|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 9, 2015 9:55:34 GMT -5
My wife and I have a date night this Saturday. Are we going to spend it shopping for family and children? No, we're gonna go stock up at the local booze emporium, my new favorite Holiday tradition.
|
|
|
|
Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Dec 9, 2015 10:03:46 GMT -5
My wife and I have a date night this Saturday. Are we going to spend it shopping for family and children? No, we're gonna go stock up at the local booze emporium, my new favorite Holiday tradition. You two are my kind of people! |
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Dec 9, 2015 10:18:55 GMT -5
I've got a higher-shelf whisky-a-day advent calendar this year than the one we did last year, and oh man was it worth the investment. So far our favorite has been the Smooth Ambler Contradiction (which is a great big weird party in your mouth), but we've still got miles to go before we sleep. Man, advent is so much better now that we get booze every day from it! Will you adopt me |
|
|
|
Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Dec 9, 2015 10:29:41 GMT -5
HA! Of course! Although I should note that we're splitting the whisky-a-day bottles three ways as it is. You get a 30mL (about 1 oz) bottle behind each window, so between the three of us we get exactly two sips each. Adopting you will stretch our whisky calendar pretty thin...  |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Howard Voice on Dec 9, 2015 11:41:03 GMT -5
HA! Of course! Although I should note that we're splitting the whisky-a-day bottles three ways as it is. You get a 30mL (about 1 oz) bottle behind each window, so between the three of us we get exactly two sips each. Adopting you will stretch our whisky calendar pretty thin... TWO whisky calendars |
|
|
|
Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Dec 11, 2015 11:30:10 GMT -5
Latest excited report from our whisky advent calendar: Compass Box's Peat Monster. So, so, so good. I am not one of those fancy-schmancy tasters who can sip a spirit and be all "I taste notes of banana, marjoram, and an overtone of cat kibble...", so my report on this is a bit clunky. When we first pulled the bottle from the calendar box we were dismayed -- it was almost a clear liquid, and the nose on it was... well, to put it politely, nail polish remover-y. Really acrid and off-putting at first. And the name "Peat Monster" spake of some kind of peat arms race like the hops-for-hops-sake IPAs that are such a beer turn-off for us. There was some discussion of not trying this one at all. But then that first sip... holy shitballs, you guys. Somehow this glass of what appeared to be just ethanol was actually unbelievably smooth and inviting, almost welcoming. It tasted like a dark winter's morning, where the world is silent and still with woodsmoke in the air, but also cozy and brisk and clear. And then the finish went on for ages. I was still enjoying the finish almost half an hour later, and I'd only had two sips. It wasn't even monstrously smoky or peaty or anything. Yes, it was huge, but it was a balanced hugeness, not at all sweet, a little bit spicy, a little bit hot, and wholly epic. I loved this so much.
