Recently I discovered this defunct fellow bottom shelf troller. Good ole' Johnny Whiskey. Too bad the project was abandoned, the writing is gold:
start with the smell. old crow burns your nose and makes you sad that
you are going to drink it. there's really nothing in the way of yummy
whiskey smell -- just burny pain. and a hint of rich mahogany.*
Also if anyone knows of a BYOB Taco Bell let me know. I want to drink cheap white wine and eat Doritos Tacos Locos. Am willing to relocate.
Showing posts with label Whiskey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whiskey. Show all posts
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wolfhound Whiskey and other Irish ephemera
I recently picked up yet another Irish whiskey blend from the Cooley distillery. Wolfhound Irish whiskey. I think it is a good, standard Cooley blend. Nothing unusual from Cooley, somewhere between Irish Manor, Millar's, and Michael Collins. I like the price, it was discounted to 16.99. I also like the labeling. The wolfhound is the "gentle giant" (as the label declares), and the flavor is large but mellow. So it works. It is also classier than a lot of these blends. Like Feckin' or Danny Boy. It is also honest. It states on the label that it comes from the Cooley distillery. I would like to believe that this is the sort of bottling that will become a classic in time.
But it won't. Because Cooley was bought by Jim Beam, who is closing the spigot to third party bottlings. I understand the business decision behind it. I just wish this label would survive because I thought it was a timeless classic. Oh well.
Speaking of timeless classic Irish whiskey, Paddy Irish whiskey has lost distributorship in the US. So if you are like me and you love it, and you find a few bottles collecting dust on a shelf in a store somewhere, snatch them up. Who knows when Paddy will reach our shores again?
But it won't. Because Cooley was bought by Jim Beam, who is closing the spigot to third party bottlings. I understand the business decision behind it. I just wish this label would survive because I thought it was a timeless classic. Oh well.
Speaking of timeless classic Irish whiskey, Paddy Irish whiskey has lost distributorship in the US. So if you are like me and you love it, and you find a few bottles collecting dust on a shelf in a store somewhere, snatch them up. Who knows when Paddy will reach our shores again?
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The whiskey keeps rolling along
The last I heard from India was in 2010 when Officer's Choice whisky was supposed to emerge in US markets. So far as I know, nothing came of it. But now there is news of a second Indian whisky brand coming to America. United Breweries is said to be launching two brands in America: Royal Challenge whisky and Antiquity whisky. So far no sight of them, but this time it looks more promising. If I catch a bottle I will have a full report.
And in other whiskey news...
Previously I extolled the virtues of whiskey as medicine, but now you don't have to take my word for it. The oldest woman in Scotland, Janet Roberts, was 110. And? And she was the matriarch of one of the largest whisky families in the world. The graddaughter of the founder of Glenfiddich.
And? And a 105 year old woman drinks a sip of whisky a day for heath. And a 102 year old man has a glass of whiskey a day.
Hey, I'm not saying whiskey will make you live longer. Or that you should even drink whiskey. But we'll see who lives longer.
And in other whiskey news...
Previously I extolled the virtues of whiskey as medicine, but now you don't have to take my word for it. The oldest woman in Scotland, Janet Roberts, was 110. And? And she was the matriarch of one of the largest whisky families in the world. The graddaughter of the founder of Glenfiddich.
And? And a 105 year old woman drinks a sip of whisky a day for heath. And a 102 year old man has a glass of whiskey a day.
Hey, I'm not saying whiskey will make you live longer. Or that you should even drink whiskey. But we'll see who lives longer.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
2011: The Year that Was
2011 was full of great music, wasn't it? Let have a look at some of the great albums and bottles of booze that made this year so special.
Pallbearer - Demo. Big thanks to DSFCB for introducing me to my new favorite doom metal band. These kids are from somewhere in the deep south but damn if they don't sound like they are from England circa 1972. The lead singer sounds like a young Ozzy so much it is crazy.
And he knew there's no hope of redemption! Don't you want to cut your wrists listening to that? Amazing.
Last spring I listened to Pallbearer constantly and drank Canadian whisky. I enjoyed the 10 year version of Canadian Club. Delightful stuff, really. That was the spring, but moving on to the summer new jams were needed. And what a hot summer it was.
Jan Hammer - Crockett's theme. Felt hot like Miami this summer.
Just put it on repeat for a few hours. Maybe open a bottle of Soberano brandy. That was summer.
Summer was also a time of drinking bourbon and listening to Motorhead. The classic album March or Die was my soundtrack. For some reason it just fit.
