The Liquor Thread

[AsburySkinsFan]

1 hour ago, Dont Taze Me Bro said:

 

I mixed some Makers Mark 46 and coke last night, tasted horrible to me.  Better in the rocks imo.

Not a fan of the 46 either. Too bitter.

[China]

Stiff drink: the ****tail that's made with a frozen human toe

 

The Sourdough Saloon in Yukon territory offers tipples containing a digit – and a British man has promised to donate three frostbitten body parts to the cause.

 

 

Name: The sourtoe ****tail.

Age: 45.

Appearance: A tumbler filled with a spirit of some kind, usually whisky.

Doesn’t sound wildly interesting. There’s one additional, non-standard ingredient.

Go on ... A mummified toe.

Gulp. Indeed. But don’t gulp too hard or you might swallow it.

I’ll try not to. Where can I try this unlikely concoction? At the Sourdough Saloonin Dawson City.

Where is Dawson City? In Yukon territory, Canada. Head for Alaska and veer right, dodging the bears.

And why do they drink liquor with mummified toes? Good question. First, there’s not a lot to do in Dawson City, especially in the winter. Second, it’s good for business at the saloon. Third, the prevalence of frostbite up near the Arctic Circle means there’s a ready supply of toes to dunk in much-needed strong drinks.

Urgh! How did the tradition start? In the 1920s, miners Otto and Louie Liken did some rum smuggling on the side. On one run, while being pursued by mounties, one of the brothers – there is lively argument over which – got frostbite in a toe. To stop it becoming gangrenous, the other brother hacked – or shot – it off. They kept the trophy in their shack, where it was discovered 50 years later by an entrepreneur. In 1973, he developed the drinking ritual to prove you were a “true Yukoner”.

Any rules? “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but the lips must touch the toe.” You get a certificate if you follow the rule; 100,000 people have qualified.

Is the original toe still in use? Sadly not. In 1980, it was swallowed by a local miner who was trying to beat the sourtoe record. On his 13th ****tail, his chair tipped backwards and he swallowed it. The digit was never found.

But ... Best not to ask. There have been seven toes since, with some being lost or stolen along the way.

 

Click on the link for the full article

[PokerPacker]

Of course China would be the one to post something like that in my wholesome thread.

[China]

Craft Bourbon Brewers Ride The Boom, Prepare For A Bust

 

Craft bourbon distillers have been growing for the past several years as drinkers rediscover heritage and new styles of brown liquor drinks. Some might call it a boom. But many distillers have seen the boom-and-bust cycle of liquor popularity before and are exploring ways to hedge their bets against another bust.

 

Andrew Buchanan walks through Hartfield & Co. Distillery, a small, relatively new operation located in a former seed storage warehouse in Paris, Ky.

"These are the two small stills I started with," he says, gesturing across the concrete slab floor. "These are 26 gallons apiece."

 

...

 

Buchanan got into bourbon at a good time, as the industry is in the midst of what spirits professionals are calling a "bourbon boom."

 

"We're definitely on an upward trajectory," says Maggie Kimberl, a whiskey writer and historian. "There are a lot of people who have opinions about whether we're at the bottom of the upward trajectory, the middle, the top — but most people feel like we're somewhere in the middle."

 

But with booms come busts, and the bourbon industry is historically cyclical.

 

The first big bust was during Prohibition. "There was a city called Tyrone, Ky., which is near Wild Turkey, that was basically wiped off the map by Prohibition," Kimberl says. "It was a very small town that had two or three, maybe four bourbon distilleries in it, and when Prohibition came about, that town ceased to exist."

 

Then American whiskey boomed again between 1945 and about 1970.

 

After that, "people were starting to turn to wine, beer and clear spirits," Kimberl says. "Bourbon was not especially popular at that time."

 

Then in about 2000, bourbon distilleries started seeing renewed interest in their products. In 2016, bourbon and American whiskey sales topped $3 billion.

