What distilled beverage are you drinking?

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Originally posted by BRR:

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Originally posted by mneeley490:
Went to a tasting at the 2bar distillery tonight. I already have a bottle of their bourbon, but tried their vodka and moonshine whiskey. Much smaller operation than I thought, considering the local press it's been generating, but have to say, both were top notch.

Good to know. Which would you buy if only buying one bottle?

Depends on what you are in to.
My vodka days are mostly behind me, but, as explained to me, vodka made before the 60's actually had some flavor to it. Unlike most vodkas today (unless they have some horrible, ungodly flavoring mixed in) which are distilled and filtered so many times they are nearly tasteless. 2Bar only filters it twice, so you can actually taste the grain in the product. It's quite interesting.
I'm not really qualified to judge moonshine, but their's was good, and I did not go blind.
I bought the bourbon, based mainly on recommendations by Seattle bartenders, and it's rarity. They haven't made much to date, but they are increasing production. It's aged 9 months in 15 gallon barrels, but it is more mature tasting than you might think. I don't think Pappy is running scared yet, but this is proof that decent bourbon can be made outside Kentucky.

Tomorrow, I'm off to SODO Spirits for a shochu tasting.

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Originally posted by BRR:

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Ardbeg - Corryvreckan

That's a big 'un.

It is indeed. Massive. The 115 proof and wall of peat is special.

My better half and I have a long standing joke about scotch from a visit to the Talisker distillery many years ago. After the tour there was a tasting during which we overhead a woman behind us tell her husband/boyfriend that Talisker was not a ladies drink. J laughed because she really likes Talisker. The other night when she tried the Corryvreckan, she pronounced that it was not for her in those same terms.

Macallan 12
Macallan Gold
Macallan Amber
Highland Park 12

Moscow Mule with Tito's Vodka.

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Originally posted by mangiare:
Macallan 12
Macallan Gold
Macallan Amber
Highland Park 12

Interesting lineup, what would be your ranking 1-4 ?

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Originally posted by steve8:

quote:

Originally posted by BRR:

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Ardbeg - Corryvreckan

That's a big 'un.

It is indeed. Massive. The 115 proof and wall of peat is special.

My better half and I have a long standing joke about scotch from a visit to the Talisker distillery many years ago. After the tour there was a tasting during which we overhead a woman behind us tell her husband/boyfriend that Talisker was not a ladies drink. J laughed because she really likes Talisker. The other night when she tried the Corryvreckan, she pronounced that it was not for her in those same terms.

lol
The Ardbegs are big in terms of peat, but they do have a touch of sweetness (for the ladies ? )that Talisker does not have. The big Taliskers, such as the 20yr Cask Strength, are Malts without compromise.
But ok, the Corryvreckan or Supernova stuff comes close.

Tried the Lagavulin Distiller's Edition and liked it. A bit restrained in comparison with the 16, but nice on its own merits.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
Tried the Lagavulin Distiller's Edition and liked it. A bit restrained in comparison with the 16, but nice on its own merits.

A little less pungent than the 16yr, but i think the big Lagavulin flavours combined with mighty PX Sherry wood makes for a fabulous symbiosis.

Yeah, that's what I said!

Evenstar Rosemary Shochu. Interesting stuff. You can drink it straight, or in mixed drinks. Basically anything you'd use vodka in, this could be a lower alcohol/calorie substitute.

Shochu ? Is that the same kind of beverage than Korean Soju ?

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Originally posted by MoselleLuxemburg:
Shochu ? Is that the same kind of beverage than Korean Soju ?

Similar, but not quite the same. As it was explained to me, Shochu uses a fungus called koji during the fermentation process (not so different from noble rot). This koji rounds off the rough edges of the alcohol, and gives it a smoother, sweeter flavor than sake or soju.
They tell me it's outselling sake in Japan, and is very popular with women watching their figures, and salarymen who want to drink on weeknights, but also be able to get up in the morning.
Some info here.

Knob Creek on the rocks.

- Templeton Rye

Taylor Cask Strength Bourbon last night.

SW
What did you think of the Taylor Cask Strength?
I have had the Small Batch EH Taylor and have a bottle of the Single Barrel that I have not yet opened.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Grey Goose martini, with a twist.

Barterhouse bourbon

Zapaca 23 Rum

Eve's Apple Moonshine Whiskey

Connemara cask strength, peated single malt Irish whiskey

Woody Creek Stobrawa vodka.

Stobrawa Potatoes grown on site (in Colorado) , everything else is from on site and distilled once in some pretty beautiful German stills.

I'm not a vodka connoisseur but holy moly that's good vodka. It has actual taste and amazing body.

(Full disclosure, the distillery manager is a very good friend. This did not colour the fact this is as good a vodka as I've ever had.)

Zacapa XO

A few bourbons while celebrating the KY Derby:
Woodford Reserve
1792 Ridgemont Reserve
Blanton's
Basil Hayden's
E.H. Taylor Small Batch
E.H. Taylor Single Barrel
E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Four Roses Single Barrel

Finished it off with a little Scotch:
Bruichladdich "The Laddies Ten

Finishing the evening with a nice Glass of Ardbeg 10 and a lovely Bolivar Habana.

I'm enjoying the first evening in Michigan since October when I could sit outside and not freeze my testicles off!

Jura 1977 Vintage ( + two drops off of an ice cube)

Yamazaki 12 Yr - Solid

Dalmore (no age listed)
Naked Grouse

Bulleit Rye Whiskey.

Green Spot Irish whiskey

barterhouse 20 yr bourbon

Hudson Baby Bourbon in Old Fashioned at new cocktail bar in town.

Bought a litre bottle of Remy Martin Cognac Reserve Cellar Selection Cellar No. 28 at airport duty-free. Not sure what the "Cellar No 28" is about, but it comes in a bottle very similar to their XO bottle. Tried it last night, and it's extremely smooth, lots of caramel notes, slightly sweet on the very long finish, just a touch medicinal. I would like to try this side-by-side with the XO some time, as I think they're probably quite similar.

Colonel EH Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon. Very enjoyable stuff but I think there are better bourbons out there at this one's price point.

Caol Ila "Smoke on the water" 1996/2008, special bottling for Whiskey live Verviers 2008
Cognac Pierre Ferrand "Selection des Anges"

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Originally posted by Redhawk:
Finishing the evening with a nice Glass of Ardbeg 10

Not an avid Scotch drinker but the smokey peaty nature of Ardbeg appeals to me.

Georgian Bay Gin. Terrific with soda and lemon.

Zafra 21...excellent

Havana Club Selección de Maestros.

Just marvelous. Thanks to my generous friends who guarded this bottle!!

PH

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Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Havana Club Selección de Maestros.

Just marvelous. Thanks to my generous friends who guarded this bottle!!

PH

One of my favorites!