|
|
Smacks
Shoutbox Elitist 
Smacks from the Dead
Posts: 2,904 
|
Post by Smacks on Dec 11, 2015 13:47:57 GMT -5
Latest excited report from our whisky advent calendar: Compass Box's Peat Monster. So, so, so good. I am not one of those fancy-schmancy tasters who can sip a spirit and be all "I taste notes of banana, marjoram, and an overtone of cat kibble...", so my report on this is a bit clunky. When we first pulled the bottle from the calendar box we were dismayed -- it was almost a clear liquid, and the nose on it was... well, to put it politely, nail polish remover-y. Really acrid and off-putting at first. And the name "Peat Monster" spake of some kind of peat arms race like the hops-for-hops-sake IPAs that are such a beer turn-off for us. There was some discussion of not trying this one at all. But then that first sip... holy shitballs, you guys. Somehow this glass of what appeared to be just ethanol was actually unbelievably smooth and inviting, almost welcoming. It tasted like a dark winter's morning, where the world is silent and still with woodsmoke in the air, but also cozy and brisk and clear. And then the finish went on for ages. I was still enjoying the finish almost half an hour later, and I'd only had two sips. It wasn't even monstrously smoky or peaty or anything. Yes, it was huge, but it was a balanced hugeness, not at all sweet, a little bit spicy, a little bit hot, and wholly epic. I loved this so much. Beautiful description. Made me miss my days of being able to go sit at the whiskey bar and do flights. |
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on Dec 11, 2015 15:04:35 GMT -5
Hey guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good mixing and/or sipping rum that's not your standard Bacardi/Mt. Gay/Appleton fare? Of all the main spirits, finding good rum in your run of the mill liquor store is by far the hardest. You can so find so many more artistinal options for whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, gins et al in often mass quantities but finding a good quality new world spirit such as rum can be difficult and that is quite odd to me. Would love to find some Martinique rhum or richer South American rums but so far my efforts have been frustrated. Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ron Howard Voice on Dec 11, 2015 15:11:59 GMT -5
Hey guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good mixing and/or sipping rum that's not your standard Bacardi/Mt. Gay/Appleton fare? Of all the main spirits, finding good rum in your run of the mill liquor store is by far the hardest. You can so find so many more artistinal options for whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, gins et al in often mass quantities but finding a good quality new world spirit such as rum can be difficult and that is quite odd to me. Would love to find some Martinique rhum or richer South American rums but so far my efforts have been frustrated. Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. I like darker rums, so bear that in mind as you peruse these suggestions. - Flor de Cana ($15 but punches above its weight) - Ron Zacapa (may be hard to find in a smaller market) - Papas Pilar (makes a killer old-fashioned) |
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on Dec 11, 2015 15:20:51 GMT -5
Hey guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good mixing and/or sipping rum that's not your standard Bacardi/Mt. Gay/Appleton fare? Of all the main spirits, finding good rum in your run of the mill liquor store is by far the hardest. You can so find so many more artistinal options for whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, gins et al in often mass quantities but finding a good quality new world spirit such as rum can be difficult and that is quite odd to me. Would love to find some Martinique rhum or richer South American rums but so far my efforts have been frustrated. Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. I like darker rums, so bear that in mind as you peruse these suggestions. - Flor de Cana ($15 but punches above its weight) - Ron Zacapa (may be hard to find in a smaller market) - Papas Pilar (makes a killer old-fashioned) Thanks a lot. I have yet to see Flor de Cana or Papas Pilar around here, disappointingly. I have, however, read a great deal of praise for Flor de Cana and it's probably at the top of my list of rums to try. Fortunately, I have seen Ron Zacapa around here, had read some of the reviews online and the reviewers seemed mixed on its high levels of sweetness but it does look immensely intriguing to me. Honestly, I'm willing to try anything at this point, so as long as it's pleasing to the palate and does not have that wrenching burn of a cheaply distilled Bacardi white. |
|
Baron von Costume
TI Forumite
Like an iron maiden made of pillows... the punishment is decadence!
Posts: 4,683 
|
Post by Baron von Costume on Dec 11, 2015 15:39:32 GMT -5
Whiskey a day Advent Calendars sound amazing... man I hate our booze laws sometimes (always)
Lately it's been:
Cherry Bastard Bourbon Smashes (omit mint, add a cherry and a dollop of homemade sour cherry liqueur)
Old Fashioneds (Got some awesome orange bitters last time I was in the states
Negronis
Sour Cherry Singapore Slings
More rarely but still occasionally nice:
Eagle's Dream (lemon, gin, violet liqueur, egg white)
|
|
Baron von Costume
TI Forumite
Like an iron maiden made of pillows... the punishment is decadence!
