The Bourbonators

Spring thaw with a splash of severe storms

2013-05-31T21:53:00.001-05:00

Winter, we think, has finally ended. Longest friggin' winter ever. So we got our March meeting out of the on the last possible moment.

This month we are tasting the 15 year single barrel Balvenie.

The details for our bottle are shown above. Tornado warnings are in the area. This whisky was really quite good. As you might expect from a single barrel, it's got a bit of burn. But the taste is outstanding. Smoky and a balance of peat. Not too sweet. I think this would be great with a view drops of water to help with the burn.

I'm out of the first tournament. Just couldn't get anything going and someone always had better cards no matter where mine started. Sigh.

British Tony and I might bring home the trophy tonight. I'm gonna need something to happen the second tournament, and tony to finally bust from this one. Double sigh.

Bulleit 10 year Bourbon

2013-04-19T23:13:00.001-05:00

Lets see. I've checked into 9 beers so far tonight. Good times. This Bulleit 10 year bourbon was an excellent buy for the money. I picked this bottle up at Northwest Liquors here in Rochester. It retails for $49.99 locally. There's a picture attached here. Hopefully that worked. Group consensus: very good. Smooth. Just enough sweet. J-lo brought the 90 Shilling. I'm a sucker for a good scotch ale. Hopefully, I can finish these thoughts tomorrow. I feel a headache coming on tomorrow.

Superaged spirits: How old is too old for whiskey, gin, and chartreuse?- Slate Magazine

2013-04-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

I found this article recently and thought I had to share it with everyone. Having attended a few whiskey tastings in my day and drank a few whisk(e)ys aged 30 and over, a lot of this came as no surprise. While it was fun to drink some aged spirits, I can't say that any of them really blew my socks off. The 30 year Canadian Club comes to mind. While it was indeed expensive and it sure was smooth and oaky, that's about it. No wow. Just "Hm, that's what a $200/bottle whisky tastes like."

Younger rye's are tasty. And 16 - 25 seems to be where Scotch gets awesome. Thoughts? What are your experiences?

We might need to take better notes at whiskey club :)

Superaged spirits: How old is too old for whiskey, gin, and chartreuse? - Slate Magazine:

'via Blog this'

A bourbon we should try

2013-02-12T22:52:00.005-06:00

New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon

http://www.drinkhacker.com/2013/02/11/review-holland-beer-barrel-bourbon/

Here's a bourbon aged in beer barrels. The beer? Dragon's Milk Stout, which is aged in bourbon casks. The perfect circle.

It gets an 'A-' grade from DrinkHacker, and is only $30.

Keep an eye out for this one.

Tony.

Poker points updated

2013-02-09T10:30:00.004-06:00

The blog should be updated with everything from last night. I'm going back to bed now. So very sleepy.

2013-02-08T22:11:00.002-06:00

D Bakes just dealt this...

and Danny folded.

Bulleit Rye

2013-02-08T21:53:00.001-06:00

A smaller crowd this month so I found this on the top shelf at Northwest Liquor at lunch today. Not sure it's really a top shelf whiskey but really was bad at all. Our group tends to like the ryes and this didn't disappoint. A nice grainy flavor with just a very light sweet. The color is really a nice amber.

Some of us also got sample the Winter Warmer from New Glarus Brewing Co. A very tasty scotch ale. I've been missing scotch ales since Sam Adams quit making there's. On the tour of that brewery, I did ask. They ain't making it any time soon. Ugh.

As for the poker, ya, lets not talk about it. Card death with a new guy means I lose with AA vs A6o. Four card flush. Good times.

Whiskey time

2013-02-02T21:35:00.001-06:00

The Robot Squad are state champions again, so the parents are enjoying a nice selection of bourbon and scotch.

10 years of Bourbonators

2013-01-21T20:38:00.001-06:00

I've updated the poker points from Friday night. I think I might be able to do those from my phone now, we'll have to try it out some time.

I was noticing that the Bourbonators started in 2003. Colin and I were talking about it. I wasn't there when it started but he was and he thought it was summer or fall when they had the first meeting. Anyone remember? If my math skills are still working, 2003-2013 would be 10 years. Holy crap! Dudes kept this going 10 years!

Anyone interested in thinking about doing anything special to celebrate? A blow the budget kinda whiskey? Commemorative bowling shirts?

Discuss...

Costco has a very interesting store brand whisky

2013-01-18T23:33:00.001-06:00

So, Tony found out that Costco has a 20 year old single malt Scottish whisky for sale at about $50. Sounded interesting, how bad could it be? It was finished in a sherry cask...that's usually a plus.

As it turns out, it's pretty darn good. Lightly sweet with a spicy finish, pretty much everyone was very pleasantly surprised with how it tasted. Maybe the rest of the guys will chime in and discuss this more.

We had 13 players for tonight's first tournament. I started by running decent hands into slightly better decent hands but some how avoided a lot of traps. In the end, I finished second and paid for the night. Ah, poker. How I miss you.

2013 Craft Beer Fest

2013-01-13T19:30:00.001-06:00

I was getting really curious about if/when the Craft Beer Expo would happen, so I sent the organizers an email. His reply simply said May 4. It's on my calendar and the hall pass request has been made. Maybe even Lemmer and Ross could make a road trip? Thoughts?

Rideablity Whiskey and Wine tasting

2013-01-04T17:56:00.001-06:00

Dawn is organizing a whiskey/wine tasting for Ridability. Since, it includes wine, it is a good opportunity to include the wives. It will be on January 24 at the Plumber House. Details are at https://www.facebook.com/events/398533860229682

20 yr single malt at Costco

2012-12-25T19:24:00.003-06:00

In case you hadn't heard, Costco liqour has a 20 year sherry-casked Speyside single malt for $44. A friend bought a bottle but hasn't opened it yet.

