notes on alcohol

[fyfer]

I'm not much of a cocktail drinker. A few exceptions are on my mind at the moment, though. First, there's an article in the SF Chronicle about vermouth, and it mentioned something I'd totally forgotten: this excellent red vermouth called Carpano Antica Formula. Years ago, Nick and I went to Cesar in North Berkeley and had an amazing Manhattan (I

Comments

[dr_memory]

It's the label that the group of Islay distilleries use to bottle their excess each year, or something like that.

Faaaaaascinating. I see a TJs trip in my future.

BTW: Hi!

[fyfer]

Hi!

[octal]

Trader Joe's alcohol selections are always...interesting. They're the only supermarket I've seen with lambic beer, and of course $2 Chuck.

[chrisfs]

Cost Plus has lambics (or did when I checked a couple years ago).
Some of your higher end ones like Whole Foods and Andronico's will but it's always expensive there.

[anonymous]

was it the fevertree tonic?
http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000080876&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=fevertree&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=fevertree&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All

finlaggan

[deity_inc]

indeed. it is named after the stronghold of finlaggan where the lord of the isles ruled over scotland. they pick the barrels from a distillery which best exemplifies the character of the isles. currently only available in a 15 year version. there are 8 active islay distilleries: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Port Charlotte.

Port Charlotte only reopened again a few years back. Kilchoman only opened in 2006. Bowmore, Bruichladdich, and Bunnahabhain produce lighter styled scotch.
Best money is it being made from Laphroaig which also bottles a 15 year old whisky. Ardbeg while good only produces 10 year old and 17 year old options.

I love my job. I could actually get paid for this sort of alcoholic nonsensical crap :)

[ringer]

It was Fever Tree tonic, as Anonymous suggested. They sell it at Whole Foods too (though not on the east coast, unfortunately) and at Rainbow. They make a "Naturally Light" variant that just uses less sugar, and is supposedly even better, but none of the retailers carried (or had even heard of) it.

Thanks for the suggestion of Finlaggan (I think you suggested it at the party, or were at least in the conversation). I put a bottle in the box of stuff I shipped home, so I'll have a chance to try it in a few days.

As for more unique cocktails, today I'm in the process of infusing a bottle of Evan Brooks Bourbon with bacon. I'll report in my journal how it comes out.