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Booze of the Week
Originally I’d gone hunting for Templeton Rye but was unable to locate it at my friendly neighborhood liquor store. Luckily, Jam2 had emailed me a couple of suggested bourbons; Eagle Rare being one of them.
Eagle Rare has a pretty strong smell that is certainly bourbon-y but a bit harsher than some of the better bourbons I’ve reviewed here and that certainly lowered my expectations. On first taste though I was pleasantly surprised. Eagle Rare has a pretty good bourbon flavor and is extremely smooth and easy to drink. There isn’t however really anything about it that sets it apart from other bourbons. It has a good flavor, just … bourbon. I certainly don’t mean to beat up on Eagle Rare but at the same price as Makers Mark, there’s just no reason for me to buy another bottle of this bourbon.
Again, this is not to say that there is anything at all wrong with Eagle Rare. It is certainly a top self bourbon but maybe I’ve spoiled myself with the likes of Makers Mark, Makers #46 and Bulleit. I would certainly not turn it down if offered and I do urge the bourbon drinkers here to give it a try. Some people find the flavor of Makers Mark to be too “busy” .. a bit too much going on there and for those folks, this milder bourbon might be right down their alley. And it is very easy to drink.
I do thank Jam2 for recommending it as it allowed me to experience yet another better than average bourbon.
Booze of the Week
Moving right along down the dark rum list is Kraken Black Spiced Rum. This is probably the rummiest smelling of my recent dark rums. Not a lot I can really say about the smell other than that. It smells like rum.
Like several of the other rums, the first few glasses sips didn’t really do much for me, but after adjusting to the taste the flavors really come out. Unlike the regular spiced rums, these dark spiced rums are much more subtle in their spice flavors while at the same time having a much bolder overall taste. I’m not entirely certain that description makes sense, but I’ve retyped it several times and that’s the best way I can describe it. The dark spiced rums almost overwhelm your mouth at first and then the finish is so subtle that you almost miss it. Kraken has more of a woody beginning than the Tattoo does, but less than the Black Seal. It is also less sweet than the Tattoo and is a little more subtle in its finish.
My verdict is that I like the Kraken and it may very well find itself a regular spot on my liquor shelf. I recommend you at least give it a try.
Guest Booze Review
You read that right. We’ve got our first every guest liquor review by none other than Purple Raider.
(Guest post by Purple Raider)
Templeton Rye Whiskey is a smooth, mellow, complex, easy-drinking whiskey. Not as pungent as bourbon, not peaty like a Scotch or Irish whiskey, it is distilled in Indiana, and bottled in Templeton, Iowa.
According to the label, Templeton Rye was created during prohibition. It became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice, and was nicknamed “The good stuff’. Legend has it that several bottles were smuggled into Alcatraz.
I am not a fan of bourbon (too sweet for my tastes), and when I uncorked the bottle I caught a whiff of bourbon in the aroma. Undaunted, I poured two fingers in my glass, over ice to start. Then I tasted this stuff.
This is simply the most complex liquor I have ever had. A semi-sweet start, undertones of vanilla, nuts, and grain (duh), but you had different flavors at every sip. The aftertaste was very pleasing to the palate, with the continuation of the nutty flavor of the rye. A very clean, satisifying finish.
I also tried this sans ice, and the flavors really jumped out at me, and yet that same clean finish.
I would not use this whiskey in a mixer, it deserves to be drunk straight, or if you must, over ice. And at a price of around $40, I don’t think you would really want to mix this whiskey.
There is really nothing like this whiskey. For a special occasion, go for it. And please go to their website: http://www.templetonrye.com/home/
Purple Raider.
Booze of the Week
This week’s Booze of the Week is Captain Morgan Tattoo. Tattoo is a dark rum that is probably the most interesting liquor I’ve ever tasted. Upon opening the bottle and first holding it under my nose I smell fruit. The stuff smells fruity. Not any specific fruit, but that’s the best description I can think of. I poured the Tattoo into a glass with ice. This stuff isn’t dark, its black. Only holding the glass up to a light shows a little red peeking through the darkness. Again, the smell reminds me of fruit. It actually smells pretty good.
