russia's own history: some historians even consider a town on the southern estuary of the lake, Staraya Ladoga (Old Ladoga) to be the first capital of ancient Russia.
Home to some of the softest water on Earth, Lake Ladoga is the source of water for all Russian Standard vodkas.

The Russian Black Steppes are renowned throughout history as having some of the richest, most fertile soil around. The hardy wheat is planted in the fall, before the first snow falls. During the winter months, the wheat matures slowly, gaining strength and protein, with the blankets of snow acting as a protection. Russian Standard's experts hand select only the finest grain from the best crops around to ensure a subtle hint of wheat in the production of the premium vodkas.

Russian Standard Original Vodka is distilled 4 times, and also filtered 4 times through charcoal. This allows the vodka to be super-smooth, but also to retain a subtly-sweet wheat flavour. Once the spirit has been filtered, it is left to rest for 48 hours in a relaxation tank to achieve the perfect equilibrium of 40% alcohol, as mandated by Mendeleev.

To learn more about Russian Standard Vodka, click here: http://www.russianstandardvodka.com/en/

This vodka is seriously delicious! It was first tasted neat, and it actually does have a slight sweetness and light wheat flavour, and is exceptionally smooth.

Next, it was tasted as an integral part of the Moscow Mule cocktail, made with Russian Standard vodka, ginger beer, lime, angostura bitters, and this version had fresh mint. Absolutely outstanding! The Russian Standard contributed a pleasing sweetness and a silky mouthfeel.

Finally, an interesting fact about Russian Standard vodka:

It shouldn't be stored in the freezer, as the extreme cold begins to un-do the distillation process and causes the vodka to lose its sweet flavours and aromas.

Za Vas! (Pronounced Zuh vahs) meaning: To You!

BrewDog Riptide Stout

Just arrived at Hillside Liquor Store is a new single beer, the BrewDog RipTide Twisted Merciless Stout, from Scotland. 8% alcohol, 330ml, $4.25.

"A strong, silky smooth imperial stout with a deep, dark ruby appearance. Mocha, bitter chocolate, liquorice and dark cherry flavours prevail, before the balanced, warming and encapsulating finish.
A contemporary Scottish take on an age old Russian classic style originally brewed for the Tsars. Our interpretation brings together hops from both sides of the Atlantic, amazing flavoured malts and dark sugars."

Drinking Riptide Stout straight from Hillside's fridge does not allow all the complex flavours to shine through, so let it warm up to the point that it is only slightly cool. Warming it up allows the savoury-bacon like note to balance out the dark chocolate, coffee and liquorice flavours.

Enjoy!

Trick or Treat?

Word on the street is that the Great Pumpkin might pay Hillside Liquor Store a visit, just in time for Halloween morning. But what might he bring? You never can tell, that Crooked Tooth of his always makes his expressions difficult to read...

Come in at 9:30 am October 31, and discover if it really is a trick, or if there is a treat waiting....

Happy Halloween!

Remember to bring 2 Pieces of Government ID, and NO MASKS or excessive FACE PAINT!!!

Open 9:30 am to 11 pm.

Granville Island Winter Ale

Another extremely popular winter beer is now at Hillside Liquor Store, just in time for the cold weather! Here is another excuse to stay inside and warm up with a favourite beer:

Granville Island Brewery's Lions Winter Ale was recently made available in 6 pack bottles or as part of the Winter Mingler.

Lions Winter Ale combines premium malt with aromatic specialty hops. The vanilla-like finish of this robust ale is a great excuse to get out of the cold and enjoy this beer made from the finest natural ingredients.

"Crystal, Vienna & Munich malts come together to give Lions Winter Ale the body and richness of a robust ale, with a sweet caramel flavour. Specialty hops such as Willamette, Czech and German Spalt infuse the aroma. Bavarian Purity Law standards are observed until the filtration stage, at which point real caramel, vanilla and chocolate are added to give this beer a smooth vanilla like finish. "(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granville_Island_Brewing)

Hermannator is here!

Vancouver Island Brewery's Hermannator Eisbock has arrived at Hillside Liquor Store!

