Tag Archives: Valley Wine and Liquor

A Little Taste, Please

Posted on December 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I stopped in for the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Saturday and enjoyed some Bailey’s.  I used to never miss a tasting at Valley; my friend Kim and I used to start our weekends there every Friday.  Am I slowing down in my older years?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  Be that as it may, Saturday I was out for a walk and my footsteps took me to South Caroline Street, so I stopped in.

I should have tried to get more Christmas decorations in the picture.

Katheryn, the woman pouring, was very nice.  We talked about how good Bailey’s was in coffee or hot chocolate.  I declared the Salted Caramel delicious, just to make a change from my usual accolade of “yummy.” The Espresso Cream was also very nice.  The Chocolate was my favorite.  I wrote down “Yummy!” but observed that it would be dangerous, because I would love to down a big old glass of it, as if it was chocolate milk.  Bailey’s also offers a non dairy flavor, but they were not sampling it Saturday.

I see that Valley Wine and Liquor is offering a number of tastings between now and Christmas.  You can check it out at shopvalleywine.com.

 

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Good Apple Stuff!

Posted on October 1, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last weekend (before all the dog stuff went down), I had the pleasure of tasting the wares of Beak and Skiff at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  They were offering only a fraction of their many products, and I am now anxious to try more.

The first thing I tasted was the Honeycrisp Vodka.  Vodka made from apples instead of potatoes?  Interesting!  I liked it.  When I said it was seasonal, because of the apples, Kyle, the pourer, hasted to assure me it was available year round.  I am not a big vodka drinker, but this one could change my mind.

Kyle and I had a fun time tasting. Of course I did most of the tasting.

The same vodka with blueberries added was also good.  I also enjoyed the Pommeau, a French drink combining brandy and apple cider.  There was one wine, Honeycrisp Apple Wine.  I found it a good middle of the road wine: both dry and sweet wine drinkers could enjoy it.  The last thing I tasted was the Bourbon Cream Whiskey, 75% cream, 25% whiskey.  Yummy!  That would be so good in a cup of coffee!

Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards is located in Lafayette, NY.  Of course Mohawk Valley Girl was even more delighted to find she was sampling local products (yes, I talk about myself in the third person sometimes).   Lafayette being closer to Liverpool than Herkimer, I envisioned a visit to my sister Diane in the near future.   I think she would be delighted to visit Beak and Skiff with me and see what else they have to offer.

 

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Whiskey and Rye

Posted on September 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I made my way down to Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer, NY for a tasting with Cooperstown Distillery.  I went to Cooperstown Distillery some years ago with my late, dearly missed husband Steve, and knew they had good stuff.  And of course I am always up for checking out a local or area business.  I was very glad I went.

He was great.

The pourer was a nice young man named MacGuire Benton.  I told him having a last name for a first name was sexy.  I thought I could get away with a remark like that at my age.  At least he didn’t seem to mind.  By that time I had sampled all his wares and we had established something of a rapport.  He gave me lots of good information about the distillery, and encouraged me to return for another visit.

“They’ll take good care of you,” he said.

He said they get their grains locally from Crowe family farm in Canajoharie.  More local!  Spent grains are placed in an underground tank, and farmer’s take them for their cattle.  MacGuire said it was circle of life when he eventually ate a steak from a cow that ate some of their grains.  I speculated that whiskey grains made the cows happy, but I suppose that is just a bit of fantasy on my part.

I tasted a blended whisky, a rye (making reference to “good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye”), bourbon, and some single malt.  I like them all!  I am not much of a booze hound these days, being more of a winer (and and regular readers know, something of a whiner), but I got a bottle of the blended whiskey.  It will make for some good hot toddies if I get hit with a cold.  Or if I just feel like having a hot toddy.  Maybe a shot in a cup of coffee.  Or just on the rocks.  Oh dear, maybe I will become a booze hound after all!  Don’t worry: I won’t drink and drive!

I may, however, take a drive to Cooperstown Distillery (preview of coming attractions).  There are a few other things in Cooperstown I could check out.

 

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Late Post, Even Later Pictures

Posted on September 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, the Mohawk Valley wasn’t lame yesterday, but I pretty much was.  I was afraid the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival would be too much of a crowd scene, so I stayed close to home.  I did a little yard word and discovered I have another Rose of Sharon growing some distance from the original bush, and it has a few blooms on it!  I meant to take a picture for inclusion here but, alas, forgot.  I could do it now, but the sun isn’t up yet.

The crown scene in 2018.

As for cleaning the house, I made very little progress.  I managed to write my usual Saturday post cards and walked them to the post office.

A regular stop for me.

Yes, the only picture I could find in my Media Library of Herkimer’s post office was in the wintertime, January 2019 to be exact, and it took me long enough to find that.  Anyways, after the post office I kept walking.  For one reason, I had not gone running (will I go running today?  Good question).  For another, I was low on cash, and Cliff’s Local Market (might as well give them a shout-out too; they are locally owned) has an AmeriCU ATM.  From there it was little trouble to cross the street and enjoy another tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  They usually have them from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Full disclosure: this is not what I tasted yesterday.

