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Showing posts with label whiskey roundup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whiskey roundup. Show all posts

Sunday, December 6, 2020

The MacAllan - The Whiskey Roundup

The MacAllan 12 - Photo Credit Alan Walker via Deposit Photos
The MacAllan 12 - Photo Credit
Alan Walker via Deposit Photos
Sundays are for Scotch. The MacAllan 12 was my gateway Scotch, so today for Day 6 of 25 Days of Whiskey, I am dedicating the Whiskey Roundup to the storied House of MacAllan.



I had never heard of MacAllan Week until today. That's a pretty cool idea if you ask me. When it comes to offerings and variety, The MacAllan has a lot to offer.

The MacAllan also offers a variety of rare bottles, some as much as 50 years old. I doubt I'll see any of these in my lifetime, but it's nice to see what's out there.  

When I was first introduced to The MacAllan, it was it at Richard's Liquors in Kingwood, TX. I was looking for a Christmas gift for my newly minted step dad. I worked at the Starbucks next store to Richard's and had become friendly with a few of the people who worked there. I was told that The MacAllan was the barometer by which all other Scotches are compared. That was enough for me.  

This is incredibly cool. Scotch being a traditionally Scottish liquor, enjoyed the world over, I like to see a special variety made just for Londoners. 

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Location: Spring, TX 77373, USA

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Japanese Whisky - The Whiskey Roundup

Japanese Whisky
Japanese Whisky Photo from VinePair
Japanese Whisky is one of those whiskey booms that was almost too good to be true. The Japanese
somehow found a way to make and market whiskey, some using Irish and Scottish Whisky Methods, that is sometimes smoother than the original. It is so sought after that it has become difficult to find in some cases. Though it is coming back around to liquor store shelves.

As much as I enjoy a good whiskey neat or on the rocks, it's nice to see one every once in a while that is distilled and bottled specifically for a cocktail, in this case the Highball. 

This is disappointing, though not surprising. Of course, every country is going to have different regulations. Even in the US, there is a distillery in Indiana called MGP where a lot of craft distilleries buy distillates and take them home to bottle, label, and distribute. Most of these craft distilleries are honest about the source, but that doesn't appear to be the case in Japanese whisky, which is what concerns me. 

Sometimes, you have to treat yourself. From what I have heard, not having been able to try these out myself, these are some outstanding whiskeys. The founder of the Nikka distillery learned from the masters in Scotland. Some of the whiskys at Nikka are made using the coffey column still method. 

I have had the opportunity to enjoy the Suntory Whisky Toki and have only dreamt about the others, seeing only a few in the wild. From what I understand, like the MacAllan 12 in the Scotch world the Yamazaki 12 and 18 are both considered the barometer for what is considered a great Japanese whisky.  

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Location: Klein, TX

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Fall Cocktails - The Whiskey Roundup

fall cocktails
Fall Cocktails
It's been about since it officially became fall, but in here in Texas it has been feeling more like summer
than fall. It's finally cooling off. That means that it's finally time to start adding some fall flavors to our cocktails!

Now, I know that this is primarily a whiskey blog, and that's probably what you're here for. There are so many fun ideas out there, that not only I have trouble limiting it to the four I typically include in the Whiskey Roundup, but I knew I had to include some non-whiskey cocktails too, if only to mix it up.


I love apples, and I like rum, and I can only imagine that these flavors would go together wonderfully. It also sounds super simple to make, with minimal tools and ingredients needed. 

Pumpkin beers have been huge the last few years, so it only makes sense to incorporate a pumpkin beer in to a fall cocktail, especially with that spiced rum and butterscotch. 

I had to include a White Russian in honor of The Dude. For those who may not know, this cocktail is made from vodka, Kahlua, and cream. Those flavors should compliment the addition of pumpkin really well!

I've made a few cocktails using ginger and lemon/lime and a few of them have included Maker's Mark. The pear liqueur sounds like an interesting addition. 

