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Serious Cocktails: Future Flavors
Ooo, that Jamaican Rum sounds tasty and also just what's needed when "Jamaica Rum" is called for in classic cocktails.
I've had the Gov't Warning Rye and doth proclaim it good!
Yeah, sure, we'll see Cocchi Americano this year. I'll believe it when I see it.
Time for a Drink: Knickerbocker
A similar drink, which I've recently found quite tasty is the Leave it to Me (No. 2)
Leave It To Me Cocktail (No. 2)
1 Teaspoonful Raspberry Syrup.
1 Teaspoonful Lemon Juice.
1 Dash Maraschino. (1/3 tsp. Maraschino Liqueur)
3/4 Glass Dry Gin. (1 1/2 oz Gin)
Stir well and strain into cocktail glass.
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
I'm very, very fond of the Barbancourt 5 star Rhum, which is a Rum Agricole of sorts from Haiti. I like lots of rums, but this is one I find myself coming back to quite often.
Here in San Francisco, an excellent drink featuring unaged white rhum from Martinique is Thad Vogler's Agricole Mule. I don't know the details of the recipe, but I sure enjoy drinking them.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Mix It Up: 'The Division Bell' from Mayahuel
Nice post! Not to be a stickler, but Maraska makes a few products. Am I correct in assuming you are referring to their Maraschino Liqueur? It is really their only good product...
Serious Cocktails: Future Flavors
Ooo, that Jamaican Rum sounds tasty and also just what's needed when "Jamaica Rum" is called for in classic cocktails.
I've had the Gov't Warning Rye and doth proclaim it good!
Yeah, sure, we'll see Cocchi Americano this year. I'll believe it when I see it.
Time for a Drink: Knickerbocker
A similar drink, which I've recently found quite tasty is the Leave it to Me (No. 2)
Leave It To Me Cocktail (No. 2)
1 Teaspoonful Raspberry Syrup.
1 Teaspoonful Lemon Juice.
1 Dash Maraschino. (1/3 tsp. Maraschino Liqueur)
3/4 Glass Dry Gin. (1 1/2 oz Gin)
Stir well and strain into cocktail glass.
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
I'm very, very fond of the Barbancourt 5 star Rhum, which is a Rum Agricole of sorts from Haiti. I like lots of rums, but this is one I find myself coming back to quite often.
Here in San Francisco, an excellent drink featuring unaged white rhum from Martinique is Thad Vogler's Agricole Mule. I don't know the details of the recipe, but I sure enjoy drinking them.
Time for a Drink: Daiquiri
Mmm... A well made daiquiri is a thing of beauty.
One thing that I learned from bartender and bon vivant Angus Winchester is to juice the lime and then drop the peel into the mixing tin. Kind of like you do for a gin rickey. Just gives it that little extra bit of aromatic zip. Also, I like to use superfine or caster sugar. The finer sugar is easier to dissolve, so there is less of a chance of grains of sugar in the glass.
Upcoming Japanese Trend: Hot Beer
Uh, having experimented with hot beer cocktails, like the Ale Flip that is certainly true about the flavors.
But, wow, everything that is (very) old can be new again.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
I'm a heretic, will mix just about any spirit, and liked this cocktail:
Vieux Carre Variation 2
1 oz Highland Park 12
1 oz Calvados Roger Groult, Réserve 3 years old
1 oz M&R Bianco Vermouth
Dash Benedictine
Dash Angostura
Dash Peychaud's
Stir, strain, grapefruit peel twist.
...But, basically every Scotch, or at least ever major region of Scotch production, needs to be considered a separate style of whiskey and that fact needs to be taken into account when mixing. This is true to a certain extent with all spirits, but usually not so much with whisk(e)ys as it is with Scotch.
Scotch or Bourbon?
Rye Whiskey! Ocean, Duck!
I am definitely an American Whiskey fancier; but, lately, unfortunately for my pocketbook, I've been running across some Scotch I really like.
Not the super-smoky peaty Islay stuff; but, some of the mellower ones.
There can be a complexity there, and a finesse, that American Whiskey, for all it's rough charm, seldom touches.
