1 oz. Scotch
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
2-4 dashes bitters (Peychauds or Angostura)
Pour over cracked ice, and enjoy.
This drink really shows off the importance of the Vermouth. If you are undecided about your taste for Sweet Vermouth, give this a go as the scotch tones it down. Adjust the vermouth to your tastes. In this version I used Peychauds bitters that give a more orange flavor than Angostura and its herbal flavor.
Friday, February 29, 2008
El Diablo
My version:
1.5 oz. Tequila
.5 oz. fresh lime
.5 oz. Creme De Cassis
Pour each ingrediant over cracked ice, stir. Some recieps call for ginger ale to be added.
If you've ever had a "Shrub" drink, you will like this one.
1.5 oz. Tequila
.5 oz. fresh lime
.5 oz. Creme De Cassis
Pour each ingrediant over cracked ice, stir. Some recieps call for ginger ale to be added.
If you've ever had a "Shrub" drink, you will like this one.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Brown Anole Lizard
I figured it was time to put an animal on the Modern Hobbit and what better than the good ole' Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). The Brown Anole is not native to the United States, but has become well established in South Florida. They more than likely migrated via cargo ships importing fruits and veggies from South America. This fellow (probably a female) and a thousand more like it was photographed in my backyard sunning itself on a broad leaf. The brown anole varies in coloration ranging from all browns, to creams, some have stripes, chevrons and triangles along the back. We often watch them clean up the yard of insects including ants, roaches and any other small insect that crosses their path. Harmless and fun to watch, we enjoy their bravado and welcome them.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Johnnie Walker Green
With the current Whiskey/Whisky binge I thought I'd break out my stash of Johnnie Walker Green. Sadly I'm getting close to the bottom and with a $50USD price tag, it may not get replaced. Not because it's not worth it, but there are so many to be tried. Tough life I tell you.
Anyway, JW Green is a vatted malt whisky consisting of a blend of around 15 individual malts, including Talisker (The only distillery on the Isle of Sky, and famous for a salty, high peat content), Cragganmore (a Speyside regional Scotch), Linkwood and Caol Ila(From Islay region with floral and peppery notes). All Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky is produced in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. Where it gets confusing is that most Johnnie Walker Scotch is a collection of Single blends from different distileries, its the joining of specific single malts that give each blended Scotch their distinctive flavors.
The taste is very pleasant with the characteristic peaty flavor you should expect from a Scotch Whisky. It is very smooth and has a caramel finish and a pleasant mouth burn. I always enjoy a few ice cubes as most Scotch comes alive with the ice melt. This bottle was a gift and was purchased in a Duty Free store, so the price paid was around $40 making it worthy of purchase. There are more pleasing Scotch whiskys in the $50 range in my humble opinion. It's good, and I'm very glad to have enjoyed drinking it.
Anyway, JW Green is a vatted malt whisky consisting of a blend of around 15 individual malts, including Talisker (The only distillery on the Isle of Sky, and famous for a salty, high peat content), Cragganmore (a Speyside regional Scotch), Linkwood and Caol Ila(From Islay region with floral and peppery notes). All Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky is produced in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. Where it gets confusing is that most Johnnie Walker Scotch is a collection of Single blends from different distileries, its the joining of specific single malts that give each blended Scotch their distinctive flavors.
The taste is very pleasant with the characteristic peaty flavor you should expect from a Scotch Whisky. It is very smooth and has a caramel finish and a pleasant mouth burn. I always enjoy a few ice cubes as most Scotch comes alive with the ice melt. This bottle was a gift and was purchased in a Duty Free store, so the price paid was around $40 making it worthy of purchase. There are more pleasing Scotch whiskys in the $50 range in my humble opinion. It's good, and I'm very glad to have enjoyed drinking it.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Irish Whiskey Flight
My loyal readers...(if there are any of you out there), it's time for another Flight of booze. A few months ago I did a tequila flight using the three common Patron versions. Interestingly, it is one of my most viewed blog entries. Well, with St. Patrick's day coming up next month I thought an Irish Whiskey flight was in order.
I'm no expert on Whiskey, but I enjoy them. I drink what I like and that's all I can do is tell you my opinion for what its worth.
