A Royal “Boozy” Wedding

You knew it was only a matter of time before there was a post regarding the royal wedding.

I’m “Lucky” enough to remember the last one, when Prince William’s Father (Prince Charles) married Lady Dianna. I remember my Mom being fascinated by it, my regular (cartoons) TV shows being interrupted, Nancy Reagan attending…..but most of all, I recall thinking Charles married out of his league. Sure, he was all set to be king (how’s that working out for him now?), but she was definitely the looker of the two. And her memory is probably going to be better remembered for her charity work and the way she died.

Oh well.

Flash forward 30 years and now we have another wedding. Luckly, this time we have the internet….a wonderful thing that exposes all things booze to commemorate this event-

First, it’s no secret that I am a Whisky man…so we have the English Whisky Company producing a commemorative decanter containing whisky aged in a red wine cask. What makes this distillery interesting is that Prince Charles opened it in 2007. This date, 4 years earlier, coupled with the quote “It has got remarkable quality and has nearly sold out, but we are getting some more in the next few weeks” tells me that either the maturation process is lacking or they outsource their whisky and this is just another marketing ploy. At £65, I shant be buying any.

Next up, we have Macallan jumping onto the Royal Commemorative Bandwagon. I will say up front that I like the Macallan line and at least they have a precedent for this. They produced a special bottle in 1981 that was a blend of two casks…both from the birth years of the newlyweds. This quickly sold out and is very collectable to this day.

This time around, they will be creating a blend bottled on April 29th from two casks (a 1996 and 1999). Bottled at 46.8%, “the single malt gives abundant wood spices combining with orange zest, floral and barley to produce a creamy overtone”.

This one could be interesting, but at £150, a little out of my price range.

Meanwhile, on the Cocktail front - the great folks over at Pusser’s Rum (an S&B Favorite HERE and HERE) have two cocktails using their fine rum-

Also, we have the “Official Cocktail of the Royal Wedding-

The Regal CV Cocktail- A mix of Chambord Flavored Vodka, cucumber, fresh organic raspberries and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Over at The Martini Diva Blog, we have the

Royal Coconut Martini- 1ox Gordon’s Gin

• 1tsp. Coconut Cream
• 1oz Curry Infused Coconut Milk
• 1 Tbsp Lavender Honey (to taste)
• 1/2 oz Earl grey tea (Cold)
• Splash of Lime Juice
• 1tsp Curry Powder
• 1/3 C. Sugar Crystals
• 1 Tea Biscuit
• Candied Tudor Rose Petals

Yes, she calls this a Martini and you will have to go to the blog itself to see how to put it together. First, because I am to lazy to type all the instructions and secondly because TheMartiniDiva has copy written the image she has it imbedded on (really?). Personally, this seems like something I would see on Sex in the City (IF I ever watched the show), so I won’t be making it anytime soon.

Finally, we have the best marketing deal of the whole shebang. Sent to me by constant reader (and long time BoozeBuddy) Glenn – Royal Virility Performance Beer, a beer laced with Viagra. I think anyone marketing to the wedding really needs to step back and see how this is done. Remember how I said that now we have the internet…..this is how you play to going viral. Well done Brewdog Brewery. We blogged about you earlier this year (Sink the Bismark), but this time you win the 2011 Smokes and Booze Marketing Award (as soon as Glenn does one up) for this great idea. Keep up the great work.

In closing, I’m sure there are 1000s of other Smokes and Booze items out there pertaining to the wedding. If you run across anything, just post it in the comments section below. We can all use a laugh.

Cheers-

Movies, Cigars, Rum and Masonry?

The heat has finally broken in MO, at least for the time being, and last night I decided to fire up Netflix and watch a movie outside, while having a cigar.

In preparation, I chose a CAO Gold Maduro paired with a glass of Pusser’s Rum.

CAO’s Gold Maduro is a tightly wrapped cigar composed of Nicaraguan binder and fill, with a Brazilian Wrapper.  The overall cigar is rather mild with hints of vanilla and spice.  The ash held together long into the stick and seemed to help keep the cherry cooler on the draw (this was a robusto).  The total smoke time was approx 45-50 minutes….just in time to get into the good parts of the movie.

Pusser’s Rum is a great one to stock you bar with, and I have reviewed it in the past (HERE).  I would like to add though, that the pairing of this drink with the CAO Gold was near perfect.  Both have a creamy texture and hints of spice and vanilla exhibited, blend almost seamlessly.  I was actually caught a bit off guard, as this was not intended, I just grabbed a random cigar from the Humidor.  If you have the resources (or even if you don't…find them) try this combination.

