The Hard Liquor and Miscellaneous Stiff Drinks Thread

[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. Honestly, I just love that barrel-aged corn flavor. It's something else, man.

[cmacq]

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

[Beirut]

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.

[Reverend Joe]

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.

[King Henry V]

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.

[Reverend Joe]

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

[Banquo's Ghost]

Henry, Gin is about the meanest hard liquor I have encountered. 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...

[Sasaki Kojiro]

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.

Plymouth is good indeed. Makes a great martini, seems like the flavor would be a little subtle for a gin and tonic though. Works well in a gin pink too, though I've never been clear on how much a dash is.

Am very impressed with the johnny walker black--better than the dewar's 12 I tried before. Just a little pour lasts me a long time since the flavor stays in my mouth for so long. Will have to try some single malt next time.

[King Henry V]

Henry, Gin is about the meanest hard liquor I have encountered. 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.

Posh Org.

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

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...

[Sasaki Kojiro]

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?

[Beirut]

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.

Posh Org.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

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:



Now to drink the left over whiskey...

[Beirut]

Nicely done!