The Bitter End
Lately I've been obsessed with Wine based Amaros and Quinquinas like Barolo Chinato.
These things are so cool, delicious, and complex, especially after dinner.
Time for a Drink: The Last Word
Ahem, sure, Mr. Stenson was dusting off "Bottom's Up!" for the recipes.
Uh, huh, and if you believe that, I have a large orange bridge I could sell you...
Going Antiquing, the Whiskey Way
Yes, I would expect, with the run away success of last year's offerings, the supplies of the Antique Collection will be even tighter this year. Definitely get your order in early.
As an American Spirits aficionado, I've been known to dismiss those from Scotland as overpriced and over rated...
Serious Cocktails: Future Flavors
The Chairman's Reserve is handled by Clyde Davis and the folks behind Castries Peanut Creme liqueur.
Serious Cocktails: Future Flavors
Haus Alpenz is handling the Smith & Cross; not sure of the distributor for the Chairmen's Reserve.
And yes, the Smith & Cross is a big-J "Jamaica" rum -- can't wait to dash some atop a julep.
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
Only Don Q Crystal works for mojitos like they make in Miami.
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
My bar has the fore mentioned Rum, cause I guess I'm a rummy, but Jamaican rum....now if you can get past the smell its a great rum, and you can't go wrong with a Barbados....well time to mix a drink...Cheers everybody
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
Hi Paul,
Love rum, especially light rum in the summer. My "bang for the buck" favorite is Cruzan or Flor de Cana, depending--honestly--on which is on sale. I think they both capture the balance of flavor and lightness, and mix well.
As for rhum agricole, huge fan also, but I agree with you. Comparing rum to Rhum just doens't work. I'm drinking through some Rhum J.M., which is okay (undecided as to whether I'll repurchase again), and some Neisson, which is excellent. My preferred way is in Ti Punch, using Dale DeGroff's recipe, but substituting John Taylor's Falernum for non-alcoholic, and trimming the simple syrup a bit. I have my eye on a bottle of Favorite, but I have 3 different rhums, and 17 rums on the bar, so...
P.S. Also like Clemente, if you can get the 100 proof version. what they import is garbage, honestly, compared to the "real" stuff.
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
@Prairie: I have tried Sailor Jerry, and for a spiced rum, it's not bad; it certainly puts the Captain to shame. I have to confess I'm not a regular drinker of spiced rums and don't even keep a bottle on hand; my personal preference is to dip into the variety of aged rums on the market.
@lisal: Barbados rums rock! Luscious, rich, buttery--even the light rums. And Mount Gay Extra Old? Ooh, that's good stuff.....
Summer of Rum—Or is that Rhum?
@ Prairie- I agree SailorJerry rocks!!! it's our "house rum" which reminds me to check my clock...darn..not five o clock yet!!!!!!!
Time for a Drink: Daiquiri
Oh, yes! If a daquiri or margarita tastes like a green lifesaver, you know they're doing something wrong. Thanks for featuring this.
Time for a Drink: Daiquiri
Old school daquiris rock! I had my first at El Floridita in Havana where Hemingway used to drink them. Hard to get in a bar in the USA.
Time for a Drink: Daiquiri
um-hmm, this is the old school daquiri! I almost lost my first job waiting tables outside of my parents restaurant bc I made a daquiri like this. (Long story and everybody thought I was an idiot) I feel so vindicated right now. I think I'll have to make some old school daquiris this weekend to celebrate.
Upcoming Japanese Trend: Hot Beer
because i'm uncouth, i actually find beer tastes and smells like soy sauce... so i guess hot beer would go down like a soy sauce broth?
Upcoming Japanese Trend: Hot Beer
I have enough trouble adding ice cubes to beer (which I do from time to time when the beer's not frosty enough), so hot beer sounds kinda unappetizing.
Upcoming Japanese Trend: Hot Beer
I don't know about you guys but I'm partial to my beer being cold. I would try it though in the same way I have hot sake with sushi. I think it would definately enhance the flavor.