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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Monday, October 26, 2020

Jim Beam, An American Original

Jim Beam
Photo Credit jimbeam.com
 Jim Beam is one of those whiskeys that gets a bad rap as whiskey brand that is better suited for a mixed drink than to drink on its own. I think it is easy to over look some of their innovations and experimentations. It is also surprising to find out some of the other brands labels Jim Beam is distilling, besides their original namesake, the 4 year aged Jim Beam original, the White Label. I chose to look at Jim Beam this week as part of the Whiskey Roundup, because I wanted to learn more about the company that has been around since 1795. That's a lot of history to boast as a company. 


Remember what I said a minute ago about Jim Beam being overlooked as a brand best reserved for a mixed drink? At 100 proof, I'm not sure that this $250 dollar would be hitting your glass only to be filled with coke. This bottle will be hitting airport duty free shops in early 2021.

Old Tub is another label put out by Jim beam that I never heard of. After a little research, I found out Old Tub was Jacob Beam's original brand of bourbon. Sadly, it is not available at my local store.  

If you have followed along for the last couple years, you've no doubt seen my 25 Days of Whiskey series on Instagram and Facebook. It should come as no surprise that I love whiskey advent calendars.

Booker's is a bourbon that I have heard of, but never had the opportunity to have for myself. I was also not aware it was made by Jim Beam. I'll be on the lookout for this and a few other Jim Beam labels to try out. 

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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Whiskey Cocktail - The Whiskey Roundup

bartender
Photo by Brian on Reshot
Whiskey is so incredibly versatile, especially when it comes to cocktails. The flavors you can pull off with whiskey are limitless. Unlike some other liquors, where the cocktail flavor comes from whatever else you are putting the cocktail, whiskey has an identity all its own and makes the cocktail. The other ingredients in the cocktail then compliment the whiskey and make a whole cocktail experience. Give me a Manhattan or on Old Fashioned any day of the week over a vodka and tonic with a lime. 

So this week on the Whiskey Roundup, as you may have guessed, we are exploring all things Whiskey Cocktail!


I don't typically go for fruity cocktails, but I do like a few of them. In this case, the bourbon is main player and is complimented by the fruit and kiwi juice. I'm intrigued by the sparking apple cider element of it too!

I'm from Texas, and in Texas, we're all about anything that has anything Texas on it. Like this cocktail. Forget the other types of mules and try out the Texas Mule!

I'm going to take back what I said about fruity cocktails, because now that I've found this, I'm not sure that there' any turning back. I love strawberry lemonade. Add some bourbon and you have a good thing going.  

 

Bourbon and ginger beer is always a great combination. Now add in a chili? I just might have to try! 

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Monday, October 5, 2020

Wild Turkey 101 - The Whiskey Roundup

Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101
In honor of 101 Day happening just last week, I decided to feature Wild Turkey 101 in the Whiskey Roundup this week! Despite it sounding like a hot bourbon with a proof of 101, WT101 is one of the smoothest, most drinkable whiskies out there, and at an extremely fair price too.





This is one hell of a whiskey flight lineup, and for the money you probably won't be able to beat it anywhere. Plus, looking at some pictures of the Roosevelt Hotel, it is a damn nice looking place to stay and soak in some New Orleans hospitality!

I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately, and not just about bourbon. I think I just found my new favorite. Can't wait to start giving it a listen. 

This is a quandary worth investigating. The Wild Turkey 81 is good, but why not go for a proven classic and step up for the WT101? The price isn't that much different between the two. You could even get both and do a side by side comparison without breaking the bank. Think about it. 

This is a fine whiskey that I would love to get my hands on. Wild Turkey Rare Breed carries a score of 93 from the Beverage Testing Institute. Looking at my local store prices, it runs around $45, so it's not going to break the bank, it's just a matter of finding it in the wild. 

