Preamble by Steve Siciliano
I’m proud of the fact that our store has garnered a reputation as a destination location for a wide variety of products: craft beer, fine wine, premium liquor, mead, home brewing and wine-making supplies, bulk tea and coffee, gourmet chocolates, hand-crafted sodas and much, much more. Something that doesn’t get mentioned quite as often, however, is the fact that we also are a tobacco shop.
I like wearing my tobacconist hat. I enjoy weighing out ounces of pipe tobacco on the triple-beam scale and I especially get a lot of satisfaction from selling premium cigars.
I smoked my first cigar when I was sixteen. I had a job as a bus boy in the cafeteria of the old Pantlind Hotel. About once a week a crotchety old fellow came in and after supper he would always smoke a cigar. To this day I remember the cigars he smoked, a brand called Optimo that were beautiful, oily-dark maduros. One day I got up the nerve to ask him where I could get my hands on one.
“Why?” he growled.
"It's my dad’s birthday," I lied and the old codger actually cracked a smile. “Across the street at Elliot’s,” he told me. Despite my age the clerk at the shop had no problem selling me one of those Optimos which I smoked on the walk home.
I would like to say that I’ve smoked nothing but premium cigars all my life but that’s just not the case. In high school I would occasionally burn a wood-tipped Hava-Tampa Jewel or a plastic-tipped cigarillo. In college I had a predilection for rum-soaked Crookettes and in my twenties and thirties it was an Antonio y Cleopatra Grenadier, a White Owl or a Dutch Masters during weddings and weekend fishing trips.
It was in my mid-forties when I began smoking only the premium, hand-rolled cigars and, looking for anything back then to generate sales in a struggling store, I decided that I would try selling them. I began with a few inexpensive brands in a humidified counter-top case. In time I progressed to a couple of glass displays and then we finally built the walk-in humidor.
Today the humidor is well stocked with cigars from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. In two reach-in cases we display cigars that are rum flavored, vanilla flavored, chocolate flavored and some that are infused with botanicals. Because of our government’s continued trade embargo with Cuba we are unable to sell any Cubans. Hopefully someday that will change.
A while ago when I was in Cuba I took a day trip to the Vuelta Abajo which some consider to be the finest tobacco growing region in the world. I was standing on a high ridge gazing down at the indescribably beautiful valley when an old Cuban approached me. He was selling bundles of cigars that he rolled himself from tobacco he had grown himself. I had doubts about their quality but took a chance and handed him ten pesos, about the equivalent then of ten US dollars. They turned out to be some of the best cigars I have ever smoked.
Featured Wines of the Week
Desert Wind Merlot, $21.79 The dry desert landscape challenges both the vines and thise who tend them, resulting in wines with complex flavors and the distinct sense of place know as terroir. This merlot is sultry and smooth, with flavors of dark chocolate, bay leaf, fig, plum and blackberry.
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, $9.89 Because of its freshness, Casal Garcia is particularly agreeable in friendly and relaxed atmospheres. deal as an aperitif or to accompany oriental dishes, such as sushi and sashimi, seafood in lemon sauce or salads with cheese such as Roquefort. https://www.casalgarcia.com/en/wines/casal-garcia-white/
Casal Garcia Vihno Rose, $9.89 This Rosé breaks the sweet, plain “wine cooler” mold and embraces the stylish,savory and bold fruity end of the wine spectrum. Great as an appetizer or to accompany Italian dishes, light salads or tapas like “gambas alajillo”. https://www.casalgarcia.com/en/wines/casal-garcia-rose/
Buy three or more bottles of wine get 10 % off.
