The Liquor Thread

[Bakemaster]

I don't think there's room in my brain for a "needs ice" category of scotch. Though I haven't tried scotch rocks so it may be less about temperature than about the addition of water.

[KallistiEngel]

$35 a bottle? a 750ml bottle? They're under $18 at our class six. Same size glenlivet is $32.95 iirc.

Where do you live? Can you send me some of those cheap prices?

I can't find regular Jameson for under $20 a bottle here.

[Coffee]

Osan Air Force Base in South Korea.

[Dark567]

So I found same Black Grouse, which is apparently a blend of Famous Grouse, and its pretty good(why the store had one but not the other idk). It looks like I found solution to my cheap scotch needs. Thanks everyone.

[TheAmazingRando]

My friend at BevMo tells me that Bulleit is making a rye now. Anyone here tried it yet? How does it compare to other ryes on the market?

[Thesh]

It's only been out for a few weeks now, but the reviews I have seen are generally pretty favorable. Its mash bill is 95% rye, so it will likely be spicier than many ryes out there.

[Von Haus]

Just an update on my home production experiment in case anyone was interested. I made 20 litres or so of the stuff but it tasted a bit vinegary and was rather black from the charcoal, put put a clarifier in and got it clear. I've now bottled 13 litres of it mixed with a bit of fruit squash of 4 varieties, lemon, summer fruits, blackcurrent and tropical, they mask any bad tastes and haven't diluted it too much because of the strength of the squash. I have no idea what the % is but I'd guess it's strogner than the average wine, the small sample glasses I poured while getting the proportions of squash right were enough to get me mid way drunk last night.
I didn't go with the fruit-gin flavouring method in the end because of the aformetioned vinegary taste so didn't want to risk it not working out after the extra months wait.

[netcrusher88]

My friend at BevMo tells me that Bulleit is making a rye now. Anyone here tried it yet? How does it compare to other ryes on the market?

I am going to have to look for that, if the WA liquor board imports it. A good rye would be fantastic, all I can find is Jim Beam.

I came here to talk about things, and people already have talked about most of them... seriously, specifically Kraken and Bowmore 12. I do love me single-malt Scotch. Anyway. Other things!

It turns out I work about a mile from a nanodistillery in Seattle called Sound Spirits. So I stopped by their tasting room on the way home for samples of their Ebb + Flow brand liquors and walked out with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of what the distiller calls reposado gin. Their vodka (and thus their gin) is barley-based and has just the tiniest hint of sweetness and a decided grain feel to it (all of their liquor is unfiltered) - this is not your typical clear filler. They currently have three varieties of gin - their first is a cloudy gin that reminds me of the ocean (that sounds awful but I mean that in a good way - a little floral, well-balanced, a good green backbone from the juniper and herbs), the second is a slightly modified recipe (spicier, lighter body, cleaner mouth feel) with a slightly higher alcohol content so it's clear, and the latest (which they need to get a label approved for to distribute, but selling it at the distillery is an end-run around distribution rules) is rested in oak barrels so he calls it reposado and it is amazing.

On more of a pico scale, a friend of a friend makes moonshine in his apartment (he's a chemistry major or something, he knows what he's doing). I got to try some, corn-based and aged on wood chips from Jack barrels. Kick-your-teeth-in strong and delicious.

[Dark567]

My friend at BevMo tells me that Bulleit is making a rye now. Anyone here tried it yet? How does it compare to other ryes on the market?

I am going to have to look for that, if the WA liquor board imports it. A good rye would be fantastic, all I can find is Jim Beam.

I recently tried Redemption Rye and thought it was pretty good considering the only other Rye I've had was Jim Beam, which was pretty awful.

[mercutio_stencil]

My friend at BevMo tells me that Bulleit is making a rye now. Anyone here tried it yet? How does it compare to other ryes on the market?

I am going to have to look for that, if the WA liquor board imports it. A good rye would be fantastic, all I can find is Jim Beam.

I recently tried Redemption Rye and thought it was pretty good considering the only other Rye I've had was Jim Beam, which was pretty awful.

Bulleit just released a rye that's pretty darn fantastic for the price. A 750ml bottle goes for $22 at my local liquor store, and it's great for that hearty, spicy rye taste. It does have a bit of the harshness, a bit of a kick, much like their bourbon actually.

If you have a budget and connections, Anchor Distilling just released a new batch of the Old Protrero rye; it's an absolutely fantastic liquor, it has the great rye taste, but it's mellowed and developed in taste considerably.

I just came from my monthly whiskey club, can you tell?

[Coffee]

I need to find a country where it's legal to still your own whisky.

[lewismd]

I need to find a country where it's legal to still your own whisky.

As far as I can tell, New Zealand is the only OECD country where home distilling is legal. So go become a kiwi.

[netcrusher88]

And once you move there there's always sites like this. >_>

[mercutio_stencil]

And once you move Thor Thor's always sites like this. >_>

Nifty as that site is, I would feel a little odd spending too much time on it. I'm just not inclined to post to a public forum evidence that I may (or may not) be breaking the law. I have enough reasons to fear the ATF as it is.

