Rum Brothers

A buddy of mine is part of an initiative to launch Rum Brothers, currently a rum enthusiast network that will hopefully become their own line of rum!

They are just in their infancy but they have a blog up and are looking for subscribers to get them off the ground. Check them out at http://rumbrothers.wordpress.com/ and sign up!

Good luck guys.
-Chris

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)

Hamptons Vodka

After a long break we are back and reviewing again, so let’s get this show on the road. After a quick trip down to the local Bevmo, we're reviewing Hamptons vodka.

Hamptons is an American vodka distilled from 100% corn and is a clean and well balanced vodka. Hamptons is easy on the nose with a pleasing and simple aroma, almost of a freshly fallen rain in spring. It is distilled 4 times and was a double gold medal winner at the 2006 San Francisco world spirit competition.

This vodka mixes incredibly well, most noticeably as a great screwdriver or a fantastic martini. Hamptons is also rather enjoyable neat, though I prefer it on the rocks. Hamptons is categorized as an ultra premium vodka and has only been around since 2004.

I have to say I am rather impressed with Hamptons vodka, and for about $20 for a 750ml bottle it’s well worth the reasonable price tag.

Conclusion: Not only does Hamptons play well with others but is very capable of standing on its own 2 feet, this is unusual for a vodka who has only been around for a few years. Hamptons came out doing everything right. Is it the best out there? No, but it is a very impressive vodka with great mix ability and flavor and makes one of the best screwdrivers I have had in some time. The only negative thing I can say about this vodka is that at room temperature it loses some of its smooth easy drinkability and has an immediate, though mild by comparison, burn to it. Overall I recommend this vodka, it is a good solid 8.5 out of 10.

Ridge Vineyards - 2005 Paso Robles Zinfandel

This wine starts big and ends even BIGGER! The color is a very dark purple; clear, but so deep you can't see through to the other side of the glass. The bouquet fills my nose, and expands into my brain, with powerful aromas of the earth and black berry fruit. The wine's complexities explode immediately on first tasting. My brain tries to process all the messages it's receiving - the dark/cherry/spice flavors, the astringent dryness of tannin and oak, the visual image of long legs forming languorously down the glass confirming the 15.2% alcohol content, all combined with the lingering memory of the bouquet - and simply has to surrender to the wonderful balance of them all. To drink now, this wine should be decanted to soften the explosion and allow its velvety texture to emerge. Or, wait three to five years.

Rating: 9.2 out of 10.
(Review by Rich)

Kenwood - Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2005

The wine begins with a very pleasant, fresh fruity aroma to go along with its clear, light yellow color. Then it surprises you with a rich, buttery texture on the palate with a delightful fruity (pear) flavor well balanced with oak to earn it's Chardonnay label. It is a very pleasant, drinkable wine at $10 – but isn't particularly memorable once drunk. Rating: 5.5 out of 10.
(Review by Rich)