The word whiskey is an ancient Gaelic term "uisce beatha", translated as "Water of life". I'm sold already. When refering to Irish Whiskey there is an "E" between the k and y. All other whiskies from any other region is spelled Whisky. With the exception of American Whiskeys, that must use at least one E in the name.
The three Irish Whiskeys in this flight are Kilbeggan, Tullamore Dew, and Powers Gold Label. These are all blended. Most Irish Whiskeys are distilled three times and aged in wooden casks for a period of not less than three years. The Kilbeggan is distilled twice as are all whiskeys distilled at Cooley Distillery.All three use unpeated malt (which makes them sweeter than Scotch Whisky). All cost less than $20USD per .750.
All were tasted using two ice cubes, allowing some water to be added due to ice melt. I usually enjoy tasting this way, as the flavors and aromas seem to come alive as ice melt it added.
Kilbeggan-Medium color, very pleasant aroma, had a nice oakey taste, became very mellow as the ice melted. IMO, it was the most well rounded of this group.
Powers Gold Label-This was the darkest of the three in color, but only slightly. There is a slight medicinal aroma, followed by oak. Of the three the Powers had the most punch of flavor. You just knew you were drinkng Whiskey with this one. It has the characteristic sweet flavor expected from whiskey.
Tullamore Dew- The coolest name by far. It was the most mellow of the three. Almost like drinking water with no bite or punch. Almost to a fault. We felt it had a flat finish. Just not a lot going on in terms of the classic whiskey taste. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but if you want flavor this is not the one for you. If you want to try your first Irish Whiskey, this may be a good starting point.
When we do the next flight, we will try some of the single malt whiskeys.
I'm no expert on Whiskey, but I enjoy them. I drink what I like and that's all I can do is tell you my opinion for what its worth.
The word whiskey is an ancient Gaelic term "uisce beatha", translated as "Water of life". I'm sold already. When refering to Irish Whiskey there is an "E" between the k and y. All other whiskies from any other region is spelled Whisky. With the exception of American Whiskeys, that must use at least one E in the name.
The three Irish Whiskeys in this flight are Kilbeggan, Tullamore Dew, and Powers Gold Label. These are all blended. Most Irish Whiskeys are distilled three times and aged in wooden casks for a period of not less than three years. The Kilbeggan is distilled twice as are all whiskeys distilled at Cooley Distillery.All three use unpeated malt (which makes them sweeter than Scotch Whisky). All cost less than $20USD per .750.
All were tasted using two ice cubes, allowing some water to be added due to ice melt. I usually enjoy tasting this way, as the flavors and aromas seem to come alive as ice melt it added.
Kilbeggan-Medium color, very pleasant aroma, had a nice oakey taste, became very mellow as the ice melted. IMO, it was the most well rounded of this group.
Powers Gold Label-This was the darkest of the three in color, but only slightly. There is a slight medicinal aroma, followed by oak. Of the three the Powers had the most punch of flavor. You just knew you were drinkng Whiskey with this one. It has the characteristic sweet flavor expected from whiskey.
Tullamore Dew- The coolest name by far. It was the most mellow of the three. Almost like drinking water with no bite or punch. Almost to a fault. We felt it had a flat finish. Just not a lot going on in terms of the classic whiskey taste. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but if you want flavor this is not the one for you. If you want to try your first Irish Whiskey, this may be a good starting point.
When we do the next flight, we will try some of the single malt whiskeys.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Gulf-Mirage M-6
I believe this is the Gulf-Mirage M-6 that raced in 1973. This was one of John Wyers cars in the famous Gulf sponsored livery. JWA raced Ford GT-40's, Porsche 917 and the Mirages using this famous color scheme during the late 1960's and early 70's.
The M-6 was introduced in the eary 70's and were powered by a V8 Ford/Cosworth engin setup that produced 445 horsepower. They raced in the Group 5 Sports Car class (IMSA) and made its first appearance in the 1972 12 Hours of Sebring. Previous versions of the Mirage dated back to the M1 model in 1967. There are only 5 or 6 left today.
The M-6 was introduced in the eary 70's and were powered by a V8 Ford/Cosworth engin setup that produced 445 horsepower. They raced in the Group 5 Sports Car class (IMSA) and made its first appearance in the 1972 12 Hours of Sebring. Previous versions of the Mirage dated back to the M1 model in 1967. There are only 5 or 6 left today.
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