Sunday, January 27, 2013

Tokaji 1999


I was curious about this for a while and wanted to try it.

The first thing I noticed was the floral sent...reminded me of elder flour Liquor.
The taste was crisp, refreshing, sweet but not too sweet, like apples.  
It had a slightly viscous texture but not at all like a syrupy desert wine.  
Though  don't like this word i'm going to use it: Pleasant.
I think I'd enjoy it chilled or over ice.
I'm going to try it in a mixed drink subbing it for vermouth in a Negroni.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Schonburger/Gewürztraminer Gehringer Brothers


This was from 2005 and I was surprised that it held up.
it was gold in colour, like apple juice.  Floral, fruity notes (smell),
crisp nicely sweet taste.  Ideal drinking in the summer.  
I really like Gehringer Bros; their Pinot Noir from 2004 or 2003 was the first Pinot Noir I ever liked.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Vacqueyras


This was a nice heavy wine that we drank over about 4 days.  It held up well -- we used old whisky corks to re-seal the bottle which seems to work.  Yes I do like wine too! 

Improved Whiskey Cocktail


Improved Whiskey Cocktail

I may have read about this in Imbibe (the book by David Wondrich) or in some other reading.
regardless I got this recipe from www.cocktailia.com
I followed Kenn's advice and didn't use simple syrup.

Definitely another good one but I like anything with bourbon. 

Sazerac

The Sazerac

There are a number of recipes and the drink has an interesting history.
This recipe is from Speakeasy
it's a standard Sazerac recipe but with more rye and more sugar.

I liked it.  the sweetness from the sugar and the great Rye flavour of Rittenhouse make it a rock solid drink.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Nerina


Nerina

From Speakeasy

Found a copy of the recipe at www.thespeakista.com

1 1/4 Plymoth Gin
1 1/4 Punt e Mes
1 1/4 Meletti -- I substituted Ramazzoti

stir with ice, strain into a chilled coup, garnish with orange twist.

This is a big drink.  I think the people at Employees Only make their drinks American style: BIG! 3-4 oz!

I do like a big drink but it means I can only have one.

This one was very nice:  a good balance of bitter and sweet (Like a Negroni) I'd make it again but do 3/4 oz of each.


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Swafford


Swafford
Another great recipe from Left Coast Libations

1 oz applejack - I used Calvados
1 oz Rye - Ritenhouse - oh yeah!
1/2 Maraschino Liquour
1/2 Green Chartreuse
2 dash of Orange bitters 

orange twist for garnish

This one was quite good.  I find drinks with Chartreuse tend to be over powered by Chartreuse- not so here.  Chartreuse is the predominant flavour however it doesn't consumed the whole experience--the maraschino comes into play too.  It's a rather viscous texture, quite sweet but not too sweet.  

Foreigner

Foreigner

This is from Left Coast Libations (I think i've made 70% of the recipes and lusted after the ingredients of the rest)

Since I don't see the recipe on the web and I don't have the author's permission, I'm not going to write it down.   Just buy the book!!!

This one is a nice drink.  boozy and we both noted a chocolate tone on the finish -- yep.

Edit:  I see that i've made this before -- a negroni variation, well yes.  though i'd say it's more half way between a Sazerac and a boulevardier--sazevardier?  boulerac?  yes well.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Amaretto Sour


The Amaretto Sour.  

yes, yes.  This is directly from Jeffrey Morgenthaler's blog.
I think I saw/read about it in Imbibe Magazine

1 1/2 oz. amaretto
3/4 oz. cask-proof bourbon (such as Booker's)
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. rich simple syrup (2:1)
1/2 oz. fresh egg white, beaten (pasteurized if you like)
Ice cubes

I've never had an Amaretto Sour.  This was just fine.  I could see myself enjoying his on a hot summer day.
'feel like one would do though -- nice balance of sweet/sour.  The Amaretto really does kick up the sense of sweetness.


Widdow's Kiss


This is from "Speakeasy" (which I HIGHLY recommend)
I see the same recipe is posted on The Cocktail Chronicles so I'll post it here:

1 1/2 oz Calvados
1 1/4 oz Yellow Chartreuse
1 1/4 oz Benedictine
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 lemon twist, for garnish

Leafe quite liked it: sweet, herbs, easy drinking, smooth, honey.