Available in 6 pack bottles, this much beloved winter beer is "created by freezing off a portion of the water, and removing it from the beer. This form of concentration, of sorts, increases the beer's body, flavor, and alcohol content. Eisbocks can range from near black to as light as tawny red. Hop bitterness and flavor are mostly cast aside with a big alcohol presence replacing it, which can range from sweet to spicy, and fruity. Look for a heavy or almost syrupy body with tons of malty flavor" (thanks to Beer Advocate for the definition of Eisbock).

The Hermannator is a smooth, rich, slightly sweet full flavoured beer, with an alcohol content of 9.5%, although this is well integrated. It pours a deep black colour with reddish hints and a light head. This beer is also not super-carbonated, which means that it goes down easily. Best served slightly chilled, it pairs well with aged cheddar, fruits, nuts, salty meats, roasted meats or just by itself.

Vancouver Island Brewery's Hermannator has a huge following, and will be sold out at Hillside Liquor Store before Christmas. Get yours before it is too late!

Scotch season is here!

Now that it is definitely fall in Victoria, Hillside Liquor Store declares "Open Season on Scotch"!

While some people may drink scotch all year round, we notice a definite increase in scotch interest and sales when there are leaves on the ground, frost on windshields and chimneys puffing madly at night.

Others feel the same as we do- the BC Liquor Board has its annual scotch release this weekend, and tickets sales for the Victoria Whisky Fest go on sale the following weekend.

It's also just the right time to start thinking about presents for the upcoming holiday in December. Many stores start getting in specialty items, and the careful consumer will pick these up now, rather than being disappointed in mid-December when there are no unique items left.

For the scotch collector/drinker, some interesting gift packs will be available at Hillside Liquor Store. These are very limited in supply, so if any of these sound intriguing, call the store (250-370-1143) or email info@hillsideliquorstore.com to reserve yours!

First up is the Classic Malts "Strong" containing 3 x 200ml bottles: Cragganmore 12 yr, Talisker 10 yr, Lagavulin 16yr which retails for $88.95.

The Classic Malts "Gentle" contains 3 x 200ml bottles: Glenkinchie 12 yr, Dalwhinnie 15yr, Oban 14 yr, retailing for $89.99. These are great introductory scotches, but are also well-loved by those more experienced scotch drinkers.

The Classic Malts "Islay Collection" contains 5 x 200ml bottles: Caol Ila 12 yr, Caol Ila Distiller's Edition, Lagavulin 12yr, Lagavulin 16yr, Port Ellen 29yr. This extra special collection retails for $254.95!

Lastly, for the Talisker fan, we have the Classic Malts "Talisker" which contains 3 x 200ml bottles: Talisker 10 yr, Talisker 18yr (normally not available in Canada), Talisker Distiller's Edition, and retails for $95.00

Interested in learning more about these whiskies? Read on, or check out: http://www.malts.com/en-us/Home/

Cragganmore-"One of Speyside's greats. Elegant and austere. Gradually, almost reluctantly, reveals itself. The most fragrant of whiskies: delicate, herbal, flowery. A palate blossoming with flavours, and a long, lingering, finish." Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert

Talisker-“Famously distinctive Island malt. From the western Scottish island of Skye. I believe that the volcanic rock of Skye contributes to the pungent aroma; peppery flavour; and big finish. Unusual still design may add a further dimension.” Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert.

Lagavulin-“An Islay classic. In the peatiness typical of the island, this is the most powerfully, intensely, dry. It also has smoke, salt and seaweedy notes, though those characteristics are more evident in some of its neighbours.” Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert.

Glenkinchie-“One of the best-known Lowlanders. The typical regional character is there in its soft grassiness. Perhaps more like lemon grass? Then spicier, with cinnamon and ginger, in a lively finish.” Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert.

Dalwhinnie-“The Highland peatiness is very restrained at first, balanced by heathery sweetness, but intensifies toward the finish. Clear flavours against a very clean background. A good aperitif.” Michael Jackson, whisky writer and expert.

Oban- Mouth-filling late autumn fruits - dried figs and honey-sweet spices; followed by a smoky malty dryness. Long, smooth-sweet finish with oak-wood, dryness and a grain of salt.

Caol Ila- Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes. Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

Port Ellen 29 yr- Port Ellen is a versatile malt, with considerable differences of style evident between different bottlings. Common characteristics, though, are a high level of peatiness and, in the best examples, a phenomenal complexity which Islay fans adore. For these reasons Port Ellen has become one of the most sought-after of the lost distilleries by collectors, investors and aficionados.

