What distilled beverage are you drinking?

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
Hendricks...chilled...2 olives...bottle of vermouth open in other room.

Very nice.

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
Hendricks...chilled...2 olives...bottle of vermouth open in other room.

Lovely summertime beverage. I find the Hendricks+olives combo a tiny bit jumbled, flavor-wise. Not bad, just a lot of strong flavors at once. I tend to go garnish-free on my Hendricks, and, as you wisely note, that includes Vermouth.

I usually wet my glass with vermouth then pour it out... Then just Hendricks sans olives. But I added a little fresh lemon juice instead last time, and that was refreshing.

Well I was out of cucumber..normally its a thin slice of that in the glass...but Ill drink it by itself....felt like olives last night

By far my favorite Gin.

I had heard awhile back that Bombay was coming out with a new Gin but have yet to see it on the shelves.

Hendrix Gin is excellent - I am currently out of it and opened a 1.5 liter of Bombay Sapphire for a party we held and will be some time before we are done with that and stocking up with another bottle of Hendrix

quote:

Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:

quote:

Originally posted by PD2K:

quote:

Originally posted by NewOrleansWinosaur:
Rum season--

Did a tasting through Ron Abuelo 7, 12, and Centenario (base rum solera-style is 30 yr.) as well as El Dorado, 12, 15, 21. I must say the most balanced was Ron Abuelo 12. It had pretty much everything I look for in a good sipping rum. Even beat out the Centenario.

If you like those, try Zacapa's 23 and XO

+++++1

I have had the Zacapa 23 but not for quite a while. I obviously need to revisit. Thanks for the reminder! Never had the XO. Might hold on that one for hot buttered rum season.

quote:

Originally posted by Lentini:
I usually wet my glass with vermouth then pour it out... Then just Hendricks sans olives. But I added a little fresh lemon juice instead last time, and that was refreshing.

Why even taint good gin with Vermouth? I order Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire up with olives. No Vermouth.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

Why even taint good gin with Vermouth? I order Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire up with olives. No Vermouth.

Okay, I'm sold. I don't even like vermouth.

I agree. Why was it even used in a Martini? Did the person who invented this drink think it was better with Vermouth? I guess so.

As I understand it, the original martini was 1 part sweet vermouth to three parts gin. That's a lot of vermouth.

A dry martini used dry vermouth instead of sweet, in the same proportions.

So what most people drink today isn't a martini. They're just drinking an ice cold glass of gin with an olive. Same thing, of course, with a vodka martini (which isn't really a martini any more than an "appletini" is, or any of the chocolate martinis or other flavors you find on some martini lists).

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I agree. Why was it even used in a Martini? Did the person who invented this drink think it was better with Vermouth? I guess so.

Perhaps it was because the quality of the Gin wasnt that good so the vermouth would take the "sting" out....I honestly dont know...but I have Vermouth in the house for people that want it...but it never enters the glass if there is Gin in it for me.

Many years ago, at a friend's wedding, the gin was something like Hankey Bannister. It was the worst gin I've ever had. Vermouth likely would have helped it. It couldn't have hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Many years ago, at a friend's wedding, the gin was something like Hankey Bannister. It was the worst gin I've ever had. Vermouth likely would have helped it. It couldn't have hurt.

Is that like Jenkins? 8$ for 1.75L....oh those were the days.....

Anyone tried The Botanist Gin made by Bruichladdich? I hear it's spectacular, but I can't get a hand on any down here.
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
By far my favorite Gin.

I agree. Mine too. I've experimented with some smaller and/or local products, and I've been disappointed. Breuckelen (recommended in this forum) and FEW (from Evanston, my hometown) weren't pleasing to me. At all. North Shore Distillery No. 11 is good though (and great with olives).

Any other worth-trying gins out there?

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
I had heard awhile back that Bombay was coming out with a new Gin but have yet to see it on the shelves.

Would that be the Bombay East? I actually just read about it, and it said it would be released this summer but then when I did a quick search it looks like it's already available in some stores, so it's probably not released in all markets yet

Hard to beat Plymouth gin IMHO...

Old Tom can be fun too for the right drink/occasion.

last night tried the Isle of Skye 8yr that my wife just brought me back from Scotland. Just so-so, pretty easy drinking

Isle of Skye 8yr ? That must be a Talisker from an independant bottler, i guess? I imagine the peat to be very pungent at only 8yr.

Meanwhile sipping a Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1989/2005 matured in Pedro-Ximenez Cask, great combination, the PX is the right counterpoint to the mighty Lagavulin body.

Jefferson's Rye Whisky.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I agree. Why was it even used in a Martini? Did the person who invented this drink think it was better with Vermouth? I guess so.

