556 replies to this topic

[Yajna Patni]

to be fair to the parfumier, a lot of the substituting has had to do with legislation about many of the natural substances that were being used. They are not allowed to use them anymore so have had to reformulate. The resulting scent is never ever quite the same.
The liquor makers though are not dealing with the kind laws that have decimated the perfume industry. Decimated scent wise, not money wise obviously.

[Zachary]

Yajna,

While I will grant you that some things are on the IFRA's banned/restricted list, there are a whole lot of things that are not. It's death due to small cuts as ingredients are swapped out for cheaper (or safer) alternatives until the stuff is no longer recognizable. I understand swapping out safrole and musk ketone for safer things. I don't when it's accountants and marketers demanding changes to save money without a care for the memories people have from smelling (or tasting) something.

Thanks,

Zachary

[thirtyoneknots]

Yeah I think a lot of the cessation of complaints about Campari has to do with the fact that it's not going to change anything. While it would be impossible to taste "new" and "old" Campari bottles of the same age, I can definitely pick out the difference in a neat pour. Not nearly so confident in my ability to distinguish in anything even as complex as a Negroni, however.

But yeah just look at Unicum/Zwack. I don't have my finger on the pulse of the college bar world, but I'd be surprised to learn they were making significant inroads on the Jaeger drinking crowd, which was the goal. And in the process they have transformed an utterly fascinating product into just another perfectly decent also-ran.

[thirtyoneknots]

Whilst out on a mission today to try to stir up interest in getting Kronan Swedish Punsch to Georgia I of course took a moment to see what else was in, especially looking for the Rittenhouse Rye BIB which I had noticed was back in some of the online shops.

Lo and behold there it was! And nobody had called me! What were they thinking???

In any case I picked up a couple of those so that is one less thing I have to order over the internet. If the Kronan is indeed available locally I may hold off on ordering anything for the moment. As usual I succumbed to a couple of impulse buys while I was there.



I discovered a bottle of Boker's bitters at H&F bottle shop and decided I needed that for my next Martinez, price be damned. Also picked up a bottle of the Zirbenz Stone pine liqueur purely out of curiosity. I had been talking about Pineau des Charentes with the staff and they suggested Famille L. Dupont Pommeau de Normandie as a kind of apple Pineau so I got sucked into that one too!

Rounded it out with a bottle of Elmer T. Lee bourbon and also decided to pick up a bottle of Appleton Extra to see if my punch was really that bad or if I just have no sense of taste at all!

While I was buying my party supplies last week for New Years Eve I had also picked up a few new things I just never got around to mentioning.



That included the Nux Alpina walnut liqueur (375 ml) that appeared to be on closeout, a bottle of Bernheim straight wheat whiskey because it intrigued me, the aforementioned Prunier Pineau des Charentes, Punt e Mes because I had been meaning to get one but never got around to it and a bottle of Don Diego Santa reposado tequila. Had the añejo at a restaurant recently and really liked it so I thought I would give the reposado a try.

It has been a busy week!

If your local store is stocking Zirbenz and Nux Alpina, they should be able to order Kronan soon as well.

And if anyone is wondering what to do with those two bottles, here's another treat from my friend Josh Loving of Fino Restaurant in Austin:

Ghost of the Pine
3/4 oz 100/101 proof Rye
3/4 oz Zirbenz
1 oz Nux Alpina
dash orange bitters

Stir everything together with cracked ice and strain into a rocks glass with a big cube that has been sprayed with about 4 mists of Lapsang Souchong-infused Mezcal. Garnish with a couple of more sprays on top of the drink. I believe Vida is used for the mister--it's a quick and simple infusion that only requires a couple of ounces to make. I'm sure the drink would still work fine with uninfused Mezcal.

The name is a subtle reference to the devastating fires in the Lost Pines area near Austin last September http://en.wikipedia....ty_Complex_fire

[EvergreenDan]

Ghost of the Pine
3/4 oz 100/101 proof Rye
3/4 oz Zirbenz
1 oz Nux Alpina
dash orange bitters
mist of Lapang Souchong-infused Mezcal

Holy Crap. I actually have everything to make this, but I'm kinda scared to. That's a mouthful of Nocino. OTOH, you haven't steered me wrong. Much.

