Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur

Episode 98 features Liquore Strega. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $36. Enjoy this episode with pour of Strega chilled. The official website for Strega: https://www.strega.it/en/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1200s - Legend says witches gathered in Benevento, Italy 1860 - Strega is founded by Giuseppe Alberti 1894 - Giuseppe Alberti dies, leaving the distillery to his fou...

Episode 97 features Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. Bottled in 750ml at 63% ABV, or 126 proof and it retails for $26. Enjoy this episode with a "Wray & Ting". The official website for the brand simply redirects to the corporate parent: http://www.jwrayandnephew.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1825 - John Wray founds The Shakespeare Tavern in Kingston, Jamaica 1860 - John. Wray brings hi...

Episode 96 features The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. Bottled in 750ml at 47% ABV, or 94 proof and it retails for $21. Enjoy this episode with a Kraken and Coke. The Kraken's official website: https://www.krakenrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2009 - The Kraken is available in limited release in the United States 2010 - The Kraken expands distribution internationally 2010 - Several awards are bestow...

Episode 95 features Tanqueray London Dry Gin. Bottled in 750ml at 47.3% ABV, or 94.6 proof and it retails for $22. Enjoy this episode with a Tanqueray and Tonic. Tanqueray's official website: https://www.tanqueray.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1830 - Charles Tanqueray begins working in the Vine Street Distillery 1898 - Tanqueray merges with Gordon's Gin 1922 - Tanqueray Gordon & Company join...

Episode 94 features Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto by popular request from listeners. Bottled in 750ml at 20% ABV, or 40 proof and it retails for $40. Enjoy some Italicus with Prosecco and a lot of ice, plus some olives while listening to this episode. Italicus' official website: https://rosolioitalicus.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1500s - Rosolio was enjoyed by Catherine de' Medici Late 1700s...

Episode 93 features Rockland Old Arrack Extra Strong from Sri Lanka. The small bottle came to me as a gift from a friend in his luggage following a trip to Sri Lanka. Bottled in 180ml at 34% ABV, or 68 proof and it retails for about $2 at this size. If you can find Arrack, enjoy some while listening to this episode! Old Arrack Extra Strong's official website: https://www.rockland.lk/ Brief Histori...

Episode 92 features Appleton Estate Signature Jamaica Rum. The entry level blend from the Appleton Estate is bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $23. Enjoy this episode with some Appleton Estate Signature mixes in your favorite rum cocktail. Appleton Estate's official website: https://appletonestate.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1655 - The Appleton Estate is established 1...

Episode 91 features Bushmills The Original Irish Whisky. The entry level bottling from the first licensed whisky distillery in the world, bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $30. Enjoy this episode with some Bushmills neat. Bushmills' official website: https://bushmills.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1276 - Written record of whisky production in northern Ireland 1608 - Whi...

Episode 90 features PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur. The leading pomegranate brand of spirit bottled in 750ml at 17% ABV, or 34 proof and it retails for $25. Enjoy this episode with some PAMA and Champagne. PAMA's official website: https://www.pamaliqueur.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2005 - PAMA is test marketed 2006 - Nationwide US release 2007 - Advertising campaign featuring magazine ads with scent...

Episode 89 features Mount Gay Barbados Rum, the XO expression. From the birthplace of rum, Barbados, this rum is aged between 5 and 17 years, and bottled in 750ml at 43% ABV, or 86 and it retails for $65. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Mount Gay XO neat. Mount Gay's official website: https://www.mountgayrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1637 - Sugar cane is introduced to the island of Barbado...

Episode 88 features Mad March Hare Irish Poitín. And what is Poitín you ask? Well, listen to find out, but it might be described via analogy: Poitín is to Irish Whiskey as Mezcal is to Tequila. The bottle for the tasting is 700mL at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and sells for about $30. Enjoy this episode with a Mad March Mule (recipe below). Mad March Hare's official website: https://shopmadmarchhare.com/...

Episode 87 features Zacapa Rum, full name of Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23. Hailing from Guatemala, this special rum is aged between 6 and 23 years using a solera system, and bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 and it retails for $45. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Zacapa neat. Zacapa's official website: https://www.zacaparum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1940s - Four Guatemalan liqu...

Episode 86 features Pusser's Rum, the official British Navy rum. The Blue Label used in the tasting for this episode is bottled in 750ml at 42% ABV, or 84 proof for the US market, and it retails for $27. Enjoy this episode with a Pusser's Painkiller®. Pusser's Rum official website: https://pussersrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1655 - The British capture Jamaica from the Spanish 1731 - British...

