-
Continue reading →: NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: The Glenlivet 12 Year – Jamaica Edition – Treasure Beach: Rum Cask SelectionThis post is part of the “New Bottle Highlight Series.” This limited edition takes The Glenlivet’s classic 12-year-old Speyside single malt scotch and finishes it in high-ester Jamaican rum casks for an undisclosed length of time. The casks are similar to those used for the distillery’s shelfer “Caribbean Reserve” no…
-
Continue reading →: Comparative Tastings Socials: “Theme” Ideas – A Work in ProgressA colleague of mine who’s also a bourbon buddy (we talk a lot about bourbons and whiskies) are supporting our two groups of graduate students set up a regular optional social gathering series that will double as a spirits tasting series for those who wish to participate/attend. We’re currently batting…
-
Continue reading →: SHORT REVIEW: Arette Blanco TequilaProduced by a family, the Orendains, who’ve been producing tequila for five generations, Arette is available in 1 liter and 750 ml bottle sizes and is made at El Llano distillery (NOM 1109) in Tequila in the Jalisco Valley. Bottled at 80 proof, the blanco is made with Blue Weber…
-
Continue reading →: NEW SERIES: Budget-Friendly Tequilas ($45 & Under) for Mixing & Sipping Available in VirginiaAfter being asked by a number of folks to recommend good quality tequilas (primarily for use in cocktails but also to sip on) at a budget-friendly price (under $40-45 before Virginia’s 6% sales tax), I’m starting a new series of posts highlighting some well-made tequilas at or under this price…
-
Continue reading →: COCKTAIL SERIES: NATO Blackberry-Maple-Bourbon SmashNATO Blackberry-Maple-Bourbon Smash (1) Combine everything in a shaker & shake until well chilled with ice. (2) Strain/pour over ice in a glass. __________________
-
Continue reading →: Restocking Blanton’s Reserves for a Friend Before ChristmasA friend & colleague needed to restock his Blanton’s because he’s giving a number of them away as Christmas gifts – It’s been a while since I did a good hunt (what an adrenaline hit it is!) – not since furlough – & was happy to be successful today in…
-
Continue reading →: SHORT REVIEW: Oban 14 Years Old Single Malt Scotch WhiskyOne of the most recognizable Highland region single malt scotches, Oban 14 Years Old is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV). It is very lightly peated with estimates of the phenol parts per million (ppm) level ranging from 1-4. This & Highland Park 12 Year…
-
Continue reading →: SHORT REVIEW: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon – Ryder Cup Limited Edition 2025With a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, this special golf edition of Elijah Craig is first aged in a charred American White Oak barrel and then finished for 8 weeks with toasted sugar maple and toasted applewood staves separately before being vatted together (75%…
-
Continue reading →: Denver & Liely’s Whisky Glass: Initial ThoughtsI christened my first Denver & Liely Whisky Glass with a pour of my first Japanese whisky, Hibiki Japanese Harmony, yesterday. First, the awkward – due to its engineering, which allows for maximum highlighting of aroma profiles while allowing the stronger ethanol to dissipate, the glass is a bit difficult…
-
Continue reading →: Glassware: Integral Tool to Spirits AppreciationWashed them in shifts – some are for home use, some for the office, & others are reserves for bottle shares. [Denver & Liely; Glencairn & Glencairn Copita; Glassique Cadeau Copita; Riedel Ouverture Tequila Flute] Glassware is such an essential tool in parsing out aromas & comparing them with the…
Documenting my journey into agave spirits along with a smattering of other spirits after many, many years away – This blog is meant to take note of this journey including tasting notes, bottle photography, and other related topics.
Agave Spirits+ Journey 