The Hard Liquor and Miscellaneous Stiff Drinks Thread

I was thinking about posting a recent evolution in my love of whisky in Vladimir's Beer Thread (:bow:) but I thought that the stiffer drinks deserved a thread of their own; so, here it is: the Reverend's Hard Liquor and Miscellaneous Stiff Drinks thread, where the true aficionado of both intoxication and good drinks can celebrate his dual love.

The reason I was going to post, as I mentioned previously, is that I have discovered a kind of whisky which I wish I had discovered earlier. Until now, my drinking habit has been primarily limited to bourbon, a drink which I have always found infinitely preferable to the "classic" whiskys, namely Irish and Scottish. I have never liked the (malt?) flavor of European whisky, as it lacks body and generally invokes subtle but still nightmarish memories of Tequila (I will leave it up to your imagination as to why I can no longer drink tequila.) Bourbon has a much stronger, fuller and distinct flavor; while I can understand that many would be turned away by its sometimes incredible burn, I find that a few drops of distilled water, in the style of Scotch and Water, not only takes care of this burn but also brings out the full flavor of the bourbon.

However, I decided yesterday to experiment a bit, so I bought a bottle of what the clerk (whose opinion I trust) described as standard, mid-grade Canadian whisky. It's quite a different experience. It lacks the full, beautiful flavor of bourbon, but it has a distinctive flavor of its own; it's malty, but not overwhelmingly so, and it has a good, mild grain flavor (I think it's the same corn flavor as bourbon, but I've never had rye, so it might be that as well; could also be both, it tastes very complex.) It can also be drunk straight, as opposed to bourbon, which is best consumed, as I said, in a scotch-and-water style mixture.

So: post what you will. What's your favorite hard drink? Your favorite mixed drink with hard liquor? I want to hear from the refined alcoholics out there.

@Beirut: if you really think this is redundant with the Beer thread, please merge this with said thread; but I feel like it warrants its own discussion.

Edit: I guess it's cool with the axeman.

Absolutely not reduntant with the beer thread...never been a huge fan of beer, I generally use keystone for drinking games, colt 45 if it's the right kind of day, and maybe some pbr as a finisher on the night because it's safe. Other than that I don't see the appeal of drinking beer, liquor has so much more flavor than guiness/sam adams/etc.

Nice thing about bourbon is that even the cheap stuff can be drunk neat and still be tasty. Neat is the only way to drink it in my opinion. On the rocks is cold and watery. With coke is kind of a waste. Never had much success with manhattan's. I've heard a few drops of water brings out the flavor but have never blind taste tested it.

Wild Turkey and Makers are two excellent bourbons in about the $20 a fifth range. Makers uses more wheat so it's smoother and WT uses more rye and is a bit spicier (also a higher proof). If you're on a budget Evan Williams is about $9 a fifth and Ezra Brooks is around $10. Both tasty. Compared to cheap vodka (smirnoff), rum (bacardi), and gin (gordon's) cheap bourbon is a great value. The others are mixers only.

My cocktail making skills are lacking unfortunately...

Like Dimple, pretty good value. Straight up none of the ice soda nonsense, that's just for show I think.

@Sasaki: Maker's and Wild Turkey are alright, but if your local store offers Bulleit Bourbon I advise you to give it a try. It's my favorite bourbon, and I have been told by at leasst one true Kentuckian that it's a damn fine bourbon.

Yeah, a few drops of water really does the trick; the thing is, it really has to be well-filtered water, and preferably ice-cold. I find that a Brita filter does the trick; just keep it in your fridge, and you have cold, purified water whenever you need it. Just remember not to pour the water directly from the Brita into the bourbon; put a little in another glass first, and use that to regulate how much water you want, otherwise you'll end up seriously diluting some fine whisky.

And how the hell can you stand Colt 45?! :inquisitive: Isn't that stuff like watered-down gasoline?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

@Sasaki: Maker's and Wild Turkey are alright, but if your local store offers Bulleit Bourbon I advise you to give it a try. It's my favorite bourbon, and I have been told by at leasst one true Kentuckian that it's a damn fine bourbon.

---

I'll have to try that again sometime. I had a bottle of that and a bottle of beam black but that was back when I just mixed it or took shots of it.

Quote:

---

Yeah, a few drops of water really does the trick; the thing is, it really has to be well-filtered water, and preferably ice-cold. I find that a Brita filter does the trick; just keep it in your fridge, and you have cold, purified water whenever you need it. Just remember not to pour the water directly from the Brita into the bourbon; put a little in another glass first, and use that to regulate how much water you want, otherwise you'll end up seriously diluting some fine whisky.