Posts: 4,683
|
Post by Baron von Costume on Dec 11, 2015 15:42:07 GMT -5
Hey guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good mixing and/or sipping rum that's not your standard Bacardi/Mt. Gay/Appleton fare? Of all the main spirits, finding good rum in your run of the mill liquor store is by far the hardest. You can so find so many more artistinal options for whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, gins et al in often mass quantities but finding a good quality new world spirit such as rum can be difficult and that is quite odd to me. Would love to find some Martinique rhum or richer South American rums but so far my efforts have been frustrated. Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. Sadly I imagine recommending Havana Club 7 isn't quite helpful yet? If you're looking for something darker I kind of love Gosling's Bermuda Rum |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Howard Voice on Dec 11, 2015 15:49:05 GMT -5
Hey guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good mixing and/or sipping rum that's not your standard Bacardi/Mt. Gay/Appleton fare? Of all the main spirits, finding good rum in your run of the mill liquor store is by far the hardest. You can so find so many more artistinal options for whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, gins et al in often mass quantities but finding a good quality new world spirit such as rum can be difficult and that is quite odd to me. Would love to find some Martinique rhum or richer South American rums but so far my efforts have been frustrated. Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. Sadly I imagine recommending Havana Club 7 isn't quite helpful yet? If you're looking for something darker I kind of love Gosling's Bermuda Rum Oh yeah! I believe Gosling's is the standard rum for Dark & Stormies? |
|
Baron von Costume
TI Forumite
Like an iron maiden made of pillows... the punishment is decadence!
Posts: 4,683
|
Post by Baron von Costume on Dec 11, 2015 16:22:11 GMT -5
Sadly I imagine recommending Havana Club 7 isn't quite helpful yet? If you're looking for something darker I kind of love Gosling's Bermuda Rum Oh yeah! I believe Gosling's is the standard rum for Dark & Stormies? Yep! My parents brought back a bunch of bottles and some bermuda ginger syrup when they went there a number of years back. Have tried to always have a bottle around since. |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Howard Voice on Dec 11, 2015 20:26:53 GMT -5
I like darker rums, so bear that in mind as you peruse these suggestions. - Flor de Cana ($15 but punches above its weight) - Ron Zacapa (may be hard to find in a smaller market) - Papas Pilar (makes a killer old-fashioned) Thanks a lot. I have yet to see Flor de Cana or Papas Pilar around here, disappointingly. I have, however, read a great deal of praise for Flor de Cana and it's probably at the top of my list of rums to try. Fortunately, I have seen Ron Zacapa around here, had read some of the reviews online and the reviewers seemed mixed on its high levels of sweetness but it does look immensely intriguing to me. Honestly, I'm willing to try anything at this point, so as long as it's pleasing to the palate and does not have that wrenching burn of a cheaply distilled Bacardi white. I mentioned this post to some real-life friends who love rum, and they said of Ron Zacapa, "he has all he needs. That's the good stuff." |
|
|
|
Post by rimjobflashmob on Dec 11, 2015 21:06:44 GMT -5
Went to the SO's work holiday party last night and loaded up on some weird cocktail with sage-infused bourbon, grapefruit juice, lime, and house sour. It was damn delicious, and after popping several ibuprofen this morning I can safely say I do not regret having five of them (oops).
|
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on Dec 11, 2015 23:18:04 GMT -5
Thanks a lot. I have yet to see Flor de Cana or Papas Pilar around here, disappointingly. I have, however, read a great deal of praise for Flor de Cana and it's probably at the top of my list of rums to try. Fortunately, I have seen Ron Zacapa around here, had read some of the reviews online and the reviewers seemed mixed on its high levels of sweetness but it does look immensely intriguing to me. Honestly, I'm willing to try anything at this point, so as long as it's pleasing to the palate and does not have that wrenching burn of a cheaply distilled Bacardi white. I mentioned this post to some real-life friends who love rum, and they said of Ron Zacapa, "he has all he needs. That's the good stuff." So, I ended up getting Mt. Gay Eclipse instead because $$$ became a sudden issue. I feel like such a failure. But anyways, I did mix it with mango juice, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, orange bitters, lime juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer. And my evening turned out to be fine. Still wish I had gotten a better rum, but will rectify this mistake next payday. Thanks for all your help anyways. |
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on Dec 20, 2015 0:21:49 GMT -5
Fellow Cocktailians, I'm currently enjoying The Last Word.