The first sip was odd. The taste pretty well followed the smell … fruity, but not really fruit. It really wasn’t until about a third the way through the bottle before I realized that it wasn’t fruit really … it was cola. Not Coke, but the taste reminded me of generic store-brand cola but not in a bad way. Its a very interesting taste.
The really neat part of Tattoo is the finish. Pepper. Yeah, pepper. Again, not in a bad way. The pepper i subtle but its there. The cola flavor combined with the pepper finish makes for a damned interesting liquor. This really is one of the liquors that is entertainment for your tastebuds.
My verdict: I don’t know that I’d call Tattoo a “quality dark rum” but its a pretty good liquor. I probably won’t make it a regular purchase, but this is one I may very well pick up every so often.
Booze of the Week
To kick off my latest assault down the rum aisle at my friendly neighborhood liquor store I’ve decided on Gosling’s Black Seal. This stuff is dark .. really dark. Damn near black in the bottle and a dark with hints of red in the glass. The Black Seal has a pretty strong smell and if you’re turned off by that “liquor” smell, then this stuff probably ain’t for you. Under the strong smell of alcohol I find a molassesy background with a hint of vanilla (I’ve gotten much better at this).
The first glass of this I tried was straight with a little ice. This was a tough one for me to really taste. My immediate first impressions was ‘Meh’. The first taste of this stuff hits you like a brick, not in a good way or a bad way, just … like a brick. The first flavor that jumped right out at me is the wood. Damn, you can really taste the barrel with this one which, in my limited experience with rum, is not terribly common. I really didn’t think this stuff tasted much like rum at all.
After allowing a good soaking of my tongue in the Black Seal I was able to start really tasting it. The wood is powerful in this one but it doesn’t take long for the molasses to really show itself with just enough vanilla to make you wonder if you taste some vanilla. I made my way through the bottle never mixing it with anything but soda water which works pretty well for this rum.
My verdict on the Gosling’s Black seal is: I wouldn’t buy it again, but neither would I turn it down if offered. It isn’t bad but if you’re not much of a drinker it might be too much for you. The initial flavor is overwhelming and your first response might well be ‘yuck’ until a few seconds after that first sip when it begins to calm down a bit. While this one doesn’t earn itself a spot on my liquor shelf, it is certainly a bargain at $18 for a fifth and certainly worth it.
Rum lovers, stay tuned for another trip down the rum aisle next week.
Oh, last note: Sorry the BotW is late. My Monday was a bit rough.
Booze of the Week
Maker’s Mark is was a one-product-company. When a distillery creates something new after 52 years it tends to get some attention. Maker’s #46 starts as regular Maker’s Mark bourbon then, at the end of its aging, is removed from its barrel and the barrel end is removed. Several French Oak staves are charred and inserted into the barrel, the end is put back on the barrel and the same bourbon that was removed from the barrel is returned and aged for several more months.
The end result is really something that must be tried. I’m honestly amazed at how different the taste is from such a small change. The aroma has a fruity hint with a much stronger component of vanilla and molasses. The flavor is almost indescribable … which is to say, it is very difficult for me to really describe it. There is a lot of ‘spice’ flavor to the #46 in much the same way as spiced rum but that’s not to suggest that it tastes like spiced rum. The #46 is sweeter than regular Maker’s and, in my opinion, smoother. I drank the #46 both on the rocks and with soda. Its damned good either way, but the smoothness of this bourbon makes me prefer to not dilute it.
I’d intended to wait on this review until I’d tried a Manhattan with the #46 but I just didn’t get around to it. I’ll try it when I get a chance and if it merits it, I’ll do a Cocktail of the Week on it.
I highly recommend trying this one. It is something to behold.
