Archive for the ‘Spirits’ Category

Some nice folks representing Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum offered me a quintet of delicious rum cocktail recipes to post online. And being a sucker for cocktail recipes, I heartily accepted. I hope you enjoy trying them out as much as I hope to do.

The first three recipes (the Mai Tai, Pomegranate Martini and Royal Aperitif) are from the Appleton Estate website and the last two recipes were created by The Drake Hotel, a well-know Toronto drinking establishment.

Appleton Estate Reserve Mai Tai

Appleton Estate Reserve Mai Tai

Ingredients:
1-1/2 oz Appleton Reserve Rum
1/3 oz Grand Marnier
1/2 oz orgeat
1/3 oz rock candy syrup
1 oz fresh lime juice

Preparation:
Combine ingredients in a shaker. Add lots of cracked ice and shake well. Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.

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Today we feature a guest post by Matt Jones, a Maker's Mark Distillery Diplomat and bourbon expert. Take it away Matt.

"The distilled spirit of a nation captures its culture, geography, economics, natural resources, commercial, and political history.” (F. Paul Pacult, American Still Life, 2003). It’s spirit, if you will.

Bourbon on the rocks.

In 1964, with the help of incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson, bourbon was first legally defined as the 'Native Spirit of America,' the only spirit that can trace its origins to American soil. A congressional resolution to the Constitution of America declared bourbon a distinct product of the United States.

There was a long list of what defines a bourbon. We’re just going to distill it down and give you the A, B, Cs.

What is bourbon?

A: It must to be produced and bottled in AMERICA. While it does not need to be produced in the defined region of Kentucky, 98 per cent of the 200+ bourbons on the market come from the state of Kentucky. Bourbon County, KY, is of course the birth place of bourbon. Incidentally, the county lines have shifted over the centuries, and there is no longer any bourbon actually being produced in Bourbon County!

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I regularly run across a famous quotation from the 1934 detective comedy The Thin Man, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, where they play a couple that solve mysteries while drinking plenty of cocktails and exchanging witty banter.

The quote is:

Nick Charles: The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.

A classic to be sure, and just one of many fantastic lines from the first of six movies in The Thin Man series. While looking around YouTube, I came across this collection of clips that left me grinning from ear to ear. Check it out.

I'll leave you with one more funny quotation from the film, that wasn't featured in the previous video:

Reporter: Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?
Nick Charles: Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking.

What's your favourite movie line about drinking?

I ran across this Johnnie Walker ad on YouTube a while back and thought it was just an awesome piece of film. And just perfect to share today, July 27, which is National Scotch Day.

So why not pour yourself a couple of fingers worth of your favourite scotch, add some water or ice or drink it neat if you like, and check out this incredibly well-shot presentation.

What's your favourite scotch?

Today we're featuring a guest post by Micheal Bracy, who works in business development for FindTheBest, an objective comparison engine that allows you, the consumer, to find a topic, compare your options and decide what's best for you. Happy National Tequila Day! Take it away Michael.

Affordable tequila for the big day

Tequila! Pee Wee Herman never had it so good.

National Tequila Day is right around the corner! There is so much to celebrate, from the creation of the infamous Margarita, to the legendary song Tequila Sunrise by the Eagles, to the lost weekends we may be better off forgetting. If you're thinking you have to break the bank for the perfect tequila, remember there are plenty of quality options for tequila enthusiasts on a budget.

You don’t have to splurge to be part of the festivities this year!
FindTheBest has assembled 5 premium, yet affordable, tequilas to help make this Tequila Day a memorable one. Prices are is U.S. dollars.

El Tesoro de Don Felipe Anejo Tequila
Produced by La Altena Distillery, this tequila boasts a Double Gold Rating from the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. With a price tag of only $46, this one is definitely worth a shot.

Espolon Tequila Anejo
At a price of $45, be sure to sip this double-distilled tequila slow and enjoy the 12-month aged finish.

Orgullo Anejo Tequila
Straight from Mexico, commemorate the 120-year-long tradition of Casa San Matias Distillery with a bright, American oak finish tequila for only $37.

Tequila Blu Resposado
Rested and aged in charred oak barrels for up to 3 months, Tequila Blu boasts a distinctly rich and smoky taste for a mere $34.

El Tequileno Platino
For just $25, you can enjoy the newest premium brand produced by Jorge Salles Cuervo and Sucesores Company. Distilled in copper pot stills, this enjoyable tequila features sweet agave and citrus flavors that bring about a clean warm finish.

Check out this detailed slideshow of FindTheBest’s Top 5 Tequilas Under $50: