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Aqua Vitae Dram Discussions

charliebrown

charliebrown

Review Contributor
Messages: 2,760
Reviews: 179
Joined
#81
#81
I go to costco and buy the kirkland branded whiskeys. I use them to fill in the week of drinking and save the better whiskey for the weekends.
Bought the Rum and I was pleasantly surprised at its quality. Unfortunately, the sweetness was a little to much for me so it sat no the shelf. I recently bought the 12 year on blended scotch. This is another whiskey that is not a bad quality scotch for the cheap price but it is just a bit to much of the woody taste to it for a compelling drink I want to drink. Since I have had past experiences (pleasant) with Sherry/port/bourbon barreled scotch and rum barreled Irish whiskey, I figured I could make up my own personal blend of scotch/rum. So, I mixed a 5 to 1 ratio of scotch to rum just to soften and sweeten up the scotch whiskey a bit and damn if I do not have a great tasting blended whiskey for a cheap price.

Yes, I do spend money on good whiskey, but you would be amazed at how well some of my cheap mixes have turned out. Enjoying this shit as I type!!!
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
Reviews: 24
Joined
#83
#83
charliebrown said:
I go to costco and buy the kirkland branded whiskeys. I use them to fill in the week of drinking and save the better whiskey for the weekends.
Bought the Rum and I was pleasantly surprised at its quality. Unfortunately, the sweetness was a little to much for me so it sat no the shelf. I recently bought the 12 year on blended scotch. This is another whiskey that is not a bad quality scotch for the cheap price but it is just a bit to much of the woody taste to it for a compelling drink I want to drink. Since I have had past experiences (pleasant) with Sherry/port/bourbon barreled scotch and rum barreled Irish whiskey, I figured I could make up my own personal blend of scotch/rum. So, I mixed a 5 to 1 ratio of scotch to rum just to soften and sweeten up the scotch whiskey a bit and damn if I do not have a great tasting blended whiskey for a cheap price.

Yes, I do spend money on good whiskey, but you would be amazed at how well some of my cheap mixes have turned out. Enjoying this shit as I type!!!
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You can also age your own, there are multiple options for small barrels. I have a friend in Philadelphia who makes barrels (this profession is called a Cooper). He makes 2 gallon and up.

If you want to try something cool, go to oakbottle.com, they have a 750ml and 375ml oak bottle. When I bought my first one, I put Johnnie Red in it, and forgot about it for 3 weeks. I poured that and Blue - wife could only tell a very slight difference in tastes.
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
Reviews: 24
Joined
#85
#85
krideynyc said:
Yes, but which one? And I don't mean brand. I mean which version. BaiJiu is the generic term for White Spirits. That could include Rice Wines (most popular), KaoLiang (made from Sorhgum), or MaoTai (serious distilled alcohol).
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A former boss was from China, she goes back every year, takes her kids to stay with their grandparents for the summer. She brought me back the one distilled from sorghum.
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
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#87
#87
Difference between Bourbon, Brandy, Cognac & Whisky

Brandy
The name ‘brandy’ comes from the Dutch “branwijn”, which means “burnt wine.”

Brandy is an spirit beverage distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

Typically distilled from grapes, brandy is aged in old casks for a period of up to 2-3 years to achieve and alcohol volume of 40%.

Brandy is aged in wooden casks, or sometimes just have an added caramel to give it its brown color.

Whisky

Whisky is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash.

The main grain varieties used are in the production of whisky include wheat, rye, barley, and corn.

The liquor is aged in wooden barrels after distillation.

Whiskey is made all over the world with the most popular being Scotland, Ireland, Canada, & USA.

Different countries have consortiums that apply different rules, based on the whisky type.

Bourbon

Bourbon is whisky distilled in the USA.

The name Bourbon comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it originated.

Also aged in oak barrels, it is free from any artificial colouring or additives... (see prior post for whisky rules).

Cognac

Cognac is French brandy which is made from special grapes that are grown in the specified region of Cognac (from where it gets its name) in France.

It is distilled in pot stills and must be at least 40% proof.

It has to meet certain legal requirements in production methods known as Appellation d’origine contrôlée.
 
krideynyc

krideynyc

Registered Member
Messages: 3,308
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#89
#89
Massages4Tony said:
A former boss was from China, she goes back every year, takes her kids to stay with their grandparents for the summer. She brought me back the one distilled from sorghum.
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KaoLiang. That was my Father's family business back in China, before the Communist took over. If you ever get the chance, give MouTai a try. It will leave an impression.
 
MongersGonnaMong

MongersGonnaMong

Review Contributor
Messages: 942
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#90
#90
njlefty said:
Another Scotch I liked was Springbank.

A very good single malt.

It was not always easy to find. The one that you could find was the standard 10 year. About $40 a bottle.

