Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur

Episode 48 features Malibu Rum based coconut flavored liqueur. The bottle is 750mL at 21% ABV, or 42 proof and presented in its trademark white color with pair of palm trees against a setting sun. Enjoy this episode with some Malibu in your favorite tropical cocktail! Malibu's official website: https://www.maliburumdrinks.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1978 - A Caribbean style rum based coconut f...

Episode 47 features Luxardo Maraschino liqueur. The bottle is 750mL at 32% ABV, or 64 proof and purportedly hand wrapped in synthetic straw with the label on the outside of this wrapping. Enjoy this episode with some Luxardo in your favorite classic cocktail! Luxardo's official website: https://www.luxardo.it/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1817 - Girolamo Luxardo moves to the city of Zara in modern d...

Episode 46 features Underberg herbal bitters, intended as an after dinner digestive aid. The bottle is 20mL at 44% ABV, or 88 proof and individually wrapped in paper with the label on the outside of this paper. Enjoy this episode with an Underberg neat from a glass! Underberg's official website: https://www.underberg.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1846 - Underberg founded by Hubert Underberg - on...

Episode 45 features Jameson Irish Whiskey, the number one selling Irish whiskey worldwide. Bottle used for the tasting is 200mL at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and came in a gift pack with two other 200ml bottles for $20. Enjoy this episode with some smooth Jameson neat! Jameson's official website: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1780 - Distillery founded at Bow St. in Dublin, I...

Episode 44 features Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, a very popular gin in a blue bottle. Bottled in 750mL at 47% ABV, or 94 proof for me in the US market, 40% and 80 proof through most of the rest of the world, it retails for about $22. Enjoy this episode with a classic Gin & Tonic! Bombay Sapphire's official website: https://www.bombaysapphire.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1761 - Thomas Dak...

Episode 43 features Kahana Royale Macadamia Nut Liqueur, a spirit whose story mostly eluded me and whose flavor I wasn't a fan of. Bottled at 750mL and 21% ABV, or 42 proof, it retails for about $15. Enjoy this episode and let me know if you agree with my sentiments! Have something to add to the story? Let me know and I may update this episode. Kahana Royale's official website: None Brief Historic...

Episode 42 features St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, an exquisite and popular spirit known as "Bartender's Ketchup.". Bottled at 750mL and 20% ABV, or 40 proof, it retails for about $35. Enjoy this episode with any cocktail with some St-Germain added! St-Germain's official website: https://www.stgermain.fr/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2006 - Robert Cooper founds The Cooper Spirits Co. 2007 - St-Germ...

Episode 41 features Margaritaville Gold Tequila, a big bottle I had in the liquor cabinet leftover from a Cinco de Mayo party. A full 1.75L that's 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for about $30. Enjoy this episode with some Margaritaville Gold Tequila mixed in a margarita of your choice! Margaritaville's official website: https://www.margaritavillespirits.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1977 - Jim...

Episode 40 features Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, the iconic cognac based, bitter orange liqueur. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof, it retails for $45. Enjoy this episode with some Grand Marnier neat, on the rocks, or mix it up in a cocktail. Grand Marnier's official website: https://www.grandmarnier.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1827 - A distillery outside of Paris, France is founded by J...

Episode 39 features Hpnotiq, the light blue liqueur embraced by hip hop and the New York club scene in the early 2000s. Bottled in 750ml at 17% ABV, or 34 proof and retails for between $20 - $25. Enjoy this episode with some Hpnotiq, try it in an Incredible Hulk cocktail! Hpnotiq's official website: http://hpnotiq.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2001 - A relative outsider and noted college dropout...

Episode 38 features Rémy Martin VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac. Bottled in 750 ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and retails for about $45. Enjoy this episode with some Rémy Martin VSOP neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail! This episode is premiering on New Year's Eve 2020, so a Champagne based spirit is perfect! Rémy Martin VSOP official website: https://www.remymartin.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1724 -...

Episode 37 features Douglas Fir Brandy from Clear Creek Distillery. The flavor of a Christmas tree in a bottle! This brandy is bottled in 375 ml at 47.73% ABV, or 95.46 proof and retails for about $55. Enjoy this episode with some Douglas Fir Brandy neat! My thanks to Clear Creek Distillery for speaking with me and for providing me with the bottle for the tasting! Clear Creek Distillery's official...

Episode 36 features Chambord. The top-shelf black raspberry liqueur from the Loire Valley in France. Always sold in an ornate bottle, the 750ml size retails for $32. It's a light 16.5% ABV, or 33 proof. Enjoy this episode with a Chambord Royale - simply Chambord and Champagne! Chambord's official website is a bit disappointing, but here it is: https://www.chambordchannel.com/ Brief Historical Time...