"But there are always people saying this can't last, it's going to end soon, the bubble's going to burst," Kimberl says.

 

That's especially the case lately, as national media have started turning their focus to other spirits. For the past few years, outlets — ranging from Forbes to Liquor.com — have been predicting the "rise of rum."

 

Click on the link for the full article

[AsburySkinsFan]

A few of our Redskin breathren made the trek from DC to Kentucky this weekend. Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet them because I’m at a soccer tourney in Cincy all weekend, so I decided to be with them in spirits!

I hit the hotel bar and enjoyed a nice bourbon flight solo!

Left to Right:

Russel’s Single Barrel

Noah’s Mill

Weller Special Reserve

 

While I was enjoying this trip two guys showed up next to me, we start talking and it turns out that one was Scotty Johnson from the Gin Blossoms (best known for “Hey Jealousy), the other was a guitar tech that plays with a lot of bands. They had just finished a show at the casino in Cincy.

We had a great talk about music, life, and booze. 

It was a good night.

 

Edited April 22, 2018 by AsburySkinsFan

[AsburySkinsFan]

 Tonight‘s lineup 

 

 

[HOF44]

My flights I had in Kentucky. 

[PokerPacker]

That must've been one expensive flight.

[HOF44]

Expensive, but not as bad as you think.  It was at the Parley Social Club in Lexington. Much cheaper than most places with a huuuuge selection.  Highly recommend if you are ever in the area. 

[AsburySkinsFan]

1 hour ago, HOF44 said:

Expensive, but not as bad as you think.  It was at the Parley Social Club in Lexington. Much cheaper than most places with a huuuuge selection.  Highly recommend if you are ever in the area. 

We really are spoiled here! 

Love the Stagg, the Weller, Mitcher’s. The Russel’s is nice too!

Around here Pappy’s always reminds me of the Yogi Bera quote, “That place is so popular that nobody goes there anymore.”

 

It is probably amazing, but at the price I just can’t justify it. 

 

I hope ya’ll had a great time here this weekend! I truly hope you were treated right!

[HOF44]

The Michters 20 year was the best of the batch.  At I think 25 a pour the Pappy 15 was my favorite of their line up so I splurged.  Plus you just don't see this stuff in ANY bar around DC.  RR1998, SAOS Unicorn Rye, JEF20, or Kentucky Owl.

Edited April 23, 2018 by HOF44

[AsburySkinsFan]

9 minutes ago, HOF44 said:

The Michters 20 year was the best of the batch.  At I think 25 a pour the Pappy 15 was my favorite of their line up so I splurged.  

Gonna have to try that Mitchers 20. 

At $25 for the 15 that seems pretty reasonable as far as Pappy’s is concerned. I saw it on my menu for $50 in Cincy. My frugal side just can’t pay as much for a shot as I can get a couple of nice bottles of my favorites for. 

 

I’m almost ashamed yo admit it at this point, but I have still not tried Blanton’s yet! How crazy is that?!

[HOF44]

Oh and in downtown Lexington there is a place called Justin's House of Bourbon.  It is the first store to ever be allowed to legally sell dusty's.  It' like a museum with bottles dating back to the turn of the century.  I spent way more than I should have here.  I bought a bottle of 1979 OWO, a pint bottle of 1977 Old Fitz, and a Pre-fire EC18.  That OWO is without a doubt the best bourbon I have ever had.  Been looking for one for 2 years. 

 

Even if you don't buy anything it's worth a look.

Edited April 23, 2018 by HOF44

[AsburySkinsFan]

4 minutes ago, HOF44 said:

Oh and in downtown Lexington there is a place called Justin's House of Bourbon.  It is the first store to ever be allowed to legally sell dusty's.  It' like a museum with bottles dating back to the turn of the century.  I spent way more than I should have here.  I bought a bottle of 1979 OWO, a pint bottle of 1977 Old Fitz, and a Pre-fire EC18.  That OWO is without a doubt the best bourbon I have ever had.  Been looking for one for 2 years. 

