Baron of Beverage

In September my youngest brother gave me a lovely gift of a custom logo-ed barrel for aging custom cocktails [Bitner Brothers Cocktails!], along with similarly branded double old-fashioned glasses – and a bottle of one of his own barrel-aged cocktails, a Sauternes-finished Italian American ( Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, D’usse cognac , Cocchi americano , Amaro nonino, and Luxardo )! A...

For those who enjoyed our  BTWOE* series**  Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and I return with a prelude to our first Manhattan Project Series – Manhattan Project: Sweet Vermouth (MH:SV). Given in this project we will be tasting both Bourbon and Rye based Manhattans, we felt it only fair to ourselves and all of you to taste the Rye we will be using on its own first. Since the #1...

It’s been a while since Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and I have sat down and recorded a podcast – but sometime life takes precedence. This time of year is definitely know for Thanksgiving cheer (and some celebrate Christmas early now too) – but for bourbon lovers/aficionados, this is also ‘Pappy Season’. That time of year when allocation from the Old R...

Drum roll please…. Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and I have finally reached the ‘top’ of the list, ending our BTWOE* series** . Given the trends in whiskey over the past decade  it comes as no surprise that the #1 whiskey is a bourbon – specifically Woodford Reserve . At #1, Woodford Reserve came as a bit of a surprise because it’s history in the market...

As Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and I near the end of our BTWOE* series**  we turn our attention to the first Irish Whiskey of the series – Jameson . We cover some o At #2, Jameson  is far and away the best selling Irish Whiskey on the planet. The two most popular ways are either with ginger ale or as a shot. Chris and I instead focus our attention on the spirit in its pure f...

As the Baroness & I reminisce about our trip to Quebec City last year (and the discovery of The Lost Fingers ) we take the time to open and taste a Bourbon Barrel Aged bottle of wine – Cooper & Thief . We found this to be a big, bold and quite enjoyable red blend from Lodi . Clearly the aging in ex-bourbon barrels has had a positive effect on this fruit forward wine. Cheers!

Back in July our cousins brought us two tasty beverage gifts (you may recall our Krupnikas tasting) and we finally got around to tasting the second one this evening as we look towards Labor Day weekend – Ponysaurus ‘s Bière de Garde . For those unfamiliar with this style of beer, Bière de Garde originated in northern France and was typically made at farms in the winter or spring becaus...

On our return trip from viewing the solar eclipse, Page (the Baroness) and I had a few hours at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport . As many of our nation’s airports get upgrades and makeovers, one element consistently being attended to is the food and beverage options. This recent trend has seen an emphasis put on making sure regional flavors are celebrated – including bevera...

Right after wrapping up  #4 in the BTWOE* series** – Maker’s Mark with Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) he mentioned he just made some fresh Mint Simple Syrup. Which begged for a brief follow-up podcast with Maker’s Mark Mint Julep (though not the Maker’s Mark produced version ). We encourage you to grab a glass, pour a dram, and join us. Cheers!

While it may have seemed like 24 hours, it was closer to 48 when Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and met to taste and discuss #4 in the BTWOE* series** – Maker’s Mark. We cover some of Maker’s Mark’s history , what a wheated boubon is, and its connection to one of the most coveted (at least by price) whiskies currently on  the market. At #3, Maker’s Mark is clearly enjoyed as one...

When Christopher Rhodovi (from The Whiskey Room ) and I planned our meeting this weekend for #4 in the BTWOE* series** – The Macallan 12 – we both presumed it was to taste and review The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask . However a last minute observation by Chris about the original post brought into question whether or not the had actually meant The Macallan 12 Double Oak Cask . Not one to eschew adding a...

This past weekend I had an opportunity to sit down with Pat Pyles, who has been a whisky collector (primarily Scotch Whisky) for roughly 40 years. Our discussion ranged from his favorite region – Islay , from which the Caol Ila 12 we were enjoying during our chat hails – to how his collection grew over the years, the one whisky he finds “undrinkable”and his opinions on where the industry has been...

Some of you may recall our second podcast where we tasted the first in Glenfiddch ‘s new Experimental Series:  Glenfiddich – India Pale Ale Finish . Well, I was fortunate enough to be given a wee dram of the second single malt in this series. This time Brian Kinsman, Malt Master at Glenfiddich, set out to create something that had never been tried before, a sort of ‘Mystery Box’ single malt....