Episode 35 features Vodka Monopolowa by J.A. Baczewski. A potato vodka, it's award winning and my go-to for unflavored vodkas. Available in all common commercially available sizes, for this episode I featured a 1 liter bottle that retails for $20. It's 40% ABV, or 80 proof. Enjoy this episode with Monopolowa neat or on the rocks, mix it in a cocktail if you prefer! Monopolowa has two official webs...

Episode 34 features a spirit that surprised me and brought me joy! Kleiner Feigling fig liqueur. Sold in small 20 ml bottles at 20% ABV or 40 Proof, they're meant for enjoying in social settings, and being sold in multipacks, you're encouraged to drink more than one. Thanks to Niche Import Co. for providing the spirits for the tasting! Enjoy this episode with a shot of Kleiner Feigling! Kleiner Fe...

Episode 33 features Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A standard bearer of American bourbon bottled at 50.5% ABV, or 101 proof. It retails for about $27 for a 750ml bottle. Enjoy this episode with some Wild Turkey! Wild Turkey's official website: https://wildturkeybourbon.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1855 - Companies that will become Austin Nichols are formed 1860s - The Ripy f...

Episode 32 features Old Delicious Double Bourbon Barreled Apple Brandy. A product of Hood River Distillers, made by their brand Clear Creek Distillery in Hood River, Oregon. A revival of an old recipe with a twist, this apple brandy is bottled at 42.5% ABV, or 85 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Old Delicious! My thanks to Hood River Distillers for speaking with me and for providing me with the...

Episode 31 features Southern Comfort. A whiskey based, fruit and spiced liqueur, it is bottled at 35% ABV, or 70 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Southern Comfort straight, on the rocks, or substituted for whiskey in your favorite cocktail! Southern Comfort's official website: https://southerncomfort.com Brief Historical Timeline: 1874 - Invented in New Orleans at McCauley's Tavern by Martin Wi...

Episode 30 features Kahlúa. The famous coffee liqueur, it is bottled at 20% ABV, or 40 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Kahlúa straight, chilled, over ice cream in a Black or White Russian, or in a Spanish Coffee! Kahlúa official website: https://www.kahlua.com/us/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1936 - Created in Veracruz, Mexico 1940s - Kahlúa introduced to the US Market 1953 - Jules Berman secure...

Episode 29 features Cutty Sark's Prohibition Edition. An homage to the brand's birth during Prohibition, it is bottled at 50% ABV, or 100 proof. Enjoy this episode with a wee dram of Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition. Cutty Sark's official website: https://www.cutty-sark.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1923 - Idea to create a new, lighter style of blended whisky was thought up on the 23rd of March, a...

Episode 28 is a special double tasting. I cover two bourbon's from Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York, Maine, USA. Tasting first the Small Barrel Bourbon that is bottled at 43% ABV, or 86 proof. Then the Bottled in Bond Bourbon that's bottled at 50% ABV, or 100 proof. Special thanks to David Woods, Founder/Owner/Distiller of Wiggly Bridge for speaking with me and for providing the bourbons for the t...

Episode 27 features Chartreuse. A favorite spirit of mine, it was partial inspiration for the creation of this podcast. This episode gives the history of the first products produced by Chartreuse, including information on the four expressions available in the United States. Tasting is focused on the Green Chartreuse that is bottled at 55% ABV, or 110 proof. Enjoy this episode with some Chartreuse,...

Episode 26 features Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Bottled at 40% ABV, or 80 proof. Enjoy this episode with a dram of Aberlour neat. Aberlour's official website: https://www.aberlour.com/en-us/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1879 - Distillery founded by James Fleming 1892 - Sold to Robert Thorne & Sons 1898 - Distillery burned and the aging whiskey went with it 192...

Episode 25 features Mandarine Napoleon, a premium cognac based mandarin orange flavored liqueur made in Belguim. Bottled at 38% ABV, or 76 proof. Enjoy this episode with a glass of Mandarine Napoleon neat, or in a cocktail. Mandarine Napoleon's official website: https://www.mandarinenapoleon.com/us/ Brief Historical Timeline: Late 1700s/early 1800s - Antoine-Francois de Fourcroy is credited with i...

Episode 24 features Humboldt's Finest, a hemp infused vodka from California. Distilled from organic sugar cane, it's bottled at 40% ABV, or 80 proof. Drinks a bit like a gin! Enjoy this episode with some of Humboldt's Finest. Humboldt's official website: https://humboldtdistillery.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2010 - Abe Stevens attends a spirits conference, nurturing the idea of a distillery of...