Curious to me to see no one defending vermouth's place in a Martini. I think 4 or 5 parts gin to one part vermouth is quite lovely and what a true Martini is. Otherwise it's just ice cold gin, which I sometimes don't mind either.

...and while I like Hendricks for a change and in certain mixed drinks, it is definitely a "modern" gin. I don't taste any juniper in it, which unless I am mistaken was considered integral to gin up until rather recently.

My favorite gins are juniper heavy such as Tanqueray, Junipero, Broker's, and such, things of beauty they are.

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I agree. Why was it even used in a Martini? Did the person who invented this drink think it was better with Vermouth? I guess so.

Perhaps it was because the quality of the Gin wasnt that good so the vermouth would take the "sting" out....I honestly dont know...but I have Vermouth in the house for people that want it...but it never enters the glass if there is Gin in it for me.

That would make sense, especially if you were drinking someone's "bathtub gin".

quote:

Originally posted by jesseix:

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
I had heard awhile back that Bombay was coming out with a new Gin but have yet to see it on the shelves.

Would that be the Bombay East? I actually just read about it, and it said it would be released this summer but then when I did a quick search it looks like it's already available in some stores, so it's probably not released in all markets yet

I think thats it! Have not seen it up here yet...

500 ml of vodka per person is way too mcuh

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:

quote:

Originally posted by jesseix:

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
I had heard awhile back that Bombay was coming out with a new Gin but have yet to see it on the shelves.

Would that be the Bombay East? I actually just read about it, and it said it would be released this summer but then when I did a quick search it looks like it's already available in some stores, so it's probably not released in all markets yet

I think thats it! Have not seen it up here yet...

whereabouts is 'up here'? I found the Bombay East in stock at a shop I buy from in Orange County (not too far away) for $30 for a 1L bottle; I'm not sure how that compares on a national level, but if you're interested and don't want to wait I could try to ship it up to you

quote:

Originally posted by MoselleLuxemburg:
Isle of Skye 8yr ? That must be a Talisker from an independant bottler, i guess? I imagine the peat to be very pungent at only 8yr.

Yeah it's bottled by Ian McCleod (www.ianmcleod.com), but its a blended whiskey. I ask her to bring home a local single malt and this is what I get... I knew I should have tagged along

quote:

Originally posted by jesseix:

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:

quote:

Originally posted by jesseix:

quote:

Originally posted by marcb7:
I had heard awhile back that Bombay was coming out with a new Gin but have yet to see it on the shelves.

Would that be the Bombay East? I actually just read about it, and it said it would be released this summer but then when I did a quick search it looks like it's already available in some stores, so it's probably not released in all markets yet

I think thats it! Have not seen it up here yet...

whereabouts is 'up here'? I found the Bombay East in stock at a shop I buy from in Orange County (not too far away) for $30 for a 1L bottle; I'm not sure how that compares on a national level, but if you're interested and don't want to wait I could try to ship it up to you

Very kind! Up here is actually across the country from you LOL....I live in NH. I will inquire at our local liquor store this weekend about it....if they dont seem to think they will get it in I just may take you up on your nice offer. Thanks!

Tanqueray gin, ice, tonic and cucumber...

Last night; way too much Macallan. Paying for it today and due to that first weekend in many months withoutmwine.

Glenmorangie 10.

Jailers Tennesee whiskey....mmmmmmm

Chateau de Laubade armagnac XO

Oban 14 Year

Yuk had to taste a Southern Comfort Old Fashion today.

Glenorangie 12 Nectar D'Or, aged in Sauternes casks. Really, really nice. The initial attack is kind of sharp, but seconds later this smooths out really nicely and lingers forever.

quote:

Originally posted by billhike:
Glenorangie 12 Nectar D'Or, aged in Sauternes casks. Really, really nice. The initial attack is kind of sharp, but seconds later this smooths out really nicely and lingers forever.

I've never had this one, but the guy at the store near me has recommended it highly. I guess I'll give it a try. Thanks

I was glad to have finished a Nectar D'Or recently... Always seemed harsh to me. Sometimes it was okay... But usually rotgut.

Now maybe I'll pass on it!

When I first became aware of the wine-cask finished Glenmorangies, maybe 12 or so years ago, they were amongst the first Scotch I ever tried and they seemed quite nice. Since then they seem to be everywhere. I believe that there was an ownership change and drastic production increase IIRC. I suppose my own tastes changed as well, having a much larger sample size, but the current lines always seem serviceable but nothing special at all.

I like the Nectar D'Or. I'm a fan of most single malt styles, and this hits the fruity/honey mark nicely. The wood finish, in my mind, adds nice toasty sweetness that I really like. I recommend it, but please don't expect anything too complex.

If you get a chance, taste the Nectar D'Or alongside some of the other cask-finished Glenmorangies. I recently tasted it side by side with Quinta Ruban (port casks) and Lasanta (sherry casks). Nectar D'Or was my fave, but the fun part was tasting the distinctive influence from each type of cask.