In the thunder and heat! Makes me think of the 90s and being young and full of vim and wanting so bad to taste the sweeter things in life like booze and women. Sigh...good times. Speaking of bourbon, I found an old bottle of Ten High 10 and it was pretty good whiskey. Pretty cheap too. If I make it back to the ghetto anytime soon I'll stock up for sure.
Moving on, this next gem is probably the only album released in 2011 that I actually bought.
Mithras - Time Never Lasts EP
Solid Mithras. Enough said.
This was a good year for doom, wasn't it? I can't remember who introduced me to this gem, but thanks for hooking me up with Lycus!
Lycus - Demo. Another American doom demo? We must be on the cusp of a great American doom metal awakening.
Reminds me of Ahab in many ways.
And finally, this was another great year for Bach.
The Emerson String Quartet - The Art of the Fugue. This classic recording of Bach's 24 fugues from the Art of the Fugue is deft and wonderful. I prefer the previous album of Bach fugues simply titled Fugues, but this is still solid work.
Starting this summer I had this set of Gymnopedie by Satie on repeat for hours. Still do. For those quiet moments.
That's kind of the year in music for me. I didn't say it was the year in new music, because I am old and hate new things and there was very little new music worth hearing this year.
It was a good year for booze, particularly whiskey. I'm not one of those whiskey snobs, we keep it real around here. Real cheap. In fact I am working diligently on a formula and a philosophy for making beer as good and cheap as possible. Emphasis on cheap. The sort of thing you could do in your dorm room if you had a sink, a hot plate, and a mini fridge. Just don't forget to invite me to your next college party; I will show up with a fifth of whiskey and sit in the corner and drink and call people peasants and try to get in a fistfight with someone bigger than me. Cheers.
Pallbearer - Demo. Big thanks to DSFCB for introducing me to my new favorite doom metal band. These kids are from somewhere in the deep south but damn if they don't sound like they are from England circa 1972. The lead singer sounds like a young Ozzy so much it is crazy.
And he knew there's no hope of redemption! Don't you want to cut your wrists listening to that? Amazing.
Last spring I listened to Pallbearer constantly and drank Canadian whisky. I enjoyed the 10 year version of Canadian Club. Delightful stuff, really. That was the spring, but moving on to the summer new jams were needed. And what a hot summer it was.
Jan Hammer - Crockett's theme. Felt hot like Miami this summer.
Just put it on repeat for a few hours. Maybe open a bottle of Soberano brandy. That was summer.
Summer was also a time of drinking bourbon and listening to Motorhead. The classic album March or Die was my soundtrack. For some reason it just fit.
In the thunder and heat! Makes me think of the 90s and being young and full of vim and wanting so bad to taste the sweeter things in life like booze and women. Sigh...good times. Speaking of bourbon, I found an old bottle of Ten High 10 and it was pretty good whiskey. Pretty cheap too. If I make it back to the ghetto anytime soon I'll stock up for sure.
Moving on, this next gem is probably the only album released in 2011 that I actually bought.
Mithras - Time Never Lasts EP
Solid Mithras. Enough said.
This was a good year for doom, wasn't it? I can't remember who introduced me to this gem, but thanks for hooking me up with Lycus!
Lycus - Demo. Another American doom demo? We must be on the cusp of a great American doom metal awakening.
Reminds me of Ahab in many ways.
And finally, this was another great year for Bach.
The Emerson String Quartet - The Art of the Fugue. This classic recording of Bach's 24 fugues from the Art of the Fugue is deft and wonderful. I prefer the previous album of Bach fugues simply titled Fugues, but this is still solid work.
Starting this summer I had this set of Gymnopedie by Satie on repeat for hours. Still do. For those quiet moments.
That's kind of the year in music for me. I didn't say it was the year in new music, because I am old and hate new things and there was very little new music worth hearing this year.
It was a good year for booze, particularly whiskey. I'm not one of those whiskey snobs, we keep it real around here. Real cheap. In fact I am working diligently on a formula and a philosophy for making beer as good and cheap as possible. Emphasis on cheap. The sort of thing you could do in your dorm room if you had a sink, a hot plate, and a mini fridge. Just don't forget to invite me to your next college party; I will show up with a fifth of whiskey and sit in the corner and drink and call people peasants and try to get in a fistfight with someone bigger than me. Cheers.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Old Forester whiskey
I went to Costco and bought a 1.75 liter bottle of Old Forester whiskey for $9.95. This is 86 proof bourbon. So in terms of hobometrics, this is a buy. If it ends up tasting better than paint thinner it is a deal. So how good of a score was this?
