Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails)

[tvenuto]

The gift of booze, always a good decision.

The Sawyer
2 oz Gin
1/2 oz lime
1/2 oz simple
1/2 oz Angostura
1/4 oz Peychaud's
1/4 oz Regan's
Shake

This is a good off tempo cocktail for when you want something different.  Either that, or for making the "guest who's drank it all."  As you can see it's extremely heavy on the bitters, but it works and isn't off-putting.  I used the gin shown, and think a barreled version does best here.  There is still the ginny floral/spice, but the mellow sweetness from the barreling softens the initial bitters punch.  The finish belongs solely to the bitters.  On the whole, a nice sipper; the staying power of the bitters keeps you company between swigs.

Apparently this one is named after the daughter of Wiley Dufresne, the "molecular gastronomy" pioneer.

[Giles]

My sort of Christmas present 

[tvenuto]

Very nice. A great option for sipping or cocktails.

[Giles]

I'll be sipping it…..

[goosehd]

The sun is above the yardarm and it’s close to Christmas.  Enjoying a rusty nail (Cardhu and Drambuie).

[madmoses]

@Megatron1505 @Jett129 I brought some Jameson Caskmates home from Ireland recently, I’m glad to see I made a good selection!

[Megatron1505]

It’s a beautiful smooth whiskey, great for a relaxing evening drink.

[Jett129]

Just curious,how much does it cost in Ireland?

[Megatron1505]

In England it’s £24.

[Jett129]

Surprisingly not that much cheaper than in the states.

[Appfaff]

Usually a bourbon guy, but this is really enjoyable

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tvenuto]

I have defeated the smoked apple brandy.  This one was proving difficult to assemble into a decent cocktail.  The apples are smoked before fermenting so it plays far more like a mezcal than it does a brandy.  So any cocktail that calls for brandy or applejack is out.  But, it's also sweeter than a mezcal, being as it is an apple brandy.  So, it failed in most applications I tried, either too sweet or far too smoky.

However, I believe I have achieved perfection with this one…

As-Yet-Unnamed
1.5 oz Reposado Tequila*
1.5 oz Smoked Apple brandy (Baltimore Whiskey Company)
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple
1 egg white

I use the "reverse shake" method for egg white drinks:
-Shake everything but egg white with ice
-Strain, and dump ice
-Return to shaker, add egg white
-Shake the bejeesus out of it
-Strain into drinking glass

I ran out of limes and started using lemon, which didn't injure the drink much, although limes are better.

I realize that the main triumph here is finding a delicious application for a completely esoteric ingredient, and as such it is almost completely irrelevant to everyone else.  However, if there is one broadly applicable lesson here: egg white will solve your cocktail conundrums.

*This Don Julio 70 is reposado that is re-distilled, so it's probably smoother and more expensive than necessary, but it was a gift and the only tequila I have on hand so it's in my cup

[tvenuto]

Just in from NY:

Cost a pretty penny, but I’ve enjoyed their books and felt the need to sample their product. Got their barrel strength bourbon and their bottled in bond bourbon.

[Megatron1505]

A Polish vodka that my assistant at work described as “shit”, but I like it 

[neph93]

I’ve never understood the concept of good and bad vodka. It all tastes like meths until you stick a mixer in it.

[Megatron1505]

I used to think that, and for the majority of vodka that certainly is the case. However, I work with a lot of Polish folks and they have opened my eyes to different vodkas, this one for instance is slightly sweet and tastes a little like apple pie, cinnamon and vanilla, really good. We also like a Polish mint vodka mixed with Sprite as a great quick summer mixer.

[Matty123]

Ideally vodka is distilled and filtered until there are no congeners left in it. Which is why it’s nearly tasteless. Poland is the cradle of the vodka world. Polish vodka is the best in my opinion. @neph93 you should do a vodka tasting of straight vodka to see what you like. That’s the only way to see a difference. Once you add a mixer then you lose the actual taste.

[scooter]

I've got to agree with the sentiments on Polish vodkas. They do it like no other. It's fekking amazing, what they can do with a potato.

[neph93]

Thanks for the knowledge gents. Had no idea the Poles were top of the vodka tree. I may spread my wings at some point. Whisky, beer, gin and akevitt tend to keep my liver busy these days, and that is probably enough for now…

[Megatron1505]

@neph93 , let me know when you want to try a good Polish Vodka and i’ll send you something over