Friday Whiskey Thread

[HudsonHawk]

Heading to the ranch with my old six string and a bottle of 1835 Texas bourbon. My first taste will be tonight, but it's shaping up to be a good evening.

[sporadic]

Heading to the ranch with my old six string and a bottle of 1835 Texas bourbon. My first taste will be tonight, but it's shaping up to be a good evening.

After running a Google search for "1835 Texas Bourbon" and getting a forum where such things are discussed, I look forward to reading your personal review at some point this evening.

[HudsonHawk]

After running a Google search for "1835 Texas Bourbon" and getting a forum where such things are discussed, I look forward to reading your personal review at some point this evening.

I just hope my review is reasonably coherent.

[sporadic]

I just hope my review is reasonably coherent.

I don't!

[Bench]

Whiskey is sunlight held together by water.

[HudsonHawk]

OK, had a few sips last night.  Not bad, but not great.  It's a little sweet, and not too terribly smooth.  Strong, but not scratch and crawl down your throat like some cheap shit out there.  Pronounced smokey character, which I like.  Overall, not bad for a first offering, but some age might do it some good.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

OK, had a few sips last night.  Not bad, but not great.  It's a little sweet, and not too terribly smooth.  Strong, but not scratch and crawl down your throat like some cheap shit out there.  Pronounced smokey character, which I like.  Overall, not bad for a first offering, but some age might do it some good.

After reading this thread, I bought a bottle on Friday night, too.  Similar impressions as Hudson.  Since Spec's has it for $20, it might replace Buffalo Trace as my mixing bourbon.  It did make a hell of a good Old Fashioned last night.

[HudsonHawk]

After reading this thread, I bought a bottle on Friday night, too.  Similar impressions as Hudson.  Since Spec's has it for $20, it might replace Buffalo Trace as my mixing bourbon.  It did make a hell of a good Old Fashioned last night.

OK, you ain't lyin'.  I'm on my fourth one right now.

[NeilT]

Old Fashioneds should be made with rye.

[HudsonHawk]

Old Fashioneds should be made with rye.

1.  That depends on who you ask.

2.  I don't have any rye. 

3.  I'm at the ranch.  I'm supposed to drink bourbon.

[NeilT]

1.  That depends on who you ask.

2.  I don't have any rye. 

3.  I'm at the ranch.  I'm supposed to drink bourbon.

Carry on then.

[HudsonHawk]

Carry on then.

Making my fifth as we speak...

[VirtualBob]

Making Drinking my fifth as we speak...

better?

[juliogotay]

Old Fashioneds should be made with rye.

Agreed. As should a Manhatten.

[HudsonHawk]

Agreed. As should a Manhatten.

 A Manhattan is traditionally made with rye.  An Old Fashioned is traditionally made with bourbon.  You can make yours any way you like, however.

[juliogotay]

A Manhattan is traditionally made with rye.  An Old Fashioned is traditionally made with bourbon.  You can make yours any way you like, however.

Thank you. I have found BTW that many establishments in Texas don't carry rye including ones in high dollar places.

[NeilT]

Thank you. I have found BTW that many establishments in Texas don't carry rye including ones in high dollar places.

I ordered a Manattan recently, can't remember where, and the savvy waiter said that they didn't have rye but they did have Canadian Club.  Apparently Canadian Club has a substantial amount of rye in its history if you like a less sweet whiskey.

[HudsonHawk]

Thank you. I have found BTW that many establishments in Texas don't carry rye including ones in high dollar places.

Rye whiskey is very rare these days.  They just don't make much of it because nobody drinks it, and haven't for 50 years.  You typically won't find it in any bar.

[NeilT]

Rye whiskey is very rare these days.  They just don't make much of it because nobody drinks it, and haven't for 50 years.  You typically won't find it in any bar.

