Jump to content

tanstaafl2

participating member
  • Posts

    1,047
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by tanstaafl2

  1. Sounds like an interesting drink! Wouldn't have thought of adding salt. Have not had Junipero but presume it is pretty juniper forward. Would most London Dry gins stand up to the chartreuse in this drink or would you recommend some other gins in place of the Junipero? Interesting that some recipes say yellow and some say green Chartreuse. How much absinthe did you end up using? Recipes I have perused on line suggest 1/4 but that seems like a lot along with the Chartreuse!
  2. The Aalborg akvavit site appears to show the selection and tells a bit about them. The label of bottles available in the US for the Taffel akvavit appears to be an export version as the red cross is much larger. Internet Wines, a link noted in Doc Cocktails book VS&FC, had both the Taffel and Jubilaeums version listed but both are out of stock. I do not know for how long or if it will ever be in stock again. They also have Linie which I would have ordered in the past but it requires that you order at least 4. It is out of stock at DrinkupNY and not carried by Astor. K&L won't ship to Georgia. Beltramos has it and ships to Georgia but shipping is pretty spendy. The shipping deal at DrinkupNY seems hard to beat so hopefully they will get it again soon! I asked because we used to drink Taffel Akvavit which is very strongly caraway-flavoured. We can now only occasionally get Jubilaeum in Canada and understand that Aalborg no longer ships ANYTHING to North America. My impression would be that the Taffel and the Jubilaeum are very different and that they would NOT be interchangeable in a mixed drink. Linie is much "softer" if that is a suitable word to describe an akavavit with much less discernible flavour. An unqualified ingredient called akvavit in a cocktail recipe strikes me as being as unhelpful as one that specified rum with no indication as to the type of rum. Thanks very much for the responses. It would seem that, as rlibkind noted in another thread, the Linie aquavit and the Aalborg taffel are readily available at least in Atlanta at the store I frequent the most often. Saw both and picked up a bottle of Linie as noted in my post in the recent liquor store purchases thread.
  3. You were absolutely right! Both Linie and Aalborg taffel were just sitting there on the shelf at my favorite store taunting me! Picked up a bottle of the Linie today I added it to the series of pics on the thread about recent liquor store purchases.
  4. Never followed up on these from a couple of weeks ago so here are a couple of pictures. Won't spoil anything with my thoughts on the 3 Single Oak Project bottles (61, 93 and 125). But one bottle is a bit lower so that might be a clue! Also picked up the Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal and the Tobala Mezcal. The Tobala is quite remarkable! Finally I picked up two bottles of the Citadelle Reserve gin and am glad I did! While there I also got this bottle of Cold River blueberry vodka I had heard about. The aroma of blueberries is massive when the bottle is opened but it is not a syrupy sweet blueberry taste at all. Instead it is a remarkably dry bottle of vodka that is quiet pleasant to sip on the rocks. A bit like drinking a fresh blueberry muffin. It has been a couple of weeks since my last trip so I am sure they are starting to miss me at the liquor store! All the talk on the forum the last couple of days on rum and aquavit lead me to head to the store to supplement my meager rum supply which consists of a bottle of Brugal, Myers dark and a half bottle of white Bacardi that could well be over 20 years old. Probably should use it to start my next fire in the fireplace! Managed to pick up some rums that might be interesting to take for a test ride over the next couple of weeks; Rhum Barbancourt 8yo, El Dorado 15yo and Ron Zacapa Centenario 23yo. While there I refreshed my Aperol supply since it was on sale along with a bottle of Cointreau that was also for sale. Couldn't resist trying a bottle of Cynar that comes up here in recipes so frequently. Also looked for aquavit and it turns out rlibkind was right. Both the Linie and the Aalborg taffel were readily available on the shelf today. Decided to pick up a bottle of the Linie to try for myself. Already decided to try the Dark and Orangy tonight, probably using the Myers rum, so these latest acquisitions will have to wait for another evening. So much liquor, so little time...
