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Whisky, Whiskey, Bourbon or that other stuff?

Discussion in 'Free Fire Zone' started by Biak, Feb 26, 2020.

  1. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Reading through Jack B's thread on "The Foods of WWII", which is excellent by the way, I glanced down at my glass and the thought hit me, We don't have a thread about 'Spirits'. So for what it's worth here it is. Like to hear others thoughts on what they prefer on those evenings where you can just kick back and contemplate life.

    I'm no way a connoisseur and tonight's beverage of choice being enjoyed from a bottle of Glenlivet. It is a bottle I got from my Uncle and is only uncorked occasionally - tonight being occasionally. Merle was more a Martini, Manhattan or Old Fashion guy and only kept a bottle of Vodka in the cabinet for those few friends who stopped by who "could stomach the stuff". I found this out when we visited him one year for his 92nd birthday. We would get him a "Good" bottle of the potato alcohol for his evening cocktail. After hauling a bottle of Grey Goose across two thirds of the country and the day before his big day, we brought up in casual conversation how he liked his Martini. Two shots Gin, a smidgen of dry Vermouth and one or two small ice-cubes. We asked about a Vodka Martini and he said, " Hate the stuff" ! Only keep it for others". The bottle of Grey Goose is down stairs, still unopened.

    Cheers !
     
  2. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Chivas Regal Extra is acceptable. Anything from The Balvenie Distillery.
     
  3. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Here's a list of the 7 Best Australian Whiskies:
    • Limeburners Director's Cut Single-Malt Whisky. ...
    • Overeem Port Cask Matured Single-Malt Whisky. ...
    • Timboon Christie's Cut Whisky. ...
    • Trapper's Hut Single Cask Malt Whisky. ...
    • McHenry Single Malt Whisky. ...
    • Nant Bourbon Cask 63% Bourbon Wood Whisky. ...
    • Cradle Mountain 17yo Whisky
    The most famous spirit in Australia is Bundaberg Rum...known simply as "Bundy!"
    [​IMG]
    "The rum rebellion" - The Rum Rebellion of 1808 was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history. During the 19th century, it was widely referred to in Australia as the Great Rebellion.
    William Bligh (1754-1817) was an English naval captain and a colonial governor of New South Wales, Australia. Probably best known for his involvement in the mutiny on H. M. S. "Bounty," he had a career fraught with controversy.
    On 26 January 1808, the 'Rum Rebellion' took place when 400 New South Wales Corps soldiers, led by Major George Johnston (1764–1823), marched from their barracks and arrested Governor William Bligh
    [​IMG]
    What an A-hole.
     
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  4. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    I have a bottle of Tortuga rum in the cabinet. We took a cruise once (never again) and on our stop at the Cayman Islands had to try their Rum cake and bring a bottle home. There's just a little bit left o_O
     
  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I don't drink, so it's hard for me to participate in this thread. :(
     
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  6. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Sure ya can Lou ! It says that other stuff. I drink far more Pepsi or Coke than I should and a case of beer lasts me long enough to classify me as a bantemweight when it comes to alcohol consumption.
     
  7. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    If I have anything at night (and it is rare), I drink Coke Zero. A six pack of beer lasts longer than I care to admit. There are several bottles of wine and spirits in my cabinet that are years old
     
  8. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    We're of the same mold. I used up all my serious drinking days between the ages of 16 and 20. Once it was legal it lost something. Well that and the epic party on a Wednesday in April just before graduation when I was young, dumb and invincible. Found out we all have our limits.
     
  9. Jack B

    Jack B Active Member

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    Ardbeg whisky was my tipple of choice for a while. I think it was an unknown here and less expensive as a result. These days it's a bit pricey for anything but a treat. Same goes for Highland Park from Orkney. ***sigh***

    American bourbon is more reasonable around here. Buffalo Trace or Maker's Mark make fine sippin' whiskies. Maker's makes a great Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

    Nothing wrong with a good ol' Jack and Coke, either.


    Add: above written while nursing a mug of decaf, cream, no sugar. ;)
     
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  10. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    That's a problem. I don't care for the taste of alcohol. There's way too much liquor in them for me to enjoy.
     
  11. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    I like a Jack and coke particularly in the summer doldrums. Funny how a beer tastes especially good after a couple hours riding the tractor plowing snow in 20 degree weather. Go figure?!
    A few years ago sitting outside and Merle had his Gin with a waft of vermouth and I had a can of coke in my hands. He asked and I answered, yeah a bit of Rum in the can too. He said for some reason they could usually get Rum in New Guinea (thank you flight surgeon) and if the Navy was in the area they always made a deal = souvenirs for Coca-cola.
     