What about the Macallan sherry casked?

I think it's better than the 12, 15, and 18.

Interesting. I've always been tempted. Have you ever had the Balvenie Caribbean Cask?

quote:

Originally posted by kingofcool:
Interesting. I've always been tempted. Have you ever had the Balvenie Caribbean Cask?

Decent but not outstanding. Probably take it over that Macallan though.

quote:

Originally posted by VinT:
If you get a chance, taste the Nectar D'Or alongside some of the other cask-finished Glenmorangies. I recently tasted it side by side with Quinta Ruban (port casks) and Lasanta (sherry casks). Nectar D'Or was my fave, but the fun part was tasting the distinctive influence from each type of cask.

A friend gifted me a bottle of the Quinta Ruban in late October last year. It was gone before spring!

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Yuk had to taste a Southern Comfort Old Fashion today.

That's just wrong. I ordered an Old Fashioned in Puerto Vallarta once. The best they could do was Jim Beam.

I bought a bottle of Courvoisier XO at the duty free a couple days ago, and tried it last night. It's rich and strongly flavoured, but doesn't have the lightness and breathless impact of Remy Martin or Hennessey XO, both of which I prefer to this. I think someone who is starting, or wanting, to get into good Cognac might enjoy this-- easy to drink, flavourful, very smooth.

While you're in Paris, you might try a bit of French Single Malt.

The Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel. Quite good. Very fragrant.

Glenrothes, 1988 Vintage

Dark marmalade and Christmas spice. Very nice.

Tanqueray 10.

Dalwhinne 1981 Double Casked.

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:
Dalwhinne 1981 Double Casked.

I haven't seen that one. Is that the green label? If so, I have seen it. What's it cost? Worth the money? I like the 15.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:
Dalwhinne 1981 Double Casked.

I haven't seen that one. Is that the green label? If so, I have seen it. What's it cost? Worth the money? I like the 15.

Yes, it is the greenish/blueish/grayish label. And my mistake, it says, "Double Matured", not casked. I think I bought it about 20 years ago in Vancouver, so I don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but it is worth the extra, imo. I don't think it was that much more than the 15. It is of the same style, but with a more intense flavor. I have about 2 shots left. 1981 happens to be my wedding anniversary.
Last Saturday, I presented my daughter with a 1990 that I picked up in Scottsdale a few years back. That is her birth year, so she can add it to her '90 wine collection.

Thanks. I'll look for it.

With the heat we've had, I have been drinking mojitos the last few days. No respite until Sunday when its supposed to be in the 80s...i am going to need more limes & mint!

The news is saying we might break the 80° mark on Saturday. Time to break out the Tanqueray and tonic.

Or take the Tanqueray out of the freezer neat.

I'm thinking of getting some rum. I know nothing about it. Some for sipping and some for dark and stormys. For dark and stormys I've been told the selection is not very important. Will probably go for goslings or sailor jerry.

For sipping I was going to look for Ron Abuelo 12.

Based strictly on unsubstantiated internet searches I may get these if the Abuelo is unavailable: Zafra 21 or Cruzan Single Barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by kingofcool:
I'm thinking of getting some rum. I know nothing about it. Some for sipping and some for dark and stormys. For dark and stormys I've been told the selection is not very important. Will probably go for goslings or sailor jerry.

For sipping I was going to look for Ron Abuelo 12.

Based strictly on unsubstantiated internet searches I may get these if the Abuelo is unavailable: Zafra 21 or Cruzan Single Barrel.

For Dark and Stormy's the selection is incredibly important. Thankfully you already mentioned the rum you need to have which is of course Goslings.

For sipping rum, I like Ron Zacapa though the three you mentioned are all good.

Gosling's and Barritt's Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer

I went with the mid priced option - Abuelo 12.

Dark and Stormy was fantastic despite the not so great ginger beer (Reeds - way too tame). The abuelo was good but had an interesting finish. For lack of a better description, it was watery. But maybe I just need to revisit.

quote:

Originally posted by kingofcool:
Dark and Stormy was fantastic despite the not so great ginger beer (Reeds - way too tame). The abuelo was good but had an interesting finish. For lack of a better description, it was watery. But maybe I just need to revisit.

I loved the Abuelo 12, but I imagine it gets lost in a D&S. You really need a dark, dark rum for the proper drink. Gosling's or Myers's. A mixture of anything else would likely be labeled a "dock-sipper" instead. Abuelo 12 for me is best neat.

I used Goslings for the Dark and Stormy. Had the Abuelo neat.

I'm unfamiliar with the Reeds you used. Have you had Barritt's? It's pretty intense but makes a great Dark and Stormy.