  5. As a bit of a side note and also drawing on the brief discussion about the Dark 'n' Stormy in the rum thread which also get's a mention in the article, has Pusser's been forgiven in the cocktail/spirits world for it's recent trademark dispute with PKNY over the use of the word Painkiller? Or is it more of a New York-centric thing? Or just a tempest in a teapot as was suggested at the end of this interesting thread.
  6. Wandering through posts looking for new recipes and I must say that sounds tasty! I have all the ingredients so it looks like a winner for this evenings libation. I am curious about the choice of lemon over lime juice. As the creator perhaps you can shed some light? Don't really have a dark rum other than Myers but sounds like a good excuse to go shopping. I was out of Aperol anyway so might as well have a look around while I am there...
  7. Unfortunately the link was as I had recalled. There appeared to be only 65 bottles available for this program and almost all were scotch whisky, not surprising from a store called World of Whiskies I suppose. Most were over 30 pounds and a few of them were over 2000 pounds a bottle! Looks like a possible good deal for someone looking for a specific scotch though!
  8. True. And why let the customs officials get to drink all the good rum! I will be traveling myself to Argentina in January so maybe that will be a chance to start my criminal career assuming they have Havana Club there. I presume they must. Or anything else of interest. Not sure what spirits might be specific to Argentina like cachaça is to Brazil or pisco is to Peru AND that is not readily available here. Certainly many good wines there I am sure. And then next summer I have a trip to Europe planned already and I have specific plans to spend a couple of extra days in London, part of which will be dedicated to spirits shopping! I will check out the link you noted. I think I had looked at it before and the options were a bit limited but hopefully I did not dig deep enough and it will be just the thing I need!
  9. Yeah, that has been considered. They are traveling on government business using an official passport and on the off chance somebody checks and cares I was just concerned it might be embarrassing (or worse) for them. I just don't know how big a deal it would be. If it were me traveling I could take the gamble myself. Never been truly convinced that Cuban products are as good anymore as the hype and mystic that surrounds them because they are such taboo these days. I think that has been the case for cigars for a long time now. While they may still make good ones few of those see export and other countries now make ones that are as good or better for the same or less money. At least that was my impression of the few very expensive ones I have had in the past ten years or so. All show and no go! Maybe rum is different. Will have to give it some thought. And although I enjoy rum since I am not a big rum drinker wouldn't know which one to tell them to look for! If I am going to go that route would probably prefer a decent sipper than one for mixing. 7yo? Anejo Especial? Anejo Reserva? The 15yo is probably a little too much to spend on something that might not make it home!
  10. When I was a 20-something I couldn't have defended making high-end dining and having a social conscience exist in the same reality either. I find it touching, to tell you the truth. And as a poor grad student it is an attitude that serves her well. Right now she needs some help to replace her bike and is no doubt not in the mood for upscale dining. She bought a new road bike when she got to Atlanta last month and it was stolen on campus while she attended a talk by Jimmy Carter. Someone must be stalking the Emory campus with a heavy duty bolt cutter. After Atlanta we head on to NY for a few days, and she won't be there to adjust my moral compass. I'll be sure to let her know about the Ethiopian places, she's very fond of injera and likes eating without utensils! Believe me, I understand what you are saying. When I was a 20-something 30 something years ago at Emory I may well have felt the same way although it is all a bit of a blur nowadays! I was on scholarship whilst many of the students I was there with seemed to have cash to burn. Although I was never much of one for dwelling on social conciousness. Mostly I was just jealous and looked forward to the day when I could afford a little consumer excess myself! Fortunately that day has arrived for me. But I still volunteer to teach the occasional class at Emory and as a result have a little interaction with the students of today. In many ways it seems little has changed. I sympathize with the bike theft. It went on in my day as well. Somehow I think it isn't restricted just to the Emory campus though. Or Atlanta for that matter. An unfortunate sign of the times I suppose. Hopefully you will enjoy your trip to Atlanta. The city has a lot to offer and this thread should give you some good options no matter what limitations the good ol' moral compass may encounter!
