The Hard Liquor and Miscellaneous Stiff Drinks Thread

[Mikeus Caesar]

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.

[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.

So now I'm happy.

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.

[Beirut]

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.

[Reverend Joe]

That explains why it's sold in America.

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

[Beirut]

I'd love to have these guys as neighbours.

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

[Reverend Joe]

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!

[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.

[Adrian II]

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

By God you're welcome!

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

[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.

[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!

[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...

[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?

[Strike For The South]

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

[Subedei]

Good old "Blutwurz" [translates into something like Tormentil liquor] from the Bavarian Forrest.

Herb-based liquor with up to 60% alc..
I would recommend it after meals...when my friends and me have one at our favourit eating place, just about 20 min. later it hits you like a warm breeze in the mind. Wonderful staff!

You are able to see [not taste it] on this funky page here http://blutwurz.penninger.de/

I like Moscowskaya Vodka and some Polish Vodkas as well. While living in the US I realized you had some good Whiskeys over there plus there are some Scotish & Irish blends I like. But well I drink whiskey about once a year.
That`s it with the hard staff...back to my favourit beers!

[Ice]

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?

It's funny. Jack made me puke last year. I just drank some with my roommate last night with some coke and it actually wasn't too bad at all.

[CountArach]

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?

Yeah. i haven't had a drink in a few weeks now, and hard liquor for probably 5 weeks... I dread to think what it will be like going back to that.

[Ja'chyra]

Vodka and Irn Bru for me usually, if I'm after a cocktail then its either a Long Island ice Tea or a Mudslide and for shots my favourite atm is Stiffy's cola cube.

[Moros]

hmmmm had bacardi cola last night. was a nice dooze, no headache nothing after.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Crown Royal is my favorite sipping whiskey. For a nice summer cooler I prefer Bombay Sapphire with tonic water and a twist of lime.

[Reverend Joe]

I seem to have destroyed my stomach by drinking too much hard liquor.

It is now well and truly a special occasion drink.

[Subedei]

For a nice summer cooler I prefer Bombay Sapphire with tonic water and a twist of lime.

Very good choice! Delicious for a warm summer evening!

[Sasaki Kojiro]

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.

Picked up a bottle of this the other week--very sweet as you say. Sweetest smelling substance I've ever come across. I love it Always liked the flavor of evan williams, makes a nice contrast to the wild turkey. Nice to mix it up, and the single barrel is a darn good price.

I'll leave ya'll with a mint julep recipe I came across by one Judge Soule Smith:

"By the brookside the mint grows. As the little wavelets pass they glide up to kiss the feet of the the growing mint, the mint bends to salute them. Gracious and kind it is, living only for the sake of others. ... When the Blue Grass begins to shoot its gentle sprays towards the sun, mint comes, and its sweetest soul drinks at the crystal brook. It is virgin then. But soon it must be married to Old Bourbon. His great heart, his warmth of temperament, and that affinity which no one understands demand the wedding. How shall it be? Take from the cold spring some water, pure as angel's are; mix it with sugar till it seems like oil. Then take a glass and crush your mint within it with a spoon--crush it around the borders of the glass and leave no place untouched. Then throw the mint away--it is a sacrifice. Fill with cracked ice the glass; pour in the quantity of Bourbon which you want. It trickles slowly through the ice. Let it have time to cool, then pour your sugared water over it. No spoon is needed; no stirring allowed--just let it stand a moment. Then around the rim place sprigs of mint, so that the one who drinks may find taste and odor at one draft. Then when it is made, sip it slowly. August suns are shining, the breath of the south wind is upon you. It is fragrant, cold, sweet - it is seductive. No maiden's kiss is more tenderer or more refreshing; no maiden's touch could be more passionate. Sip it and dream, you cannot dream amiss. Sip it and dream, it is a dream itself... Sip it and say there is no solace for the soul, no tonic for the body like Old Bourbon".

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Reading this, the fact that I don't have any mint makes me feel like a heathen

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Wodka und mehr wodka.