---

Maybe...seems like a bit of trouble with the filtering and all. And the fact that the mind is easily fooled by little things (it's been shown that attractiveness of the bottle can affect reported quality of the drink) makes me a bit doubtful. I'll have to run my own test.

Quote:

---

And how the hell can you stand Colt 45?! :inquisitive: Isn't that stuff like watered-down gasoline?

---

It tastes kind of creamy to me.

It isn't hard liquor, but by the time I see the bottom of the bottle it might as well be.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ss/cardzin.jpg

A great California Zinfadel. This is not a sophisticated dry French wine; it's fruity and funky with lots of taste. $25 a bottlle here, not cheap, but a nice treat. Excellent BBQ wine and will be top shelf with my Delmonico steak tonight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delmonico

This has been my favorite wine since I sank a bottle last summer on a friend's deck by the lake reading his copy of the Tao Te Ching. Funky indeed. :hippie:

Beirut you are my role model. :bow:

A lumberjack who drinks cool wine and eats high quality steak, and lives in Canada, sounds good to me.

By any chance, is that wine related to the Flying Dog brewery, or is it just illustrated by Ralph Steadman? Because that's an awfully brutal-looking wine label.

(I prefer more traditional wines, myself... "cool" wines just seem silly. :toff: )

I prefer a good aged Single Malt Scotch. Right now I'm working on a bottle of 15 year old Glenfiddich.

If you want something with an ethnic flare try some Krupnik, it is a honey and grain based liquor.

Now my grandfather use to make Dandelion Wine, I would like to find time to learn how to make it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by m52nickerson

If you want something with an ethnic flare try some Krupnik, it is a honey and grain based liquor.

---

Wow. :stunned: That sounds... strong.

It is hard to find and the recipes vary. I've had some that was great to just sip on, at around 70 proof. Then you can find it up around 120 proof, but you will only do that in excess once.

"Old Krupnik" is about the only brand that I find with any regularity. Its considered a flavored vodka.

Cognac Camus, Tullamore Dew and Bloody Maries with mucho Tabasco, lemon and parsley here.

Oh, and if there has to be liquor with my coffee, I prefer it to be Licor Beirão.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

By any chance, is that wine related to the Flying Dog brewery, or is it just illustrated by Ralph Steadman? Because that's an awfully brutal-looking wine label.

(I prefer more traditional wines, myself... "cool" wines just seem silly. :toff: )

---

It's from the Bonny Doon winery in California, and it is a Ralph Steadman label.

I don't know much about wine, but I know what I like. I like this stuff. It tastes good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

Cognac Camus

---

Cognac's always tasted like pure magma to me... is it supposed to burn like the fires of hell, or have I only had bad cognac?

Wodka or Gin with Ice-tea or Coke. That I like Whiskey can be nice too. And of course the being Belgium I can dig genever too. However real men drink beer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Cognac's always tasted like pure magma to me... is it supposed to burn like the fires of hell, or have I only had bad cognac?

---

The trick to cognac is you have to let it breath. It helps with the burn.

I used to buy this stuff by the case:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...00003383_L.jpg

Despite the scary name and graphics, a very smooth single-malt scotch.

If there is a finer bottle of booze than this, I know not of it.

From one single keg to the bottle without any adulteration, perversion, or water of any kind. 120 proof and as tasty and smooth as a sunrise in Angelina Jolie's blouse.

Booker's Best. Quite possibly the best bourbon in the world.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...esass/1605.jpg

Vodka and coke for me.

I must say I tried some Polish vodka that one of my friends brought to a couple of parties (He is Polish) and it was incredibly good - ie strong, flavourless, pretty much like water. I'll try to get the name off of him and post it here.

EDIT: And how could I forget Absinthe?

I don't pretend to be a connoisseur in this subject (we Germans still like our beer), but some favourites:

Hennessy

B&B

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CountArach

Vodka and coke for me.

I must say I tried some Polish vodka that one of my friends brought to a couple of parties (He is Polish) and it was incredibly good - ie strong, flavourless, pretty much like water. I'll try to get the name off of him and post it here.

---

I just can't see "flavorless" as a positive thing. I mean, that's what good vodka is supposed to be, but why bother?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

If there is a finer bottle of booze than this, I know not of it.

From one single keg to the bottle without any adulteration, perversion, or water of any kind. 120 proof and as tasty and smooth as a sunrise in Angelina Jolie's blouse.

Booker's Best. Quite possibly the best bourbon in the world.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...esass/1605.jpg

---

Beirut I'm not expert on whiskey at only 19, but I do know one thing. That stuff is good. My dad brought a bottle of the stuff to Germany to give to my host family and I was lucky enough to sip a bit of it with them one night. Very very good stuff.