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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Monday, September 14, 2020

Small Batch Whiskey - The Whiskey Roundup

Small batch whiskey is one of the greatest ways to test a whiskey distillery's abilities. Finding a new recipe that will make a great whiskey is a true craft vs staying true to the original, never trying anything
Small Batch Whiskey - The Whiskey Roundup
Small Batch Whiskey - 
The Whiskey Roundup

new. That's not to say that a whiskey distillery shouldn't have a flagship label, an old stand by, but what a distillery should be able to do is it to be constantly experimenting.


If the folks at Dingle Distillery only knew what 2020 had in store for us all.  Either way, this wash should yield some pretty amazing stuff in a few years. How many "2020" batches do you think we'll be seeing in the next 5 to 10 years?

Rebell Yell is one of the bourbons that I think gets shit on for no reason. I think even their standard whiskey is pretty good. Their small batch offerings are pretty good too. I have not seen their rye, but will be looking for it. 

I think the that Templeton Rye is made in Iowa should tell us that good whiskey can be made just about anywhere. I'm a big fan of the small batch ryes lately. 

This is a super cool look at the inner operations of a distillery. I love the steam rising out of the still. I can't wait to see what this makes in just a few years. 

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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Texas Whiskey

The great state of Texas has a lot to offer, and the least of which is whiskey. I have had the opportunity to sample some great Texas whiskeys and plan to sample even more before I am done. Today, I am

Whiskey Roundup Texas Whiskey
Whiskey Roundup Texas Whiskey

bringing you my favorite Texas Whiskey tweets.


The folks at Balcones have made some excellent whiskeys over the years. I'm partial to Balcones Baby Blue, made with Texas blue corn. So to see a whiskey made using the to one of my favorite Texas beers, I am undoubtedly excited!


For some reason, I never thought of whiskey as a day drinker, just a daily drinker. Now, seeing a bourbon actually named "Day Drinker" changes my whole perspective on how I look at it.

I like to see whiskey distilleries try something new and use different or experimental grains. I wouldn't call a whiskey using 100% Texas grains experimental, but it is certainly different. This is definitely going on the list of whiskeys to hunt down and try. 

When it comes to great Texas Whiskeys, Garrison Bros should be on your list. I have never had anything from them that was disappointing. Keep an eye out for this one if you have not tried it already. 

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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Peated Whiskey

This week, the Whiskey Roundup is all about peated whiskey. I took to Twitter to find my favorite articles about peated whiskey, and was surprised how few I found that were recent, that is to say in the last few months. Let's dive in and explore!

Peated Whiskey
Peated Whiskey

I can't speak for the hagis, but this does sound delicious. Some nights, a good peated whiskey is all you need to finish it off proper. 

Two of my favorite Scotch whiskys are the Laphroaig 10 and the Laphroaig 15. I have heard tales of the quarter cask, but have never seen it in the wild, much less tasted it. This solidifies my need to find a bottle and bring it home as mine. 

I've only ever had a sample of the Glen Moray Scotch, but I assure you it was delicious. It is one of the bottles where some day I will have the means and I will someday bring it home. 

The Glen Dronach is one of  my favorite scotch whiskys. Sherry finished casks are some of the smoothest I have found out there. So, now knowing that is a peated bottle of The Glen Dronach out there, the hunt is on.

A couple of things about this caught my eye. I had no idea that there were peated English whiskeys out there. That alone is enough to make me want to try it. But then also that someone had the chance to pick a barrel and then have the bottle delivered makes it all the more exciting.  

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Location: Klein, TX 77379, USA

Monday, July 20, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned saw a recent rise in popularity thanks to shows like Mad Men. It was a tradition of mine to watch the show every week and enjoy an Old Fashioned with friends. This week, the Whiskey
Whiskey Roundup - Old Fashioned
Whiskey Roundup - Old Fashioned
Roundup is all about the Old Fashioned.