I found a review here: http://iheartscotch.com/?p=415

Tony.

March 2013 Whiskey Tasting Signup

2012-12-10T21:58:00.001-06:00

I received an email today alerting us to another whiskey tasting to support the Rochester Public Library. Some of us have gone to them and the past and they've all been a great time, with plenty of good whiskey to try.

The email says:

This time we have Beam Global displaying their products, which will give you the opportunity to sample and compare Irish, American (bourbon), Canadian and Scottish whiskies.

Click through to see larger image

I've already submitted my request for a hall pass. I'm not sure when the deadline is for the early bird registration.

Let me know if you are going, maybe carpooling/sobercabbing would be a good plan.

Charred Oak Bourbon

2012-12-07T22:07:00.001-06:00

100 proof and from somewhere near Madison Wisconsin. Charred Oak Bourbon reminded a lot of us of Jack Daniels. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. It was much better watered down with a splash of water and a cube. Could be we've been spoiled with a long string of excellent scotches.

2012-11-21T16:03:00.000-06:00

Behold, the perfect Christmas tradition to start now. The whisky advent calendar - 24 days and 24 whiskeys, including a 50 year old scotch.

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/the-whisky-advent-calendar/

Don't forget to buy one for me, too!

Tony.

Philosophy

2012-10-26T10:33:00.002-05:00

A philosophy professor stood before her class and had some items in front of her. When the class began, silently she picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks. She then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. She shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. She then asked the students again if the jar was full. They again agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

But then... A student then took the jar which the other students and the professor agreed was full, and proceeded to pour in a glass of beer. Of course the beer filled the remaining spaces within the jar making the jar truly full. The moral of this tale is that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for BEER.

Glenfiddich tasting

2012-09-27T18:47:00.001-05:00

Chris, Colin, Mumblingsages and myself are at the Ramada in for a benefit whisky tasting raising money for the friends of the library. You should be here :-)

Scenes from last nights whiskey club meeting

2012-09-22T12:45:00.001-05:00

The whiskey we drank

The hand I had when Bodie folded away a big pot.

Mmmmm....the lager.

This hand always got there when I folded it, never when I held it.

Several different New Glarus beers were had. Many chips were splashed in the pot.

Cheddarheads making whiskey

2012-09-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

Over the Labor Day weekend, it was brought to my attention that some Cheeseheads in Wisconsin started out making some specialty Vodka. Thinking that couldn't be a sustainable business to just focus on the clear stuff, decided to also try their hand bourbon. You can read more here.

You can also read more about the 45th Parallel Distillery here.

We are still looking for a host in September. I'm making it my mission to track down a bottle of this stuff as soon as I can.

Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project

2012-08-22T17:41:00.002-05:00

I was wandering around Andy's Cross Roads and noticed they had one of the Buffalo Trace Single Oak Projects. At $55 for a 375, it's pretty pricey, but if anyone is interested, it's there.

Federal Judge Says Poker Is Not Gambling

2012-08-22T13:53:00.000-05:00

Some of you may be interested in this article I saw today: Federal Judge Says Poker Is Not Gambling

Yesterday a federal judge threw out the conviction of a Staten Island poker room operator accused of violating the Illegal Gambling Business Act (IGBA), ruling that poker does not qualify as gambling under the statute because it is primarily a game of skill.

This should set a good precedent.

August Meeting Scheduled

2012-08-02T12:49:00.001-05:00

August meeting is now scheduled. The date is set for the 17th and Bodie's house. If you need an invite, let one of us know.

Apollo's Own Lot #188 Hand-Selected Bourbon

2012-08-02T11:47:00.000-05:00

Seems the guys over at Apollo Liquor went out and got themselves a barrel of bourbon. I was thinking it might be fun to get a bottle of this although I haven't checked out the price to see if there is budget and kitty room. If someone does happen over there, let me know if you find out the price, otherwise I may try to get over there tonight. here's the text from the email for your enjoyment:

Ari, Sam, and Crew Went Bourbon Shopping and Buought a Barrel. The Bourbon is now available in all apollo stores. It is a single barrel Bourbon whiskey. Hand selected - It is a one of a kind barrel. Hurry! Once it is goneâ€”it is gone! Ari sampled 6 different barrels from the famous Barton 1792 distillery from all different areas of the barrel house. This specific barrel was aged 9.5 years and was tasted at 126 proof. It was hand bottled at 94proof. The barrel yielded 24 cases. Half of the whiskey went to the Angels Share! It has a little more rye in the mix than most Bourbons! Therefore it has a rich complex flavor without too much sweetness. Ari says, "I have been waiting since May for it to come in. It took me 30seconds to crack the first bottle and it was amazing! "

I was also noticing that Ari has a blog. You can check it out here.

And the 2012 Poker Points winner is...

2012-07-24T19:06:00.000-05:00

Black Darrin made an excellent run for the championship before he leaves us for Arizona, but alas, it was not enough. Not like DeeBakes had much to accomplish, get a point and make sure Black Darrin doesn't get more.

Congratulations to DeeBakes our back to back BSOP champion!

A new season of Poker Points in the Bourbonator's Series of Poker has begun. Black Darrin will start the season with the most points, but I think it won't be too hard to pass him since we don't allow remote, cross time zone play. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Check out the points page for all the juicy details!