Age makes it better,... right?

So waiting for a post while I compose (and sip), and re-write (and sip) will make this post all the better, right? I certainly hope so (nervously sip). So... here we go. Pour a glass of your favourite, and join me.

So...where have I been? Everywhere. Food and Spirits festivals in Toronto, meeting brand ambassadors for spirits companies, doing some work for a spirits company, making friends in bands and basically galavanting. Oh, there's my regular work that eats up large chunks of time of course. And I took a week at the cottage (aaahh.... relaxing sip). 

Me and Matt Jones, Brand Ambassador

So,... where shall I begin? I have a friend (FINALLY!... kidding) who works for Bacardi. They own several different spirits other than the popular rum. In fact, I've come to learn (and come in contact with) that there seem to be four or five companies that own most of the alcohol in the world. There's Bacardi who owns (other than the obvious) Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin (my fav.... you're welcome Taryn), Cazadores tequila, Disaronno, Tia Maria, and Drambuie (yumm). Then there's Diageo who owns brands like Smirnoff, Baileys, Bushmills and Guinness. Pernod-Ricard owns Absolut, Chivas and dozens of others. Then there's the one closest to my heart. Beam Global. Beam? As in Jim Beam bourbon? YUP. They also own Maker's Mark bourbon, and Connemara Irish whiskey, the only peated Irish whiskey. Delicious. I highly recommend you find some and try it. The Irish Embassy in Toronto serves it up. Just sayin'. ;)

 

Drambuie Sour

 So... I've been tasked via my friend Taryn to help come up with some new and creative cocktails for some of the brands she is responsible for. So stay tuned for recipes. ;) Or if you've stayed up to date on my other blog "aaronsfoodnwine.blogspot.com" you'll already know this.

Aside from that I've dabbled in creating cocktails featuring mead. What's mead? ;) Subject for another blog. So you'll just have to come back and read more.

Oh... I did mention making friends with a band. Here's one that really suits the theme, and mood for this blog. They're a "funk" band. The Emerson Street Rhythm Band.

\http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIHO2lANFYs

Check these guys out! I have their CD and love it!

They play places in Toronto frequently and are looking to expand... so stay tuned! So I know I promised to stay more up to date than I have... but given what I'm working on .... ;) I will this time. I promise. 

I'm off for the next few days, and can't guarantee I'll have time to update until I get back... but I'll be posting again in a week or so... so please enjoy the long weekend. Live it up, laugh, eat and drink well. But please be responsible. ;)

Slainte!

Spirit of Toronto 2012

So, it's been awhile since I've posted here. True the project has been put on hold, as Brad's been busy. I guess working on projects like a Megadeth video take priority. ;)

But I've decided to revive not only this blog, but possibly the project. Let's start with the blog. So... How've you been over the last few months? A lot's gone on, which you would know if you read my other blog. 

So on Saturday I went to Spirit of Toronto, a whiskey gala. I was able to try several whiskeys I may not have otherwise been able to. Was able to share some with John Hall, whiskey maker of Forty Creek Canadian whiskey, who has a new special Port Wood Finish to be released later this year.

I also attended "The Great Whiskey Debate", which I did mention a few days ago on my other blog. 

As we grow, our palates change, our preferences change. I used to be solely a Scotch drinker. I've since both changed, and broadened my knowledge and appreciation for other whiskeys.

So, I promise you dear reader, I will be updating this blog more regularly, with reviews and recipes with whiskey. Things such as bourbon-bacon-rosemary shortbread. Bourbon ice cream. Whiskey Chocolate Crunch. And a number of cocktails From the Tipsy Leprechaun to the Werewolf. ;) 

So, please bookmark this, send comments and questions to aaronsfoodandwine@gmail.com.

Enjoy! But please enjoy responsibly.

Slainte!

Kinda sad it's over....

Well... after 2 months of contemplation and pre-sampling... Last night finally arrived. And seems like in a flash it was over. So what was it like?

A grand evening, in a grand gallery.   Beautiful spot with great ambience set the tone for the third installment of spirits education for the Straightup KW Beverage Academy. I was surrounded by a fantastic, albeit eclectic group, who took to my words as warmly as the whiskey took to them.  A lively crowd with questions, who appreciated a new take on whiskey, and how to use it in cooking, or just a glass.