"It's our mission at Siciliano's to sell quality wine at affordable prices
Featured Spirits of the Week
Old Pultney 12 Year, $47.39 Matured wholly in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks, the 'unashamedly excellent' Old Pulteney 12-years-old is the definitive expression in the Old Pulteney family. Dry, medium bodied and smooth, redolent of honey and cream, faintly salty with a slight spicy note and a sweet long-lasting finish. https://www.oldpulteney.com/whiskies/1-12-years-single-malt-scotch-whisky#
Brenne French Single Malt Estate Cask, $64.19 The first single malt in the world aged exclusively in French Limousin Oak and Cognac casks, Brenne Estate Cask is twice-distilled in a copper alembic still, and aged for a minimum of six years. The whisky has perfumed fruit and French patisserie aromas with creamy and complex sugar notes of rich creme brûlée and burnt caramel. On the palate: notes of banana, tropical fruits, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove. https://www.brennewhisky.com/products
Speyburn Bradan Orach Single Malt, $26.29 Gaelic for ‘Golden Salmon’, Bradan Orach is a classic, welcoming Speyside whisky, matured exclusively in American Oak ex-bourbon casks. This bright single malt was named in honour of the world-class salmon fishing found on the River Spey. Subtle with honey and vanilla, yet full bodied. Creamy and smooth with a long spicy finish. Energetic and appealing, this is the brightest member of the Speyburn range. https://www.speyburn.com/our-whisky-range/bradan-orach-single-malt-whisky/
New and Returning Products
Arbor Grl Pwr, $2.59/12oz-Dry hopped Saison made with Michigan malt and hops with added honey.
Aslin Belligerent Attempts, $2.99/16oz-This pilsner is a light straw golden color. The Saaz hops are prevalent, which adds a spicy bitterness with a floral flavor and aroma. This beer is smooth and crisp, lending to clean-malty palate.
Aslin Czarface, $2.99/16oz-This lager is dangerously crisp and easy to sip. Pleasant hop notes give it a floral nose and a clean, well-balanced taste.
Aslin Master of Karate, $5.69/16oz-As you all know this is one of our OGs. This beer is karate chopped (aka dry hopped heavily) with Mosaic, Galaxy, & Amarillo. The result is a ninja star in the form of a beer or mango juice! Drink this beer fresh or we may nunchuck your a$$. Can you hear that? Chuck Norris may sneak up on you!
Aslin Nuances of Meaning, $3.79/16oz-India Pale Ale that is solely hopped with Citra & Mosaic. The result is a beer with huge aromatics of grapefruit, berry, mango, & naval oranges. The flavor has notes of clementine, peach, berry, and a balancing grassy bitterness.
Aslin The Fragile Kind, $2.99/16oz-Bohemian pilsner hopped with Saaz, clear pale color, and has a cloud like head. Aroma is clean with rich sense of malt and spice. Flavor follows the nose with a light-to-medium hop presence. The finish is crisp and clean!
Big Lake English Barleywine, $4.29/16oz-Rich and bready English Barleywine brewed with English malts and yeast for a balanced malty character.
Big Lake English Best Bitter, $3.79/16oz-Andrew Brouwers' Best of Show winning recipe from the 2021 Siciliano's Homebrew Competition.
Big Lake Mango Habanero Haze, $3.79/16oz-Our Mango Haze infused with Habanero peppers. This one has a little kick on the end.
Collective Arts Dark Fruit Citrus Gose, $4.89/16oz-Sour - Fruited Gose
Collective Arts IPA #20, $4.89/16oz-How much Citra can we put in one IPA? We decided to find out and bring it to you in the latest of our IPA Series! We used FOUR different types of Citra hops for a beer that showcases everything we love about one of the craft beer world's go-to hops. Regular Citra combines with Citra CRYO, Citra INCOGNITO and Citra SPECTRUM for sweet, fruity aromas of bright grapefruit and orange citrus, with flavours of lemon meringue pie combined with juicy tropical fruits.
Desthil Apple Pie Sour, $2.79/12oz-Our seasonal sour ale is inspired by the flavors of the classic American apple pie dessert. Brewed with tart apple & cinnamon flavors and lactose, this ale hits all the notes with a light body & tart finish. Cheers!
Odd Brothers Key Lime Kyle, $4.19/16oz-Sour key limes combine with creamy milk sugars and graham cracker for a slice of key lime pie in every glass.