It's actually getting more common, and you will find it at as a preference for whiskey cocktails in fancy schmancy cocktail emporiums.  Maybe the best Manhattan I ever drank was at Mongoose and Cobra, where they make them ahead and let them sit.  I don't know what value that has, but it makes a mighty fine Manhattan, and that very Manhattan sparked my interest in rye.

Bulleit just started making an excellent rye, as did Knob Creek.  The Bulleit at least is widely available.  The bar rye of choice is apparently something called Rittenhouse, or so I've read.

[strosrays]

A Manhattan is traditionally made with rye.  An Old Fashioned is traditionally made with bourbon.  You can make yours any way you like, however.

I make 'em with absinthe.

[Duke]

Bulleit just started making an excellent rye, as did Knob Creek.  The Bulleit at least is widely available.  The bar rye of choice is apparently something called Rittenhouse, or so I've read.

Twin Liquor has the Knob Creek Rye on sale about every other weekend for $27.99.   Very nice.

[austro]

I was in Spec's today picking up some stuff, and I noticed Rebecca's Creek bourbon, which I presume comes from the Spring Branch area. Anybody tried that? OutlawScotty, have you heard anything about it?

[Andyzipp]

Tangently related,  anyone recommend a good wine for 20-25 a bottle?  Got some gifts left to purchase...

[HudsonHawk]

Tangently related,  anyone recommend a good wine for 20-25 a bottle?  Got some gifts left to purchase...

Lots of good wines in that price range.  Red?  White?  Doesn't matter?

[Bench]

Lots of good wines in that price range.  Red?  White?  Doesn't matter?

Just buy whatever champagne/sparkling wine is available at spec's for $25.

[HudsonHawk]

Just buy whatever champagne/sparkling wine is available at spec's for $25.

I've never had a bad recommendation from Spec's. 

As for stuff that's usually available at Kroger/HEB/Specs...a few good US wines are La Crema, Clos Du Bois, Rodney Strong and Hess.  Most of their stuff is pretty good, and it's widely available in most common varieties.

If you want something French, I like Chateau Bonnet and M. Chapoutier.

Italian....one of my favorites is Masi Amarone, but it's likely more than $25 American.  Still, it's like drinking butter.

There are also several good Texas wines.

[Ty in Tampa]

Italian....one of my favorites is Masi Amarone, but it's likely more than $25 American.  Still, it's like drinking butter.

That's around $35-40 but oh, so worth it.

[hostros7]

That's around $35-40 but oh, so worth it.

Spec's says:

MASI COSTASERA AMARONE CLASSICO 6/CS 06/07 [ITALY]

750ML   61.57
Case [6]   346.66
   

[Andyzipp]

Lots of good wines in that price range.  Red?  White?  Doesn't matter?

Let's go with reds...

[Ty in Tampa]

Spec's says:

MASI COSTASERA AMARONE CLASSICO 6/CS 06/07 [ITALY]

750ML   61.57
Case [6]   346.66
   

OK, then. Not what I remember. I do remember it being worth what I paid.

[austro]

OK, then. Not what I remember. I do remember it being worth what I paid.

Amarones are wonderful. I just bought one today (Tomassi, $70) at Spec's for a special occasion.

We've recently had some Hook & Ladder Pinot Noir that I really like. It's about $25/bottle, if I remember correctly.

[hostros7]

I like flora springs trilogy which is around 40 a bottle.  Willamette valley pinot noirs are generally enjoyable and can be found in the 20 to 40 range.  Here are some other ideas:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2012/11/best_wine_thanksgiving_houston.php

[HudsonHawk]

Let's go with reds...

Not knowing if it's to be paired with food, I'd go with something middle of the road. I'm a fan of pinot noir for just drinking. I'd suggest the Mark West Carneros, La Crema or Cambria. All are around $20 and you can find them at Specs or HEB.

[austro]

Not knowing if it's to be paired with food, I'd go with something middle of the road. I'm a fan of pinot noir for just drinking. I'd suggest the Mark West Carneros, La Crema or Cambria. All are around $20 and you can find them at Specs or HEB.