  12. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    Bourbon is my drink, but I find few people ever drink good bourbon. The entire theory behind bourbon is since it's aged in a charred oak cask in an unheated and uncooled rackhouse, the temperature causes it to expand and contract day and night, winter and summer. So, that liquor is going through an inch of charcoal into the oak and then back out into the barrel, over and over for years. All distilled liquor has impurities called fusil oils, and charcoal removes that (and the off flavor it imparts), at the same time oak has sugars within the wood that impart both color and those caramel notes that good bourbon has. Most cheap bourbons are in wood for two years, or four at most. Those are best used for mixed drinks. Bourbon in wood for 8, 10, 12 years becomes an entirely different drink - sippin' whiskey that can be savored like an expensive brandy. You first get sweet notes which change to the woody notes from the oak; caramel, toffee, butterscotch, that give way to a bit of light fruit like pears or apples, then finally a distinct dry finish from the rye where the flavors change to spicy notes like pepper, cinnamon, etc. Each good bourbon is different because they use different proportions of corn and rye. If it's heavy in corn it tends to the sweeter notes, heavy in rye gives way to dryer peppery notes. Usually, the barrels are rotated from ground floor to the second floor and on up through the years it is aged. The upper floors are hottest during the day and summer and coolest at night and in winter. So, some of those 'barrel select' bourbons are kept 8 or 10 floors up through the entire 8 to 12 year aging process. Such bourbons are like a 101 proof liqueur and priced accordingly. One thing I've noticed is that people that drink good bourbons neat, rarely get drunk. It's sipped and savored too slowly to get loaded. You just get a satisfying glow...

    .
     
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  13. Jack B

    Jack B Active Member

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    The fusil oils in 'non-chill-filtered' Scotch is what makes 'em so tasty. Ardbeg or Bruichladdich being two fine examples. I much prefer a whisky with fusil oils.
     
  14. harolds

    harolds Member

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    The first time I was in Germany I brought home a bottle of pear schnapps.. The stuff was good but a little went a LOOOOONG way. It was 70% alcohol and I served it in itty-bitty glasses.
     
  15. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I gave up drinking when I learned to insert my own IV.
     
  16. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    I always wondered just what was the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey and still become confused. The mash content and aging process is the leading contributor it seems. From what I've read Bourbon must have at least 51% corn mash and the barrels must be new. And I guess if it isn't made in Kentucky it isn't Bourbon it's whiskey. Next trip to town I'll have to pick up a bottle of Bourbon to try. Be nice to sit out the deck looking out over the lake sipping a small glass while picking on the Banjo. Before you ask, yeah I have a banjo. Bought it a few years ago with the intention of teaching myself the 5 string hillbilly method. So far I've advanced to the stage where my picking and grinnin' drives away anyone who gets too close. Keeps them on the other side of the Lake. The more I drink the better I get though.

    I'm down to only an inch of Moonshine in the Mason jar but that should last a few more years. Occasionally take it outside (safety precaution), twist off the lid take a whiff then a small slug and return it to the shelf.
    There's two bottles of Brandy unopened I've had for years. An "E&J ESOP" and a "Masson" received as gifts. I just never seem to be in the mood to open them up. I keep reaching for my first choice which is a good Scotch. Have a bottle of Clan MacGregor that's just about dead that I've liked and a bottle of Buchanan's Master I bought at a fund raiser that is much to my liking.

    Jack Daniels is usually used for a hot toddy here in my house. For medicinal purposes. Just occurred to me I seem to go through a bottle of "Jack" more frequently than the others?
     
  17. Jack B

    Jack B Active Member

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    OK, Lou, here's one for you:

    [​IMG]


    This is a non-alcoholic 'mocktail' I invented. I call it a "Red Ball", all good Rogues will know why. ;) Mrs Jack loves these; I end up making her 4-5 per week.

    In a lowball glass (or highball glass), pour 2oz of tart cherry juice. Add 2 good dashes of Grapefruit (or Orange) Bitters. Add a twist of orange peel (twist over the glass to catch the fine spray of orange oil). Fill half-way with ice (or not, Mrs Jack prefers no ice) and then top with plain seltzer or soda water. Garnish with a cherry (the red ball in the Red Ball).

    The bitters are the key to this mocktail. And using tart cherry juice keeps it from being too sweet. The cherry is optional, but the orange twist makes a big difference. Try this! It's wonderfully refreshing and easy to sip anytime of year.

    If you do want a little alcohol, you can use 1oz tart cherry juice and 1oz sweet vermouth, but I actually like it better with just the cherry juice and no alcohol.
     
  18. Jack B

    Jack B Active Member

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    Pretty easy to get through a bottle of Jack....in Winter...during cold and flu season.... ;)
     
  19. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Biak, tried "Gentleman Jack", or Redemption Bourbon?
     
  20. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    No not yet. But I'm putting together a shopping list for next week. :D Weather is getting to the point I can almost sit outside without 16 layers of clothes and once I shovel the 26 inches of snow off the deck I"ll be able to enjoy a cigar with a good drink and watch the sunsets. There's a decent size liqueur store about an hours drive and it's time to stock-up. Got my tax refund and the old adage of setting aside 10 % for contingencies should do quite nicely.
     

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