The Marlin Brando

I've been experimenting with layering shots again, and came up with a variation on the Marlin Brando, one of the few mixed drinks I've seen that uses Scotch as its base ingredient. The original recipe is:

.5oz Amaretto
1oz cream
1.5oz Scotch

Pour Scotch and Amaretto over ice, float cream on top.

The recipe I've used for the shot is:

1/3 Glenlivet Scotch
2/3 DiSaronno Amaretto
Baileys Irish Cream

Pour in Scotch, then fill the rest with Amaretto, leaving space for the Baileys. Slowly pour the Bailey's down the middle of the glass.

This shot won't layer evenly. The Scotch and Amaretto will mix a bit. The cool thing is when you pour in the Baileys it will stay suspended in the glass, making it look like a cloud of smoke. Much like an Irish Car Bomb, it's probably not a good idea to let it sit for too long or the Baileys will start to break up.

I highly recommend using a good 12 to 15 year Scotch like Glenlivet, though I have also done this with big jug Jameson Whiskey. The lower quality alcohols don't mix as well with the Amaretto and tend to leave a bitter aftertaste. I would also recommend using a more complex Amaretto like DiSarrono, as the generic seems to be a little too sweet and doesn't have the nice amber color.

Chateau la Rauze Lafargue 2006 Premier Cotes de Bordeaux

This last Friday I paid a visit to the good ole favorite, Bevmo Walnut Creek, CA. This evening was their Bordeaux Rouge tasting, an event I had been greatly anticipating. Among some of the labels present: Chateau Ballen-Larquett 2006, Chateau Haut Balagnac 2006, and Chateau Seguinier 2005. One of the most notable wines in my opinion was the Chateau la Rauze Lafargue 2006 Premier Cotes de Bordeaux. This wine sported a medium ruby red color, accompanyied with gentle red fruit on the nose. Moving past the red fruit on the palate with a majestic silky smooth tannin. All of this concluded with a nice healthy finish. Willfred Wong rated this wine an 89, as always I feel dear Mr. Wong is a little over zealous. I score this wine a respectable 7.4, definitely worth taking for a spin. Especially, because this wine happens to be part of the Bevmo five cent sale going on currently. Regular price this bottle comes in at around $18.
Rating: 7.4 out of 10

(review by Dylan, our newest wine reviewer)