As for Zwack, I don't object to them introducing Unicum Lite and repositioning the brand at frat boys. What bugs me is not importing the real stuff. No need to poke me in the eye and punch me in the gut.

[tanstaafl2]

If your local store is stocking Zirbenz and Nux Alpina, they should be able to order Kronan soon as well.

And if anyone is wondering what to do with those two bottles, here's another treat from my friend Josh Loving of Fino Restaurant in Austin:

Ghost of the Pine
3/4 oz 100/101 proof Rye
3/4 oz Zirbenz
1 oz Nux Alpina
dash orange bitters

Stir everything together with cracked ice and strain into a rocks glass with a big cube that has been sprayed with about 4 mists of Lapsang Souchong-infused Mezcal. Garnish with a couple of more sprays on top of the drink. I believe Vida is used for the mister--it's a quick and simple infusion that only requires a couple of ounces to make. I'm sure the drink would still work fine with uninfused Mezcal.

The name is a subtle reference to the devastating fires in the Lost Pines area near Austin last September http://en.wikipedia....ty_Complex_fire

Yes, I expect Kronan will be available eventually. Just a question of when as Georgia liquor laws seem to be arcane at best. The store thought it might take three months or more. We shall see.

The Ghost of the Pine does indeed sound quite interesting given my recent acquisitions. Will have to figure out a mezcal substitute as I don't currently have Vida. Maybe the Sombra will suffice. It is certainly smokey enough.

[thirtyoneknots]

Holy Crap. I actually have everything to make this, but I'm kinda scared to. That's a mouthful of Nocino. OTOH, you haven't steered me wrong. Much.

Dan, of everyone on this board, this is most your kind of drink. The big ice is clutch.

The Ghost of the Pine does indeed sound quite interesting given my recent acquisitions. Will have to figure out a mezcal substitute as I don't currently have Vida. Maybe the Sombra will suffice. It is certainly smokey enough.

Sombra should be fine.

[Brown Hornet]

[/quote]

Yes, I expect Kronan will be available eventually. Just a question of when as Georgia liquor laws seem to be arcane at best. The store thought it might take three months or more. We shall see.

The Ghost of the Pine does indeed sound quite interesting given my recent acquisitions. Will have to figure out a mezcal substitute as I don't currently have Vida. Maybe the Sombra will suffice. It is certainly smokey enough.
[/quote]

Tanstaafl2 -- I saw a bottle of Kronan at H&F about 3 hours ago!

Recent buys:

Glenmorangie -- Nectar D'Or -- this is really great and easily my favorite of their various wine cask finishes.
Jefferson's Presidential Select -- Although scotch has been my mainstay the last 10 years, I have started coming back to bourbon.
Redemption Rye -- I'm not that familiar with straight ryes, and wanted to try one out.

[tanstaafl2]

Yes, I expect Kronan will be available eventually. Just a question of when as Georgia liquor laws seem to be arcane at best. The store thought it might take three months or more. We shall see.

The Ghost of the Pine does indeed sound quite interesting given my recent acquisitions. Will have to figure out a mezcal substitute as I don't currently have Vida. Maybe the Sombra will suffice. It is certainly smokey enough.

Tanstaafl2 -- I saw a bottle of Kronan at H&F about 3 hours ago!

Must have just missed you as I bought a bottle there about 2 1/2 hours ago.

[Sohoskiracer]

After another one of my irregular hermitages home to NYC I ended up back at home with bottles of Willet Rye, Basil Hayden's 8yo bourbon, Booker's 7o single barrel and a bottle of Duquesne Rhum Agricole (I've never had a rhum agricole before so looking forward to trying it).

[Kerry Beal]

Stopped in at the LCBO today and grabbed a couple of things. I was wanting to compare the Luxardo Amaretto to the Di Saronno which I've used in truffle fillings for years. I had no idea which tequila to purchase - there were a couple of choices but with no experience I just went for one in the middle of the price range (and I liked the bottle).

