…with The Balvenie. In the Times of Big Whiskies it is Nice to Return to Some Balance:
by Chris from WhiskyWall

Let’s face it, there has been a movement towards big, over-the-top scotch whiskies lately.  Bruichladdich’s Octomore releases (versions 1.1, 2.1 and 2.2) boasting 140 parts per million of pure peat power bottled at a whopping 62.5%ABV – and if you’re not sure what all that means – trust me – its big, its hot and its peaty!  Not to be outdone by the much anticipated Ardbeg Supernova 2010, officially released on May 31^st, which also makes sure to point out that it is a big boy of peat – over 100 parts per million of peat bottled at 60.8%ABV. And its not easy to find as many retail shops are still pacing in circles like an expecting father, waiting for their allocation of the Supernova to arrive. Having had the pleasure of tasting both, I humbly label both as pure unadulterated excess.  While these monsters of scotch whisky are fun to take for a spin once in awhile, they’re not something that you can casually sit back and relax with. (more…)

A few days ago, we returned from an incredible 5 days of Cocktail classes, parties, conferences, and mayhem at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.  The weekend started off with a bang – a giant, over the top gala in the New York Public Library.  There were dozens of live bands, hundreds of tables of fresh cocktails and entertainment from models to clowns to photo booths.  Each sponsored room had a different theme with matching cocktails… One of the many rooms upstairs held delicious punches and cocktails and the revelers walked around with caveman sized turkey legs and mingled with jesters and clowns.  Every alcohol was represented – from the small batch tequilas to the artisan gins and the big players.  The stork club downstairs (with Zacapa, Tanquerey, Bulleit bourbon, and Don Julio) blasted wonderful live music and it’s own large party.  The venue couldn’t have been better and the party was legendary. (more…)

By Caitlin Garthoffner

Dear American public, we love you, but seriously.  Get your facts straight.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (check your iCal, it’s in Septiembre), nor is it an American holiday.  Rather, dear ones, it’s an unofficial Mexican celebration on… the fifth of May.  Don’t scoff – you know a charming few who have asked that very question.

Be that as it Mayo, el Cinco unifies the U.S. much like St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest.  Collected around the brim of a Cerveza, many pay homage to those of Mexican ancestry and culture, regardless of their ethnicity.  And for un momento, all forget their opinions on immigration control, no matter which side of the border they’re on.

In Mexico, however, the day is somewhat less popular, and except for those who live in the state of Puebla, only a select few celebrate it.  ¿Porqué?

Let your tequila take you on time travel back to 1861, when the Mexican President decided he didn’t want to pay Mexico’s debts anymore.  If only we all could do as much.  Understandably annoyed, France attacked, and they seemed to succeed in taking over the country.  That is, until May 5, 1862. (more…)

By Gus Vahlkamp (From Issue 7)

When I was younger I believed that the best way to familiarize myself with the features and benefits of any given alcoholic beverage was to keep detailed notes of every drop that passed my lips. Somewhere among the detritus of my career are interred the illegible fruits of my labor: notebooks, cocktail napkins and other fusty ephemera, bearing the names and vitals of this wine or that beer, this spirit or that cocktail recipe, and the obligatory terse criticism which I’m sure I thought was clever at the time. (more…)

(photos courtesy of Danielle Ferris)

The other night, we were invited out for a Plymouth Gin cocktail paired dinner at Spruce.  Seven cocktails paired with seven courses. The restaurant was able to push the limits of the cocktail and match them to an impeccable meal.  It was one of those pairings that throws your visions of cocktails far from what you are accustomed to.  They were some of the most innovative uses of gin I have ever seen, and a great way to celebrate St. George’s Day.
Without keeping you waiting, I’ll get your mouth watering…

(more…)

By Vanick DerBedrossian (From Issue 7)

Several weeks ago I was invited to join my father and uncle on a trip to visit my great-uncle’s grave. I was feeling a tad anxious and excited about taking part in this ceremony. Yes, I had finally gained admittance to the Big Boy’s Club. You know, like when you broke into your parents liquor cabinet for the first time. (more…)

Howdy, folks! Welcome back to Booze In The News, where you’ll find the latest, funniest and most obscure newsworthy, alcohol-related bits all in one place.

1.) A man in Germany has set the world record for the largest house made out of beer coasters. Using more than a quarter of a million beer coasters, and spending 42-56 hours per week since January, Sven Goebel secured himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Someone should also give him an award for being the most unproductive productive person in the world. (more…)

by Heather Stewart

Holy stories of God do not often conjure up memories of drunken orgies, adultery and murder. One can imagine a nun walking by a bar full of this debauchery, crossing herself repeatedly, and throwing in a couple of “Let us be forgiven!”s for good measure. The truth is, however, that alcohol has been around almost as long as mankind, and has inspired some of the most ancient of gods. (more…)

(From Issue 7)

Forget everything you know about coffee liqueur.  We were among the first to taste Firelit coffee liqueur – a new spirit that is already creating a buzz. A team of people – including some of the guys at St. George Spirits (where the liqueur is made) are taking the best of the best Blue Bottle Coffee and making a coffee liqueur that is tasty enough to drink first thing in the morning.  (more…)

by M. Quinn Sweeney

(From Issue 7)

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a major, international contest of distilled alcohols, organized by Tasting Panel Magazine, where industry experts nose the bouquet of their booze while awarding fancy medals. So I didn’t expect such an entertaining and engaging weekend. (more…)