Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur

Episode 73 features The Classic Laddie from Bruichladdich, a single malt Scotch Whisky. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof, it retails for $60. Enjoy this episode with a dram of The Classic Laddie! Bruichladdich's official website: https://www.bruichladdich.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1881 - The distillery is founded 1937 - A speculator buys the distillery and flips it 1938 - The distil...

Episode 72 features Pau Maui Vodka, a vodka made in Hawaii from pineapples! Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $19. Enjoy this episode with your favorite vodka based cocktail! Pau Maui's official website: https://paumaui.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1949 - The LeVecke family gets into the drinks business 1980s - LeVecke begins doing business in Hawaii, building Hawaiian br...

Episode 71 features Jägermeister, a herbal liqueur originally developed by a hunter for hunters, that became a global sensation when the college crowd in the US discovered chilled shots and clever marketing was applied. Bottled in 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof, it retails for $26. Enjoy this episode with a shot of Jägermeister, and I dare you to try it neat! Jägermeister's official website: https:...

Episode 70 features Gosling Black Seal Rum, a blended rum from Bermuda that's a key ingredient in the Dark 'n Stormy cocktail. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $19. Enjoy this episode with some Goslings neat, or in a Dark 'n Stormy! Goslings' official website: https://www.goslingsrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1806 - William Gosling charters a ship to carry his eldest...

Episode 69 features Baileys Irish Cream, the best selling liqueur in the world. Bottled in 750ml at 17% ABV, or 34 proof, it retails for $29. Enjoy this episode with some Baileys neat, on the rocks, or baked into your favorite dessert! Baileys' official website: https://www.baileys.com/en-us/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1973 - Idea for Baileys created by David Gluckman and Hugh Reade Seymour-Davies...

Episode 68 features Ouzo 12, perhaps the best selling brand of ouzo worldwide. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $20. Enjoy this episode with some Ouzo 12 neat if you dare! Ouzo 12's official website: http://www.ouzo12.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1830s -Ouzo production takes off in Greece, "spun off" from Tsipouro 1856 - The first commercial ouzo distillery is founded 18...

Episode 67 features Absolut Vodka, the brand that clever print ads made, from the Swedish state-controlled liquor monopoly. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $20. Enjoy this episode with some Absolut however you like it. Absolut's official website: https://www.absolut.com/us/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1879 -L.O. Smith begins selling Absolut Rent Bränvin 1917 - Swedish gover...

Episode 66 features Becherovka, the most famous spirit from the Czech Republic. Bottled in 750ml at 38% ABV, or 76 proof, it retails for $22. Enjoy this episode with some Becherovka neat. Becherovka's official website: https://becherovka.com/en Brief Historical Timeline: 1794 -Josef Becher leases a stillhouse in his hometown of Karlovy Vary 1805 - English physician Christian Frobrig gifts Josef Be...

Episode 65 features Cointreau, the original* Triple Sec clear orange liqueur (*There's some debate as to who invented Triple Sec). Bottled in 375ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $23. Enjoy this episode with some Cointreau on the rocks, or mix it up in a Margarita. Cointreau's official website: https://www.cointreau.com/us/en/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1849 - The distillery is founded by...

Episode 64 features Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 43% ABV, or 86 proof and sells for about $50. Enjoy this episode with some Jaisalmer and Tonic! Jaisalmer's official website: http://jaisalmergin.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1943 - Distillery is founded 2018 - Jaisalmer is launced at an industry show in Germany 2019 - Awarded "Best in Asia 2019" by The Gin...

Episode 63 features Żubrówka, a Bison Grass flavored vodka from Poland. I ended up with two different bottles. First is Żubrówka brand, 750mL at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it sells for between $25 and $30. Second bottle is Bak's brand of Bison Grass vodka, 750Ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it sells for $21. Enjoy this episode with Żubrówka on ice, or mixed with apple juice. Żubrówka's official websi...

Episode 62 features Cynar, a popular Italian Amaro. The bottle for the tasting is 1L at 16.5% ABV, or 33 proof and sells for about $28. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cynar neat. Cynar doesn't have a stand alone website currently. Brief Historical Timeline: 1952 - Angelo Dalle Molle, an Italian businessman, invents Cynar 1960s - Cynar is advertised in Italy on the Carosello advertising show 197...