View attachment 14229
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haven’t tried it yet but it was highly recommended by a worker at Union Square Wines
He too emphasized its a good single malt for this price
 
charliebrown

charliebrown

Review Contributor
Messages: 2,760
Reviews: 179
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#91
#91
njlefty said:
One thing I've noticed over the years through friends is that bourbon and Scotch drinkers are pretty much separate. For whatever reason with the palate or preference, it is usually a separate thing.
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I started drinking whiskey late in life so I have not built up the huge depth of knowledge. I started with bourbons but after a time, I figured I would venture off into other whiskey categories. Each and every one I venture into has a complete and interesting history and a complete span from shitty to excellent.

The world of distilling is expanding and growing more complex every day. Enjoy the ride and I was going to say keep your mind open to varied types, but it would be more appropriate to keep your mouth open and enjoy.
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
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#93
#93
njlefty said:
One thing I've noticed over the years through friends is that bourbon and Scotch drinkers are pretty much separate. For whatever reason with the palate or preference, it is usually a separate thing.
Click to expand...
Definitely. I’m more into grain then corn based, I find most bourbon to be too sweet. I do try, and like a few, like Angels Envy, Blanton’s, Basil Hayden.
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
Reviews: 24
Joined
#94
#94
charliebrown said:
I started drinking whiskey late in life so I have not built up the huge depth of knowledge. I started with bourbons but after a time, I figured I would venture off into other whiskey categories. Each and every one I venture into has a complete and interesting history and a complete span from shitty to excellent.

The world of distilling is expanding and growing more complex every day. Enjoy the ride and I was going to say keep your mind open to varied types, but it would be more appropriate to keep your mouth open and enjoy.
Click to expand...
I did the same, did not like Whisky until about 6 years ago. Had a friend buy me a nice bottle as a gift. When I tasted, I said “holy shit, this is whisky?”. Then the journey started.
 
2

248Lancer

Registered Member
Messages: 550
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#95
#95
All the talk of Ouzo & Raki earlier in this thread brought back fond memories of a honeymoon in Greece & Crete, where I sought out places that made their own of each. I was introduced to Raki at a small fishing town in Crete, where the taverna owner proudly showed me his dockside still setup. Every guest he liked got a small carafe when they cleared the table.

Im waiting for my chance to do the same in Italy for grappa, one day.

Thank you gentlemen!!
 
charliebrown

charliebrown

Review Contributor
Messages: 2,760
Reviews: 179
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#96
#96
Massages4Tony said:
I did the same, did not like Whisky until about 6 years ago. Had a friend buy me a nice bottle as a gift. When I tasted, I said “holy shit, this is whisky?”. Then the journey started.
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My life with Whiskey had a horrible start, In high school, before school, three of us drank a 1/5 the Jack Daniels. I was never sicker or had a worse hangover in my life and it all occurred in the same day!!!. It was the first and last time I ever put straight whiskey to my mouth for 35 years. A rich friend of mine introduced me to good whiskey. I was surprised I could smell it without throwing up. I was surprised I could sip it without throwing up. Now I will drink til I die and I will fund my viewing at a local bar instead of church where I will have an open bar for all whiskey drinks. I will not even waste my money after death for wine or beer!
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
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#97
#97
248Lancer said:
All the talk of Ouzo & Raki earlier in this thread brought back fond memories of a honeymoon in Greece & Crete, where I sought out places that made their own of each. I was introduced to Raki at a small fishing town in Crete, where the taverna owner proudly showed me his dockside still setup. Every guest he liked got a small carafe when they cleared the table.

Im waiting for my chance to do the same in Italy for grappa, one day.

Thank you gentlemen!!
Click to expand...
Greece is on my bucket list!
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
Reviews: 24
Joined
#98
#98
charliebrown said:
My life with Whiskey had a horrible start, In high school, before school, three of us drank a 1/5 the Jack Daniels. I was never sicker or had a worse hangover in my life and it all occurred in the same day!!!. It was the first and last time I ever put straight whiskey to my mouth for 35 years. A rich friend of mine introduced me to good whiskey. I was surprised I could smell it without throwing up. I was surprised I could sip it without throwing up. Now I will drink til I die and I will fund my viewing at a local bar instead of church where I will have an open bar for all whiskey drinks. I will not even waste my money after death for wine or beer!
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LOL, my whiskey debut was Jack, at a bar, Lou Turks to be exact, with a bunch of firemen friends and a few police friends, and I was 17. Shots, burning, yuck, disgusting, bring on the girl who could shoot ping pong balls across the room...
 
Massages4Tony

Massages4Tony

There is a beauty in every woman, find it!
Messages: 382
Reviews: 24
Joined
#99
#99
248Lancer said:
All the talk of Ouzo & Raki earlier in this thread brought back fond memories of a honeymoon in Greece & Crete, where I sought out places that made their own of each. I was introduced to Raki at a small fishing town in Crete, where the taverna owner proudly showed me his dockside still setup. Every guest he liked got a small carafe when they cleared the table.

Im waiting for my chance to do the same in Italy for grappa, one day.

Thank you gentlemen!!
Click to expand...
If you ever get to San Francisco, there is a hotel with a Grappa wall...the Intercontinental - I popped my Grappa cherry there in 2003!

1597980275366.jpeg
 
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