Author Topic: Have a seat at the bar. (Read 116242 times)

Mathguy · « **Reply #675 on:** October 13, 2015, 03:41:23 pm »

I like pain ....

Quote from: OldChelsea on October 13, 2015, 01:09:26 pm

Caught with home-made wine in Saudi Arabia = possible 350 lashes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/13/a-74-year-old-british-man-faces-350-lashes-for-having-wine-in-saudi-arabia/

houston-nat · « **Reply #676 on:** October 13, 2015, 05:36:09 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on October 08, 2009, 03:28:13 am

The only liquor I drink straight besides cognac (mmmm)

Hey Nathan,

I am clueless about cognac and armagnac and brandy. But based on the description, and my dad's drinking habits, and the number of really delicious cocktails that cognac is in, I feel like I will like it.

But like I said: 100% totally clueless. So, uh...what's it like? And what to look for when shopping? Any recommendations for a sipping drink vs. a cocktail mixing one? Someone said armagnac is like cognac for scotch lovers*? Help!

*not a scotch lover btw.

BrandonK · « **Reply #677 on:** October 13, 2015, 05:40:49 pm »

Quote from: houston-nat on October 13, 2015, 05:36:09 pm

Hey Nathan,

I am clueless about cognac and armagnac and brandy. But based on the description, and my dad's drinking habits, and the number of really delicious ****tails that cognac is in, I feel like I will like it.

But like I said: 100% totally clueless. So, uh...what's it like? And what to look for when shopping? Any recommendations for a sipping drink vs. a ****tail mixing one? Someone said armagnac is like cognac for scotch lovers*? Help!

*not a scotch lover btw.

Would like to learn some more too. Had some brews aged in cognac barrels and they were fantastic.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #678 on:** October 13, 2015, 07:53:29 pm »

Quote from: houston-nat on October 13, 2015, 05:36:09 pm

Hey Nathan,

I am clueless about cognac and armagnac and brandy. But based on the description, and my dad's drinking habits, and the number of really delicious cocktails that cognac is in, I feel like I will like it.

But like I said: 100% totally clueless. So, uh...what's it like? And what to look for when shopping? Any recommendations for a sipping drink vs. a cocktail mixing one? Someone said armagnac is like cognac for scotch lovers*? Help!

*not a scotch lover btw.

Why don't you like scotch- if it's the harshness then cognac probably isn't for you

tomterp · « **Reply #679 on:** October 13, 2015, 09:49:38 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on October 13, 2015, 07:53:29 pm

Why don't you like scotch- if it's the harshness then cognac probably isn't for you

I love whiskeys but never cared for Scotch. It's not harsh, just don't care for the flavor.

American whiskeys are it for me.

mitlen · « **Reply #680 on:** October 13, 2015, 09:50:38 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on October 13, 2015, 09:49:38 pm

I love whiskeys but never cared for Scotch. It's not harsh, just don't care for the flavor.

American whiskeys are it for me.

I'm with TT on this ..... though I am a rum man.

Dave B · « **Reply #681 on:** October 13, 2015, 09:54:44 pm »

Quote from: houston-nat on October 13, 2015, 05:36:09 pm

Hey Nathan,

I am clueless about cognac and armagnac and brandy. But based on the description, and my dad's drinking habits, and the number of really delicious cocktails that cognac is in, I feel like I will like it.

But like I said: 100% totally clueless. So, uh...what's it like? And what to look for when shopping? Any recommendations for a sipping drink vs. a cocktail mixing one? Someone said armagnac is like cognac for scotch lovers*? Help!

*not a scotch lover btw.

Banana cognac smoothie or juiced the way to go

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #682 on:** October 13, 2015, 10:10:42 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on October 13, 2015, 09:49:38 pm

I love whiskeys but never cared for Scotch. It's not harsh, just don't care for the flavor.

American whiskeys are it for me.

I don't care for Islay peaty stuff, but there's a lot of scotches that i love-Aberlour and other speysides especially (although i think you get a much better bang for your buck with American whist- particularly non bourbon)

houston-nat · « **Reply #683 on:** October 13, 2015, 10:13:26 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on October 13, 2015, 07:53:29 pm

Why don't you like scotch- if it's the harshness then cognac probably isn't for you

I'm kinda with Tom, give me bourbon instead - but I am not super well versed in scotch and have only tried 3-4 brands (though this includes both cheap crap and Lagavulin). Still learning about the Americans too.

Thanks though, this is helpful.

Mathguy · « **Reply #684 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:07:46 pm »

Terp - Baileys Comets are made for you

Quote from: tomterp on October 13, 2015, 09:49:38 pm

I love whiskeys but never cared for Scotch. It's not harsh, just don't care for the flavor.

American whiskeys are it for me.

dracnal · « **Reply #685 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:27:20 pm »

Brandy is a distilled wine that is typically aged, but does not have to be.
Cognac is brandy that is distilled twice in copper pots, then cask aged for at least two years and made with grapes specifically and only from the Cognac region.
Cognac is to Brandy as Champagne is to Sparkling Wine.

You can actually get some pretty solid brandies from Spain or Mexico at MUCH better prices than the Cognacs. Look for a bottle of Fundador or some similar brand - they're typically right next to the Cognacs and are priced around $20 for a 750 bottle.

For Cognac, they grade like this:
VS (Very Special) - 2 years aging
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) - 4 years aging
XO (Extra Old) - 6 years aging

Spanish brandy tends to get moved to new casks each year it ages and is often placed in barrels used to make Sherry, which gives it a slight fruit note. I actually prefer it to Cognac.

