1- Dear God, why hasn’t Jim Beam released a barrel strength edition of their white label? I’ve tasted JB white directly from the barrel and its amazing.
2- I don’t care what the folks at YeYo tequila try to tell you what YeYo means. You can’t just change the definition. Yeyo is cocaine for those not in the know. You ask me as a bartender for yeyo and I’m chucking your ass out of my bar. I’m actually a little upset that the TTB would approve of such a name and its a damn shame because I’ve tasted YeYo and its a decent tequila. Still, I’ll never serve it or recommend it simply because of its stupid name.
3- Speaking of stupid names, Bu-Tay vodka? Really? Who is actually going to walk up to a bar and ask for a glass of Bu-Tay? Not me. Another stupid name that will relegate this brand to the garbage heap of history soon.
4- Today I was offered a sample of protein infused vodka. I can’t understand why anyone would want vodka infused with casein protein unless it makes Red Bull taste exceptionally better.
5- I like Veev acai spirit. It comes in at 60 proof though, and part of me thinks that it would be amazing if there were a drier, higher proof option as well (maybe 90 proof?).
6- I think we’ve hit the Rococo period in American bartending. Not every bartender (or drinks blogger for that matter) can actually craft intricate cocktails without creating muddy, flat flavors. Its a red flag to me when I walk into a bar and see 9 ingredient drinks made with esoteric ingredients. Generally, they just aren’t any good. I’d rather see bartenders focus on 4 ingredient cocktails that are balanced and well crafted than trying to blow smoke up everyones ass.
7- I just got Kim Haasrud’s newest offering, 101 Blender Drinks. I think its time for bartenders to reclaim both blended drinks and cream drinks as styles of drinks worth creating and serving. I’m happy to see this book show up and I’m looking forward to reading it.
8- I’ve been asked by the fine folks at Drambuie to rethink the Rusty Nail for a panel session at Tales of the Cocktail. I’ll be writing up my experiments over at About.com, be sure to check them out. Unfortunately, as usual, I won’t be at Tales. This time its the impending birth of my daughter.
9- I’m SO excited to be checking out the cocktail scene in Edinburgh and Aberdeen next week. I’d especially like the thank Adam Elmegirab for his help in pointing me in the right direction. Now if I can just jump behind the bar for an hour or two I’ll be in heaven.
10- I don’t get NGS craft vodkas. I really don’t. A recent visit to Dry Fly up in Spokane showed me just how easy it is to mash your own grain for vodka. Is something purchased in bulk and repackaged really artisan?