  11. Hmm, just occured to me that anything they bought outside the airport can't be hand carried and would have to be checked. Since the checked luggage won't be accesible that could be a problem. And even if it was accessible they would have to store it some place or cart it around with them. Hmm, could be a problem. Damned terrorists! It's all their fault.
  12. Thanks! Haven't seen them locally but haven't looked closely of late. Will check a bit again and see what I can find here.
  13. Thanks! Will investigate that a bit more. I presume there is a shop and one can buy retail at the HQ with no problem?
  14. I must say I found your comment that one of the three strikes was your "daughter's contempt for destination dining and consumer excess" kind of amusing! I suppose having one meal on your own a place you would enjoy is out of the question... Atlanta does have a lively and growing Ethiopian scene, much of which seems to be focused on the intersection of Briarcliff and Clairmont roads, not far from Emory on the opposite side from Decatur. I have only been to Ledet and Desta but both were good, if very casual places. As was mentioned in this thread earlier you might consider Mary Mac's Tearoom for lunch one day for the classic southern "Meat and three" menu. As a long time Atlantan and Emoroid alum from long past I have been there many times over the years and not much has changed. Although in towards town it is a pretty easy drive from the Decatur/Emory area on Ponce. Hopefully it won't be considered "destination dining" although I can't speak to "consumer excess" as I am personally rather fond of it. After all, nothing exceeds like excess...
  15. Always happy to abuse my friends willingness to feed my spirits habit! I have a friend who will be passing through London Heathrow soon who is willing to look for desirable additions to my liquor cabinet. They will be there about 9 hours. I have no idea if that is realistically enough time to leave the airport and trek into town (which they are willing to do if it is feasable) or if they will have to limit their search to airport duty free which will likely limit availability of options. Anybody know if it is in fact practical to go into town to a place like the Whisky Exchange or another similar specialty liquor store close to public transit in that time frame? Nine hours seems like just enough of a layover to be annoying but not long enough to safely go anywhere outside the airport and not risk missing a flight. They will be on BA and presumably operating out of Terminal 5. I haven't personally been through Heathrow in years but I see from the web that there is a store called World of Whiskies in the airport that appears to mainly focus on scotch but might have some other choices. Anybody with knowledge of what amount of variety beyond the typical duty free inventory that might be available there? Swedish Punsch remains my top objective presently and based on the recent discussion my interest in aquavit has been revived so maybe some Linie aquavit (although it appears to be available at least via the internet here) or Aalborg akvavit. Might have them look for Kummel as well while I am on a caraway kick! Any other suggestions for unusual items not readily available in the states that might be available in Heathrow duty free? Perhaps a good quality absinthe like one of the Jade line if it can be found although it can be pretty spendy. I currently have some absinthe and there seem to be some good ones being made in the states these days anyway. In any case, suggestions are welcome!
  16. The Aalborg akvavit site appears to show the selection and tells a bit about them. The label of bottles available in the US for the Taffel akvavit appears to be an export version as the red cross is much larger. Internet Wines, a link noted in Doc Cocktails book VS&FC, had both the Taffel and Jubilaeums version listed but both are out of stock. I do not know for how long or if it will ever be in stock again. They also have Linie which I would have ordered in the past but it requires that you order at least 4. It is out of stock at DrinkupNY and not carried by Astor. K&L won't ship to Georgia. Beltramos has it and ships to Georgia but shipping is pretty spendy. The shipping deal at DrinkupNY seems hard to beat so hopefully they will get it again soon!
  17. Can you get Strega or Benedictine? Either (or better yet, a combination of both) would reasonably approximate the Yellow Chartreuse. When I make that drink with Strega, I call it the Norwegian Witchwood (I also prefer less apple brandy since, for me, it overpowers the aquavit): Norwegian Witchwood 1 1/4 oz Aquavit (Aalborg) 3/4 oz apple brandy or applejack 3/4 oz sweet vermouth (Cinzano) 1/4 oz Liquore Strega I'm curious about the name of the drink, why Norwegian Witchwood when you are using a danish Akvavit? For me (and most other swedes) there is a significant difference between norwegian and danish akvavit, the norwegian type is generally rounder due to barrel ageing. I suspect it has more to do with the fact that the Beatles didn't sing a song called "Danish Wood"! Since the original drink from which this is a variation was called "Norwegian Wood" and specified a Norwegian aquavite it does make more sense in that one than it does here.
