Spirit of the Month Suggestion Thread

**NFlames** · 01-20-2009, 05:25 PM

I just recently scored a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20yr, and a bottle of George T. Stagg. Both were gifts, I've got GREAT friends.

Both HIGHLY recommended to any bourbon and/or whisk(e)y connoisseurs.

**Torcams** · 01-21-2009, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by castlecraver

Nice suggestion -- I think we might find room for a blanco later this Spring. I've been looking into them a bit myself -- any suggestions on something a maybe just a liiiiittle bit cheaper?

Around my neck of the woods (southern CA), Partida can be had for around $41 which puts it at about the same price point as the excellent Casa Noble crystal and the ubiquitous Patron Silver (not a knock on Patron). The only other top flight blanco that I have found for cheaper would be Don Juilio, excellent as well, ~$33 on sale. I've decided that I don't care for Herredura - something in the nose that is off-putting.

**Torcams** · 01-21-2009, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by NFlames

I just recently scored a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20yr, and a bottle of George T. Stagg. Both were gifts, I've got GREAT friends.

Both HIGHLY recommended to any bourbon and/or whisk(e)y connoisseurs.

You do have nice friends. George T Stagg is a one of a kind. Are you drinking it neat? The first sip really clears out the sinuses!!

**NFlames** · 01-22-2009, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Torcams

You do have nice friends. George T Stagg is a one of a kind. Are you drinking it neat? The first sip really clears out the sinuses!!

The first drink I ever had of it was neat...done in a shot. After the singed hair on my toes grew back I decided to cut it a bit.

**antipatros24** · 03-09-2009, 04:51 AM

Lagavulin Single Malt 16 years old. I tried it lately and it changed my perspective when it comes to scotch.

**GreatDane** · 03-19-2009, 06:54 AM

1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon. Accept no other!

**moto** · 04-01-2009, 05:17 AM

bushmills 10yo

**C.Morgan** · 04-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Id have to say Hendricks aswell.I have a story about it,not too interesting but whatever.One of the first dates i went on with my girlfriend we went to a fancy pub in the west end of glasgow,we both went to the bar and i ordered a guiness extra cold she asked for a gin and tonic i said"good choice" she looked at me and said "make sure its a hendricks,and that he puts cucumber in it".I thought to myself "surely not" but sure enough he put a slice of cucumber in it and we sat down,i asked her if i could try it and it was one of the most refreshing things i have ever tasted........so there you have it gin is romantic...kinda

**Gruder** · 04-10-2009, 04:26 AM

May simply has to be Bourbon. It's Kentucky Derby Time! I rather enjoy Elijah Craig -- particularly the 18 y.o. (though the 12 y.o. certainly has its merits, and will likely be used in the mint juleps at our annual Derby party this year).

**Aevum** · 04-11-2009, 10:08 PM

Shine on georgia moon
http://www.boozebasher.com/2007-08-0...-georgia-moon/

**The_Rube** · 04-17-2009, 01:23 PM

Just adding my voice to those calling for Hendrick's Gin. If not Hendrick's, then definitely some gin ought to be in order. After all, May marks the month that the evening gin & tonic comes back into my life.

**Aevum** · 04-20-2009, 07:42 AM

i did pick up a bottle of tanqueray N10, and its quite good, i would have no trouble recommending it,

**BobS** · 04-30-2009, 06:49 AM

Rum makes a wonderful summer drink! I love rum and coke (Cuba) and R&C with Lime (Cuba Libre), but it is also wonderful with tonic and lime.

I refined my taste, while living in Mexico and my current favorite is Matusalem with Flor de Cana as a close second.

http://www.matusalem.com/

**325inewbie** · 05-01-2009, 06:23 AM

I'd really like to see some Hendricks too!

**Zack** · 05-14-2009, 02:33 PM

MARTELL - Cordon Bleu Cognac
A Vietnamese friend of mine turned me on to this stuff, absolutely love it.

I have yet to try Hendricks Gin but have been a fan of Bombay Sapphire Gin for 20 years.

I will pick a bottle of Hendricks up next time I restock.

VR6ofpain · 05-23-2009, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by jsarche

Let me be the first (or so I believe) to recommend to you all the only home-grown whiskey from my home state of Colorado: Stranahan's. So you know, I have no connection to this distillery -- I just love what comes out of it.

It's got the sort of smoky complexity that I love in a good single-malt, but also a subtle sweetness that bourbon drinkers will recognize immediately. As a bonus, there's also a great back story to how this distillery got started up. Google Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey to check it out.

I must second this. I read about it a while back, but tried it for the first time tonight. Excellent Whiskey. I have to point out it really does not taste like Bourbon or Scotch exactly, but a bit different. It is definitely Whiskey, and could be said to be closer to a Bourbon-type flavor, but it tastes a bit of Scotch at the back of the throat. The odd part is the nose is almost of a Tennessee Whiskey (which I don't normally like).

A great experience if anything. I would recommend anyone interested in trying something new, who also happens to enjoy Bourbon, Scotch, or most any type of Whiskey pick some up. If anything it would be a good conversation starter for you and your other Whiskey drinking buddies.

Some photos to help explain. The bottle (Listening to Keb Mo'):

The outer cap (or is it a shot glass?):

Compared to other liquid consuming vessels:

Good stuff:

**Beefeater** · 06-02-2009, 06:19 AM

+1 on all the Gin mentions on the thread. I of course think that Gin in the summer time is the best warm weather spirit around. The combinations of drinks are overwhelming to say the least.. As the Colorado whiskey pictures are making me salivate how about we add in some Gin pics:
Bramble http://www.beefeatergin.com/mixology/drinks/bramble.jpg
Cowboy Hoof Martini: http://www.beefeatergin.com/mixology...of-martini.jpg
Dry Martini:http://www.beefeatergin.com/mixology...ry-martini.jpg

**castlecraver** · 06-02-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Beefeater

Dry Martini:http://www.beefeatergin.com/mixology...ry-martini.jpg

Dunno if its the lemon peel, the lighting in the photo, or some misplaced ingredient... but if your martinis come out that cloudy and yellow-tinted, you're doing it wrong.

**MPruett** · 06-02-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by BobS

Rum makes a wonderful summer drink! I love rum and coke (Cuba) and R&C with Lime (Cuba Libre), but it is also wonderful with tonic and lime.

I refined my taste, while living in Mexico and my current favorite is Matusalem with Flor de Cana as a close second.

http://www.matusalem.com/

If we're talking about something premium and exclusive, we should be suggesting Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 from Nicaragua.

It's somewhere between what most people perceive as a dark rum and whiskey, except a little sweeter than what you'd expect.

It's actually been retired from consideration in rum competitions because it won too many times in a row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Zacapa_Centenario

**boboakalfb** · 06-02-2009, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by castlecraver

Dunno if its the lemon peel, the lighting in the photo, or some misplaced ingredient... but if your martinis come out that cloudy and yellow-tinted, you're doing it wrong.

Does look odd, doesn't it.