Decent enough. There is a bit of harshness to it, a bitter flavor in the middle of the palate that does not mellow out by soaking in ice and dilution with water. The finish is rather thin as well. I'm no expert but possibly this is due to inferior wood in the aging? So this isn't exactly a sipping whiskey, but perfectly fine to mix with Coca Cola. And still a bargain at this price point. I'd rather have Old Fitzgerald but I'm not complaining; this stuff is silly cheap.
Decent enough. There is a bit of harshness to it, a bitter flavor in the middle of the palate that does not mellow out by soaking in ice and dilution with water. The finish is rather thin as well. I'm no expert but possibly this is due to inferior wood in the aging? So this isn't exactly a sipping whiskey, but perfectly fine to mix with Coca Cola. And still a bargain at this price point. I'd rather have Old Fitzgerald but I'm not complaining; this stuff is silly cheap.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Very Old Barton
I'll cut this right to the chase: Very Old Barton 100 proof bottled in bond bourbon. I paid 15 dollars and change for a fifth - including taxes. How does it taste? Good. Closest analogue? Old Fitzgerald. No strong rye kick like Old Grand-Dad, and an almost almondy nutty undertone. Definitely a buy.
Unrelated tangent: This song was in my head all week.
boy is that a terrible video!
Also this would be a good song if Dave didn't put so much crap production into the song. I now understand the pain of Android users with their "bloatwear". I hate to sound like grandpa creapo always drinking whiskey and yellin' "stripped down and raw" because that might give you nightmares about what I do to your grandma but holy hell Dave Mustaine is like some guy that buys those goddamn Thomas Kinkade plates.
Dave Mustaine's musical tastes in the form of a plate.
Wait what was I talking about? Oh yeah, simpler isn't always better but when it comes to producing Megadeth then yes.
Full disclosure, I actually bought a copy of The System Has Failed, the first Megadeth album I bought since Hidden Treasures. Man wasn't Go to Hell an awesome song?
Unrelated tangent: This song was in my head all week.
boy is that a terrible video!
Also this would be a good song if Dave didn't put so much crap production into the song. I now understand the pain of Android users with their "bloatwear". I hate to sound like grandpa creapo always drinking whiskey and yellin' "stripped down and raw" because that might give you nightmares about what I do to your grandma but holy hell Dave Mustaine is like some guy that buys those goddamn Thomas Kinkade plates.
Dave Mustaine's musical tastes in the form of a plate.
Wait what was I talking about? Oh yeah, simpler isn't always better but when it comes to producing Megadeth then yes.
Full disclosure, I actually bought a copy of The System Has Failed, the first Megadeth album I bought since Hidden Treasures. Man wasn't Go to Hell an awesome song?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Booze marketing: entry level price signaling
One curiosity I've observed is the tendency for entry level whiskey to follow a similar price pattern, and that is also true of some other boozes. The price pattern is as follows: entry level flagship whiskey is 20 dollars. From there the next highest iteration of the flagship brand increases in price and taste but other bottlings in the same genre have not clear price to taste relationship.
For example the flagship Scotch whisky is Johnnie Walker. The entry level bottling is the red label, which is 20-25 dollars a fifth. The black label is around 30 dollars for a fifth and is a step up in taste. Lesser blended Scotch whiskys can be had for lesser price. But equally good Scotches can be had for lesser price as well.
This pattern holds with American whiskies. The entry level flagship product is Jack Daniels at roughly 20 dollars a fifth. Irish whiskies the same, Jameson is about 20 dollars a fifth. The entry level flagship Canadian whisky is Crown Royal, again 20 dollars for a fifth. You can find just as good brands for lesser price: Old Fitzgerald, Irish Manor, Canadian Club are all less expensive but equally tasty for my money.
I have even observed this to be true of Spanish Brandy. The entry level flagship brand, Fundador, is 20 dollars for a fifth. Perhaps this is why Spanish brandy sells so poorly here. The flagship brand is not a solid brand, so it spoils the whole genre. Perhaps if Veterano were sold for 20 dollars a fifth it could displace Fundador as the flagship brand, and raise the whole genre of Spanish brandy? With the right distributor and marketing it could work, and would certainly raise the standard of cognate brands like Soberano.
So the question I have is why is it that 20 dollars for a fifth is the such an important price point for the entry level flagship whiskey?
For example the flagship Scotch whisky is Johnnie Walker. The entry level bottling is the red label, which is 20-25 dollars a fifth. The black label is around 30 dollars for a fifth and is a step up in taste. Lesser blended Scotch whiskys can be had for lesser price. But equally good Scotches can be had for lesser price as well.
