Southern Spirits Has the Luck of the Irish

10 Mar, 16 /  Uncategorized /  southernsc /  Comments Off on Southern Spirits Has the Luck of the Irish

Hey there boozefans, I have been under the weather, but it is almost conquered! I hope most of you have dodged it or are on the way out of it. It is almost St. Patricks day, which in the great American tradition is a perfect excuse to consume large amounts of alcohol and proclaim some percentage of Irish descent. Reason number 318 why Amurrica is the best country in the world. I was in Japan, (a fine country in its own right) and they have a smattering of Halloween participants, but here in the U.S. we are totally down to celebrate our holiday, your holiday, and continue to make up new ones as we go along. National Margarita Day I am looking at you. Who else can claim to celebrate with reckless abandon the way we do. Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday? Not a problem. Kiss me I am Irish! What a great concept. We have never met, but I am possibly from Ireland so you should give me a smooch because over a thousand years ago some Priest used a clover to explain the holy trinity to Irish Pagans. I am not Irish myself but would be perfectly happy to hold a shamrock over my head or yours for a kiss. We have some Irish tastings lined up for you to help you on your way to celebrate your Irish heritage, being an American, or your love of social gatherings. If you are reading this all as sarcasm, then I have sympathy for your cynical and blackened heart. That was not sarcasm either. Between talking in a monotone and refusing to use emoji’s some of these points are harder to make. Also, sense I am a very sarcastic individual it would not be out of the question to assume that all I say is intended to be so. So maybe your are not so cynical and blackened after all.

TASTINGS: FRIDAY ST. PATTY’S DAY TASTING 4:30-6:30

JAMESON BLACK BARREL: I like the extra punch this whiskey contains. I have always found the standard Jameson to be too mild for my personal taste.

JAMESON CASK MATES: Aged in Guiness Barrels, this little touch adds a beat of creaminess to the texture.

PADDY’S BEE STING: My personal favorite among the honey liqueurs. I find that it has more of whiskey taste than the others.

KAHLUA PEPPERMINT: I decided to mix things up a bit with something tasty and easy to mix. Use this a fun bailey substitute.

FRIDAY WINE 4:00-6:00

JOSEPH DROUHIN MACON VILLAGES: Who can afford white burgundy? Luckily we have a world famous negociant buying up grapes and selling them at an affordable price.

MELVILLE CHARDONNAY: Always been a fan of Chardonnay from Santa Rita. Great climate for the grape, tends to give you a fruity but not overbearing wine.

LOUIS MARTINI NAPA CABERNET: One of the industry standards in Cabernet. Not flashy but solid and dependable.

COLUMBIA RED BLEND: Another Washington red. This is a blend of the regions two best grapes, Syrah and Cabernet.

SATURDAY 3:30-6:30 THE DUBLINER AND DUBLINER HONEY

Two new entries into the St. Patrick’s day cannon. Variety is the spice of life, and I think the The Dubliner honey is like the Werthers candy in a bottle.

UPCOMING TASTINGS! Please mark your calendars!

3/18 JACK DANIELS: This is a Jack store, come try the Honey, Fire, Gentleman, and the lovely Single Barrel.

3/26 DELORD! Need the perfect drink for Easter, for anytime, anywhere? Come and try four of the best Armagnac’s on the planet! With special guest Christine Cooney to explain it all.

4/1 MUDDY RIVER: Don’t be a fool and miss these awesome local rums.

4/2 HERRADURA: Tequila season is almost here.

4/23 HIGH WEST!! Ambassador Joe is back and he is bringing these wonderful whiskeys with him!

KEITH’S CABINET: What Keith is drinking now.

De Lord 1975: Since I was not feeling well I thought maybe I would use the most expensive booze I own to try and cure me. Did it work? Probably not, but psychologically I felt like a King. (A king with a sinus infection)

Woodford Reserve: When the chips are down, Keith likes to go home. No calling for Mommy, I call for old faithful.

Diplomatico Exclusiva: A wonderful liquid for sickness or health.

NEW ARRIVALS

WOODFORD RYE: FINALLY!!! It has arrived in all of its spicy glory. I was lucky enough to have one of you guys bring me a bottle when it first came out in those oh so important states, and I am here to tell you that it is quite tasty. It makes a terrific old fashioned and a lovely Manhattan.

STRONACHIE 18!: For those of you who enjoyed the Stronachie 10 as much as I did, here comes the 18!. Sadly the ten is sold out for now. If you guys do not snatch all of this up I am definitely going to snag one of these.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: IRISH EDITION

Don’t get me wrong there is a time and a place for Irish car bombs, the time is 21-27 years of age, and the place is somewhere with a bathroom or bed in close proximity, but most of us are not kids anymore. We enjoy the taste of booze now and need a more refined and tasty cocktail.

The Emerald

2 ounces of Irish Whiskey (paddys, the Dubliner, Jameson)

1 once of sweet vermouth (Carpano, Cocchi, Dolin)

2 dashes of Orange bitter.

Pour it all into a mixer with ice, stir, and strain into martini glass.

Garnish with cherry or Orange slice