I also like Glenfiddich, but since I'm underage and only drink with my dad occasionally I drink beer far more often than top-shelf whiskey.

Booker's is, indeed, a great bottle of booze, but isn't it hellishly expensive? I seem to remember it going to some serious coin ...

Seems to be a bout $55 dollars a fifth. Yikes. Probably a good thing, seeing as it's 126 proof--I've heard that drinking too much 120+ proof booze kills your taste buds...thought only on hearsay.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Seems to be a bout $55 dollars a fifth. Yikes. Probably a good thing, seeing as it's 126 proof--I've heard that drinking too much 120+ proof booze kills your taste buds...thought only on hearsay.

---

If it doesn't kill your taste buds, it'll probably kill enough brain cells that you won't care what it tastes lie anyway... :uhoh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Cognac's always tasted like pure magma to me... is it supposed to burn like the fires of hell, or have I only had bad cognac?

---

Possibly. Buy a good bottle, pour some in a big glass, let it breathe like the man said then sip.

But remember you're supposed to drink something because you like it. Mebbe cognac just doesn't suit you. I have the same thing with wodka or gin - I can't stand the stuff without at least some other ingredients that take away the burn or sour edge. Dutch gin ('jenever') on the other hand, which is quite similar to the above, I can drink in huge amounts without any adverse effect.

P.S. Good thread, Reverend. :bow:

Gah, since a particular night I haven't been able to drink 'jenever' for without adverse side-effects. At least it was fun while it lasted. :sick:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Gah, since a particular night I haven't been able to drink 'jenever' for without adverse side-effects. At least it was fun while it lasted. :sick:

---

If you drink far too much of it, jejever has the unpleasant side effect of preventing you from sleeping. Which means you are going be wide awake and sick for hours on end, without redeeming sleep, and you are going to be dead tired the next day on top of having a contracted stomach, diarrhea and a splitting headache.

Looks who's talking from experience. :laugh4:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Gah, since a particular night I haven't been able to drink 'jenever' for without adverse side-effects. At least it was fun while it lasted. :sick:

---

Have the same with Berenburg, can't even smell it anymore or I get sick. What kind of schipper can't hold his berenburg? I used to like it but ever since, since........ well I don't really remember. Wonder why.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lemur

Booker's is, indeed, a great bottle of booze, but isn't it hellishly expensive? I seem to remember it going to some serious coin ...

---

$90 a bottle here and blisteringly hard to find. Only place I know is a booze store in Ottawa and the bottles tend to be reserved for restaurants. Shmucks.

I don't mind the price, really. First of all because it's worth it and I don't mind paying for luxury items I can actually afford. Second, I can afford it because I rarely buy more than four or five bottles of good whisky a year. I wait until something good shows up on the shelf and then grab it. I love my whisky, but I prefer to love it in expensive moderation. :toff:

There's a bottle of 16 year-old Bushmills I've been dying to try, that will probably be next. That's also about $90 a bottle. I've had the 10 year-old single malt Bushmills and the 12 year-old "standard", both are lovely and tasty.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fragony

Have the same with Berenburg, can't even smell it anymore or I get sick. What kind of schipper can't hold his berenburg? I used to like it but ever since, since........ well I don't really remember. Wonder why.

---

I remember a sailing week from hell in Frisia: seven days and nights of drizzling rain and almost no wind. Berenburg saved us from going mad, falling ill or becoming depressed. We counted our empty bottles, and by the end of the week it appeared I had drank a bottle a day... Now this was back in the day when Adrian II was a fine specimen of rugged, superior masculinity - 190 pound of muscle, brain and wit with icy blue eyes, the most casual five o'clock shade in the known universe, and he capacity to survive solely on black coffee and a woman's touch.

Aaanyway, it's a miracle I remember that week at all. :juggle2: :laugh4:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

Now this was back in the day when Adrian II was a fine specimen of rugged, superior masculinity - 190 pound of muscle, brain and wit with icy blue eyes, the most casual five o'clock shade in the known universe, and he capacity to survive solely on black coffee and a woman's touch.

---

Makes me think of a story I read years ago about a kid being invited to a Jewish friend's house for dinner. The kid asked what they were going to have and the mother said Matzo Ball soup. The kid then imagines that Matzos are like cows and is terrified that two huge testicles will be floating in his soup. Then he thinks about the poor Matzos out the field with no cohones and the girl Matzos making fun of them, saying that the men Matzos used to be so virile, but now all they do is talk and act like intellectuals.

