Props to Two James Distillery

So, Two James is a new distillery in the D (it's in Corktown). They just opened last year and I had heard good things about them. Just bought a bottle of their Gin today, and it is really good. Heard their bourbon is really good too (guy at the liquor store said they can't keep it on the shelves). Good to see a local Detroit business make good stuff.

The gin is pretty good, but they have priced it too high. Should be somewhere in the Tangeray price range.

Marc Summers wrote:The gin is pretty good, but they have priced it too high. Should be somewhere in the Tangeray price range.

well, if they can't keep it on the shelf then i'd say they priced it too low.

AMwood wrote:

well, if they can't keep it on the shelf then i'd say they priced it too low.

You sum kinda biznes man or sumtin?

AMwood wrote:

well, if they can't keep it on the shelf then i'd say they priced it too low.

This is based on "word from one guy at one liquor store". I've had it many times and have been to the distillery bar before, and it's good gin. But simply not worth $60 per bottle(or whatever they're charging). Any shortage at this point is just the bored yuppie crowd who will buy a bottle to show to their friends, but will sit in their liquor cabinet for 20 years.

Marc Summers wrote:

This is based on "word from one guy at one liquor store". I've had it many times and have been to the distillery bar before, and it's good gin. But simply not worth $60 per bottle(or whatever they're charging). Any shortage at this point is just the bored yuppie crowd who will buy a bottle to show to their friends, but will sit in their liquor cabinet for 20 years.

Have you ever bought gin at a food truck?

Turtleneck wrote:

Have you ever bought gin at a food truck?

Ahhhhhhh, another bored yuppie pastime.

Two James and Valentine are both Michigan made spirits that are absolutely thriving. People are buying local spirits in the same fashion that they are buying local beers.

Valentine is the biggest Michigan brand, and the most decorated brand in the state, winning tons of awards since they were born 7 or so years ago. You have to appreciate a guy who starts a company and a brand because he was on a dry martini kick and couldn't find a vodka good enough for his martini's, so he quit Wallstreet, came back home to Michigan and started distilling his own. They will be in 22 states by the end of this calendar year. They just bought a 1.8 Million dollar facility in Ferndale. Their original tasting room and distillery is in Ferndale as well. They feature a regular 80 proof vodka (which is my personal favorite), an Elder Flower Vodka for the ladies, Liberator Gin, and Woodward Ltd. Whiskey. They also have a Cask Gin, which there aren't many of those around. But it's only available in the tasting room right now in Michigan. All Valentine products are between $29.99 and $37.74.

Two James also makes very good stuff, they are the first distillery in Detroit since prohibition. The package for each of their items is fantastic and the juice is pretty good too. Two James features a Vodka, Gin and Bourbon available in Michigan, they also have a Rye only available at the tasting room. Each bottle cost them almost $9, both the Vodka and Gin feature "Corktown" and "Detroit" in script on the bottom of each bottle. Two James Grass Widow Bourbon is very good, $59.99 shelf price in Michigan, that's up about $14 from where they originally listed it because of stock issues. Talks are they might raise it a few more dollars since it doesn't last more then a week every time they bottle some. High Rye bourbon aged in a Madeira cask, gives it a bit of almost a cherry finish to it. Two James products range from $31.99 to $59.99.

http://longroaddistillers.com

Grand Rapids is about to get some craft spirits love.

Big Ten Referee wrote:http://longroaddistillers.com

Grand Rapids is about to get some craft spirits love.

You and I both know that will be a McDonalds-esque brand. Nothing with true quality ever comes from Grand Rapids.

Big Ten Referee wrote:http://longroaddistillers.com

Grand Rapids is about to get some craft spirits love.

Lansing too:
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/06/american_fifth_spirits_set_to.html#incart_river

Marc Summers wrote:

This is based on "word from one guy at one liquor store". I've had it many times and have been to the distillery bar before, and it's good gin. But simply not worth $60 per bottle(or whatever they're charging). Any shortage at this point is just the bored yuppie crowd who will buy a bottle to show to their friends, but will sit in their liquor cabinet for 20 years.

First, the quote about not being able to keep it on the shelf was in relation to their bourbon. Second, they don't charge $60 for their gin. I bought a fifth for about half that price, which was basically the same as Hendricks and a few bucks more than Bombay Saphire. It was about $10 more than a fifth of Tanqueray, but I think significantly better than Tanqueray (and I really like Tanqueray).

Munn Field wrote:

First, the quote about not being able to keep it on the shelf was in relation to their bourbon. Second, they don't charge $60 for their gin. I bought a fifth for about half that price, which was basically the same as Hendricks and a few bucks more than Bombay Saphire. It was about $10 more than a fifth of Tanqueray, but I think significantly better than Tanqueray (and I really like Tanqueray).

Hendricks has really created the Ultra Premium Gin category. Many of the old school hand crafted cocktails are coming back and the "premium" gins of Bombay and Tanqueray don't cut it anymore. Liberator (Valentine), Two James Old Cockney, and Hendricks are really thriving right now.

Jim Jim Gin?

MJ wrote:

Hendricks has really created the Ultra Premium Gin category.  Many of the old school hand crafted cocktails are coming back and the "premium" gins of Bombay and Tanqueray don't cut it anymore.  Liberator (Valentine), Two James Old Cockney, and Hendricks are really thriving right now.

Haven't tried Two James or Valentine yet.

Hendricks is very smooth...too smooth IMO. I prefer a little bite in gin. Tanqueray continues to be my favorite.

The Pantry wrote:
Haven't tried Two James or Valentine yet.

Hendricks is very smooth...too smooth IMO.  I prefer a little bite in gin.  Tanqueray continues to be my favorite.

Tanqueray was my favorite too, but I really like the Two James, you should give it a try when you have a chance.

The liquor store down the street from my house has the gin for $29.99, so I actually think in going to stop in and buy a bottle. For that price, it is well worth it.

Marc Summers wrote:The liquor store down the street from my house has the gin for $29.99, so I actually think in going to stop in and buy a bottle. For that price, it is well worth it.

Do you live in Michigan?

MJ wrote:

Do you live in Michigan?

Yes.....I can't imagine it being available outside the state.

Marc Summers wrote:

Yes.....I can't imagine it being available outside the state.

It's in Chicago area as well, kicked off a few weeks ago. I'd go and pick it up as fast as you can for $29.99, minimum shelf price is $33.99 for the state. So someone inside the store has no clue what they are doing.

MJ wrote:

It's in Chicago area as well, kicked off a few weeks ago. I'd go and pick it up as fast as you can for $29.99, minimum shelf price is $33.99 for the state. So someone inside the store has no clue what they are doing.

Haha, if that's the case, maybe I'll get two.

Marc Summers wrote:

Haha, if that's the case, maybe I'll get two.

I would, you won't get that kind of price break often.  Especially on a product like that.  Only time spirits get marked down in the state is usually when a chain store like Meijer or Kroger discontinues a product from their set.  Then the MLCC will mark it down 50%, but that license then can't reorder it for 12 full months.

Munn Field wrote:So, Two James is a new distillery in the D (it's in Corktown). They just opened last year and I had heard good things about them. Just bought a bottle of their Gin today, and it is really good. Heard their bourbon is really good too (guy at the liquor store said they can't keep it on the shelves). Good to see a local Detroit business make good stuff.

I see Valentine is mentioned here, but I think their products are much better then Two James. The bottle just isn't as flashy, I was down at Two James around x-mas and one of the guys said they are paying almost $11 per bottle. Packaging cost of 1/3 of the price seems a bit stiff, stuff was good but I've had better.