Upcoming Japanese Trend: Hot Beer
I mentioned this hot beer to a friend and his first reaction was of disgust. ;) Can't knock it until you try it though, eh? I don't drink beer (or any alcohol; my taste buds have yet to adjust), but if it involves sugar and cinnamon I'm in.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
Single malts are too damned expensive to mix. Nothing wrong with a proper Whisky Sour (the short one, basically whiskey, lemon juice and syrup) but I wouldn't waste a single malt on it - use a blend for a cocktail.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
To be frank, Glenfiddich is haufin, and is probably improved by blending with anything short of burnt tyres.
But add anything other than room-temperature soft water to my dram of Highland Park and I'll see you outside, Jimmy.
(Whisky purity aside, if you really must make a "Scotch"-based cocktail, bear in mind that every distillery produces a unique nose, and the age/era of each batch within a distillery will differ greatly. That is, after all, the beauty of the single malts.)
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
I like my single malt neat, but on rare occasions a rusty nail does the trick. It's equal parts drambuie and scotch served over ice. Curiously, it gets better as the ice melts. But I save blended scotch for this - there's no use in blunting the subtleties of a good scotch.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
I mix it solely with wit, and, on occasion, a splash of whimsy.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
Ice is all I need or want. For some reason, Scotch (or any whiskey for that matter) seems to taste pretty bad to me if its mixed with anything, including water (for some reason the ice doesn't bother me).
the only exception may be the mint julep.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
Mmmm. I am not much of a Scotch whiskey drinker, although I come from A Scots family. My Gran drank Black and White all her life; my grandfather who was a ship's purser smuggled it in to her during prohibition. But I remember my very first sip of spirits at about age 5 in 1954 was a Rob Roy. But I am low brow, I guess, I adore Bourbon - Wild Turkey for my Old Fashioneds, and Woodford Reserve neat.
I recently invented a cocktail in honor of the Harvard Fencing team which is a sort of Old Fashioned with a bit of orange liqueur floated on top, and many shakes of Peychaud is required.
Put Down the Scotch and Step Away from the Shaker
You know - i love scotch, but on rare holiday occasions my dad makes a scotch mist (milk and scotch served on served on ice.) It's yum.
Scotch or Bourbon?
Once in a blue moon, a single malt Scotch will come along and absolutely blow me away - but on any other night, that same malt probably just won't do the trick. The sole exception has actually been Paterson's recommendation - I've had the Dalmore Cigar Malt many times, always with a good dark chocolate (Black and Gold or Cadbury Old Gold are favorites), and it's consistently amazing.
On the other hand, I'm more than up for a quality bourbon or rye whiskey at any given moment whatsoever. To my tastebuds, smoke and barley just don't stand a chance against quality oak, corn, and rye. One thing I've always wondered, though, is how the difference between pot and continuous stills actually manifests itself in a whisk(e)y's taste. I've just never (knowingly) seen it as an isolated variable.
Oh! I also think Islay and sometimes Jura really overdo the whole smoke thing. I tried Superstition for the first time the other night - I guess it was alright, if you like that sort of thing. But where's the complexity in that much of one dominating note? That's not a jab at all; it's simple, honest lack of comprehension.
Scotch or Bourbon?
I think the comparison is really not appropriate:
We should ask if Bourbon or Scotch Single Malt Whisky...
And this question is quite hard to decide: there are amazing bold bourbons around and if you compare an average bourbon with an average malt I would go for the bourbon - however there are just stunning malts as well: The cited Islays for example, which kicks the hell out of you, or some remarkable malts like Aberlour a'bunadh, Macallan Sherry Oak, Glenmorangie Artisan Cask and many more!
It is not really the question what to chose, as these spirits are so different, that the need to coexist (that is the paradox in the spirit world - a flavored neutral grain spirit can be both a gin or a vodka - however that different spirits like bourbons, Irish and Scotch (plus the sub-variations blended and malt) are just whisk(e)y!
Time for a Drink: The Last Word
Yeah, I guess having a link to "Playboy" over his name isn't helping matters any.
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About erik_flannestad
Website: http://underhill-lounge.flannestad.com
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Nice post! Not to be a stickler, but Maraska makes a few products. Am I correct in assuming you are referring to their Maraschino Liqueur? It is really their only good product...