The Cocktailian
image courtesy of the good folks at
quanya
A Kindred Spirit's Drink is a Wallbanger
October 12, 2007
In this ever-shrinking world of ours it has become increasingly easy to
become friends with kindred spirits who live all over the world by way of e-mail
and community Web sites. Friends who, in all likelihood, we'll never meet, but
friends all the same. Some of them become quite near and dear. Rafael
Ballesteros, a native of Spain whom I believe to be a retired university
professor, is such a man in my life. . .
Hot Links
Another cool vid from Robert Hess
When I travel through France, I always try to have at least one Kir Royale.
It is a fairly common drink, named after Canon Felix Kir, a former mayor of
Dijon, who popularized the use of the local white burgundy wine with a splash of
cassis, which became known simply as "Kir". With champagne, it is known as a Kir
Royale.
Potent Quotables
"We were asked whether we would drink rice-wine, or mare's
milk or mead made of honey--for they use these three kinds of liquors in winter.
I answered that we had no pleasure in drink and would be content with what the
Khan had to order. So we were served with rice-wine, of which I tasted a
little out of respect."
Genghis Khan: The Emperor of All Men
by Harold Lamb, 1927.
WhiskeyWatch
WhiskeyWatch: Geddit?
Mixologists Worldwide were recognized as Industry
Leaders of the Year at this years WhiskyFest in New York on October 30.
Dave Wondrich and Gary accepted the award on their behalf. Wondrich said
that he was going to buy Gary a drink after the awards were presented. And
that was the last time Gary saw Dave that night . . .
Is Gary the only sane person in this picture? First time that
ever happened.
Congratulations to all you mixologists who have been
mixing it up with whisk(e)y!
The 2007 Malt
Advocate whisky awards were announced on October 30 by John Hansell, Malt
Advocate Publisher & Editor, before a sold out WhiskyFest New York at the
Marriott Marquis on Times Square. This annual awards program was established
thirteen years ago to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. The awards
categories and winners are listed below.
Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Cask No. 16
American Whiskey of the Year: Old Forester Birthday
Bourbon (2007 Release)
Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 12 year old
Scotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Chivas 18 year old
Scotch Whisky Malt of the Year: The Macallan 1976
Vintage (Cask 11354)
World Whisky of the Year: Suntory Yamazaki 18 year
old
Best Buy of the Year: Black Bottle Original
Distillery of the Year: BenRiach
Pioneer of the Year: Bruichladdich Distillery
Industry Leader of the Year:
Mixologists
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Rutledge, Four Roses
Distillery
Lifetime Achievement Award: David Stewart, William
Grant & Sons
In addition, the Top Ten New Whiskies for 2007 were
announced by John Hansell. They are listed below, in alphabetical order.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection Chardonnay Aged
Bourbon, 14 year old
Crown Royal Cask No. 16
Dun Bheagan (distilled at Springbank), Cask No. 1704,
35 year old, 1970 vintage
The Glenlivet Cellar Collection, 1969 vintage
Highland Park, Cask #13308, 1973 vintage, 33 year old
Highland Park, Cask #7957, 1977 vintage, 29 year old
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 1994 vintage
The Macallan 1976 Vintage, 29 year old, cask #11354
Parker's Heritage Collection, First Edition, 1996
vintage
Wild Turkey American Spirit, 15 year old
Time for a Serious Drink
8
We’re on a bit of a Bombay Sapphire trip here at
ardent spirits. Why? Cos
Gary has an announcement to make.
In the past he hasn't had a
great deal of time for this gin, and he's been pretty vocal about it, too.
Well, he's changed his mind. He really likes it now. Why did he
change his mind? Because he gave it very high marks this year in two blind
tastings, that's why. You can't argue with the results of a blind tasting,
right?
Here we share with you a new cocktail that the good folk at
Bombay dreamed up. Seems to us that these guys, along with lots of other
folk in the liquor industry, are finally getting their acts together when it
comes to creating new drinks. This one works particularly well.
(Even though we hate the fact that bombay sapphire has to be in ALL CAPS )
SAPPHIRE Frosted Ginger
Adapted from a recipe from BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
1 1/2 ounces BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin
1 1/2 ounces white cranberry juice
4 thin slices of fresh ginger, about 1/2-inch in
diameter
8 fresh white grapes
Muddle ginger, grapes and juice in a cocktail shaker.
Add BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin and ice. Shake well and double strain into a chilled
martini cocktail glass.
8
Curious about that 8? It was supposed to be an * but we forgot to
hold the shift key down, and now when we try to delete it we loose the
whole darned picture . . . We're pretty incompetent sometimes
The * was to inform you that, yes, that's Toby Cecchini of
Cosmopolitan/Passerby fame. He has nothing to do with this drink, but
we thought he looked pretty serious here, so used the pic for this new
section. Okay?
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