[Tri2Cook]

Stopped in at the LCBO today and grabbed a couple of things. I was wanting to compare the Luxardo Amaretto to the Di Saronno which I've used in truffle fillings for years. I had no idea which tequila to purchase - there were a couple of choices but with no experience I just went for one in the middle of the price range (and I liked the bottle).

In my opinion there's no comparison between the Luxardo and the Di Saronno. If I can't get the Luxardo, I just won't have an amaretto in my cabinet. But that's just my opinion.

I really like the Havana Club blanco. That and the El Dorado 6 year silver are probably my favorite whites that I can get at the LCBO.

The only reposado available where I live is the Milagro... so that's what I have.

[tkd7]

Bought Elijah Craig 12 today. I've developed a real taste for it and it mixes well in the right cocktail.

[ChrisTaylor]

Half bottles of Drambuie and Domaine de Canton (a cognac-based ginger liqueur that's only recently been released/promoted in Australia). And, too, Angostura 5, Cynar, Pisco Control, Maraska apricot brandy and a random, spur-of-the-moment purchase: creme de cassis.

Edited by ChrisTaylor, 08 February 2012 - 01:01 AM.

[ChrisTaylor]

Benedictine
Earl Grey liqueur (100mL mini)
St Germain (third bottle)
Inner Circle Green (with the intent of using it in DIY Pimento Dram)

[tanstaafl2]

I found the liquor selection at the duty free in Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires to be rather depressing. The usual brand name stuff but not much in the unusual spirits. Couldn't even find Havana Club which surprised me. Wine selection was decent although you can get a lot of Argentine wines in the States these days so I went with the Familia Zuccardi Malamado port style malbec dessert wine. Can be found in the States I think but may take some effort. Had it in a lovely puertas carradas and rather enjoyed it.



So after settling back in on my return from BA and points rather farther south I noted I had a voice mail and emails from my friendly neighborhood liquor store consultants. Decided I needed to pop in and indulge some impulse buys!




First was a bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection that was made with rice. Now there is something different. Not necessarily good, but certainly different! There was also a version using oats. Reviews seemed rather down on the oat version and just so so on the rice and it was obscenely expensive but what the hell, isn't that what an impulse buy is for???

Also on offer was the 2010 Summer release of Kilchoman, the newest Islay single malt whisky distillery, and apparently the first released in the US. Very young so a bit fiery without the smoothing out in sherry casks as was the case with past releases and reportedly full of peat but the reviews seemed encouraging so I added it to the collection.

Got a wild hair and wanted to try some grappa so I picked up a bottle of Romana Carlo Grappa di Dolcetto on the recommendation of the staff as a good place to start without busting the budget, like it wasn't busted already.

And for good measure decided to get a bottle of Mathilde Framboise liqueur for use on some homemade vanilla ice cream and whatever other things I can think of. I have lots of Chambord but thought I would try something different as a comparison.

Tonight I think it will be a bit of grappa followed by ice cream topped with framboise liqueur. The rice bourbon and scotch will have to keep until another time!

Maybe tomorrow...

Edited by tanstaafl2, 18 February 2012 - 04:58 PM.

[Yojimbo]

750's of Luxardo Triplum and the last bottle of Luxardo maraschino that DrinkupNY had in stock, at 10:00pm after Aikido practice and a few beers at the bar afterwards. You gotta have the basics, man, you just gotta.

[tanstaafl2]

Had to pick up a couple of bottles of wine and whilst at the store I learned that the latest bottle of the Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon, the Warehouse C Tornado Surviving BIB, had just arrived. A quick run through some reviews led me to conclude I should acquire it as well!

Buffalo Trace Press Release

At another store I found that they had just started bringing in BG Reynolds syrups so I picked up a bottle of Passion Fruit syrup since I just recently got the Beachbum Berry Remixed book along with the PDT Cocktail. book. Spring is coming and I feel some tiki coming in my future!

Since Dave mentioned Grade B maple syrup was pretty common I popped by the nearest grocery store on the way home and sure enough, hidden in a back corner gathering dust, there was a bottle of Grade B syrup (Canadian source again). It was the only one of the 5 or 6 brands available that was Grade B but it was there. And as noted a little cheaper than the others which is always a plus!




And finally I couldn't find it on the way back from Argentina but a friend returning from South Africa was kind enough to "smuggle" in a 1 liter bottle of Havana Club Añejo Reserva to further help me prepare for tiki season!



All in all a pretty good days work.

[FrogPrincesse]

Picked up a few goodies at Hi-Time Wine Cellars yesterday.



I noticed that they had the Buffalo Trace "experimental" bourbon that was mentioned upthread, along with a large number of other things that I decided to pass on, at least for now...

[Tri2Cook]

Nothing fancy today...

[thirtyoneknots]

I inadvertently moved to a semi-dry county in December (beer & wine only) so it's been a while since I saw the inside of a liquor store. Today, however, I went for a quick jaunt and discovered a bottle of the new Plantation Overproof, which I'd heard rumors of last year. I think a nightcap will be in order.

Side note: Also saw the Pages Creme de Menthe (they call it something else, but that's what it appears to be), and the nearly $30 price tag piqued my interest. Anybody have firsthand experience with this?

[Zachary]

Tri,

That El Dorado White 6 is high on my list of things I'd love to acquire. Alas, here in Texas it seems like there are a half dozen distributors, none of which get the product out into distribution.

Thanks,

Zachary

[thirtyoneknots]

Tri,

That El Dorado White 6 is high on my list of things I'd love to acquire. Alas, here in Texas it seems like there are a half dozen distributors, none of which get the product out into distribution.

Thanks,

Zachary

You of all people should know that fulfilling consumer demand is just not what distributors are in to in this state.

[Zachary]

Andy,

Yeah... speaking of things that should be in wider distribution, Pierre Ferrand 1840 is awesome, but very atypical for modern Cognac. It's drier, some alcohol (90 proof), but has a fantastic texture and almost seems to be sweetened.

Thanks,

Zachary

[EvergreenDan]

The package designer of the El Dorado 6 white bottle managed to make it look like flavored vodka.

[Tri2Cook]

The package designer of the El Dorado 6 white bottle managed to make it look like flavored vodka.

Yeah, but if you're easily entertained like me, the panel with the ship in it is actually just a blank clear panel. The ship is actually on the back of the bottle. Unless you look at the panel from within the right viewing area, you can't see that there's a ship at all.

[tanstaafl2]

The package designer of the El Dorado 6 white bottle managed to make it look like flavored vodka.

Yeah, but if you're easily entertained like me, the panel with the ship in it is actually just a blank clear panel. The ship is actually on the back of the bottle. Unless you look at the panel from within the right viewing area, you can't see that there's a ship at all.

It is interesting that Ed Hamilton in his review here suggested that this is lighter in taste than the El Dorado 3yo and would be a good rum to introduce to vodka drinkers. Indeed, he seemed to suggest that if he did not know it was rum he might think it was something else (like a flavored vodka perhaps?). Those comments start at about 7:15 in the video.

I suppose there is a purpose for this product (rather like "botanical" gins?) but if I wanted to drink rum I think I would want it to taste like rum and if I were adding it to a drink it would be for the rum character it would brink to the drink.

[Tri2Cook]

I suppose there is a purpose for this product (rather like "botanical" gins?) but if I wanted to drink rum I think I would want it to taste like rum and if I were adding it to a drink it would be for the rum character it would brink to the drink.

The purpose for this product, for me, is because I'm a curious S.O.B.

[mkayahara]

It's funny; I've tried a variety of white rums, always hoping that one of them will provide me with a eureka moment, but so far, I keep coming back to Havana Club. And I'm thoroughly grateful that it's available here!

[tanstaafl2]

I suppose there is a purpose for this product (rather like "botanical" gins?) but if I wanted to drink rum I think I would want it to taste like rum and if I were adding it to a drink it would be for the rum character it would bring to the drink.

The purpose for this product, for me, is because I'm a curious S.O.B.

Yeah, I suffer from that same disease!