Lastly, Armagnac is just another region in France that produces a specific standard of brandy. France is really big on locking down on a product to create a highly protected brand.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #686 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:35:59 pm »

if you're going the brandy route and want to taste around you might want to try Calvados too (distilled cider; it's pretty good if you can get your hands on it- it's one area where the cheap stuff isn't worth wasting your money on though, most of that is great for cooking but terrible to drink straight)

dracnal · « **Reply #687 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:39:38 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on October 14, 2015, 02:35:59 pm

if you're going the brandy route and want to taste around you might want to try Calvados too (distilled cider; it's pretty good if you can get your hands on it- it's one area where the cheap stuff isn't worth wasting your money on though, most of that is great for cooking but terrible to drink straight)

I've found $20 to be the mark for brandy. If it's below that, I totally agree with HalfSmokes.

BrandonK · « **Reply #688 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:43:42 pm »

Quote from: dracnal on October 14, 2015, 02:27:20 pm

Brandy is a distilled wine that is typically aged, but does not have to be.
Cognac is brandy that is distilled twice in copper pots, then cask aged for at least two years and made with grapes specifically and only from the Cognac region.
Cognac is to Brandy as Champagne is to Sparkling Wine.

You can actually get some pretty solid brandies from Spain or Mexico at MUCH better prices than the Cognacs. Look for a bottle of Fundador or some similar brand - they're typically right next to the Cognacs and are priced around $20 for a 750 bottle.

For Cognac, they grade like this:
VS (Very Special) - 2 years aging
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) - 4 years aging
XO (Extra Old) - 6 years aging

Spanish brandy tends to get moved to new casks each year it ages and is often placed in barrels used to make Sherry, which gives it a slight fruit note. I actually prefer it to Cognac.

Lastly, Armagnac is just another region in France that produces a specific standard of brandy. France is really big on locking down on a product to create a highly protected brand.

Thanks!

DCFan · « **Reply #689 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:54:11 pm »

http://wtop.com/food/2015/10/mount-vernon-unveils-rare-whisky-collaboration-with-scotlands-best-distillers/#slide/1/?&_suid=1444859492558004483818121653138

skippy1999 · « **Reply #690 on:** December 25, 2015, 01:06:07 am »

Hubs made me try Japanese whiskey tonight-only whiskey I've ever had straight is Fireball but this stuff was delicious!

Mathguy · « **Reply #691 on:** December 25, 2015, 04:16:44 am »

Looks great Skippy. Wish I had seen this yesterday to bring to the in-laws gathering

Quote from: skippy1999 on December 25, 2015, 01:06:07 am

Hubs made me try Japanese whiskey tonight-only whiskey I've ever had straight is Fireball but this stuff was delicious!

whytev · « **Reply #692 on:** December 25, 2015, 04:05:17 pm »

Quote from: skippy1999 on December 25, 2015, 01:06:07 am

Hubs made me try Japanese whiskey tonight-only whiskey I've ever had straight is Fireball but this stuff was delicious!

How is it coffee grain? Weird. Nikka's other options (particularly their "From the Barrel") are delicious!

skippy1999 · « **Reply #693 on:** December 25, 2015, 08:57:29 pm »

Quote from: whytev on December 25, 2015, 04:05:17 pm

How is it coffee grain? Weird. Nikka's other options (particularly their "From the Barrel") are delicious!

Coffey, not coffee. I immediately said I don't like coffee when we were offered some but I think the guy said coffey referred to the type of still or something, but I may be mistaken because I had a couple of those suckers and it's all kind of fuzzy

Was really, really good stuff.

whytev · « **Reply #694 on:** December 25, 2015, 09:18:33 pm »

Quote from: skippy1999 on December 25, 2015, 08:57:29 pm

Coffey, not coffee. I immediately said I don't like coffee when we were offered some but I think the guy said coffey referred to the type of still or something, but I may be mistaken because I had a couple of those suckers and it's all kind of fuzzy Was really, really good stuff.

Given that I work in the coffee industry, my mistake is rather embarrassing.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #695 on:** December 25, 2015, 10:00:35 pm »

Quote from: skippy1999 on December 25, 2015, 08:57:29 pm

Coffey, not coffee. I immediately said I don't like coffee when we were offered some but I think the guy said coffey referred to the type of still or something, but I may be mistaken because I had a couple of those suckers and it's all kind of fuzzy Was really, really good stuff.

Booze like a lot of other things is getting what you pay for - high end whiskey tends to be yummy. drinking a mini of mount gay 1703 that came with the bigger bottle of regular mount gay - not bad, I'm not switching but not bad

whytev · « **Reply #696 on:** December 25, 2015, 10:11:30 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on December 25, 2015, 10:00:35 pm

Booze like a lot of other things is getting what you pay for - high end whiskey tends to be yummy. drinking a mini of mount gay 1703 that came with the bigger bottle of regular mount gay - not bad, I'm not switching but not bad

The best rum is Ron Zacapa 23.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #697 on:** December 25, 2015, 10:16:19 pm »

Quote from: whytev on December 25, 2015, 10:11:30 pm

The best rum is Ron Zacapa 23.

I'm happy with regular old mount gay (i blame coming from a navy family), but I usually don't drink rum straight

whytev · « **Reply #698 on:** December 25, 2015, 10:26:46 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on December 25, 2015, 10:16:19 pm

I'm happy with regular old mount gay (i blame coming from a navy family), but I usually don't drink rum straight

Neither did I until I went to Guatemala and got served the Zacapa.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #699 on:** December 26, 2015, 12:23:52 pm »

I have a bottle of Barrilito 3 stars I picked up in Puerto Rico back in 1988 when I visited a friend who was clerking down there and his wife. This was before they had kids. He used to make an excellent pina colada with it using Lotus pineapple juice. I'm saving the thing either for a retirement toast with the family or else bringing it to their first daughter's wedding. Barrilito I don't think is high end rum but it is one of the set of rums from PR.