Sorry. :shame:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

Makes me think of a story I read years ago about a kid being invited to a Jewish friend's house for dinner. The kid asked what they were going to have and the mother said Matzo Ball soup. The kid then imagines that Matzos are like cows and is terrified that two huge testicles will be floating in his soup. Then he thinks about the poor Matzos out the field with no cohones and the girl Matzos making fun of them, saying that the men Matzos used to be so virile, but now all they do is talk and act like intellectuals.

Sorry. :shame:

---

:laugh4: You certainly know how to spin someone else's joke, Beirut.

I could of course mention a certain moderator here who describes himself as an intellectual chick magnet, but since we're among equals I guess that is superfluous. :tongue2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

I remember a sailing week from hell in Frisia: seven days and nights of drizzling rain and almost no wind. Berenburg saved us from going mad, falling ill or becoming depressed. We counted our empty bottles, and by the end of the week it appeared I had drank a bottle a day... Now this was back in the day when Adrian II was a fine specimen of rugged, superior masculinity - 190 pound of muscle, brain and wit with icy blue eyes, the most casual five o'clock shade in the known universe, and he capacity to survive solely on black coffee and a woman's touch.

Aaanyway, it's a miracle I remember that week at all. :juggle2: :laugh4:

---

....so, what happened to this fine specimen of rugged, superior masculinity? Berenburg? :inquisitive:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

$90 a bottle here and blisteringly hard to find. Only place I know is a booze store in Ottawa and the bottles tend to be reserved for restaurants. Shmucks.

I don't mind the price, really. First of all because it's worth it and I don't mind paying for luxury items I can actually afford. Second, I can afford it because I rarely buy more than four or five bottles of good whisky a year. I wait until something good shows up on the shelf and then grab it. I love my whisky, but I prefer to love it in expensive moderation. :toff:

There's a bottle of 16 year-old Bushmills I've been dying to try, that will probably be next. That's also about $90 a bottle. I've had the 10 year-old single malt Bushmills and the 12 year-old "standard", both are lovely and tasty.

---

I knew my dad enjoyed expensive booze, but damn!!!

Maybe it's a little bit cheaper here than in Canadaland, but still....Ah well he rarely has whiskey that expensive in the house, unless Glenfiddich is up there too, in which case he fairly regularly has the stuff around. I think I could justify it if I end up making a decent income though, especially since I'd probably drink it very rarely and if you sip a bit of it every now and then a bottle should last a while shouldn't it?

You're all big girls, real men drink this:

http://xs128.xs.to/xs128/08240/aps813.jpg

:laugh4: Nah, man...

http://zenstoves.net/GelledAlcohol/SmallSterno.jpg

Canned heat! And real men don't strain out the methanol, either, because real men don't get methanol poisoning.

You are both wrong.


Bow before the real master peasants !

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b...agrau_USAF.jpg

Mig 25 is now very difficult to obtain and rather expensive, but Siberian garrisons loved what was in this vessel.

Some ignorant people, though claim it was designed for a different purpose than providing a drink to thirsty soldiers.

:focus:

https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/...whiskeyfm0.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Canned heat!

---

Damned straight! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ys2qFinXc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

:focus:

---

Gentlemen, please.

When it comes to hard liquor I mainly go with Islay Scotch - personal favourits being

Lagavulin (16 year)

https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/...gavulingy2.jpg


or Ardberg (Uigeadail)

https://img254.imageshack.us/img254/...th20boxyl6.jpg

Hard to go back to other Scotch after you got used to the peaty Islays (also Talisker is quite good as well)

Now that I can agree with - great drinks indeed. In addition, got a nice bottle of Laphroaig (10 years) and Bowmore (12) here.

Just found this in the FAQ at straightbourbon.com.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/homepage.html?54,249

6. Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's, is not considered a bourbon because it is charcoal-mellowed -- slowly, drop by drop, filtered through sugar-maple charcoal -- prior to aging, which many experts say gives it a different character. The process, called the Lincoln County Process, infuses a sweet and sooty character into the distillate as it removes impurities. But up to and after the charcoal filtering, the Jack Daniel's production is much the same as any other Bourbon. Jack Daniel's and George Dickel are two fine Tennessee Whiskeys though neither can be called bourbon.

Interesting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Cognac's always tasted like pure magma to me... is it supposed to burn like the fires of hell, or have I only had bad cognac?

---

Agreed about cognac. I used to feel the same way about whiskey but the other day I gave it a try and it wasn't bad actually...just not when sober.