Rhinegeist Bubbles, $1.99/12oz-Add a bit of pop to any occasion.
Part of the RGBevs family of full-flavored Hard Craft Beverages, Bubbles is a refreshingly effervescent blend of peach, apple and cranberry.
Rogue Gumberoo, $2.39/12oz-Ever hear the story of the Gumberoo? As the story goes, three loggers were camped in the woods drinking beers and entertaining the idea of illegally harvesting old growth sequoias for extra cash when the ground suddenly shook with a heavy footstep. Bigger than a bear with wild eyes and jagged teeth, the Gumberoo rose from behind a stump with a mighty roar. As the loggers scrambled to escape, beer spilled onto the fire causing smoke to fill the air. Some say the forest only wanted to send them a warning that night as this stroke of smokey fortune helped hold off the Gumberoo while the loggers got away. So remember to respect our forests, put out your fires and always bring cold beer camping.
Rogue Knucklebuster, $2.39/12oz-Like a cross between a pilsner and an IPA, this beer opens with a delightful floral hop aroma that is followed by more hops, cracker,
bread, and a soft sweetness across a very light body. The finish is crisp
and refreshing with a nice bite.
Rogue Rolling Thunder, $5.49/16oz-Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout is crafted from Rogue Farms ingredients then aged in Rogue Rolling Thunder barrels that we built ourselves and that previously aged our Dead Guy Whiskey.
Shorts Synalpheus Pinkfloydi, $2.79/12oz-Synalpheus Pinkfloydi is a cherry lemonade Gose brewed with Lemondrop hops, Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, coriander, lemon and tart, tasty northern Michigan Balaton cherries. A sour beer full of well balanced flavors that will refresh your palate and keep you curious about the mysteries of the universe.
Stone Green Tea IPA, $3.19/12oz
Surly Drips and Drops, $4.39/16oz-Juicy | Hazy | Dripping
Territorial Baltic Porter, $2.89/12oz-A robust dark lager featuring chocolate malt, rye malt, and crystal malt.
Territorial Pheasant Dreams, $2.39/12oz-Kettle-hopped and dry-hopped with generous amounts of Cascade, Michigan Copper and Citra hops, Pheasant Dreams has hints of orange juice and tangerine.
Three Floyds BA Cocomungo, $6.49/12oz
Three Floyds Speed Castle, $2.09/12oz-Our newest year-round beer has arrived – Speed Castle Pilsner. Using hops sourced from German farms, American Pilsner malt, and hand-selected fresh or ‘wet’ hops, Speed Castle is a crisp, refreshing and world-ending Pilsner.
To Ol 45 Day Pilsner, $4.39/16oz-You don’t rush a good Pilsner. Letting it ferment & mature slowly means crisp, delicate flavours. That’s why we take 45 days to make ours.
To Ol Gose to Hollywood, $4.89/16oz-To Øl got startstruck. This is how we went to Hollywood. Salty, sour, light gose brewed with the best fruits California can offer. Best consumed on warm summer days.
To Ol Pina Gose, $6.59/16oz-Physically we’re at To Øl City, but mentally we’re on a sunny island, with a swim up bar and a little umbrella in our drink. A tart Gose brewed with pineapple juice and hops with beautiful coconut aromatics, to ensure we all still get a much-deserved mini-vacation this year in one way or another.
Transient Czech Yourself, $3.29/16oz-Honey colored with a white head fitting for television.
Untitled Art Juicy IPA 12.0, $5.19/16oz
Untitled Art Lychee Sherbert, $5.49/16oz-
Untitled Art NA Lychee Sherbert, $3.09/12oz-
Untitled Art Rocky Road Stout, $5.69/12oz-Imperial Stout with cacao nibs, toasted marshmallow, vanilla beans, almonds, and milk sugar.
Descriptions courtesy of Untappd
Did you know that Velo Crispy Peppermint is an alternative to cigars without smoke?
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