Recently I had a chance to turn my attention to a regional soda – Boylan Bottling’s Original Birch Beer . My fourteen year old nephew was visiting us from France and inquired what Birch Beer was. And instead of settling for just describing it as ‘similar to root beer’ we decided to sit down and taste it. We picked up a four pack of Boylan’s – the recipe of which dates to 1891 – it was their first...

While there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who’ve been in the ‘family’ of distilling and making single malt Scotches (as well as blends), there is really only a handful of people (or arguably none) who have had as much influence as David Stewart, Malt Master at The Balvenie for over 50 years. Besides developing the practice of finishing whiskies (with the 12 year Doublewood – which he de...

Almost two weeks ago (sorry to just be catching up on posting so many recordings ‘in the can’) Page & I had the pleasure of having her cousins, Claire & Aris, visit for the weekend – primarily to watch the Cubs-Orioles weekend series. They brought us some lovely housewarming gifts – the first of which we tasted together for this podcast. Also joining us for this podcast is our friend, and...

We’re now past the halfway point of this series and have returned to Scotland and Single Malts. Christopher Rhodovi from The Whiskey Room  & I were able to sit down, taste and talk about #5 in the BTWOE* series** – The Glenlivet 12 . #5  on the list is The Glenlivet 12 , which was the first legal distillery under King George IV’s new regulations – founded in 1824. With a storied hist...

Though a busy end of the week and jam packed weekend prevented me from posting, the Baroness and I were able to conclude our ‘Three Blind Wines’ crossover series with my other podcast –   Wine, Women, & Song  last week.  [If you are starting here – stop and go back to the first in this series .] We conclude this mini-series with a tasting and review of ‘Big Meaty Red’ #3. O...

The Baroness and I continue our ‘Three Blind Wines’ crossover series with my other podcast –   Wine, Women, & Song . As you may recall the 3 provided wines to taste – all of which were wrapped in opaque paper and stripped of any identifying materials, and labeled simply #1, #2, #3 – are on the theme ‘Big Meaty Reds’. Ideally with one being selected for August’s WWS podcast....

I should admit from time to time my friends in the industry drop off some items to taste and review.* In fact, the respect they have for my palate, thoughtful care in tasting, and creativity in reviewing helped to fertilize the seed of my podcast ideas. I never feel the pressure to ‘go positive’ on their behalf, though admittedly I often find something redeeming in the products that I taste – even...

You didn’t think we’d let another month pass before Christopher Rhodovi from The Whiskey Room  & I were able to sit down, taste and talk about #6 in the BTWOE* series** – Knob Creek  did you? #6  on the is is Knob Creek , one of four ‘small batch’ bourbons put out by Beam Suntory (often referred to, and still by us, as Jim Beam). Since this is our first bourbon of the series, we...

I’ve been to New York City many a number of times through auditions and to see operas primarily. As of late my trips to NYC have almost exclusively been in my role as a National Officer in my union, AGMA. These trips usually take up all my time and leave no time for ‘fun’ – something I was resolved to change if possible. With that in mind as I sat down on my early morning train, fired up my phone,...

It seems like it took all month, and it practically has, to find a time to sit back down with Christopher Rhodovi from The Whiskey Room . So just a couple of days after the ‘summer solstice we were able to sit down, taste and talk about #7 in the BTWOE* series** – Crown Royal ( Fine De Luxe ). Each of us had a Crown Royal whisky drinking experience from our earlier days of whisk(e)y exploration an...

There are few more natural things to do on a Friday night after a long week than to belly up to the bar and enjoy a beverage. Last Friday I had the pleasure of meeting up with Charles Tappan , Mixologist with Pernod Ricard at Looney’s in Bel Air to taste Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey and discuss its distinctions as compared to the Jameson Original with which most are familiar. The primary dis...

When a chance to taste something unusual falls across my path, I almost always take the time and taste. OK – who am I kidding? I ALWAYS take the time to taste – especially the unusual beverage items. One evening last week I had the pleasure of tasting Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile liqueur . Based on a 1927 recipe from Puebla, a town in Mexico known for its ancho chiles, which are dried and smoked poblan...