Episode 85 features Amaro Montenegro, a top selling Amaro which is bottled in 750ml at 23% ABV, or 46 proof, and it retails for $40. Enjoy this episode with some Amaro Montenegro neat. Amaro Montenegro's official website: https://www.amaromontenegro.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1885 - Distillery is founded by Stanisalo Cobianchi and Elisir Lungavita is launched 1896 - Elisir Lungavita is rename...

Episode 84 features Highland Park Magnus Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, and it retails for about $40. Enjoy this episode with a dram of Highland Park Magnus neat. Highland Park's official website: https://www.highlandparkwhisky.com Brief Historical Timeline: 1798 - Local preacher and smuggler Magnus Eunson is arrested in the Orkney islands, in the far...

Episode 83 features Ancho Reyes Liqueur which is bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, and it retails for about $27. Enjoy this episode with a spicy margarita. Ancho Reye's official website: https://anchoreyes.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1927 - Locally made Menjurje of Ancho Chiles is consumed in Puebla, Mexico 2013 - Ancho Reyes liqueur is launched 2016 - Ancho Reyes Verde is introduced 2...

Episode 82 features St-Rémy VSOP French Brandy which is bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, and it retails for about $17. Enjoy this episode with some St-Rémy neat or on the rocks. St-Rémy's official website: https://www.st-remy.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1886 - Paul-Emile Rémy Martin II founds the distillery to produce high quality brandy 1917 - St-Rémy releases “Fine St-Rémy” 1949 - T...

Episode 81 features Jose Cuervo Especial, also known as Cuervo Gold, which is bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, and it retails for about $20. Enjoy this episode with some Jose Cuervo Especial Gold in a Margarita or other tequila cocktail. Cuervo's official website: https://cuervo.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1758 - Jose Antonio de Cuervo y Valdes was given a land grant by King Fernand V...

Episode 80 features Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, which was on the market for decades before being spun off as a standalone brand and rocketing to popularity. Bottled in 750ml at 33% ABV, or 66 proof, it retails for about $15. Enjoy this episode with a shot of Fireball - if you dare! Fireball's official website: https://www.fireballwhisky.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1984 - Fireball is launched und...

Episode 79 features Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the second best selling blended Canadian whisky on the market, and a tremendous value. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for about $10. Enjoy this episode with a whisky cocktail of your choice, made with Black Velvet. Black Velvet's official website: https://www.blackvelvetwhisky.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1946 - The whisky...

Episode 78 features Crystal Head Vodka, an exceptionally pure spirit bottled in a skull shaped 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for about $45. Enjoy this episode with some Crystal Head Vodka mixed in your favorite cocktail. Crystal Head Vodka's official website: https://www.crystalheadvodka.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2007 - Dan Aykroyd and John Alexander have lunch and Alexander's id...

Episode 77 features Licor 43, Cuarenta Y Tres, a Spanish liqueur. (Why this wasn't episode 43, I don't know, I missed it!) Bottled in 750ml at 31% ABV, or 62 proof, it retails for about $25. Enjoy this episode with Licor 43 neat, or with espresso. Licor 43's official website: https://www.licor43.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 209 BC - The Roman's conquer a part of southern Spain and encounter "Li...

Episode 76 features Shanky's Whip, an Irish Whiskey based liqueur. Bottled in 750ml at 33% ABV, or 66 proof, it retails for about $25. Enjoy this episode with Shanky's chilled, or mix it with root beer or cola. Shanky's Whip's official website: https://www.shankyswhip.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1920s - Shanky is said to have raced horses and made whiskey, eventually turning to harness racing...

Episode 75 features Beefeater Gin, a London Dry style produced in London. Bottled in 750ml at 44% ABV, or 88 proof, for the US market, it retails for $20. Enjoy this episode with a classic Beefeater Gin Martini, or served with tonic. Beefeater's official website: https://www.beefeatergin.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1820 - Chelsea Distillery is founded by the Taylor family 1863 - James Burrough...

Episode 74 features Guaucura Liqueur de Damiana, an herbal liqueur from Mexico. Bottled in 750ml at 30% ABV, or 60 proof, it retails for $30. Enjoy this episode with a Damian Margarita (just replace the triple sec with Damiana). Damiana's official website: https://www.damiana.net/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1960s - Damiana liqueur is imported into the USA 1990 - The spirit is "rediscovered" on a S...