We tasted four great bourbons. Jefferson’s, Elijah Craig 12 yr., Corner Creek, and Woodford Reserve.  There was a mixed reaction about which one was people’s favourite, but all took to it very well.

Rather than get too deeply into each whiskey, as I find it very subjective, here are a précis of the tasting notes from last night’s tasting:

Jefferson’s Reserve

COLOUR:  Amber, Caramel

NOSE:   Peaches, vanilla, raisins, butterscotch

TASTE:  An elegant combination of flavors, a very thick body, almost syrupy sweetness, suggesting vanilla and caramel, yet very fruity with hints of dates, blackberry and orange.

FINISH:  The finish is long, warm and smooth like a fine cognac.

Comment: Slight coating sensation on the palate, similar to, but richer than Maker’s Mark

Elijah Craig 12 yr.

 COLOUR:  Melted sugar, Butterscotch, hay.

NOSE:   Thick and warming, vanilla, caramel, oak, very ripe fruit. Honeyed ginger, clove.

TASTE:  Earthy, malty, hint of smoke and oak, caramel, vanilla

FINISH:  Lingering, slightly sweet honey, vanilla

Comment: Rich, rounded on the mellow palate. Possible hint of mint or anise-seed can be found.

Corner Creek

 COLOUR:  Golden, brown sugar, syrup

NOSE:   Caramel, vanilla, honey, and a little spice

TASTE:  Caramel, much more rye spice than in the nose, moderate oak, vanilla.

FINISH:  Spice elements exit fairly early, leaving mostly wood and caramel

Comment: Any wheat flavours are rather indistinct and muddled in the ensemble. This is rather sweet and rather light in body.

Woodford Reserve

COLOUR:  Deep rich golden colour, old Sauturnes.

NOSE:   Loaded with vanilla and toffee as well as some sweet oak. Burnt sugar and some lovely light fruitiness.

TASTE:  Subtle spices warm the palate only for the honey to calm things down again. Sweet corn, and brilliant, toasty brown-sugared depth. Vanilla, maple.

FINISH:  Some deft rye; the oak adds dryness.

Comment: A bourbon of stunning complexity that really has improved in the last year or so as the depth has intensified. It is easily among the best on the market in the UK.

There was another treat as well.  I took a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon, and infused it with bacon. I took what is typically a sweeter based spirit and made it quite savoury.  While all of the bourbon notes remained, there was that smoky sweet bacony taste that made it just a little richer. To be enjoyed in smaller doses, much like an icewine, or dessert wine.  That along with wee nips of moonshine, Mad Dog, White Lightning, call it what you will capped off the evening.  What made it really special to me was that the Gentleman who introduced me to bourbon was there. Thanks for coming, Dad. :) And thanks for the gift.  All in all Bourbon on the Grand.... was a Grand event!

For other comments and reviews, check out: http://straightupkw.com shortly!

To all who came out, I thank you, and if you ever have questions about bourbon, or where to use it in cooking, please get in touch with me! Slainte!

 

Well,.... it's about that time.

That time I've been waiting for. Thursday October 6, 2011. What's so special about tomorrow? It's Bourbon day. Not like it's "National Bourbon Day" or something,....though it should be, shouldn't it? So what is Bourbon day? Well.... it's the tasting I'm hosting for StraightupKW, the beverage academy. 

Tomorrow evening at the Gallery on the Grand, 30 people will be gathering to sample some of Kentucky's finer bourbons. Along with tasting notes, and some tasty snacks from "Little Mushroom Catering" (plus a surprise treat),.... we will be sampling, comparing, tasting the following.... Yup that's right... I'm giving up the list.

There you have it.  Elijah Craig, Jefferson's, Corner Creek, and yes.... Woodford Reserve. Wait... I listed 4,.... there's 5 bottles. The fifth is Bulleit. That is the surprise treat. ;) Why is it a surprise if I'm showing it here? ;) Come tomorrow and find out... or wait for Friday's reviews ......

Slainte!

mmmm Bourbon.

OK, you know bourbon is my preferred spirit. And now I get to orate about it. I get my 15 minutes...well technically closer to an hour.... Check out the who/what/when/where... Well not so much the what, because I haven't yet revealed WHICH bourbons..... well... you'll get the idea. More to follow...check out preliminary details here:

StraightupKW