Strangely enough I don't have this problem with wodka or even with absinthe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

Just found this in the FAQ at straightbourbon.com.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/homepage.html?54,249

6. Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's, is not considered a bourbon because it is charcoal-mellowed -- slowly, drop by drop, filtered through sugar-maple charcoal -- prior to aging, which many experts say gives it a different character. The process, called the Lincoln County Process, infuses a sweet and sooty character into the distillate as it removes impurities. But up to and after the charcoal filtering, the Jack Daniel's production is much the same as any other Bourbon. Jack Daniel's and George Dickel are two fine Tennessee Whiskeys though neither can be called bourbon.

Interesting.

---

Yup--although it's not all that different from bourbon. A nice whiskey though, if it wasn't so overpriced due to it's popularity/image I'd buy it more often.

GO VODKA AND TEQUILA!!!!!!!!! Strait up no chasers i put down 12 shots my last excursion

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Yup--although it's not all that different from bourbon. A nice whiskey though, if it wasn't so overpriced due to it's popularity/image I'd buy it more often.

---

The problem is the 80 proof Canadian import JD tastes harsher (and not in a good way) than the pure 101 stuff that y'all get down there. Not the same quality it seems.

I had a taste of the JD Single Barrel at the "luxury" booze store in Montreal last summer. Not at all pleasent. It was beyond smokey, it tasted like a burnt piece of wood. Very sad. I was looking forward to something really special. Who knows, maybe the single barrel stuff was cut as well before it came north. Such a perversion if true.

As far as top shelf bourbon goes, Knob Creek is just about only one we see on a semi-regular basis around here. (Quebec is big on beer, wine and vodka, with a good amount of scotch drinkers as well. But the bourbon crowd is fed mostly with luck.)

Tasty. :yes:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v.../knobcreek.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

The problem is the 80 proof Canadian import JD tastes harsher (and not in a good way) than the pure 101 stuff that y'all get down there. Not the same quality it seems.

---

I don't think it's ever been 101 proof. Originally was 90 I believe, but they got bought out and the proof was dropped to 86 and then down to 80.

Quote:

---

I had a taste of the JD Single Barrel at the "luxury" booze store in Montreal last summer. Not at all pleasent. It was beyond smokey, it tasted like a burnt piece of wood. Very sad. I was looking forward to something really special. Who knows, maybe the single barrel stuff was cut as well before it came north. Such a perversion if true.

---

Yah, JD is very smokey. Matter of taste I suppose. Like I said, the reason it's so popular is that it's so well known and marketed as a manly man's drink. As for quality it's more on the $10 a fifth level. Still good but not as good as makers, wild turkey etc. even though it's priced at that level.

The bottle design is one of the best:

https://img374.imageshack.us/img374/...danielsrn8.jpg

Quote:

---

As far as top shelf bourbon goes, Knob Creek is just about only one we see on a semi-regular basis around here. (Quebec is big on beer, wine and vodka, with a good amount of scotch drinkers as well. But the bourbon crowd is fed mostly with luck.)

Tasty. :yes:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v.../knobcreek.jpg

---

I'd like to try it some time. I'm always wary of the top shelf stuff because it's common sense that there's a point where you can't improve the bourbon anymore, and that the companies will push beyond that point just because people will pay for it. I'd like to try the wild turkey rare breed/kentucky spirit stuff as well.

Rumple Minze, tastes almost as good coming up as it does going down. :2thumbsup: Leaves your breath minty fresh!

But seriously, never been much of a hard liquor type. Vodka is about the only kind I'll drink, either straight shots or mixed with Sprite. Don't really like whiskeys or gin, and had bad experiences with rum in college and the taste just turns me off now. Tequila is ok, but vodka is preferable.

I could drive a couple of hours west and get some good 'shine though... :yes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

I don't think it's ever been 101 proof. Originally was 90 I believe, but they got bought out and the proof was dropped to 86 and then down to 80.

---

Really? Hmmm, I'm going to have to educate myself on the matter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Yah, JD is very smokey. Matter of taste I suppose. Like I said, the reason it's so popular is that it's so well known and marketed as a manly man's drink. As for quality it's more on the $10 a fifth level. Still good but not as good as makers, wild turkey etc. even though it's priced at that level.

---

You words fall as from a sophisticated palate. :bow:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

The bottle design is one of the best:

https://img374.imageshack.us/img374/...danielsrn8.jpg

---

Indeedely-doodely. It is a great looking bottle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

I'd like to try it some time. I'm always wary of the top shelf stuff because it's common sense that there's a point where you can't improve the bourbon anymore, and that the companies will push beyond that point just because people will pay for it. I'd like to try the wild turkey rare breed/kentucky spirit stuff as well.