This pattern holds with American whiskies. The entry level flagship product is Jack Daniels at roughly 20 dollars a fifth. Irish whiskies the same, Jameson is about 20 dollars a fifth. The entry level flagship Canadian whisky is Crown Royal, again 20 dollars for a fifth. You can find just as good brands for lesser price: Old Fitzgerald, Irish Manor, Canadian Club are all less expensive but equally tasty for my money.
I have even observed this to be true of Spanish Brandy. The entry level flagship brand, Fundador, is 20 dollars for a fifth. Perhaps this is why Spanish brandy sells so poorly here. The flagship brand is not a solid brand, so it spoils the whole genre. Perhaps if Veterano were sold for 20 dollars a fifth it could displace Fundador as the flagship brand, and raise the whole genre of Spanish brandy? With the right distributor and marketing it could work, and would certainly raise the standard of cognate brands like Soberano.
So the question I have is why is it that 20 dollars for a fifth is the such an important price point for the entry level flagship whiskey?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Booze reviews: Michael Collins and Ironic False Cognate
First I'd like to share my two cents on Michael Collins blended Irish whiskey. It was on sale for 20 bucks, so I bit. If you are familiar with The Tyrconnel or Irish Manor then the flavors in Michael Collins will be familiar. The same barley profile and lemony sweetness. It is very similar to Irish Manor. But it is not identical. The difference is in the finish, which has a large almost chocolately toffee flavor. It is, by my tongue, a rather long finish. If you find it for 20 bucks I'd consider that a buy. Also, they repackaged it in the traditional Cooley blend bottle, so it will now fit in your shelf where you store your booze.
Next up is Soberano. You see the word sober immediately, but it is a false cognate. Pan in Spanish is not a metal cooking thing, it is bread. False cognate. Likewise Soberano is not a sober dude, it is a Sovereign. And how does it taste? Surprisingly good, actually. It is smooth and sweet. I would rank the flavor profile close to the legendary Veterano. The price point was good as well, 13 dollars. Definitely a buy. Much better in both price and taste than Terry Centenario. Sad, because I wanted to like Terry. Happy because I have a new go-to Spanish Brandy. That bottle with the wacky netting...
Post Script: Posting is infrequent and will probably continue to be so. Life happens.
Next up is Soberano. You see the word sober immediately, but it is a false cognate. Pan in Spanish is not a metal cooking thing, it is bread. False cognate. Likewise Soberano is not a sober dude, it is a Sovereign. And how does it taste? Surprisingly good, actually. It is smooth and sweet. I would rank the flavor profile close to the legendary Veterano. The price point was good as well, 13 dollars. Definitely a buy. Much better in both price and taste than Terry Centenario. Sad, because I wanted to like Terry. Happy because I have a new go-to Spanish Brandy. That bottle with the wacky netting...
Post Script: Posting is infrequent and will probably continue to be so. Life happens.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The regional whiskey train keeps rollin'
The regional whiskey rocket is taking off. Blast off to booze city with the spirit of your own region. Today's flavor of home is from Arkansas, where whiskey is being distilled for the first time since prohibition.
"Young" bourbon is a particularly accurate description since it was aged just three to six months. The distillers refer to their process as "accelerated maturation techniques that includes small barrels and temperature cycling."
"Bourbon has a great southern tradition," said Phil Brandon, distillery owner and head distiller, "and we wanted to make our bourbon from native Arkansas grains and age the whiskey in small barrels coopered in Arkansas. It's the first Arkansas bourbon."
There you go. 24 bucks for a fifth of whiskey aged only a few months in oak. 24 bucks for the novelty of whiskey from Arkansas. Ehhh, maybe. I appreciate the sentiment of this regional whiskey. Maybe it will pan out in the end?
"Young" bourbon is a particularly accurate description since it was aged just three to six months. The distillers refer to their process as "accelerated maturation techniques that includes small barrels and temperature cycling."
"Bourbon has a great southern tradition," said Phil Brandon, distillery owner and head distiller, "and we wanted to make our bourbon from native Arkansas grains and age the whiskey in small barrels coopered in Arkansas. It's the first Arkansas bourbon."
There you go. 24 bucks for a fifth of whiskey aged only a few months in oak. 24 bucks for the novelty of whiskey from Arkansas. Ehhh, maybe. I appreciate the sentiment of this regional whiskey. Maybe it will pan out in the end?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Costco Files
Costco carries its own Kirkland signature bourbon. A cursory googling on the godmachine revealed no reviews or tasting notes. Is it any good? Well according to Costco's monthly magazine one Joe Butera from Newark, Delaware reports:
I read ["Costco introduces Kirkland Signature Bourbon", April 2011]. However, being a self-professed bourbon connoisseur, I was skeptical. I purchased a bottle and to my surprise was impressed by the quality and drinkability of the Kirkland bourbon.