This is another photo from a previous event, but at least it is more recent than my previous pictures.  Additionally, it give me a chance to give another shout-out to one of my favorite local businesses, DikinDurt Distillery.

I guess this turned out to be a less lame blog post than I expected (or do I flatter myself?).  And I feel I should appreciate whatever I manage to get done these days.  Will I have any bloggable Mohawk Valley Adventures today?  Hard to say.  It is, after all, Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  But I do hope to make a blog post, and I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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Love That DikinDurt!

Posted on August 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I used to make it to all the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  It was a great way to start and to continue the weekend.  These days I am not so consistent, but when a great local producer like DikinDurt Distillery is tasting, I am there!

I arrived early and stood chatting with the guys behind the counter, hastening to get out of the way when I noticed someone wanted to make a purchase.  This is my problem with living alone:  I go all day with only myself to talk to.  This is not easy for an incurably social person such as myself.  I went on to some good conversation with Kayla, who was pouring.

She was really nice.

For hard liquor they are allowed to give you three regular tastes or six itty bitty tastes.  I went for three regular tastes, starting with the bourbon.  I have never been fond of bourbon, but lately at tastings, I have found a few I liked.  I really liked the DikinDurt stuff.  I suppose my tastes are changing in my old age.  That should keep things interesting.  I went on  to the Toasted Maple Moonshine, which I have previously liked quite a bit.  This time it tasted sweet to me.  Kayla pointed out that it doesn’t taste so sweet after the berry-infused flavors.  Quite true, of course.

I ended with Mohawk Valley Fire, and my tasting note is, “Oh yeah!”  I am constantly recommending this to people drinking Fireball.  Kayla recommended mixing it with apple cider and a splash of apple juice for an Apple Pie drink.  I know some people who would love something like that.  For myself, I will probably use it to flavor some iced coffee one afternoon.  I love a glass of iced coffee on a summer afternoon!

Kayla also suggested I visit DikinDurt’s tasting room in Newport, which is open Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 9 p.m..  I have been meaning to do this, especially as there are a few other places in Newport that are worth a stop.  I just do so little adventuring on my own these days.  Perhaps it is time to change that.

 

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I Take a Taste

Posted on July 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I started out my weekend the way I always used to, by stopping in at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY for a tasting.  I no longer make it every weekend, but this past Friday, it was Hazlitt Winery.  I had to support a New York State Winery!

I have been to Hazlitt a number of times, most memorably in (I think) 2003 when my late, beloved husband Steve and I went on our first wine tasting tour in the Finger Lakes.  Wow, that was a long time ago!  I have learned a little bit about wine since then.  Not a lot, of course; my ultimate accolade is still “Yummy.”  One thing I have learned is that you might as well take a taste, because you never know.

I make friends at these tastings!

The gentleman pouring was Connor Hennessy (one of the all time great names).  I have met him before and perhaps included him in the blog (too lazy to go back and check).  I started with White Stag, a sweet table wine. I found it tasty.  I am not a fan of sweet wines, but I do enjoy a taste now and then.  If somebody was serving this at a dinner party, I might take a small glass.

I went on to try the Peach Mango and Strawberry Watermelon.  Yum!  I liked the Peach Mango best.  It was sweet but not too sweet.  We discussed how it would be good on a hot day, perhaps over ice or in a wine slushy.  I know wine slushies are very popular these days, although I have never had one.

I finished up on the Red and White Sangria.  The Red was the sweetest of the day, but I did not think the White was too sweet (it was sweet, it just wasn’t too sweet).  I still prefer a drier wine, but I may pick up one of these when I am entertaining and want a variety of tastes available.

It was an enjoyable interlude.  I enjoyed chatting with Connor and hope to see him again.  Valley Wine and Liquor holds tastings almost every weekend. You can check out the schedule at http://shopvalleywine.com.

 

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Once Again, I Hope to Break a Lame

Posted on March 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to further interrupt my bout of All Prescription: Murder All The Time for a Lame Post Friday post, but I fear it will be a Blogger’s Sick Day as well.  What a headache I am getting all of a sudden!  On the brighter side, it is more lightheadedness than pain.  Let us by all means count our blessings.  A nap did not help.  Perhaps some coffee?

Picture to denote passage of time while I put on a little coffee.

I have only gone over my lines once so far today.  That does not seem like enough.  Oh dear.

Picture to denote passage of time while I look over my lines one more time.

I just looked over my lines again, but I am not sure it did me any good.  However, it seems the coffee is ready.  I did not put a picture to denote passage of time while I got a cup (I think it is funny when I do that, but perhaps I flatter myself).  The picture is me at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer at one of their tastings. The pourer often has to take a picture to show their boss that they are so pouring samples.  I always let them take mine, cheese-eating grin and all (only I don’t say cheese) (see what I did there?).

I just wore that skirt yesterday. The slippers are worn out.