---

Interesting point. I guess what we're looking for is particular refinements of taste, which we (I?) might imagine are best achieved in an expensive bottle. (Perhaps a naive if not ignorant mindset, but an applicable one none the less.) This level of sweetness with that level of gusto, or however you might describe it. Evan Williams Single Barrel is a good example. Right off you can tell its a very well made bourbon, very clean, smooth, light, but too sweet for me as well as my buddy who bought a bottle. A "lesser" bourbon, Jim Beam Black Label, for example, is not as clean or smooth, but I find it tastier and not sweet at all.

On the other hand, you can have a Wild Turkey bourbon which is just damn near perfect in all regards. My buddy tried the ten year-old Russels's Reserve and likes it better than all others, including the Rare Breed, which I have yet to try.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

The bottle design is one of the best:

https://img374.imageshack.us/img374/...danielsrn8.jpg

---

Now that's a mighty fine bottle indeed, Sir. :bow:

It is a pity that Camus bottles all look like large effeminate perfume vials. Horrible design. But the contents are unsurpassed, nothing can change that. I pour the entire contents into an old crystal decanter and never look back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Yup--although it's not all that different from bourbon. A nice whiskey though, if it wasn't so overpriced due to it's popularity/image I'd buy it more often.

---

:stare: Excuse me? Jack Daniel's, not all that different from Bourbon? Were it not for your further words of wisdom, I would be inclined to call you out as a buffoon, sir.

I understand how it could be somewhat similar -- for the most part, it is brewed the same -- but the ending flavor of Jack Daniel's is nothing like proper bourbon, if I may say so myself. It has always tasted terribly sweet to me, to the point of being viscous. In fact, I would daresay that the only other Bourbon-ish drink that is sweeter (and a greater mark of shame upon American liquor) is the abomination known as Southern Comfort. :sick: Talk about Bourbon mixed with fruit punch.

@Beirut: Knob Creek is actually a little too alcoholic for me. It's a damn good whisky, but I find that the 100-proof alcohol content interferes with the flavor.

By the by, how do you (everyone) mix your egg-nog-and-bourbon? I have been told that my personal preference is far too intense; I generally mix about 2-3 parts bourbon to one part egg nog. It lets me taste both the egg nog and the bourbon, and I can drink enough to get loaded without giving myself an instant coronary from all that egg nog.

Edit: Adrian...

https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/...bourbondw2.jpg

You want a bottle? That's a bottle. It is designed in the fashion of old frontier whisky bottles, complete with a cork cap. It also happens to be my favorite whisky, ever, ever, ever. It's really rich and very smooth for its strength. Of course, it's also around $25 a fifth, so it's definitely a special-occasion whisky.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

Now that's a mighty fine bottle indeed, Sir. :bow:

It is a pity that Camus bottles all look like large effeminate perfume vials. Horrible design. But the contents are unsurpassed, nothing can change that. I pour the entire contents into an old crystal decanter and never look back.

---

I just Googled the Camus bottle, doesn't look that bad. Is that the best stuff? $$$? I know very little about cognac.

As for crystal decanters, a few years back our SAQ (Quebec government booze stores) ordered a special series of very old scotch to be put in extra fancy crystal decanters and sold for one arm and half-a-leg. Problem is, once they hit the shelves, they found out the lead was leeching from the crystal into the scotch. Hello toilet bowl! What a waste.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Were it not for your further words of wisdom, I would be inclined to call you out as a buffoon, sir.

---

Unlikely in the Frontroom, sir. ~:smoking:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

:stare: Excuse me? Jack Daniel's, not all that different from Bourbon? Were it not for your further words of wisdom, I would be inclined to call you out as a buffoon, sir.

I understand how it could be somewhat similar -- for the most part, it is brewed the same -- but the ending flavor of Jack Daniel's is nothing like proper bourbon, if I may say so myself. It has always tasted terribly sweet to me, to the point of being viscous. In fact, I would daresay that the only other Bourbon-ish drink that is sweeter (and a greater mark of shame upon American liquor) is the abomination known as Southern Comfort. :sick: Talk about Bourbon mixed with fruit punch.

---

Well, on my shelf I have JD, then a few bottles of bourbon, then tequila, rum, gin, vodka, triple sec and vermouth. In that context it's not that different than bourbon--they are both whiskey.

Quote:

---

https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/...bourbondw2.jpg

You want a bottle? That's a bottle. It is designed in the fashion of old frontier whisky bottles, complete with a cork cap. It also happens to be my favorite whisky, ever, ever, ever. It's really rich and very smooth for its strength. Of course, it's also around $25 a fifth, so it's definitely a special-occasion whisky.