For those of you bored with bourbon, be sure and check back next week as I return to the Rum section of my friendly neighborhood liquor store.
Booze of the Week
This is one damned fine bourbon. From the moment I cracked the bottle open and raised the bottle to my nose, I knew this one was going to be good. This is one of the better smelling bourbons that I’ve tried. My first sip was as good as my first smell. I said earlier that I’ve spoiled myself with exceptional bourbons like Makers Mark and Woodford Reserve; well, you can add Bulleit to that list of exceptional bourbons. The Bulleit is slightly sweeter than Makers and a bit woodier than the Woodford and is one of the smoother liquors I’ve tried. If you like bourbon, then I highly recommend Bulleit. While it will take further experimentation, Bulleit might unseat Makers Mark as the bourbon I keep on hand. Thanks to hellferbreakfast who recommended Bulleit (as well as anyone else that mentioned it).
Girlie Drink of the Week
No, I did NOT break my Lenten ritual. Ok, maybe I did a teeny, tiny bit. But I ran to church and confessed, and the priest laughed at me, so I guess everything is fine. Anyway, a while back, Mr. Bingley posted a recipe for Caipirinha, which is Brazilian for “WHOO HOO!!!” Curious, I decided to stop at the local world liquor store and see if they carried the specialty liquor, Cachaça, (yes, I copy/pasted that, since I can’t do the funky tail accent on the “C”). They had several brands, in both gold and silver. I am more partial to crystal rum, so I chose the silver, and after the tough cleaning day yesterday, I decided it was time to get drunk to try the recipe, since I knew a lot of you have been severely disappointed in the lack of girlie drinks around here.
That was sarcasm.
Brazilian Mmmmm....
CAIPIRINHA
2 tsp Granulated Sugar
8 Lime Wedges
2 1/2 oz Cachaça
As Mr. Bingley recommends, peel as much of the lime peel and pith as you can, since it is very bitter. Cut the wedges and put in a glass, along with the sugar. With a pestle or similar utensil, “muddle” the limes and sugar together. Add ice, and pour the Cachaça, mixing well. Very refreshing, and perfect for Spring and Summer. Once Spring gets here, anyway 
Booze of the Week
Old Pogue Master’s Select Bourbon is yet another in a growing list of bourbons that is good but not great. On first opening of the bottle the smell is that of cheap whiskey but don’t let that turn you off. The taste is pretty good and quite smooth. I’ve spoiled myself with exceptional bourbons like Maker’s Mark and Woodford Reserve and find myself comparing everything I try to those greats. Old Pogue is perfectly fine drinking straight, but almost feels like the sort of bourbon you use for cocktails unfortunately its price disagrees. Old Pogue is certainly not something I’d turn down if offered but I don’t see a place for it in my regular rotation.
I know most of you expected to find the Hooker of the Week here but I’ve decided to make a bit of a change. I’ll now run the Booze of the Week on Mondays and the Hooker of the Week on Wednesday. On weeks without a Booze of the Week, a Bonus Hooker will be posted. However, I’d certainly not wish to let down my readers who popped in here this morning looking for a Hooker so…
Booze of the Week
Once again I hit the top shelf in the Canadian Whisky section of my friendly neighborhood liquor store and came away with a bottle of Crown Royal Black. Crown Royal Black damn near lives up to its name in appearance; it is pretty dark stuff. I got my hopes up when first opening the bottle; the smell is pretty damned good. The first few sips of this whisky shows that it does have a much stronger flavor than the other Canadian whisky that I’ve tried and is much closer in strength of flavor of the bourbons that I love so much. I’d recommend Crown Royal Black to anyone who, like me, finds the taste of Canadian Whisky too weak or bland but likes the taste. While it isn’t good enough to steer me away from bourbon, it is certainly worth drinking. The only real downside to Crown Royal Black is the price which is a bit higher than regular Crown Royal or the bourbons that I generally drink.
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