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My wife and I just returned from a Mexican cruise and while visiting Puerto Vallarta we took a tour inland to a tequila factory called Hacienda Dana Engracia. A very small factory but well setup for tourists. We tasted around ten different tequilas blends and the usual anejo, blanco and reposado. Their anejo was selling for almost a 100 bucks a bottle. Anyhow, when I asked the guide if they exported to the US he said they have a distributor in Redwood City, CA. I was wondering if you have ever seen it or even tried it? While I didn't purchase any of the usual stuff I did pick up a bottle of there Licor de Almendras (amoretto). Tastes pretty good but only in small quantity as it's really sweet. Thanks Dan

The Cabo Wabo brand takes a lot of bashing, but I am a huge fan of the reposado and its still my first choice. I should note that, while I praised Chinaco reposado earlier in this thread, its less and less appealing the last few times I've drank it. I have no idea why I thought it was so good when I first tried it, but that sure changed. My top 3 reposados are still Cabo, El Tesoro and Don Julio. I've never had your 2nd choice, or seen it anywhere for that matter. If I see it somewhere I'll have to try it. I'm also getting into blancos. El Tesoro Platinum is incredible tequila, and Don Eduardo impressed me alot too. Can't wait to try the Casa Noble Crystal! ← Nice to hear from you. As I sit here writing this little note and sipping a glass of La Cava de Don Augustin with a Sangrita chaser I thought I would include this web site talking about this tequila. http://www.pocotequila.com/retour/lacava2.html We are leaving this friday on a cruise down to Mexico so the following plans I have are subject to change. But for now I'm thinking of picking up a bottle of El Tesoro and perhaps a Patron Anejo (just for sipping) Remember my favorite stuff is good rum. But who knows, I may pick up a bottle of something else while on the cruise. We have signed up for a tequila tour so it's sure to be interesting... In meantime, I think it's time for another shot of Don Augustin....... Ciao

I'm also a reposado fan. I'm also pretty new to the world of 'good' tequila but surprised by your selection. Why? Because my number one is also Cabo Wabo Reposado enjoyed ice cold with the salt and lime chaser My number 2 is La Casa de Don Augustin, aged 11 months in oak. I like this one with equal amounts of Sangrita.......yummy. My number 3? Don't have one yet. But thinking of trying the Patron Reposado or Don Julio and perhaps El Tesoro.

Here in 'lil' Saigon (Westminster, Calif) I too enjoy Vietnamese coffee and like Trung Nguyen. Just wondering; do you use a Vietnamese dripper? The one that sits on top of your cup and you just add hot water and let it seep through the grounds. If not, your missing out on a lot of flavor. You can pick them up almost everwhere in an Asian grocery store et al. Start with two teaspoons of coffee and adjust from there. You'll end up with a nice fairly strong cup of great coffee. I have not tried raw sugar in my coffee but rather have been using splenda instead. Trying to hold down the calories if possible.

Hi Kevin....... Glad to help............... The recipe is listed below. Beware.........it's a butt kicking drink. As for the mix. I had Hi Times Liqour in Costa Mesa, CA order it for me. Cost was ten bucks for a 64 oz bottle. You can also order it through the Pusser rum web site. It's shipped from their pub in Hollywood, Fl. You can also make it from sratch using the recipe below. The only thing to watch out for is the coconut part. Make sure to use the can found in the liqour store as some are way to thick... The mix is the best and once you've tried one you'll want more and more....guaranteed. Pusser's Rum Cocktail: The Painkiller® The infamous Pusser's Painkiller®—the drink we are known for throughout the West Indies, in the U.S. and many parts of Europe! The Painkiller® is a blend of Pusser's Rum with 4 parts pineapple juice, 1 part cream of coconut and 1 part orange juice served over the rocks with a generous amount of fresh nutmeg on top. You have a choice of numbers 2, 3 or 4, which designate the amount of Pusser's Rum! Cheers! Painkiller #2 ... 2 parts Pusser's Rum Painkiller #3 ... 3 parts Pusser's Rum Painkiller #4 ... 4 parts Pusser's Rum Note: The pub in the B.V. I. will not sell a Painkiller #4 to women! Or use the mix and save the pain! Having a really big party? mix your Painkillers in batches! Property of Pusser's West Indies Ltd. 2005 All Rights Reserved. Pussers

← Thanks for keeping us honest here.............. BTW: Had a 'painkiller' while visiting Tortola and loved it. Upon returning to the states I bought a bottle and had my favorite liquor store order a few bottles of the mix. At the end of a hot day a painkiller and good cigar give real meaning to the words............living well

Perhaps the coke went into shock that you wasted good rum that way In Cuba, they use their cheapest white rum (aged 3 years I think) to mix with coke and or for making a Mojito. The good stuff is always drank neat or with a splash of water and a good cigar if possible.