Just to make sure I hadn't lost my taste buds, I invited two other bourbon drinkers over for a blind taste test. In all we tasted seven different bourbons, which included several premium, name brand, small batch bourbons; all three of us chose the Kirkland brand as the winner.
This bottle of Kirkland brand bourbon now occupies a space on the top shelf of my home bar.
So there you have it. Still no flavor profile. Is is a wheated bourbon, or does the mashbill favor rye? Or maybe a mostly barley backing. Old Grand Dad has a strong rye presence in the mash, which gives its famous bite. Other bourbons are sweeter with a wheat back. Still with this glowing endorsement from Costco's own publication how could I miss? So I just might bite the bullet and give Costco a swig. If so stay tuned for a review, including flavor profile. And if you, dear reader, pick up a bottle please let me know what you thought of the taste.
I read ["Costco introduces Kirkland Signature Bourbon", April 2011]. However, being a self-professed bourbon connoisseur, I was skeptical. I purchased a bottle and to my surprise was impressed by the quality and drinkability of the Kirkland bourbon.
Just to make sure I hadn't lost my taste buds, I invited two other bourbon drinkers over for a blind taste test. In all we tasted seven different bourbons, which included several premium, name brand, small batch bourbons; all three of us chose the Kirkland brand as the winner.
This bottle of Kirkland brand bourbon now occupies a space on the top shelf of my home bar.
So there you have it. Still no flavor profile. Is is a wheated bourbon, or does the mashbill favor rye? Or maybe a mostly barley backing. Old Grand Dad has a strong rye presence in the mash, which gives its famous bite. Other bourbons are sweeter with a wheat back. Still with this glowing endorsement from Costco's own publication how could I miss? So I just might bite the bullet and give Costco a swig. If so stay tuned for a review, including flavor profile. And if you, dear reader, pick up a bottle please let me know what you thought of the taste.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Are we in a whiskey bubble?
There was no doubt in my mind that vodka had become a craze. A mania. An extraordinary popular delusion. The crowds were mad for vodka. The proliferation of brands alone told me this. Crystal skull vodka. Black vodka. Quadruple distilled vodka. Expensive vodka. I mean who pays more than 40 dollars for grain neutral spirits anyways?
The whiskey renaissance, meanwhile, was producing new and interesting brands. Amrut Indian whisky is a solid entry in the new "Indian whisky" category. Rye whiskeys are coming back from near death with some solid brands. But then this caught my eye: St. George's English whisky. Sounds very exciting and promising indeed. But then to learn that the first batch that can be legally called whisky, merely 3 years old, has completely sold out. Has whiskey become a craze as well?
But there's more. There is the first whiskey produced in Chicago since prohibition, Lion's Pride. Again a very young whiskey selling for quite a lot (more than 40 dollars a fifth) for being two years old. Shouldn't your price be based on taste and not location?
I'm starting to get the impression that young men are watching Mad Men and drinking whiskey in large quantities because they want to be Don Draper. Funny digression: the Mad Men generation largely drank blended Scotch whisky and not the single malt Scotches that are popular among these pretentious young men.
So what do you think? Are these new whiskies part of the great whisky renaissance? Or is whisky starting to become a craze, a mania like vodka? A whisky bubble perhaps? And is that a bad thing?
The whiskey renaissance, meanwhile, was producing new and interesting brands. Amrut Indian whisky is a solid entry in the new "Indian whisky" category. Rye whiskeys are coming back from near death with some solid brands. But then this caught my eye: St. George's English whisky. Sounds very exciting and promising indeed. But then to learn that the first batch that can be legally called whisky, merely 3 years old, has completely sold out. Has whiskey become a craze as well?
But there's more. There is the first whiskey produced in Chicago since prohibition, Lion's Pride. Again a very young whiskey selling for quite a lot (more than 40 dollars a fifth) for being two years old. Shouldn't your price be based on taste and not location?
I'm starting to get the impression that young men are watching Mad Men and drinking whiskey in large quantities because they want to be Don Draper. Funny digression: the Mad Men generation largely drank blended Scotch whisky and not the single malt Scotches that are popular among these pretentious young men.