Those are all solid suggestions; we especially like the Cambria Julia's Vineyard. I bought a couple bottles of Monticello Vineyards Pinot Noir today on the Spec's guy's recommendation, who was raving about it. That may be the Christmas wine, depending upon what I decide to fix.

[HudsonHawk]

Those are all solid suggestions; we especially like the Cambria Julia's Vineyard. I bought a couple bottles of Monticello Vineyards Pinot Noir today on the Spec's guy's recommendation, who was raving about it. That may be the Christmas wine, depending upon what I decide to fix.

Again, I don't think I've ever received a bum recommendation from Spec's.  You can go in there and find literally tons of really good wines under $30. 

As I type, I'm drinking some cut-rate cab that my wife drinks.  Not bad with my HEB tacos, but think I'll switch to a pinot here in a second.  I have a bottle of Mark West, but it's not the Carneros, just the regular stuff.  It's still pretty good though.

[HudsonHawk]

Back on to whiskey...I picked up a bottle of Templeton Rye at Spec's.  It's billed as "Prohibition Era Recipe".  I have no idea if that makes it good or bad, but it's got a picture of some 1930's looking speakeasy on the label, so it looks cool.

[Andyzipp]

Thanks for the suggestions and help. Merry Christmas!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Back on to whiskey...I picked up a bottle of Templeton Rye at Spec's.  It's billed as "Prohibition Era Recipe".  I have no idea if that makes it good or bad, but it's got a picture of some 1930's looking speakeasy on the label, so it looks cool.

Had some of that last time I was in NYC.  Very very good.  I keep meaning to get a bottle, but I'm running out of room for more rye.

[Ebby Calvin]

Christmas Eve party in the books, dishes washed, toys assembled.  Sitting outside with a Laphroiag 10 and the rain is starting to fall. There's a lot left in this bottle....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

[Bench]

Christmas Eve party in the books, dishes washed, toys assembled.  Sitting outside with a Laphroiag 10 and the rain is starting to fall. There's a lot left in this bottle....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

That's a virtually identical account on my night, right down to the laphroig 10.

[Outlawscotty]

I was in Spec's today picking up some stuff, and I noticed Rebecca's Creek bourbon, which I presume comes from the Spring Branch area. Anybody tried that? OutlawScotty, have you heard anything about it?

Made in Spring Branch along with Enchanted Rock Vodka.  I don't know about the vodka, but the whiskey is comparable to Woodford IMO.  Would recommend. 

[HudsonHawk]

Made in Spring Branch along with Enchanted Rock Vodka.  I don't know about the vodka, but the whiskey is comparable to Woodford IMO.  Would recommend. 

Drinking some Woodford as I type.  Goes well with my Tatuaje box pressed maduro.

[austro]

Made in Spring Branch along with Enchanted Rock Vodka.  I don't know about the vodka, but the whiskey is comparable to Woodford IMO.  Would recommend. 

That's interesting: Woodford is what I picked up that day. I'll try the Rebecca's Creek next time.

[VirtualBob]

Had some really smooth Calvados last night ... like good scotch with a hint of autumn.

[austro]

Had some really smooth Calvados last night ... like good scotch with a hint of autumn.

"Smooth" and "Calvados" are not words that one usually finds in close proximity. Who was the maker?

[HudsonHawk]

"Smooth" and "Calvados" are not words that one usually finds in close proximity. Who was the maker?

Nor do you ever find calvados in described as "scotch like"

[VirtualBob]

Don't recall the maker; brought it back from Normandy last summer.  I'll check and post later.  It was smooth and it is reminiscent of scotch ... there are a lot of variations on Calvados, though.  Some were quite rough and a few I tried were almost sweet.

[VirtualBob]

Don't recall the maker; brought it back from Normandy last summer.  I'll check and post later.  It was smooth and it is reminiscent of scotch ... there are a lot of variations on Calvados, though.  Some were quite rough and a few I tried were almost sweet.

Christian Drouin "Selection"