Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum. Previously known as Appleton V/X, this golden rum comes from the Appleton Estate – the oldest sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica. I’ve been talking quite a bit about Jamaican rums lately (can you tell I’m a big fan?) and I do realize that some…
white overproof rum, grapefruit, lime
Tiki is all the rage these days, but it can be overwhelming figuring out how to get started with that laundry list of ingredients to create that potent complex and fruit-forward potion. So many flavors, and most people probably don’t want to splurge on 15 different bottles just to make…
gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet Branca
The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch. This was the first bottle of any type of scotch I ever purchased. I’ve since repurchased and will continue to do so until I discover something else that’s better bang for the buck. I’m not really one to sip on scotch neat or on the…
gin, lemon, honey
Tinctures. Tinctures are basically very concentrated flavors created by soaking some herb/spice/etc in a high proof alcohol. They are similar to bitters in that they are the ‘spices’ of the cocktail world (quite literally), but are not necessarily bitter in flavor like cocktail bitters will be. A drop or two…
gin, Pomp & Whimsy, grapefruit, bitters
Cimarron Reposado Tequila. Tequila is a spirit that can be quite expensive, but there’s no need to fork out $$$$ for over-marketed Patron in search of good tequila, there are definitely quality brands out there making the good stuff at a great price. I was super happy to have discovered this great…
rum, passionfruit, lemon, Peychaud’s bitters
Wray and Nephew White Overproof rum. If you have any preconceptions about white rum being boring, flavorless, and suitable only when masked by fruit juices and stronger flavors, then this is the bottle that will change your world. Don’t let the clear liquid throw you off, this 63% ABV Jamaican…
rum, elderflower, strawberry Campari, Belgian ale
Regans’ Orange Bitters No.6. Bitters bitters bitters, the table spices of the cocktail world! If you ever walk into a craft liquor store or bar, you’re sure to find a plethora of bitters. Bitters are flavoring agents that are well, intensely bitter and potent, and usually clock in around a…
bourbon, Averna, bitters
Here is the trio of Dolin vermouths. I suspect many people may have some vermouth story, the journey of how they’ve become acquainted with vermouth – a very interesting ingredient which can be quite polarizing for people new to it. For me, this was the 3rd leg of my journey.…
gin, sweet vermouth, orange curaçao, bitters, soda
Fernet Leopold Highland Amaro. I recently got back from a trip through the American southwest desert enroute to Denver and OF COURSE I had to check out the local booze. I had heard about Leopold Bros and seen a few of their bottles in stores but never tried it, and…
mezcal, Cynar, sweet vermouth, chocolate bitters
Koloa Coconut rum. I’ll admit it, as syrupy sweet and artificial as Malibu is, it was still one of my guilty pleasures that I repurchased probably more times than I should have. Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of a coconut fanatic, but I just can’t deny those sweet tropical flavors.…
rum, lime, sugar
Batiste Ecoiste Rhum Agricole. I bought this bottle originally when I was seeking to try out my first agricole rum, and when I saw this one for under $20 at Trader Joe’s, I couldn’t resist! Unfortunately, I wasn’t a huge fan of the flavors in this one… That said, taste is…
tequila, Averna, lemon, maple syrup
Fernet Branca. Living in San Francisco, a city where you’ll see a bottle of this at even the diviest of dive bars (with the pint & fernet shot special), it’s about time we talk about Fernet Branca, right? Even though Fernet Branca was born in Italy, SF is one of…
Rum Fire, mezcal, falernum, tik bitters, salt