Anyone know what the legal penalty for distilling for personal use is?

[netcrusher88]

In the US, technically you're committing tax fraud and under 26 USC 5602 the penalty for doing so with liquor is not more than $10k and 5 years in prison. So it's pretty substantial.

That said, I don't imagine the ATF makes a habit of inspecting random people who buy stills (though they might, but on the other hand I don't think they are constitutionally allowed to particularly as Americans are allowed to own a 1 gallon still for water distillation purposes). I would also imagine they don't particularly care about someone making a bit of moonshine for themselves, they've got better things to do. I mean it's not like they're growing a marijuana plant . That said most ATF stuff is srs bsns (and there are location restrictions on alcohol distillation for safety purposes - today's word is volatile) so I just don't know.

Far be it from me to encourage dangerous and illegal things, but if you must keep it on the down low.

I wouldn't worry about talking about it on forums though. Believe me, they definitely have better things to do than trawl forums. There are more forums about growing weed (really, about drugs in general) than you can shake a stick at - it's just not an effective way to hunt people down.

[KallistiEngel]

In the US, technically you're committing tax fraud and under 26 USC 5602 the penalty for doing so with liquor is not more than $10k and 5 years in prison. So it's pretty substantial.

That said, I don't imagine the ATF makes a habit of inspecting random people who buy stills (though they might, but on the other hand I don't think they are constitutionally allowed to particularly as Americans are allowed to own a 1 gallon still for water distillation purposes). I would also imagine they don't particularly care about someone making a bit of moonshine for themselves, they've got better things to do. I mean it's not like they're growing a marijuana plant . That said most ATF stuff is srs bsns (and there are location restrictions on alcohol distillation for safety purposes - today's word is volatile) so I just don't know.

Far be it from me to encourage dangerous and illegal things, but if you must keep it on the down low.

I wouldn't worry about talking about it on forums though. Believe me, they definitely have better things to do than trawl forums. There are more forums about growing weed (really, about drugs in general) than you can shake a stick at - it's just not an effective way to hunt people down.

I have a cousin who's in the ATF. I could ask him about that sort of thing next time I see him. I don't think he particularly cares about or deals with that sort of thing too much. I'm pretty sure they're more concerned about firearms, at least in his area (near Phoenix, AZ).

[grythyttan]

I Just made my own punsch. Gonna let it steep overnight and then hopefully it tastes nice.

[Dream]

Just took the official biggest booze quality nosedive of my life: Yamazaki 10 Year Old Single Malt, followed by a bottle of Coors Light. This is very unfortunate. I feel like apologising to the nation of Japan.


hmmmn.

[Dark567]

Just took the official biggest booze quality nosedive of my life: Yamazaki 10 Year Old Single Malt, followed by a bottle of Coors Light. This is very unfortunate. I feel like apologising to the nation of Japan.

The other day at the Liquor store I had bottle of Yamazaki in one hand and A'bunadh in the other. I ended up taking the A'bunadh, which was excellent, but I am really curious about the Yamazaki? I have heard its pretty good.... but whats it like? Is it closer to a Scotch, a American whiskey or Canadian?

[Azrael]

Closest to scotch, and really quite excellent.

Belial, Hendu, Gmal and I (probably others?) split a bottle ... shit, nearly two years back. We were all very pleased.

[Bakemaster]

The other day at the Liquor store I had bottle of Yamazaki in one hand and A'bunadh in the other. I ended up taking the A'bunadh, which was excellent, but I am really curious about the Yamazaki? I have heard its pretty good.... but whats it like? Is it closer to a Scotch, a American whiskey or Canadian?

This is a frighteningly good account of my own experience some time ago. Still haven't gotten around to picking up a bottle of Yamazaki or Uigeadail (holy shit that is hard to spell right the first time).

[hendusoone]

I have enjoyed a couple bottles since that time. It has continued to be awesome. And yes, very close to scotch.

[Dark567]

I always figured it was closest to scotch, just because it was always in the scotch aisle in the liquor store. Well, I will have to try it sometime soon.

[Dream]

I have heard its pretty good.... but whats it like? Is it closer to a Scotch, a American whiskey or Canadian?

Like everyone says, it's very close to scotch. It's quite malty and has a lot of palate weight. I found a rich spicyness that was something like a Glenfarclas, only a bit sweeter. It was like a more pleasant version of a 'farclas 105. I would definitely keep a bottle around, were I in such an amenable financial situation.

[Amarantha]

Just took the official biggest booze quality nosedive of my life: Yamazaki 10 Year Old Single Malt, followed by a bottle of Coors Light.

My husband once went from a Chimay Reserve to a VB. He was all like, "WTF, who put out their cigarette in my beer!"

[keeneal]

Kraken rum is something I've been having great times with lately. Dark, strong, sweet and spiced, and moderately priced as well.

It also has the best ad campaign ever, but that's beside the point.