The coffee is steadying my nerves as well as helping my headache.  Or perhaps it is getting the blog post done that helps.  However, I am still a bundle of nerves, seeing as tonight is opening night for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) (perhaps you read some of my blog posts about it).  I encourage myself with a rehearsal shot from one of my stage triumphs, The Busy Body, which ILT put on some years ago. You may think I am flattering myself by saying “stage triumph,” but everybody said I was very successful in the part.

In any case, I have rattled on for over 300 words.  I had better make sure I have done everything I need to do to get ready for tonight.  I’m sure it will be fun.

 

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Before Dinner Lame

Posted on February 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

It looks like I have made it to another Lame Post Friday.  It only remains to be seen (does that sound like I am looking at a dead body?  Asking for a friend) whether or not I can finish the post ON Friday.  Friends are picking me up for dinner in less than an hour.  I usually do not take so long to make a blog post, especially a lame one such as I contemplate making this evening.

Watching for my friends?

This picture did not turn out as nicely as I had hoped.  It is my Elliott Ghoul and Godzilla looking out the window.  I caught sight of them as I came down the stairs one day and thought Godzilla looked so cute, I had to take a picture.  Full disclosure:  It is not actually Godzilla.  It is just some dinosaur that I think my late husband Steve or I won in a claw machine some time ago.  However, since I like to make him dance around while I sing the Blue Oyster Cult song that goes, “History shows again and again how nature points up the folly of me-en… Go, go, Godzilla!” I feel free to call him Godzilla.

A cool guy pouring good booze.

And here is a unused photo from a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY, of which I have a few.  I really meant to write about this one, because it was stuff from a New York State distillery.  Perhaps I still can, but not today.  For one reason, I have to make sure I have time to get ready to go and watch for my friends.  I really can’t count on Elliott and Godzilla to let me know when they are here.

However, I see I am approaching 300 words, which is very nice for a Lame Post Friday post.  If only I could think of a clever headline, my life would be perfect!

Oh well, I guess nothing is perfect.

 

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We Interrupt this Christmas Celebration for a Blog Post

Posted on December 26, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been off WordPress since, I believe, Christmas Eve Eve (of COURSE I am too lazy to go back and check).  I just typed in some 600 words about my parents’ house, coffee, tea, and the 21st century.  It needs editing.  I must say it is rather a joy to be composing at the keyboard.  I have not even had a pen and paper in front of me in a number of days.  I do not recommend fasting from writing.  It feels good to get back at it, but I believe it would have felt better never to have stopped.

Here’s a festive lady!

No, I have not been away from the blog due to excessive consumption of wine, although those who know me may be forgiven for thinking so.  I merely wanted to put in a Christmasy picture, and this is one I have not yet used. It is Lisa from Adirondack Winery pouring for a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY recently.  I walked down specifically to see her.  She is there on a regular basis, and we have become friends.  I told her all my Christmas-related drama, and she told me some fun stories of her day job (she works in the school system).  I had to take a picture of her seasonal outfit.

Still jingling all the way!

These slippers, a gift from my late husband Steven, made another appearance, as did the fun socks.  I am Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, as the song goes (I love that song).  This is, as you may have guessed, another placeholder post, to keep my hand (fingers, really) in as a blogger (keep my finger in the blogger pie?  Mmmm…. pie!).  I need to begin my celebration of Boxing Day, or the Feast of Stephen, or perhaps Second Christmas (you know, like Second Breakfast).  More blog posts to follow!  Eventually.

 

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Jim Beaming

Posted on October 12, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I often go to the weekly tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY but have not made a blog post about them in a while.  Yesterday (Friday; yes I am making my Friday post late, but for once I hope it will not be Lame) I had a nice time sipping Jim Beam and chatting, so I thought I would make a blog post about it.

I was actually out for a walk, bringing a notebook and adventure book with me, because I did not know where I might end up. I had vague thoughts of stopping by Valley but since I did not want to purchase anything heavy I would have to carry, I hesitated. I stopped at Cliff’s to get some cash out of the ATM.  Could I cross the street to the liquid store (as a niece referred to such stores when she was four)?  A car stopped and waved me across.  What else could I do?

She was great!

Caroline, the pourer, was happy to see me, remembering me from other tastings.  She likes that I take notes about what I taste.  I always chat up the person pouring; it is one of the sociable things I enjoy.

I started with a mixture Caroline had made with 1 1/2 parts Honey Jim Beam, 4 parts lemonade, a splash of club soda and lime.  It was very tasty and refreshing.  It would make a good punch to serve at a party.  I moved on to tasking the flavored product straight.

The Jim Beam Fire was not as hot as I had expected but flavorful with a cinnamon taste.  The Jim Beam Vanilla was delightful.  Caroline said that was everybody’s favorite.  The Jim Beam Sunshine Blend tasted more like a straight whiskey to me; if you prefer unflavored spirits, this would be the one for you.  The Jim Beam Apple was, well, apple-y.

For anybody tsk-tsking me because I got free tastes but didn’t purchase anything, I intend to return the Valley Wine and Liquor today and buy something.  Will I get there at the time of the Saturday tasting?  Perhaps I will.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.

 

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