Spiced rum — a traditional tipple during Christmas — continues to be a favourite for people in Red Deer this festive season.
“It’s always Captain Morgan,” said Kazza Dymond, cashier at West Park Liquor Store.
But the store’s supply of The Kraken, a black spiced rum that is difficult to get and is new to the store, has also been a quick seller. Another newer alcohol that’s catching shoppers’ attention is White Owl Whiskey, which is different because it’s clear in colour, she said.
On Wednesday afternoon, West Park Liquor Store was calm, but unlikely to stay that way with New Year’s Eve fast approaching on Friday.
“Likely (today) it will just go crazy, lineups out the door and all that,” Dymond said.
Christmas is always the busiest season, she said.
Cyrious Liquor owner Colette Cyr agreed that people like their old favourites during the Yuletide, like Baileys Irish Cream and Captain Morgan. They buy their regular brands as well as pick up premium liquor for company.
“(Spiced rum) is becoming more popular throughout the year, but at Christmas time — absolutely with their egg nog,” said Cyr, who was ready for the rush of regular customers today and Friday to her store in north Red Deer.
“Come January, the new year’s resolutions kick in.”
Rick Hutchins, owner of the The Liquor Hutch in Gasoline Alley, said the newer Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum is the rum that his customers were buying this season.
Flavoured vodkas, like Three Olives, are also hot, he said.
“They have everything from tomato to vanilla to mango to rootbeer to bubble gum,” Hutchins said.
More people were also enjoying red wine with their Christmas turkey because they’re starting to understand how to match food and wine, he said.
“There were always people in Central Alberta who knew their wines. Now it’s becoming a bigger population.”
And in their search for something new, customers are turning to red wine made in Argentina with malbec grapes.
“The reason they always look for something new is because when it breaks into the market, it’s usually less expensive than the more known varieties.”
Trips to wineries in British Columbia have increased local sales of B.C. wines and, of course, customers are getting ready to pop corks on traditional champagnes and sparkling wines on New Year’s Eve, he said.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com