It might just be the finest gin cocktail in the universe.
Also, a great usage of Green Chartreuse and Maraschino Liqueur.
A perfect balance of sweet, herbal, and citrusy flavors.
Smooth to the lip, full of warmth, complexity. and a jazzy soul.
Makes me want to put on Sade and lose myself to the dulcet tones of Smooth Operator.
|
|
GumTurkeyles
AV Clubber
$10 down, $10 a month, don't you be a turkey
Posts: 3,065
|
Post by GumTurkeyles on Jan 4, 2016 8:42:32 GMT -5
Fellow Cocktailians, I'm currently enjoying The Last Word. It might just be the finest gin cocktail in the universe. Also, a great usage of Green Chartreuse and Maraschino Liqueur. A perfect balance of sweet, herbal, and citrusy flavors. Smooth to the lip, full of warmth, complexity. and a jazzy soul. Makes me want to put on Sade and lose myself to the dulcet tones of Smooth Operator. And now do yourself a favor and swap out the gin for mezcal. I think that's called the Ultima Palabra (last word in spanish). I saw a drink recipe which I recreated (couldn't remember the exact portions) that is Mezcal, Chartreuse, Benedictine, and orange bitters, with a grapefruit peel. The version I made is quite delightful, though after tasting benedictine, I wonder if that and chartreuse are overkill of the same flavor. |
|
|
|
Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Jan 8, 2016 15:47:26 GMT -5
I made my very first Old-Fashioned last night! It was delicious and I think I like it better than my usual Manhattan.
|
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on Jan 29, 2016 22:38:27 GMT -5
Fellow Cocktailians, I'm currently enjoying The Last Word. It might just be the finest gin cocktail in the universe. Also, a great usage of Green Chartreuse and Maraschino Liqueur. A perfect balance of sweet, herbal, and citrusy flavors. Smooth to the lip, full of warmth, complexity. and a jazzy soul. Makes me want to put on Sade and lose myself to the dulcet tones of Smooth Operator. And now do yourself a favor and swap out the gin for mezcal. I think that's called the Ultima Palabra (last word in spanish). I saw a drink recipe which I recreated (couldn't remember the exact portions) that is Mezcal, Chartreuse, Benedictine, and orange bitters, with a grapefruit peel. The version I made is quite delightful, though after tasting benedictine, I wonder if that and chartreuse are overkill of the same flavor. It's funny you should mention this because I'm having a Ultima Palabra right now. I got some extremely good single estate Mezcal (Alipus San Andres) earlier tonight and it's sublime, rich, smoky, pure agave bite is harmonizing wonderfully with the Green Chartreuse and Maraschino. It wasn't cheap, but man this is bliss. I hope everyone is enjoying their Friday night with some tasty libations. Praise be to Dionysus. |
|
|
|
Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Jan 30, 2016 12:37:28 GMT -5
I recently made a white Russian with peppermint vodka and vanilla Kahlua. It was damn delicious. I don't normally go for sweet drinks, but I think the peppermint really cut through the richness of the other ingredients. It tasted like a fancy coffee, almost.
|
|
|
|
Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Feb 1, 2016 11:04:27 GMT -5
At brunch yesterday I had a cocktail that was gin, lemon, and the restaurant's housemade tea blend of pumpkin seeds, pistachios, and tarragon. On paper, this drink made no sense. In practice it was sublime. Sweet and light with a deft touch, citrusy and fresh, with a little bit of a nutty, herbal, earthy lingeringness to it. It was a really warm day for winter, and I had the cocktail with a salad of tender baby greens, and the whole thing conspired to make me feel like the world was made of springtime sunshine.
|
|
GumTurkeyles
AV Clubber
$10 down, $10 a month, don't you be a turkey
Posts: 3,065
|
Post by GumTurkeyles on Feb 19, 2016 12:25:32 GMT -5
This video is currently making the rounds.