So what do you think? Are these new whiskies part of the great whisky renaissance? Or is whisky starting to become a craze, a mania like vodka? A whisky bubble perhaps? And is that a bad thing?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The long march of the whiskey renaissance continues
While we still sit in the midst of a vodka bubble, the long march of the whiskey renaissance continues. This time we check in with the Germans, who are trying to parlay their beer brewing and schnapps fermenting skills into a new whiskey tradition. You have to check in on those Germans every once in a while.
Bohn belongs to a group of around 40 malt-whisky makers in Germany, the most prominent of which are the Slyrs distillery in Bavaria and the Spreewald Brewery in Brandenburg. The Sloupisti single malt from the Spreewald Brewery was awarded the equivalent of an Oscar by the high priest of whisky, critic Jim Murray. He included it in the "superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live" section of the 2010 edition of his "Whisky Bible."
So there it is. I suppose it is not altogether surprising that the whiskey arts should find their way to the Germans, nor should it surprise that the Germans are meticulously honing their craft in said arts.
Bohn belongs to a group of around 40 malt-whisky makers in Germany, the most prominent of which are the Slyrs distillery in Bavaria and the Spreewald Brewery in Brandenburg. The Sloupisti single malt from the Spreewald Brewery was awarded the equivalent of an Oscar by the high priest of whisky, critic Jim Murray. He included it in the "superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live" section of the 2010 edition of his "Whisky Bible."
So there it is. I suppose it is not altogether surprising that the whiskey arts should find their way to the Germans, nor should it surprise that the Germans are meticulously honing their craft in said arts.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The spirits diffusion
So it looks like the wine boom across the US is starting to generate a brandy boom. The first step is to learn how to make a good product, which comes with time and experience. But they are laying the foundations in Wisconsin:
Wollersheim Winery, the state's largest winery, located in northwestern Dane County, has begun making brandy.
That's not all.
At the Door Peninsula Winery between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor, a distillery is part of a $1.5 million expansion project. The German still is scheduled to begin operation in May for the production of vodka, cherry vodka, gin, brandy and whiskey, said Rob Pollman, chief operating officer of the winery founded in 1974.
The craft spirits movement is taking root across America. In other news, Fortune Brands, which owns Jim Beam and various other liquor brands, is splitting off the liquor business. So while you might see consolidation, if say Diageo decides to buy it up, but also diffusion as new brands pop up. So it goes.
Wollersheim Winery, the state's largest winery, located in northwestern Dane County, has begun making brandy.
That's not all.
At the Door Peninsula Winery between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor, a distillery is part of a $1.5 million expansion project. The German still is scheduled to begin operation in May for the production of vodka, cherry vodka, gin, brandy and whiskey, said Rob Pollman, chief operating officer of the winery founded in 1974.
The craft spirits movement is taking root across America. In other news, Fortune Brands, which owns Jim Beam and various other liquor brands, is splitting off the liquor business. So while you might see consolidation, if say Diageo decides to buy it up, but also diffusion as new brands pop up. So it goes.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Regional treats
Yesterday I forgot to post the "regional treats" I mentioned in the header. Muh bad. Apparently there is a new Chicago whiskey:
The organic whiskey, named for the distiller's son, is aged in American oak barrels and comes in four different varieties: rye, oat, dark rye, and dark oat
Of course I won't be able to go to Chicago and have a drink and report. Fuck. I'm getting married that weekend. Also, I haven't researched to see if they are related but there is a new distillery in Evanston.
The organic whiskey, named for the distiller's son, is aged in American oak barrels and comes in four different varieties: rye, oat, dark rye, and dark oat
Of course I won't be able to go to Chicago and have a drink and report. Fuck. I'm getting married that weekend. Also, I haven't researched to see if they are related but there is a new distillery in Evanston.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
More Indian whisky and other regional treats
Maybe we were premature in declaring the 21st century to be the Chinese century. Maybe it is truly the Indian century. Another Indian whisky is looking to hit US shelves this year: Officer's Choice.
Guala cap!
I'm not sure what the officers are choosing. But there it is. I encourage you to go to the homepage and study it well. If hipsters get a hold of this everyone will be drinking "the OC". The amount of kitsch is perfect for the US market. Tasting reviews are non-existent, which is weird because there were loads of Amrut reviews before they hit the States. It is apparently a blend of "Indian malt spirits and the best selected Indian neutral spirits".
I'll keep an eye out for it and see if it the best Indian whisky I've ever had or only the second best Indian whisky I've ever had.
Guala cap!
I'm not sure what the officers are choosing. But there it is. I encourage you to go to the homepage and study it well. If hipsters get a hold of this everyone will be drinking "the OC". The amount of kitsch is perfect for the US market. Tasting reviews are non-existent, which is weird because there were loads of Amrut reviews before they hit the States. It is apparently a blend of "Indian malt spirits and the best selected Indian neutral spirits".
