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Tales of the Cocktail: Judgement Day
Filed under: Lush Life, Rum 
They call New Orleans the Big Easy, but yesterday was big, but not easy, as I spent my first full day here, prior to the start of Tales of the Cocktail. I am one of the 24 judges for the 2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition, a strict rum judging event coordinated by the Ministry of Rum at Tales. There was a long list of people who were considered as judges for this event and Ed Hamilton, the head of the Ministry, spent several weeks winnowing down the list to some of the top rummies around.
We met at the famous Arnauds restaurant for the...
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Drink and ride in Vieux Carré?
Filed under: Lush Life, Cocktails, Raves & Reviews 
So I'm guilty of impaired riding. Carousel riding that is. Like many fans of the Cocktail, I'm down in New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail for the next week and having a blast. Within a few minutes of getting to my hotel in the French Quarter, the Hotel Monteleone, I was sitting on a carousel and bellied up to the bar all at the same time. The famous carousel bar in the hotel turns at a leisurely four times per hour, which is negligible at first, but seems to speed up as the drinks slide down. I ordered one...
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The Wonderful World of Sherry: A food pairing at The Astor Center NYC
Filed under: Wine, Lush Life 
On July 1, 2008 at 6:30 pm the Astor Center in New York City will be hosting the seminar The Wonderful World of Sherry: A Food Pairing. Roger Kugler, Sommelier of Suba Restaurant and Wine Director of Boqueria Restaurant will lead a discussion and tasting of those beautiful and complex fortified wines and how they pair so well with various foods.
Roger has an extensive background in wines, with a strong focus on those from Spain. He is interviewed often and has been mentioned in, and tasted wines on panels, for the New York Times. This seminar looks like it will be...
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Johnnie Walker Blue makes great strides in Russia
Filed under: Whisky, Lush Life, Eastern Europe, Trends, Spirits  I've never been able to afford Johnnie Walker Blue, though I am partial to the Black variety. Russians, though, seem to have no problem affording it. The land of vodka and harsh winters is now the biggest market for the world's priciest Scotch whisky according to the Financial Times.
Vodka still accounts for more than 90 per cent of the country's spirits sales, largely because Russians are not used to the taste of whisky or gin. Despite this barrier sales of costly libations have been rising largely due to the populations increased wealth.
Last year Russia became...
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Resurrecting Historic Cocktails with Dave Wondrich: Astor Center, NYC- March 30, 2008
Filed under: Lush Life, Cocktails, Trends, The History of..., Spirits, Liquor Cabinet, Celebrities  Dave Wondrich is one of the leading mixologists and experts on cocktail history in the world and author of Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar. On March 30th at the Astor Center in NYC he will be leading a hands on workshop called Resurrecting Historic Cocktails (And Drinking Them With the Professor).
That's right, hands on! You will get a chance to sling back the shaker in the kitchen...
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Irish Whiskey isn't just for St. Paddys Day
Filed under: Whisky, Lush Life, Trends, Spirits, Liquor Cabinet, St. Patrick's Day  Irish Whiskey sales in the US are a drop in the glass compared to American whiskey and bourbon, but that's changing fast. Sales in the past year have increased 20% and has been one of the fastest growing spirits categories the past five years.
Part of this is that more and more is being sent to the US, with new premium bottling's joining the fray. Besides the whiskey blends, you have Single Malts, Single Grains, and the unique Pure Pot Still whiskeys. Jameson has started shipping some of these and sales...
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Gin Notes: Zuidam Genever Gin
Filed under: Lush Life, Gin, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Spirits, Liquor Cabinet  Zuidam Genever Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof and is a Genever or Holland style gin that is very different from the London Dry style of gin since it is based on malt liquor rather than neutral spirits. Genever is considered the original style of gin and is heavier and sweeter. Zuidam Genever can be considered the beefier cousin to Zuidam Dry Gin that I reviewed a few years ago, although it is much lighter and more refined than typical Genever's.
The aroma is big, warm, malty; with...
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Liqueur Notes: Tuaca Liquore Italiano
Filed under: Lush Life, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Spirits, Liquor Cabinet, Liqueurs  Tuaca Liquore Italiano is 35% abv. 70 proof and the color is a beautiful amber gold.
The aroma starts off with a big, smooth, rich hit of vanilla and buttery notes; followed by a subtle orange/citrus with hints of spices that puts you in mind of the aroma of an adult version of a creamsicle orange/vanilla ice cream pop. One that has been dunked in a fine, aged brandy. As it sits more of the vanilla comes out buoyed up with honey tones.
The taste is slightly sweet and warm,...
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Gin Notes: Gilbey's London Dry Gin
Filed under: Lush Life, Gin, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Spirits, Liquor Cabinet  Gilbey's London Dry Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof. Although it says "London Dry Gin" this refers to the style, and the gin is made in the US according to the original British recipe.
The aroma is a nice, light and floral juniper base, a hint of sweet orange zest and earthy angelica root floats along on top of a melange of other spices and herbs. This is a classic London Dry style gin. Very aromatic and complex, but clean and dry. Gilbey's is a very pleasant smelling gin; and you...
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Liqueur Notes: Irish Mist Liqueur
Filed under: Lush Life, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Spirits, Liquor Cabinet, Liqueurs  Irish Mist liqueur is 35% abv. / 70 proof and supposedly dates back to a thousand year old recipe for "Heather Wine.'
The color of Irish Mist is a medium amber gold. The aroma is that of fine whiskey, honey, herbs, baking spices, and vanilla notes. It's very full, complex, warm, and enjoyable.
The taste is of sweet Irish whiskey, tempered with honey, vanilla, and baking spices. Like the aroma the taste is warm, complex, and full. I like this straight in a snifter, on the rocks, or in cocktails. It's...
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