I think she could have saved steps and just added the sugar cube, orange, and bitters to the bottle.
|
|
dＬᵒ
Prolific Poster 
𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝓦𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓸𝓵 𝓨𝓮𝓽?
Posts: 4,533
|
Post by dＬᵒ on Feb 21, 2016 6:56:40 GMT -5
luckypeach.com/recipes/momofuku-bloody-mary/Made this (sans sriracha) recently because I had most of the stuff, and was wondering what I was going to do with a can of tomato juice I found in the back of the pantry. Usually I'm not impressed with bloody Mary's because they seem to lack something, but this was great because it had a subtly sweet and smoky taste that felt fuller.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Feb 21, 2016 12:19:50 GMT -5
Aviation Cocktails.My stupid iphone cocktail app failed me and didn't list creme de violette, so I left it out, even though I could have sworn it was supposed to be in there and I should have known better. But I was pressed for time and followed the recipe. It was good enough, but now I am pissed I left it out. I garnished it with my candied cherries, which I now have to chip out of the solidified sugar syrup they are sitting in and has crystallized into a near solid block.
|
|
|
|
Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Feb 21, 2016 13:44:12 GMT -5
Aviation Cocktails.My stupid iphone cocktail app failed me and didn't list creme de violette, so I left it out, even though I could have sworn it was supposed to be in there and I should have known better. But I was pressed for time and followed the recipe. It was good enough, but now I am pissed I left it out. I garnished it with my candied cherries, which I now have to chip out of the solidified sugar syrup they are sitting in and has crystallized into a near solid block. That's crazy about your cherries! I'm so sorry they're being such assholes. You had me all worried about mine, but I'm not having the same problem. Yet. And dude, I love Aviations. SO MUCH. |
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Feb 21, 2016 14:00:28 GMT -5
Aviation Cocktails.My stupid iphone cocktail app failed me and didn't list creme de violette, so I left it out, even though I could have sworn it was supposed to be in there and I should have known better. But I was pressed for time and followed the recipe. It was good enough, but now I am pissed I left it out. I garnished it with my candied cherries, which I now have to chip out of the solidified sugar syrup they are sitting in and has crystallized into a near solid block. That's crazy about your cherries! I'm so sorry they're being such assholes. You had me all worried about mine, but I'm not having the same problem. Yet. And dude, I love Aviations. SO MUCH. I'm guessing I lost track of the sugar in the syrup mixture and it's too much. Maybe I will mix it with water when I make my next batch and thin it some more. |
|
dＬᵒ
Prolific Poster
𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝓦𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓸𝓵 𝓨𝓮𝓽?
Posts: 4,533
|
Post by dＬᵒ on Feb 22, 2016 14:38:18 GMT -5
pairesta maybe your cherries are like honey and just need a few seconds in the microwave to re-liquefy Although the idea of cherry flavored rock candy rimmed cocktail glass is sending me off into fantasy land.
|
|
|
|
Post by St. Sextquisite on May 14, 2016 0:16:34 GMT -5
I just realized this after browsing Instagram earlier today, but Friday the 13th is officially World Cocktail Day in celebration of the cocktail being first defined in print in The Balance & Colombian Repository in 1806. My oh my, does how time fly.
Needless to say, I thought that was pretty cool. And people were celebrating it. And I decided to celebrate, too. As luck would have it, I undertook a decent tax return-addled spirit shopping spree just this yesterday and thought it would be apt to make a celebratory cocktail with my assorted goods. ENJOY.
2 ou Clément Select Barrel Rhum Vieux Agricole (what an amazing, amazing rum--practically unlike any other rum I've yet tasted)
1/2 ou Bénédictine DOM (why is this so hard to find and yet B&B is so easy to find. EXPLAIN THIS TO ME SPIRIT INDUSTRY!)
1 ou fresh lime juice
2-3 dashes of rhubarb bitters
Shake with ice, strain into coupe, garnish with lime wheel.
HAPPY WORLD COCKTAIL DAY!
|
|