Episode 61 features Domaine De Canton French Ginger Liqueur. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 28% ABV, or 56 proof and sells for about $28. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Domaine De Canton neat. Domaine De Canton's official website: https://www.domainedecanton.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1992 - The Original Canton Delicate Ginger Liqueur is launched by Charles Jacquins et Cie 1997 - J...

Episode 60 features Cocalero Clasico, the sacred spirit of the Andes - a coca leaf flavored liqueur. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 29% ABV, or 58 proof and sells for about $25 - $30. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cocalero - try a CocaBomb shot, or just mix it with some tonic. Cocalero's official website: https://cocalero.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1863 - Coca Wine invented by Ang...

Episode 59 features Evan Williams Black Label, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 43% ABV, or 86 proof and sells for about $12. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Evan Williams neat, or on the rocks. Evan William's official website: https://evanwilliams.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1783 - Evan Williams, the man, starts a commercial distillery in Louisvil...

Episode 58 features Suze, a gentian based aperitif from France. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 20% ABV, or 40 proof and sells for about $29. Enjoy this episode with a Suze & Tonic, or try a White Negroni. Suze's official website: https://www.suze.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1885 - Fernand Moureaux inherits his family distillery and sets out to save it, possibly buying the formula...

Episode 57 features Disaronno Originale, an Amaretto. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 28% ABV, or 56 proof and sells for about $30. Enjoy this episode with Disaronno neat, on the rocks, or in a favorite cocktail! Disaronno's official website: https://www.disaronno.com/en  Brief Historical Timeline: 1525 - Bernardino Luini is commissioned to paint a fresco in Saronno, Italy, and his muse, a...

Episode 56 features Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky, Double Cask. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 45% ABV, or 90 proof and sells for about $90. Enjoy this episode with some Rampur however you like it! Rampur's official website: http://rampursinglemalt.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1943 - Distillery is founded 1947 - Indian gains independence from Great Britain 1999 - Radico Khaitan, Lt...

Episode 55 features Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, the original spiced rum. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and sells for about $20. Enjoy this episode with a Captain & Coke! Captain Morgan's official website: https://www.captainmorgan.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1944 - Seagram creates Captain Morgan in Jamaica 1980 - Seagram's North American team developed a new...

Episode 54 features Christian Brother Brandy, a very popular brand. This is the "VS", or Very Smooth. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and sells for about $12. Enjoy this episode with some Christian Brothers neat or on the rocks! Christian Brother's official website: https://christianbrothersbrandy.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1882 - The Christian Brothers order in...

Episode 53 features Heering Cherry Liqueur, the original cherry liqueur. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 24% ABV, or 48 proof. Enjoy this episode with a Singapore Sling cocktail! Heering's official website: https://www.heering.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1818 - Peter F. Heering opens his grocer's store in Copenhagen, making and selling "Cherry Cordial" 1833 - Heering buys his first sh...

Episode 52 features Galliano, the bright yellow Italian liqueur in the distinctively tall bottle. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 42.3% ABV, or 84.6 proof. Enjoy this episode with a Harvey Wallbanger cocktail! Galliano's official website: https://www.galliano.com/  Brief Historical Timeline: 1895 - Giuseppe Galliano becomes a war hero 1896 - Arturo Vaccari invents the liqueur in honor of G...

Episode 51 features Plymouth Gin, a category of one in the world of gin styles. The bottle for the tasting is 750mL at 41.2% ABV, or 82.4 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Plymouth Gin, neat, with tonic, or mixed in a martini. Plymouth's official website: https://www.plymouthgin.com/en-EN Brief Historical Timeline: 1431 - Building constructed as a monastery 1530s - King Henry VIII dissolved mona...

Episode 50 features Lucid Absinthe Superior, the first legal absinthe sold in the United States after a 95 year ban. The bottle for the tasting is 375mL at 62% ABV, or 124 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Lucid Absinthe, and be sure to dilute with cold water to experience the "louche" or spontaneous emulsification that turns the drink cloudy. Lucid's official website: http://www.drinklucid.com/...

Episode 49 features Crown Royal Deluxe Blended Canadian Whiskey. The bottle is 750mL at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and comes in the iconic purple bag within a beautiful purple box. Enjoy this episode with some Crown Royal any way you like it! Crown Royal's official website: https://www.crownroyal.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1857 - Seagrams is founded 1939 - Crown Royal is launched to celebrate the r...