I turned 21 (the legal drinking age in my part of the world) at the beginning of the year. Kraken was the second bottle I bought (after a cheap rum and having been given some Jack as a gift). Partially because it was on sale, partially because of the fun bottle, and partially because I wanted to try something better than Captain but didn't know where to start.

I rather like it.! But I feel like I shouldn't comment on flavor too much, as I'm not quite up to drinking liquor neat... I've been finding that it needs to be at least 1/3 something else (usually a cola of some sort...) for me to be able to drink it happily. Am I right in thinking this is just something that takes some time/nights looking down the neck of a bottle?

[TheAmazingRando]

I hate rum and my body refuses to let me drink Sailor Jerry anymore, but Kraken is pretty awesome.
Buying ginger ale and making dark and stormys with it is a good recipe for an awesome night.

[keeneal]

So I hear. Unfortunately, I just finished off my bottle before I could go find some (I wanted to try ginger beer instead - seemed like ginger ale doesn't taste too much like ginger to me) and I can't drink for the vast majority of the summer, so buying some more is out of the question for a few months :\

[rrwoods]

The Best Dark And Stormy, Period*:

Equal parts Goslings Black Seal and Stewart's Ginger Bear and a hint of lime.

* if you disagree, that's ok. can't be right about everything.

[Dream]

Just took the official biggest booze quality nosedive of my life: Yamazaki 10 Year Old Single Malt, followed by a bottle of Coors Light.

My husband once went from a Chimay Reserve to a VB. He was all like, "WTF, who put out their cigarette in my beer!"

Man, I did something similar many times over there. Never with Chimay Reserve, but lots of times with local micro brews. I think Mountain Goat Pale was basically followed by a VB chaser half the time, because I always brought them to barbies, and there was always a slab of VB.

[Amarantha]

Ya, that's pretty much how it works These days we take way more $AWESOME_BEER than we're likely to drink, so we don't end up eyeing the VB stash.

[lewismd]

The Best Dark And Stormy, Period*:

Equal parts Goslings Black Seal and Stewart's Ginger Bear and a hint of lime.

* if you disagree, that's ok. can't be right about everything.

Well, traditionally, it's Barritts ginger beer. But really, as long as you use a really good ginger beer (and Goslings!) you're golden.

Goslings actually trademarked the name "Dark n Stormy," so technically to call it that, you have to use Goslings.

I've found that Goose Island makes a really good ginger beer, as well. Paired it with some Jamesons, it was fantastic.

[TheAmazingRando]

bit of a rant: I like whiskey, and when I don't feel like drinking my whiskey straight, and I don't really want an old fashioned, sometimes I want a whiskey sour. It's a simple drink: whiskey, lemon juice, sugar water. I know for a fact that every bar has these ingredients. So why is it that whenever I order one, they use margarita mix and give me some sickly green concoction that tastes more like candy than whiskey? Most bars around here play loud music, and I'd rather not shout my recipe at a bartender. Who decided this shortcut was acceptable?

[Belial]

Margaritas are simple too. Tequila. Lime juice. Triple Sec.

And yet margarita mix exists. Because lazy.

(Also, I suspect that's not margarita mix, it's sours mix, which is equally awful)

[mercutio_stencil]

It seems to extend beyond lazy use of mixes, an awful lot of bartenders seem to have no idea how to make basic drinks. I actually had a bartender ask me what a Manhattan was. I usually stick to a pint of beer unless I know that the bartender actually knows what they are doing. Then again, even that can go wrong, plenty of bars have stale beer and filthy tap lines.

In that case, either a gin and tonic or a vodka tonic. It's hard to mess those up.

[SurgicalSteel]

One of my cousins has a margarita blender that she paid around $200 for. Because, I guess you can't use a regular blender with an ice setting or a $20 ice crusher

[Decker]

I have nothing to compare it to, but the vodka sour I had the other day was pretty good. Lots of pucker.

[rrwoods]

whiskey sour

In my experience, anything with the word "sour" in the title will be horrifically screwed by 90%* of bartenders. As Belial mentioned, they'll use "sweet and sour" or "sour mix" or whatever they choose to call it, rather than the lemon/lime + sugar/simple you "should" use.

Sadly I've seen many cocktail recipes call for sour mix. Every one of these recipes is made better by substituting with the appropriate amount of simple syrup and sour citrus (lemon or lime depending on the drink). Sometimes I even forgo the sugar; a Chambord sour, for example, is just fine as (say) 4 parts Chambord 1 part lemon since the Chambord is already sweet enough. You get to adjust the proportions as you see fit, and more importantly, it doesn't taste like preservative.

<- hates sour mix with a burning passion

[ * arbitrary and probably inaccurate figure, but you catch my drift ]

[SamaraLexx]

I'm having a drink at my wedding that is:

1 Ounce: St. Germain
4 Ounces: Cava

But the St. Germain is expensive so I'm trying to find an alternative. I thought the guy at the liquor store had mentioned that you can replace St. Germain with something, but I can't remember what he said.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Belial]

Well, you can get just straight elderflower syrup from ikea. That and vodka might do you for a cheap st germain substitute