I emailed the distributor for Barritt's to see where it can be found in my area. I'll be sure to check the grocery next time I'm there. Probably best to stay unfamiliar with Reeds. Not nearly intense enough.

Just polished off a bottle of 1978 Highland Park

Suntory 17 yr Hibiki
Macallan 18 yr Fine Oak
Gordon & MacPhail Rosebank Distillery 1991
Lagavulin 16 yr
Caol Ila 10 yr
Ardbeg Uigeadail

Jameson 12 year

Aperol

It's hot and Aperol Fizz's are perfect right now!

Took an abridged tour of Scotland last night. Started out with speyside: Balenvie 12 and Macallaen 12. I preferred the macallean for the richer flavor. Then topped it off with a trip to islay with ardberg 10. Very much enjoyed this one.

quote:

Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Suntory 17 yr Hibiki
Macallan 18 yr Fine Oak
Gordon & MacPhail Rosebank Distillery 1991
Lagavulin 16 yr
Caol Ila 10 yr
Ardbeg Uigeadail

Very nice selection, especially the Hibiki and Uigedail.
How was the G&M Rosebank? Worth seeking out?

quote:

Originally posted by MoselleLuxemburg:

quote:

Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Suntory 17 yr Hibiki
Macallan 18 yr Fine Oak
Gordon & MacPhail Rosebank Distillery 1991
Lagavulin 16 yr
Caol Ila 10 yr
Ardbeg Uigeadail

Very nice selection, especially the Hibiki and Uigedail.
How was the G&M Rosebank? Worth seeking out?

thank you very much MoselleLuxembourg. I honestly think the Hibiki is one of the most underrated whiskeys out there. For me, anything from the Rosebank Distillery is a treat, and the G&M was a fantastic expression. Would love to sip some scotch with you sometime. Cheers!

Lagavulin 12

Gentlemen Jack Daniels.

quote:

Originally posted by AML:
Lagavulin 12

I didn't know Lagavulin made a 12.

They certainly do! I read multiple reports of it being "better" than the 16, so I decided to give it a whirl. Oddly enough, it is actually more expensive than the 16 here.

Are there any websites/critics that you all trust regarding scotch? Or bourbon? Or any other spirit for that matter.

quote:

Originally posted by AML:
They certainly do! I read multiple reports of it being "better" than the 16, so I decided to give it a whirl. Oddly enough, it is actually more expensive than the 16 here.

+1 I have a bottle of it at home. It's supposed to be better than the regular bottling but I"ve never had them side by side.

Johnny Walker Blue

Some Don Julio 70 last night courtesy of Jorgestayawayfromthetips.

Grey Goose Martinis. Up and dry with two olives.

Glenfiddich 15
Macallan Fine Oak 17

DeLord 25yo Bas Armagnac

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by AML:
Lagavulin 12

I didn't know Lagavulin made a 12.

Not by default they don't. It was a mistake batch a few years ago.

How was it AML? The 16 is my favorite single malt.

Oops. Wrong thread

Last night the Ileach "Peaty" 58%

Tonight the Glenfarcas 17.

Both great.

quote:

Originally posted by Merengue:

How was it AML? The 16 is my favorite single malt.

It is rather boisterous, with big peat and smoke notes that overlay a nice base of honey and spice. Similar notes on the palate, with a long saline finish. Quite delicious, but I think I prefer the slightly more subdued 16.

I'm going to look for it! Thanks

Ardbeg Uigeadail

Call Ila 1990 (18 year aged in Haut Brion casks)

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

quote:

Originally posted by aphilla:
Ardbeg Uigeadail

How was this?

quote:

Originally posted by kingofcool:

quote:

Originally posted by aphilla:
Ardbeg Uigeadail

How was this?

It was good, but pretty clearly overshadowed by the other two. By *comparison* it was soft and muted.

quote:

Originally posted by aphilla:

quote:

Originally posted by kingofcool:

quote:

Originally posted by aphilla:
Ardbeg Uigeadail

How was this?

It was good, but pretty clearly overshadowed by the other two. By *comparison* it was soft and muted.

That's a surprising assessment. I like the Laphroaig Quarter Cask a lot, much more than the standard version, but in my memory it does not come close to the Ardbeg in peaty intensity. I'll have to do the test.

quote:

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Just had some of this a few days ago. Beautiful!

quote:

Originally posted by Wine Canuck:

quote:

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Just had some of this a few days ago. Beautiful!

It is quite enjoyable for the money. I received 2 bottles from a client and they didn't last long!

Tomintoul 16 year old. Among a few others...

Vin, if you get the chance toi get out into the Highlands, the town of Tomintoul is home to The Whiskey Castle with 500+ single malts. I found a few rarities that I brought home. I have 2 I still haven't opened, waiting for my experience to expand to give me a better idea of how special they are.

Pernod Ricard