Clynelish is a highland single-malt scotch that was brought to my attention by a coworker. This is a fairly peaty but sweet scotch, if that makes any sense. It extremely easy to drink straight or with a little water despite being 94 proof.

The biggest thing I noticed with this one was that it was sweeter than most scotch. Not as sweet as a bourbon, but certainly sweeter than I’m used to with scotch. If you’re looking to break into peatier scotches, you might give this a try as its a bit of a more gentle introduction.

Finding it, however, might prove difficult. The distillery apparently doesn’t bottle much of this stuff. It is, in fact, one of the major components of Johnnie Walker Gold.

Being difficult to find, I’m not going to suggest you go find this, but if you do see it sitting on a shelf somewhere, you should certainly give it a go.

Booker’s is a small batch, single barrel, cask strength bourbon that is simply fantastic.

In 1992, Booker Noe introduced his own signature bourbon, Booker’s® True Barrel Bourbon. Inspired by a 200-year-old tradition, Booker’s is the first bourbon bottled straight-from-the-barrel, uncut and unfiltered. First created as a holiday gift for his special friends, Booker’s whiskey was so well-received that he decided to make it available to bourbon lovers worldwide; much to the joy of spirit connoisseurs everywhere.

This stuff is a damned fine bourbon, if a bit on the sweet side. It is terribly expensive for a bourbon but it is cask strength, coming in at 121 to 127 proof. The smell and taste of this stuff is that of caramel and vanilla. This bourbon was made for sipping. It goes extremely well with a good tobacco, either a good pipe or cigar.

As I said, it is quite expensive, priced more like scotch than bourbon but if you love bourbon and can stand the $50 price tag, I highly recommend to try this one. Personally, I’d been avoiding this one until my recent time in the scotch aisle loosened up my wallet a bit.

Single-Malt lovers have no fear. I return to the scotch aisle next time. I still have a load of recommendations to get through.

AMARETTO SOUR

• 1 ½ ounces Amaretto
• 1 to 2 ounces Sweet and Sour Mix

Pour ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake well, and strain into a ice-filled glass. Garnish with cherries and/or orange slices. Personally, the orange makes it a bit too acidic for my taste, so I just place cherries in mine. Believe me, you never feel it until it hits you

POINSETTIA

• 1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec
• 1 Part Cranberry Juice
• Champagne
• Juice of ½ lime (optional)

There are several variations of the cocktail. One version has you mix the triple sec and cranberry juice, then adding the champagne and floating the lime juice on top. Another has you pour the cranberry juice in the glass, add the champagne, and float the Grand Marnier, skipping the lime juice. Whichever you prefer, I hope it helps you to enjoy the holiday!

Hat tip to Vmaximus

But this is what the GDOTW is for!

The Hot Toddy

• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 3/4 cup Hot Tea
• 2 Shots Brandy
• 1 slice Lemon
• 3-4 Cloves (optional)
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)
  

Brew your tea (or just do hot water, if you prefer), add honey and brandy, stirring well. Pierce lemon slice with cloves, and float on top, adding cinnamon stick. This may not cure your cold, but it will make you not care you have one

Johnnie Walker Green Label is a blended scotch which is going to turn many of you off immediately. It shouldn’t however. It isn’t a terribly light scotch like the Glenmorangie or the Glen Moray. There’s a lot of flavor here without a harsh edge. I’ve only tried one other blend, Chivas Regal, and the Johnnie Walker certainly tastes much more scotch-like than the Chivas. The price of the stuff, unfortunately, is a bit high. My recommendation is that if it is available, give it a try as it might change your perception a bit on blended scotch whiskys.

Not that I ever did that, mind you.

The Fuzzy Navel

• 1 part Peach Schnapps
• 1 part Orange Juice
• 1 part Lemonade

In a highball, mix all ingredients first, then add ice. Garnish with slices of peach and orange.

For those of you who prefer a manly drink, omit the schnapps, OJ, and lemonade, and just add vodka.

Yesterday while being a hostage to the Cartoon Network switching channels I saw an add for one of those weird reality shows where brides are involved. I think it was called Say Yes to the Bridezilla Acing a Cake Wondering If It’s Her Wedding Anyway. I didn’t watch it, except I did see what was being served at the “bridal luncheon”, probably to deal with five dozen women having histrionics at one sitting:

Champagne Cocktail

• 3 oz Champagne
• 1/3 oz Cognac
• Angostura Bitters
• Sugar Cube

Soak one sugar cube in a champagne flute with angostura bitters. Add champagne and cognac. Squeeze in a twist of lemon and discard. Garnish with half a slice of orange, or as I prefer, raspberries. I love the combination of lemon and raspberries, and the splash of red looks gorgeous against the pale gold of the champagne.

Remember: don’t drink it for looks. Drink it because it will make dealing with idiots at parties a lot easier.

*Yep, still G0000000gling for hits here.

Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt scotch is the current Booze of the Week. I’ve only first cracked this one open but damn this stuff has some flavor. First impressions are important and this one makes a good first impression. I’ll update and bump this in a couple of days when I’ve had more time to enjoy it.

Bump & Update [ArmedGeek]:

I’m unable to find fault with this scotch. Sure it may not score tops in any given category but it does place pretty high in most every aspect. If you’ve not been down the scotch path and are looking to try it, I still suggest the Macallan 12 but if you want something with a bit stronger flavor, this would be one to grab.

Not too expensive either as this came in at just shy of $50 for the fifth. The Macallan 12 and the Glenfiddich 15 certainly do make me look forward to spending more money in the scotch aisle of my friendly neighborhood liquor store.

May as well do a Football update here:

…and a Deadpool update:
No new deaths, but we do have about 3 or 4 celebs that have been circling the drain here lately.

Yes, I had to try out what is probably the most popular blended scotch out there. I have to say, it isn’t bad. The taste, the smell and the color are all pleasant. There’s really only one bad thing I can say about the stuff. It has a flavor more like Irish whiskey than Scotch. Now, for me, this is not a bad thing as I really like Irish whiskey but for a scotch drinker, this ain’t gonna cut it. It does have a more scotch-y flavor than you’d find in an Irish whiskey but it is very easy to drink. On this one, I have to say “for the price” it is pretty good stuff.

H&B Football Pick’em stats!