---

Heh, that's a neat bottle as well. I find bottle design pretty interesting actually.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

Unlikely in the Frontroom, sir. ~:smoking:

---

I am sure the Reverend was only joking, dear friend.

Camus is my favourite, maybe Hennesy is better. But I like my familliar tasting and smelling glass now and then after dinner, no need to go hoity-toity about it (um, is hoity-toity a word at all?).

Reverend, your bottle rocks. Image-wise your Bulleit is right on the mark. Now allow me to point out a great cognac in the kind of vessel it deserves: Hine Grande Champagne, bottled and corked by Monsieur LeBrun himself on a sunny Sunday afternoon in 1928 in the Charente. No frills, no girly nonsense, and I can taste it by looking at it.

Until I think of the price tag of 1000 euro ($1800) ...

https://img512.imageshack.us/img512/...nac1928yj2.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

I am sure the Reverend was only joking, dear friend.

---

But of course. I was merely being pro-active in my over-reactions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adrian II

https://img512.imageshack.us/img512/...nac1928yj2.jpg

---

If you buy, by God I'll help you drink it!

That is a marvelous bottle... if only more bottles had such class.

And speaking of which...

https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/...o4485r2aw1.jpg

Almost makes me want to start drinking tequila again.

And then I recall the taste of tequila... and retch ever so slightly.

@Sasaki: Yeah, I guess in that context it would seem more like Bourbon. I suppose when your palate becomes more focused on a particular type of whisky, you tend to be more choosy about what is and is not included in that category.

Moving on from my last post here, in all seriousness, my typical hard drink (all i usually drink is the hard stuff) will be Jim Beam. Not because i like it (heaven forbid, awful cheap rubbish) but because it's within my price range. When i can afford it, i like to buy something with a bit more class, such as the beauty that is Bell's Scotch Whisky. Tragically, i've not been able to find any Bell's over here in Oz. I do miss it so. I have many memories drenched in the beautiful essence of that heavenly delight.

I just discovered that a fifth of decent canadian whisky, Seagram's, is about four dollars less than a fifth of Jim Beam.

So now I'm happy. ~:cheers:

It's honestly good (well, not bad, anyway) stuff, too; it's got the body (and the zing) of bourbon, moreso than Jim Beam, even; and, like I said, it's $12 a fifth as opposed to $15-16 for Jim Beam.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

I just discovered that a fifth of decent canadian whisky, Seagram's, is about four dollars less than a fifth of Jim Beam.

---

As a good Canadian I must pass along a tenet held true by myself and my respected fellow Canadian whisky drinkers: Lips that touch Seagrams will never touch mine.

Now, whether you drink it or not, you are safe from a kiss from me - so don't drink it.

Too many bottles, not enough time. Don't waste any on......... Seagrams. :gah2:

That explains why it's sold in America. :laugh4:

And come to think of it, it IS starting to give me a funny headache.

I'd love to have these guys as neighbours. :sunny:

A very relaxed bourbon tasting.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qYU0to8FxyY

Oops. Forgot the best part. This is the Booker's Best tasting.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YEIoVs...eature=related

Open your mouth with the Knob Creek... interesting. I did not know that.

Edit: oh, god, I love Bourbon... man, I will never buy anther whisky again if it ain;t Kentucky Straight Bourbon!

Keepin' my thread alive.

I been drinking Jim Beam. Honestly, it's not the best bourbon ever; in fact, it's basically as cheap as you can go without getting into the nasty stuff.

But damn... even compared to a halfway-decent Canadian whisky (and I am not talking about Seagrams, I mean Canadian Club) it's the nectar of the Gods. Honestly, I just love that barrel-aged corn flavor. It's something else, man.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

If you buy, by God I'll help you drink it!

---

By God you're welcome! :2thumbsup:

The Reverend's church keeps growing. I consider this a good omen. :balloon2:

I like'a the Lawson's a wee dram, now and again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Keepin' my thread alive.

I been drinking Jim Beam. Honestly, it's not the best bourbon ever; in fact, it's basically as cheap as you can go without getting into the nasty stuff.

But damn... even compared to a halfway-decent Canadian whisky (and I am not talking about Seagrams, I mean Canadian Club) it's the nectar of the Gods.

---

Two different beasts, bourbon & rye (Canadian whisky). They offer different tastes and mindsets.

If you can find 18 year-old Wisers, you'll be getting a top-shelf Canadian whisky. Canadian Club is a mixed drink quality rye, strictly middle-shelf. A standard Wisers Deluxe would be better. And of course, Crown Royal is a nice bottle indeed.