I'll keep an eye out for it and see if it the best Indian whisky I've ever had or only the second best Indian whisky I've ever had.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Whiskey review: Sunny Brook bourbon
I found a bottle of Sunny Brook bourbon at the liquor store. It was probably bottled in 86, based on the label. After Jim Beam/Fortune Brands bought National Distillers it was discontinued. So how does it taste?
It tastes a lot like the other two bottled in bond bourbons I've had. That would be Old Fitzgerald and Old Grand-dad. The taste is rather between the two. By the price, 11 dollars for a liter, I'd say it is a good deal.
It tastes a lot like the other two bottled in bond bourbons I've had. That would be Old Fitzgerald and Old Grand-dad. The taste is rather between the two. By the price, 11 dollars for a liter, I'd say it is a good deal.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Stay healthy
You may have heard Zakk Wylde's health problems require him to stop drinking.
"I mean, I’d drink beer while lifting weights. That’s Black Label Society style for you right there. But the doc told me if I kept this up, I’d be dead by the time I was 50. So I stopped drinking. No big deal.”
But what does Lemmy have to say?
Jack Daniels and coke. You know Jack Daniels was Sinatra's favorite drink. He drank a fifth a day and had a pack a day habit. Dead at age 82.
Editor's note: Jack Daniels is not bourbon
Why can Lemmy keep motoring on and Zakk can't? Maybe it is luck. Or it could just be the whiskey? I'm not a doctor, so don't interpret this in any way to be medical advice.
But I'll take my chances with the good medicine.
"I mean, I’d drink beer while lifting weights. That’s Black Label Society style for you right there. But the doc told me if I kept this up, I’d be dead by the time I was 50. So I stopped drinking. No big deal.”
But what does Lemmy have to say?
Jack Daniels and coke. You know Jack Daniels was Sinatra's favorite drink. He drank a fifth a day and had a pack a day habit. Dead at age 82.
Editor's note: Jack Daniels is not bourbon
Why can Lemmy keep motoring on and Zakk can't? Maybe it is luck. Or it could just be the whiskey? I'm not a doctor, so don't interpret this in any way to be medical advice.
But I'll take my chances with the good medicine.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Murphy's Irish Whiskey
I got on the train and rode down towards the industrial park. I wanted to see the old train depot. I read that the old stockyard is closed, but I wanted to see what was left of it. I also recall seeing a picture of cattle being unloaded in a stockyard in town. Maybe some of it is still open? Wouldn't that be a sight?
I walked past a steel factory and a steel barrel factory and decided to stop in the liquor store where I once found Veterano brandy and once came up empty handed. Well no Veterano, though there was some brandy from Eastern Europe. I think it was from Moldova. I realized I'd never had brandy from Eastern Europe. The label described exotic spices and I was for a moment imagining a gypsy camp outside of Budapest and a lady in a maroon scarf hands me a bottle from inside her dark green caravan...
Where was I? Ah yes, well they had some strange stuff but nothing as strange as the bottle of whiskey at the very end of the shelf. It was partially obscured by another shelf. There it was: Murphy's Irish Whiskey. At first I thought it was another new Cooley whiskey. But then I saw that the label was old. It said Cork distillery. That's where they make Paddy's. Well that's where they advertise as making Paddy's. All the IDL brands are from the New Midleton distillery, including Jameson, which is in county Cork and built in 1975.
The back label is merely instructions on how to make Irish coffee.
Web sleuthing has brought me to this discussion on the Irish Whiskey Society's forum. One individual claims that they stopped shipping it to America in '88. What? Does this liquor store have bottles of whiskey from a defunct brand that have sat about since the Reagan administration? Should I buy more? Inquiring minds want to know. There is one review online, don't know how old it is.
Well I'll drink some this weekend and let the mystery unfold.
I walked past a steel factory and a steel barrel factory and decided to stop in the liquor store where I once found Veterano brandy and once came up empty handed. Well no Veterano, though there was some brandy from Eastern Europe. I think it was from Moldova. I realized I'd never had brandy from Eastern Europe. The label described exotic spices and I was for a moment imagining a gypsy camp outside of Budapest and a lady in a maroon scarf hands me a bottle from inside her dark green caravan...
Where was I? Ah yes, well they had some strange stuff but nothing as strange as the bottle of whiskey at the very end of the shelf. It was partially obscured by another shelf. There it was: Murphy's Irish Whiskey. At first I thought it was another new Cooley whiskey. But then I saw that the label was old. It said Cork distillery. That's where they make Paddy's. Well that's where they advertise as making Paddy's. All the IDL brands are from the New Midleton distillery, including Jameson, which is in county Cork and built in 1975.
