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.

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.

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.

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.

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.