It's true that an Old Fashioned never really goes out of style. It's simple and elegant and doesn't require a special occasion to enjoy. This is the most simple recipe. 
Since it's recent rise in popularity, bars have been putting their own spin on drink. Typically they'll use infused whiskies or syrups. Maple and cherry seem to be the most popular flavors I've come across, but I have also seen smoked Old Fashioneds and a variety of bitters being used like chocolate and  Peychaud's.
The first printed mention of the phrase "old fashioned cocktail" was in February 1880 int he Chicago Tribune. So I think black and white photography works well for the drink. Plus, it looks super classy. 
I never thought about using Wild Turkey 101 to make an Old Fashioned. I always thought the whiskey would be strong for the drink. But now that I see it, I'm thinking maybe stronger whiskey makes for bigger flavor. 
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Sunday, July 12, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Cocktails

I love cocktails, like this one made with Johnnie Walker. This week, the Whiskey Roundup is all about cocktails! I decided to go a little outside of the whiskey box and include cocktails that aren't technically a whiskey cocktail.


I've been making a lot of Bloody Mary's lately. I typically will use a store bought mix, but I have wanted to try my hand at making my own for a while. This should at least give a jumping of point to get started with making a mix at home.



It's been a while since I had a good whiskey sour. Most sour mixes are crap, so making them at home or getting one at a bar is usually out of the question. Unless the bar takes the time to make their own mix, it's a non-starter. I don't know why I never thought of it being just a few simple ingredients.   
This a different take on the whiskey sour, that honestly sounds amazing. I've always liked raspberry lemonade and adding whiskey to it sounds incredible! This would make a great summer afternoon sipper. 
Sometimes you have to take a simple approach. The whiskey can get lost in a cocktail full of syrups and juices, unless you mix it right. This cocktail is just two simple ingredients.  

Slainte! 
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Friday, July 10, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Bourbon


Late to the punch again this week. It's almost time to be thinking about next week's roundup, and here I
Whiskey Roundup
am just getting out the words for this week's collection. This week, I am writing about whiskey that is uniquely American, bourbon. 

I agree with Dick. The Jim Beam Repeal Batch was great. Way more drinkable than the white label, lending it to being drinkable on it's own, outside of a mixed drink. I wrote a review about the Repeal Batch a while back. 
I would love to go sit down and help with this collection! This is the kind of whiskey collection that needs friends and good conversations. There are a few standouts and I would love to sink my teeth in to that Knob Creek and the Rare Breed! 
Sometimes I think that every night is an Old Fashioned kind of night. It's a cocktail you can settle in with and enjoy a good book or share deep conversations with. Like most, I discovered this great cocktail while watching Mad Men, and it became my weekly tradition to have friends over to watch the new episode and pour a couple of Old Fashioneds.  
The Willet Pot Still is a bourbon that honestly gets shit on a lot. It is a very polarizing bourbon. Is it the best bourbon out there? No. Is the worst bourbon on the market? Also no. Now, I don't have it in my current collection and I don't plan on running out to get a new bottle. If I found myself in a situation where this was the only bourbon option, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. 
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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Scotch

Whiskey Roundup - Scotch

This week, The Whiskey Roundup is all about Scotch. I searched Twitter with #scotch. I found a lot of great posts to share! We're going to look at  everything from scotch reviews and new releases to first scotches to sherry cask finished scotches.


Let's dive in to the Roundup!



Dewar's was the first Scotch I ever tried back in college. Back then, it was the White Label. My tastes have come a long way since then.
 

That's a fine bottle. I bought the same for a friend recently. Can't wait to sit down and share it with him. Maybe with a nice cigar too!
 New whiskey and scotch releases are exciting. It's always great to have a source to go to let you know all about the new releases that are coming out. 

I'm a big fan of tasting notes and reviews, especially when they are showcasing special cask projects and special releases!

Sherried scotches are my favorite scotch expressions. I'm always looking for a new one to try.  