The back label is merely instructions on how to make Irish coffee.
Web sleuthing has brought me to this discussion on the Irish Whiskey Society's forum. One individual claims that they stopped shipping it to America in '88. What? Does this liquor store have bottles of whiskey from a defunct brand that have sat about since the Reagan administration? Should I buy more? Inquiring minds want to know. There is one review online, don't know how old it is.
Well I'll drink some this weekend and let the mystery unfold.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Phases
As May lumbers on, the Northlands heats up. Today is an exception; it is cold and rainy, but mostly warmer days are ahead. Now some people like to resist the seasons. Some people listen to tropical music during the cold dark days of winter and listen to some arctic music to cool down during the dog days of summ- no, they just turn on the air conditioner. Still, I can't abide tropical music in the winter, and I prefer to avoid outright cold music during the summer. Sorry Darkthrone and Ulver, you'll have to leave the ipod.
So what then? Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Now you have a few choices for what to drink with Villa-Lobos. Obviously, he knew how to live like a man. Shooting pool, smoking cigars, living large. You might immediately think rum, and for that I suggest you start with Rhum Barbancourt. Distilled in a pot still, aged in oak for 4 years, and still in the Captain Morgan pricerange. No cartoon character on the bottle, but very drinkable on its own. There are older vintages should you find yourself with the means and the thirst.
Now fine brandies are a delight, and if you can find it in a liquor store stateside, Osborne's Veterano is a very good brandy for the price. Quite frankly I have yet to find a New World brandy that is its equal and even remotely in the same price range.
I still can't recommend a true tropical whisky yet, as I have not yet had the pleasure of sampling. But I can tell you that Kentucky gets quite hot in the summer and stays fairly mild in the winter, and I'll stand by OGD against many premium brands.
Yes, I stay with the brown liquors. Honestly if you've ever smoked a good cigar you'll know why.
As for the music, I'll recommend all the Bachianas Brazilieras. They are a delight, even if some of them are less Bach than others. The string quartets are a mixed bag for me. Some of the later quartets are quite cerebral, a few seem to borrow melodies from each other, but I still give them a thumbs up overall.
Perhaps it is colored by my experience reading Old Man and the Sea with this playing, but I tend to see blue waters with this
It seems carefree, like a summer afternoon, but thick like the air in July.
As a tangential anecdote, I had a transcendental experience on a hot August night drinking Boonesfarm. I've never been so comfortable with the heat and humidity as with a refreshing drink and wearing a loose fitting rayon shirt. With this recipe I have learned to avoid the air conditioner all summer long. Maybe you'll find it beneficial as well?
So what then? Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Now you have a few choices for what to drink with Villa-Lobos. Obviously, he knew how to live like a man. Shooting pool, smoking cigars, living large. You might immediately think rum, and for that I suggest you start with Rhum Barbancourt. Distilled in a pot still, aged in oak for 4 years, and still in the Captain Morgan pricerange. No cartoon character on the bottle, but very drinkable on its own. There are older vintages should you find yourself with the means and the thirst.
Now fine brandies are a delight, and if you can find it in a liquor store stateside, Osborne's Veterano is a very good brandy for the price. Quite frankly I have yet to find a New World brandy that is its equal and even remotely in the same price range.
I still can't recommend a true tropical whisky yet, as I have not yet had the pleasure of sampling. But I can tell you that Kentucky gets quite hot in the summer and stays fairly mild in the winter, and I'll stand by OGD against many premium brands.
Yes, I stay with the brown liquors. Honestly if you've ever smoked a good cigar you'll know why.
As for the music, I'll recommend all the Bachianas Brazilieras. They are a delight, even if some of them are less Bach than others. The string quartets are a mixed bag for me. Some of the later quartets are quite cerebral, a few seem to borrow melodies from each other, but I still give them a thumbs up overall.
Perhaps it is colored by my experience reading Old Man and the Sea with this playing, but I tend to see blue waters with this
It seems carefree, like a summer afternoon, but thick like the air in July.
As a tangential anecdote, I had a transcendental experience on a hot August night drinking Boonesfarm. I've never been so comfortable with the heat and humidity as with a refreshing drink and wearing a loose fitting rayon shirt. With this recipe I have learned to avoid the air conditioner all summer long. Maybe you'll find it beneficial as well?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gaze Upon Me
Old Fashioned but still in style. Hey that sounds like me.
Head of the bourbon family. Respect!
The two towers
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