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

[Jett129]

I have the Vida as well,don’t especially like it,never thought to try it in a Paloma. Will definitely look for the Reposado as well as the others. Had one of the Illegal Mezcals also. It was OK. THANKS!

[tvenuto]

Liquor and jigsaw puzzles, love it.

[Matty123]

Yeah, that’s a plastic nip of Jack Daniels

[Matty123]

Finished it

[mclaincausey]

@sabergirl:

I’ve tried the mezcal Vago—a little sweeter than I normally look for, but I think it has a bourbon-like character from the corn, which I appreciate.

These are the bottles we have right now:]The Del Maguey Vida we only use for margaritas or palomas—the rest are sippers. Los Amantes reposado is delicious. If you’re looking to try something aged, I recommend it. Alipus makes some great ones. I’m most partial to their San Baltazar. Haven’t seen it at the liquor store here, yet.

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I should have mentioned the Paloma use for Vida when I panned it. Nice collection. I love Alipus, like every one I've had so far has been good to great.

Today an experiment. Not bad. Probably won't revisit though.

Had I Maraschino and lemon (and shame on me for not), I'd have riffed a modified Final Ward with the Strega.

[Jett129]

My liquor store www.astorwines.com has 6 different bottles of Alipus Mezcal,someof which are pretty expensive Which ones would you guys recommend? If you click on the Spirits dropdown menu and click on producers Alipus comes up. Thanks in advance @sabergirl @mclaincausey

[mclaincausey]

Wow I need to check them out.

Favorite but you'll pay: http://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=2&search=35540&searchtype=Contains

But all have been solid. I think I recall having especially enjoyed this one http://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=2&search=36949&searchtype=Contains

@Jett129:

My liquor store www.astorwines.com has 6 different bottles of Alipus Mezcal,someof which are pretty expensive Which ones would you guys recommend? If you click on the Spirits dropdown menu and click on producers Alipus comes up. Thanks in advance @sabergirl @mclaincausey

[Jett129]

They recently had an across the board Tequila/Mezcal sale and I stocked up on tequila,had I known I would have grabbed some of these.-Next time. Thanks for taking the time to look for me.

[mclaincausey]

NP: good ideal to stockpile Mexican spirits while you can.

[mclaincausey]

This was a successful experiment.

[scooter]

Replaced this dying soldier….

This has become my "daily" sipper. Don't get me wrong, I still love sipping a good Bourbon, or rye. But, the Irish definitely know how to put me at ease, at the end of a long day. It was a four finger night, tonight.

[mclaincausey]

For once, I don't have rye but am heavy on bourbon. Thus, the appropriately-named Bourbon Scofflaw.

[tvenuto]

@mclaincausey nice. And by heavy on bourbon I assume you mean a dozen or so bottles on hand?

[mclaincausey]

No, for me that just means 7. I keep a lean bar because I drink em down faster than I probably should.

Made a really nice one with some almost overripe peaches , I call it The Panic:

Muddle like a fifth of a large peach without skin on broken ice with real grenadine

Stir in 2oz whiskey, 1 oz dolin Blanc, 1/2oz fresh lemon, ango (I used a bittercube version) dash, shake like it owes you money, strain over a highball with ice, float some Pellegrino lemon soda. Really really good.

[tvenuto]

Ha I’m in the same boat. I buy em as fast as I can and I drink em almost as fast  I was just musing about how many bottles I’d have to have before I considered myself “heavy on bourbon.”

Much experimenting tonight:

First one:
"The Solution"
1.5 oz Tequila
1.5 oz Mezcal (or other smoked liquor)
1 oz lime
.75 oz syrup
1 egg

This one was me figuring out what to do with a Baltimore distilled apple brandy, where the apples are smoked before distillation.

Second:
"Goldenrod"
3 oz white whiskey (VA distilled rye in this case)
2 oz triple sec
2 oz lime
0.5 oz simple

A white whiskey Margarita.  "Margarita" is Spanish for "Daisy" and goldenrod is the state flower of KY so it seemed appropriate.  This makes a BIG drink, so gird your loins.

Third:
White American
1 oz white whiskey
1 oz Kahlua
2 oz coconut milk

A riff on the white russian.  I can't drink dairy so this is what I came up with.  Freaking delicious, and I'm pretty smashed at this point.

[tvenuto]

^boy I needed some amaretto coffee on Sunday, let me tell you.

It’s expensive but a really standout rye. Highlights the mint/green apple/fennel zone that’s possible with rye.

[mclaincausey]

I like that one as well

This is an interesting mezcal with a chalky vibe. Very enjoyable.

[mclaincausey]

This one uses blue agave (like tequila) and thus is an interesting comparison of the methods behind that subtype and mezcal. So it tastes like a premium unrested tequila with a touch of terroir and smoke. Quite nice and an illustration of why I prefer the broader universe of mezcal.

[mclaincausey]

I should probably just move to Oaxaca and get it over with… They failed to build the wall in time last time I was south of the border.

[tvenuto]

Apologies for the lack of posting.  Rest assured that I haven't been slaking on my drinking, just my chronicling of said drinking.  Trying out cider cocktails tonight.  This one's a fail (as is, I know how to fix).

Rambling Man
2 oz Peated Bourbon (I used hickory smoked malt whiskey from Corsair)
2 oz OJ
1 tsp honey (as written, normally honey syrup is prescribed, given that honey doesn't mix well)
1-2 dash orange bitters

Shake with ice, then top with 6 oz dry cider.

Too smokey.  Also my lone orange was crap and somewhat sour, which adds to the one note of the drink.  Here's my fix, which I can't try at the moment (no more oranges) but you can trust me that this will work:

Brambling Man
1 oz Wild Fire
1 oz Apple Brandy
2 oz OJ
1 tsp honey syrup
2 dash orange bitters