My wife and I toured the Clarke's Court Rum factory while in Grenada. Not a lot to see but we did sample all of their rums. What we both like the most was there rum punch. Straight out of the bottle with some ice it's a real butt kicker but sooooooo good. Much smoother than say Jack Iron. If you drink a glass of Jack Iron you'll never have to prove your valor in any other way with me.....lol. Needless to say we purchased a bottle and just recently finished it off. Next January we will be passing through Grenada again and this time will pick up up several bottles. Been trying ever since last January to find a place to buy it here in the states but so far to no avail.....

You are absolutely on target, here. Guiness has dumbed down its taste for the US market which, by and large, prefers tasteless beers (despite some of the clever ads which might suggest the contrary). Samuel Smith's, Young's and St. Peter's are three brewers from the British Isles that make far superior stouts to Guiness, in my opinion. ← And your just dumber than a box of rocks for saying that Guiness has dumbed down it's taste for the US Market. I'm holding a can in my hand that says: brewed at St. James Gate, Dublin, Ireland. With the widget in the can it tastes the same as from the tap. If I blindfolded you you would not be able to tell the difference for sure. I have been drinking Guiness for more than twenty years and I have tried the tap and can side by side and they taste the same......period. If the brew tastes bland to you OK....... I also like Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout and other English brews but there is only one Guiness. You like Murphy's that's great. But just because YOU don't like the Guieness tastes does not make it a bad brew.

Photos already posted here. The rum is available at HiTimes Liquour in Costa Mesa, CA the price is noted below.. Rum > DOMESTIC > ROGUE WHITE RUM 750 Price: $25.99 Stock Status: In Stock

Thanks for your quick response and information. Nice to learn I still have many, many new rums to find and enjoy. While many of the brands you mentioned are new to me I have tried a few and they too are on my favorite list. Thanks again and keep her headed into the wind.......

I tend to agree with you up to a point. I've learned (from the Pyrat rum website) that the recommended way to enjoy Pyrat XO is to fill a small glass with cubed ice and pour a shot or so of the rum over the ice. let it sit for a few minutes......dash with a slice of lime if so desired......sit back and enjoy. The ice (water) really brings out the favor of this rum. Drinking it neat is a completely different experience on the taste buds and not nearly as enjoyable. Also explains why here in So. California you can buy Pyrat XO rum (on sale) for 19 bucks and it includes a pair of V-shaped glasses to enjoy the product. www.hitimewine.net Each rum tends to lend itself to different drinking styles. Pusser rum is THE best rum for making the famous 'painkiller'........cuts right through as they say. For me, it's a little to strong to drink neat though. But lets face it.......don't like the 'rum police' tell you how to enjoy your drink. Just do it!

Have a couple questions for you. 1)Is there any reason a 5 year old rum would taste better than a 21 year old bottle? 2) When they dilute a rum do they use a younger rum to do so? Or do they add just sugar juice or water? Will be cruising the Caribbean next January with another stop in both Antiqua and St. Lucia. Will definitely check out the Chairman's Reserve. In your travels have you had a chance to sample Mt. Gay's Tricentennial rum. I paid 30 bucks for a shot at their store in Barbados. My wife had a fit but I told her we're here and I may never get back so it was a once in a lifetime deal. I have no regrets According to the guide the supply is about gone with only a few hundred bottles left for sale. When gone.......that's it. Would be interesting to see a list of your top ten rums. Thanks, I'm really enjoying the chance to exchange views with someone who really knows the stuff.

Customs in Miami International Airport has historically been pretty good to rum drinkers, but don't push your luck. I've been told, by Customs officers at MIA, that you aren't allowed to bring Cuban rum into the US. If you're returning to the US from the BVIs they typically ask where you came from and not the origin of the rum you are carrying with you. If you tell Customs that you've got Cuban rum with you, expect to loose it. ← Words to live by for sure, thanks.

I purchased a bottle of English Habour while visiting Antigua. It's reported to be 21 years old but to be honest it didn't taste like it. It does have a cognac like taste that some folks prefer.......but not me. Very pale in colour also. The packaging is upscale for sure. The bottle comes from England and the wooden cap from Portugal. I think I paid about 25 bucks. Insofar as it's one of the few rums I have found not to be available around here it's going to sit behind the bar for a long time just for looks. Admiral Rodney from St. Lucia is another story. Said to be 15 years old I found it to be much more enjoyable to drink neat.