 The more I look in to the world of scotch, the more I realize that my scotch knowledge is limited. There are distilleries I've never heard of releasing bottles I've never ever dreamed. I can't wait to continue my journey through the world of scotch!

Slainte! 
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Location: Klein, TX 77379, USA

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Whiskey Roundup - Father's Day 2020


Today is Father's Day, a day to honor, celebrate, and spoil the dads in our lives. I don't know a lot of dads who don't like whiskey, so Father's Day is the perfect day to kick off the new format for the Whiskey
Whiskey Roundup

Roundup. I'll be searching for a whiskey topic each week, and incorporating that in to the Whiskey Roundup. Some weeks, as I found with Father's Day, the topic will not have as much to cover.

That's almost freaky fast. I do love some Colorado Whiskey, so will have to give these guys a look. I wonder if it makes it's way down to Texas from those beautiful Rockies.
Whiskey is a great gift for dad. Order it here online for a special gift.  Even if it comes in late, I don't thank dad would mind!
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Monday, June 15, 2020

Whiskey Roundup 06/07/20 to 06/13/30

Every Saturday I go through Twitter with #whiskey and roundup my favorite whiskey
Whiskey Roundup

articles! This is the Whiskey Roundup! 

This piqued my interest, but now that I'm writing this, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm excited to get back to normal, but I think we still need to be smart about it. Either way, I wish Motor City Gas the best.
This is awesome! I'm a huge fan of alternative fuels/energy sources to make a better future. Now, let's see how alternative energy does with whiskey!
For any traveling whiskey drinker, this is a super cool idea. I know if I were taking a tour of Ireland, this would be a must to help me map out my travels! 
 For budget reasons, $50 is right at the top end of what I typically pay for a bottle of whiskey. I know that leaves a lot on the table. I've been seeing Old Scout out there, but haven't made a move on it yet. Good to see it's in my range.
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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Whiskey Roundup 05/31/20 to 06/06/20

Every Saturday I go through Twitter with #whiskey and roundup my favorite whiskey articles! These
Whiskey Roundup
Whiskey Roundup
are may favorites for this week!

I had no idea that the other day was National Donut Day, until we were driving along and decided to stop for a snack. Maybe the only thing that could have made that donut stop better was to have a small bottle of whiskey to go along with it. I guess I could have pulled out the flask I had in my backpack. I'm kidding. Don't drink and drive folks.  
Here's a cocktail using one of my favorite rye whiskies, that just happens to be from Texas, like me. At first glance, I'm not sure how these flavors would go together, but then again, I'm no mixologist. I do know that the orange bitters and rye go great together. I think the solution here is to go get the missing ingredients for my bar and try this one out myself.   
 Another cocktail. This one looks amazing with the foam and cherries on top. Did you know that angostura bitters originated in Trinidad & Tobago? Also, be sure to check out the link for the whiskey cocktail recipes!
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Monday, June 1, 2020

Whiskey Roundup 05/24/20 to 05/30/20

Every Saturday I go through Twitter with #whiskey and roundup my favorite whiskey articles! This is the
The Whiskey Roundup
The Whiskey Roundup
Whiskey Roundup! 

They sure get it right in this post. Getting into whiskey or bourbon is intimidating. There are a lot of  options out and it's overwhelming for a first timer. One of the best ways to get started, besides picking up a glass, is to pickup a book. I think I'll be adding this one to my bookshelf. 
This is a beautiful picture! I don't there is a better combination than a BBQ sandwich and a glass of whiskey. Something about the flavors are just perfect for each other..
I've shared about Writer's Tears before, but have never had the opportunity try it. I don't know that I've ever seen it at a store.  This description makes me want to go hunting! 
What initially stopped me here was the truck. That blue truck is pretty cool! But looking at it further, I liked two things about this. First, it's always exciting for a blog to come out with a new look. Second, and I think this is obvious at this point, I love Irish Whiskey!
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Location: Spring, TX 77373, USA
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Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

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