The Malt advocate blog http://blog.maltadvocate.com/ has this to say about the 29 yr: An elder Port Ellen, but still showing plenty of Port Ellen character. It’s chock full of kiln smoke, damp forest bed, seaweed, charcoal, brine, and tar. Additional notes of licorice root, kalamata olive, cinnamon, and black pepper, with teasing citrus emerging occasionally. Warming, tarry, dry smoke finish. An old-fashioned, pungent style of Islay whisky.

Hallowe'en

Planning on visiting Hillside Liquor Store for Hallowe'en weekend? Just a reminder that masks and excessive face make-up will not be permitted in the store. Cashiers and staff need to be able to match identification with the person standing in front of them, so we ask that masks be removed before entering the store, or liquor be purchased before putting on costumes.

Thanks for your cooperation, and we look forward to seeing you at the store!

Open 9:30 am to 11 pm all weekend long!

Weekend Tasting!!!!

Wishing that summer wasn't gone? Hillside Liquor Store is helping to bring summer back by hosting a Bud Light Lime tasting both Friday and Saturday from 4-8 pm.

In case you are one of the 12 people in Victoria who haven't tried Bud Light Lime (or BLL as those in the know refer to it), here's your chance. Or, if it was your favourite summer drink but you've passed it by for the last couple of weeks, here's your chance to revisit an old favourite.

Just like its big brother Budweiser, Bud Light Lime is made with about 80% rice, barley malt, hops, yeast and water. It also contains 100% natural lime flavour, which is added to the beer after it has been brewed. A bottle of BLL has 116 calories, and 8 grams of carbs- slightly higher than Bud Light due to the lime flavour.

Bud Light Lime has a strong lime flavour with a hint of the typical Bud Light flavour. The website claims that it pairs perfectly with spicy grilled meats or fresh fruit and vegetables, or just icy-cold by itself. Why not come in and try it, and see for yourself?

For more information, click here: http://budlightlime.ca/

Fruli Has Arrived!!!

For all those who love Belgian beer mixed with real strawberries, Fruli beer has arrived again at Hillside Liquor Store.

Fruli is a blend of lightly hopped Belgian white beer mixed with real strawberries to create a gorgeous pink-hued fruity strawberry flavoured beer.

Hillside Liquor Store has only received 10 cases (240 bottles) and it sells for $3.75 for the 250 ml bottle. Come in and get it everyday 9:30 am to 11 pm, or call to reserve your beer to be held at the customer service desk in order to avoid disappointment. 250-370-1143

Little Straw Tasting Today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Hillside Liquor Store is hosting a tasting of Little Straw wines from Kelowna BC. The tasting will be from 2-5 pm, and will showcase the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, the 2008 Tapestry, and the 2006 Marechal Foch.

Little Straw winery is a family owned operation with some of the oldest vines in the Okanagan. The original 11 acres were planted in 1969, and the family added another 12 acres in 1995. Little Straw winery opened in 1996 as Slamka Cellars (the family's last name-it's Slovackian translation is Little Straw), and were previously grape growers for other wineries.

In 2006, the new winery facility opened with an 8500 square foot building housing a lounge-style restaurant, tasting bar and conference/banquet facilities. The winemaker is Peter Slamka, making a variety of wines, including Canada's only Auxerrois Ice Wine.

For more about Little Straw Winery, click here:http://www.littlestraw.bc.ca/

Tasting Notes:

2008 Sauvignon Blanc

This semi-dry white varietal displays tropical fruit aromas of papaya, guava, and passion fruit. The palate delivers mild acidity with gooseberry and grapefruit, and a savoury olive finish. Gorgeous by itself, this also pairs well with salads, turkey, white fish, goat cheese, oysters.

2008 Tapestry

Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Auxerrois, Viognier.

Medium-dry, refreshing blend of several white varietals with an exotic fruity and floral bouquet. Signature blend, this is nice as an aperitif, but also pairs well with turkey, roast chicken, ham, spicy foods.

2006 Marechal Foch

Silky smooth, medium-bodied red wine showing moderate earthiness with appealing spice, berry, and black cherry compote aromas and flavours. It would pair well with wild game dishes, roast turkey and all the fixings, roast ham, lamb, smoked cheeses or mild curries. Drink now or cellar for up to three years.