  18. Aperol has become my recent drink of choice. Try as I might I can't quite get an appreciation for Campari. But the Aperol makes a lovely light Americano varition and the slightly more orange forward taste is quite appealing! Tried the Plymouth gin, Aperol and Lillet combo the other night but not as good. Then again my Lillet has been open a while. A real downside with those types of mixers since I am the only one experimenting most evenings. Collected a bunch of Aperol recipes from here and other places the other day and look forward to giving this recipe and the others I have collected a try. May substitute it for Compari in a Jasmine or Bitter Elder to see how it does. May bit a bit too much in the Jasmine with the Cointreau but we shall see.
  19. tanstaafl2

    Beers to Age: A List

    An older post so don't know if you are still looking for something. I was looking for some bottle storage recently, mostly for spirits but a few beers as well, and found this at the Container Store. Other places may have it as well. Intermetro basket shelves Basically you can build a shelving system with these basket shelves and adjust as needed to fit what ever size bottle you are storing. I put a thin sheet of playwood on the bottom cut to size and it seems to work well and provides security to your bottle in case you bump the shelves. In the past on open flat shelfs I was always afraid one bottle would fall and cause a domino effect onto the cruel concrete floors below. Talk about alcohol abuse! Not a great picture but hopefully you get the idea.
  20. Anybody had a peek at the book Ultimate Guide To Spirits & Cocktails by Andre Domine? Noticed it on Amazon after having decided to take the plunge on KS2. Looks as those his past books focus on wine and cooking and there are only 2 reviews so far. Wasn't clear if it was more like KS2 with info on spirits or if it also had a number of cocktail recipes. In any case probably not buying another book right away after paying for KS2. But there is always Christmas...
  21. I'm guessing Miodula wouldn't serve as a good substitute for mead. Definitely more of a liqueur or nalewka as David described. Looks like it is more intended to be sipped on its own although I am sure it could be used in a cocktail. Not sure what I would consider building with it as I am not much for creating my own drinks. Prefer to see what the experts have come up with and then modify to my own tastes as needed! For now I plan to continue to use it as an occasional after dinner treat. It makes a lovely and somewhat novel one!
  22. Thanks! Sound about right as this is 80 proof and I think intended for formal occasions or at least promoted that way from what little I can find about. Just was surprised there wasn't more info about it. Or at least info that I could find fairly easily. In any case I think it is quite good and that is what counts the most!
  23. Well, I am guessing there is not a lot of familiarity with this spirit, eh? Worth a shot I suppose. Didn't hear anything back from the Whiskey Exchange either so two strikes at the moment!
  24. Well, the booze "mule" has returned from S. Africa! I had mentioned Glayva and a couple of other things hard to find (for me anyway) in the US on a lark before they left, not really expecting them to find it. And a liter bottle to boot! I hope it is worth it. Also got the Kola tonic. At least I assume it is the same thing. It is labeled as Roses's Kola Tonic Flavored Cordial and has a brown label whereas pictures I had seen on the web had a red label and only said Kola Tonic. Might be a location issue. In any case it is what I have! They also found a bottle of "Wild Africa Cream Liqueur". Delightfully tacky with a faux leopard print cover! Most likely for the tourist trade. Don't know much about it but will add it to my growing collection of cream liqueurs which is now up to about 7 or 8 and includes Baileys, Drumgray, Amarula, Kahlua Royal Cream, Castries, 1921 Tequila Cream and possibly something else that I can't remember along with the newest addition. Dessert is covered for awhile... Kind of a lousy cellphone picture!
  25. Gave the Scofflaw a try using the Sazerac rye. A very nice way to use up a bit of vermouth before it goes to waste!
×
×
  • Create New...