 

Even if you don't buy anything it's worth a look.

See ya’ll tourists see the places we locals never get to!

Ugh! I’m literally in Lexington right now with time to kill, and they are closed Mondays!!

[HOF44]

6 minutes ago, AsburySkinsFan said:

See ya’ll tourists see the places we locals never get to!

Ugh! I’m literally in Lexington right now with time to kill, and they are closed Mondays!!

Yeah stuff in the city their seems to have weird time schedules.  There was an awesome bakery but only open Wed-Sat 6-2.  Weird

Edited April 23, 2018 by HOF44

[AsburySkinsFan]

1 minute ago, HOF44 said:

Yeah stuff in the city their seems to have weird time schedules.  There was an awesome bakery but only open Wed-Sat 9-2.  Weird

Oh yeah, we see that silliness a lot, it’s mostly with mom-n-pop sized stores because they’re the ones working the weekends etc. a LOT of restaurants here are closed on Mondays which is always annoying in business.

[Skinsfan1311]

My flights, with HOF44, in Kentucky and my haul.  

You can get the McKenna10 yr and the Knob Creek single barrel anywhere, but I met the Distiller at Evan Williams,  and he signed my bottle.  At the Beam distillery,  I got to help dump a barrel of Knob Creek single barrel, (that's me on the right).  I rinsed a bottle,  watched them bottle, dip it, and stuck my thumb print in the wax. Hokey,  but great fun.

At one of the small, craft distillers, (Jeptha Creed),we had a private tour and tasting, of a young rye  straight out of the bottle. I got to fill a barrel too.

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by Skinsfan1311

[AsburySkinsFan]

Here’s a new bourbon from a brand new distillery that is right in my town. I know these guys and I’ve been waiting four years for this bourbon!!

 

I get my two bottles of first release on Saturday.

 

 

http://whiskyadvocate.com/wilderness-trail-first-whiskeys/

[AsburySkinsFan]

I got something you don’t have!!!!

 

Brand spankin’ new Wilderness Trail wheated bourbon first release! I got two bottles today, one signed for saving, the other for sharing!!

 

 

Me and Master Distiller and owner Patrick Heist! (He’s the cool looking one...)

 

The copper works!

 

 

The “spirit safe”, as the distillation flows over the “water wheels” is turn the mechanism that makes the man “walk” pushing the barrel.

 

 

Edited April 28, 2018 by AsburySkinsFan

[AsburySkinsFan]

It’s Derby Day in Kentucky! 

Who ya’ll got?

#Justify 

#Audible

https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses

 

Oh and time to break out the Mint Juleps!!

 

Edited May 5, 2018 by AsburySkinsFan
Just realized that Justify is a WinStar Farms horse

[HOF44]

My Lexington purchases.  The 2 on the left are SW from 1979 and the EC is Pre-Fire 1990.  

Edited May 5, 2018 by HOF44

[AsburySkinsFan]

 

[AsburySkinsFan]

 

Did a side-by-side tasting with the Wilderness Trail and a favorite Weller Antique, since Well is my favorite and since it’s a wheated bourbon as well. The Wilderness stands up very well! Both have great vanilla, caramel and oakiness without a harsh spices, both are very smooth. I give the edge to the Weller on mouthfeel but that probably has more to do with the fact that it’s a 7 year old and the Wilderness is just 4. I CANNOT wait to taste the Wilderness at 7 years!!

[HOF44]

A group I’m in called Fairfax County Bourbon Society picked its first barrel Saturday. It was at The Barton Distillery and was a 1792 Full Proof pick.  One of the best times I’ve had in a while. Should be bottled and get to us in about 2 months. 

Edited May 14, 2018 by HOF44

[AsburySkinsFan]

A nip while the brats are on the grill. It ysed to be an easy bourbon to find but not anymore now that some West coasters decided it’s a bourbon of the year.

 

Edited May 23, 2018 by AsburySkinsFan