Come to think of it, Canadian Club was the first Canadian whisky I got... dunno why I got Seagram's the second time.

Regardless, I must say that I prefer even a mediocre bourbon to a decent Canadian whisky. I just can't go without the flavor and body of Bourbon; it just says "good times" to me.

Well now that it seems that summer has definitavely kicked off here, it's time for me to move on from my more wintery beverages such as Cointreau and brandy-based cocktails to the estival tipples such as gin, martinis and pimm's. I admit that it pales in comparison to the more manly, straight-drinking strong booze that have been mentioned so far, but then I suppose I am rather a weakling compared to the many stout outdoors fellows here. I shall now retire to my divan to smoke my pipe, yank up the gramophone for my Stéphane Grappelli record, be served alternate cups of cold mint tea and gin and tonics by my valet and generally lead a useless, idle life of decadence.:shame:

Henry, Gin is about the meanest hard liquor I have encountered. :sweatdrop: If you are a regular drinker, I salute your fortitude, but your taste in liquor I must question.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by King Henry V

I shall now retire to my divan to smoke my pipe, yank up the gramophone for my Stéphane Grappelli record, be served alternate cups of cold mint tea and gin and tonics by my valet and generally lead a useless, idle life of decadence.:shame:

---

Posh Org.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...sass/KingV.jpg

Attempted a blind taste test tonight.

The candidates:

Ezra Brooks
Evan Williams
Maker's Mark
Wild Turkey (101)

The Process:

Poured the bourbons into 4 glasses that were all the same make. Wrote the brand on the glass with washable marker. Turned out the light and blindfolded myself with my t-shirt. Mixed up the glasses thoroughly. Laid out in a row:


A------------------B---------------------C-----------------------D

The Tasting:

My thinking was to take a large enough sip to taste the bourbon but not large enough to numb the mouth. Drank water in between glasses.

Started with "D" which I figured was Ezra. Moved on to C, which I ranked equal to D taste wise, and figured it as Wild Turkey, which surprised me since I expected it to have more of a kick due to the higher proof. B was next, which I instantly identified as Maker's Mark, and which tasted noticeably better than C and D. A was last, I figured it to be Evan Williams, which I ranked alongside C and D. I went back to C to check and see if I'd been misled, but apparently Wild Turkey isn't as good as I thought.

The True Results:

Blindfold is off! Time to examine the glasses.

A. Evan Williams
B. Wild Turkey
C. Maker's Mark
D. Ezra Brooks

Whoah! I had A and D right but was wrong about B and C. I went into the tasting thinking that I liked Maker's the best which is why I thought my favorite taste from the four was Maker's. Wild Turkey is a clear favorite however. Good to know! A bit easier on the wallet too. $5 less and 11 more proof.

The Winner:

https://img162.imageshack.us/img162/4089/94748il2.jpg

Now to drink the left over whiskey...

Nicely done!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Henry, Gin is about the meanest hard liquor I have encountered. :sweatdrop: If you are a regular drinker, I salute your fortitude, but your taste in liquor I must question.

---

Nonsense. Gin is a refined and noble tipple, the foundation of empire.

There are some very nasty versions though, most especially the ubiquitous Gordon's. Better to drink aftershave straight from the bottle than use an intermediary.

They make the best gin in Plymouth (United Kingdom) down on the Barbican. Plymouth Gin is quite widely available, and should be taken with some good tonic and a slice of lime.

Adrian, it was always clear that you were a man of taste. I have a bottle of Camus Ile de Re XO begging for some company... :bow:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reverend Joe

Henry, Gin is about the meanest hard liquor I have encountered. :sweatdrop: If you are a regular drinker, I salute your fortitude, but your taste in liquor I must question.

---

I must admit that neat gin can be rather rough, especially the cheap stuff (of course), but the mixers generally transform it into a heavenly substance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beirut

Posh Org.

---

:laugh4: Really, I certainly don't think that you're all philistines...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

They make the best gin in Plymouth (United Kingdom) down on the Barbican. Plymouth Gin is quite widely available, and should be taken with some good tonic and a slice of lime

---

I've been meaning to try some Plymouth gin for quite a while, but I've found it quite difficult to get my hands on a bottle. Must try to get some when I'm in the West Country this summerr...

Anyone noticed themselves losing the taste for hard liquor straight up after not drinking for a while, only to regain it after getting drunk once?

vodka I can down that like candy. I <3 genetic alcoholism. The only thing that really stops me its poorly made tequila and even then its like trying to stop Chivalric knights with peasants. Im not trying to come off as a bad ass I really think Ive got issues. Therefore I've been sober 36 hours