Anyway, the movie tonight was the Director’s Cut of Aliens. 

From here, I would like to go on record that Aliens is without question the best sequel ever done (Sorry Empire Strike Back).  It improves on the story, does enough to make it different and succeeds on every level. 

The Mid-80’s Model work is on par with (if not exceeding) that of Star Wars and it is just scary as hell (I still jump when the one “Survivor” opens her eyes…..”Kill Me”).

What also surprised me in watching this movie, how much they smoked throughout.  In the meeting rooms with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and Ripley, Ripley when she wakes up from a nightmare,  with the Colonial Marines (watch Hicks) and especially Sgt Al Apone, who popped a cigar in his mouth as soon as he came out of hyper sleep.  It was these (any many other) added touches of realism that make this movie work on so many levels, and still carry through today. 

If I were to rate Aliens today…..it is still a SOLID 5 Stars, and definately in the Top 5 best Sci-Fi movies ever.

To round this out, I am sure you are wondering why I said Masonry.  I bet I have seen Aliens 100 times.  Last night, while enjoy myself outside (with a loaded double-barrel at my side….don’t ask), I noticed something I had never seen before.  It caused me to watch the scene 4-5 more times.  I include the grab below (click to embiggen)-

That’s right, Apone is wearing a Masonic Ring.  Ironically, it is the same one I have as well.

In the end, revisiting classic movies in new settings (for me, outside), with some new elements (Rum and Cigars), leads to a new found appreciation for this dying art (just check the crap Hollywood puts out now).  Give it a try sometime…….and keep an eye out for little bits of trivia.

Cheers.

A blind taste test

As I posted HERE, I really like the new Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum.  Well, yesterday Ably and K came over and we had a blind taste test comparing it to Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan.

As I set this up, it was amazing to see the color comparisons between the two lesser known and Cpt Morgan.  Blackheart and Sailor Jerry have deep brown/caramel coloring, while Cpt Morgan’s looked like a light tea.

I mixed them up and brought them to Alby, so he could try.

What is funny, he aligned perfectly with me.  Noting the vastly superior flavors in Blackheart, and rating Captain Morgan's dead last (“Weak, like regular rum/Bacardi with a few spices thrown in as an afterthought”).

I now have another convert on the spiced rum front and I feel fairly confident that he either has a bottle at home right now, or will be picking up one in the next few days.

Everyone, if you haven’t tried Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum, you are really missing out…especially this is your niche.

Check it out…you won’t be disappointed.

$4 bottle of Rum – One of the best I’ve had

Ok, now I know I have your attention…..especially you bastards in the cheap seats.

Today I was prowling my local liquor section, and I saw something next to the Sailor Jerry Rum….a bottle that looked like it was intended to mate with it…..Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum. 

At $14 a bottle, how could I say no? (Ed Note – Sailor Jerry is going for $17 a bottle, so there is not much price difference).

Expecting a Sailor Jerry knockoff…..not only was I pleasantly surprised, but very impressed.

In fact, Blackheart beat Sailor Jerry in every important category.

First, Blackheart has a Hot Pirate Chick on the Bottle…Sailor Jerry a tattoo Hula Girl.

Second, 93 Proof vs 92 Proof.

Third, price is comparable….but Blackheart has a great 2nd time buy incentive (see below)

Finally, the drink itself

Nose- Sweet, light, refreshing.  Hints of fruit (oranges) linger behind a vanilla aroma.

Taste- The vanilla comes out in force (especially when splashed with water) , combined with a nutmeg and oak burn.  Love it.

Finish- Neat, dry oak finish….very delicate and no burn, even when drank neat.

Not only did I come away impressed with the rum, but I think it puts Captain Morgan’s to Shame……Sailor Jerry was just boarded and forced to walk the plank.

I also noticed the hang-tag attached to the bottle offering a $10 mail-in rebate.  Considering that a single costs on $14 (here in inflation driven Boondocks MO), for basically $18 you can enjoy one bottle and stock your bar with another.

In fact, I am currently working on a write-up (augmenting an article) on setting up a bar, and I can honestly say…….if you like Spiced Rum, Blackheart is the way to go…..both Well AND Top Shelf.

If I were to rate this as a non-mixer, but straight (as I do all liquors), Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum is literally a 5 Star Product, and one that I would recommend to anyone.

Pick it up and enjoy a glass…..I know I am.

Cheers.

Pusser’s Rum – Give me some Nelson’s Blood

In an attempt at full disclosure, I have been a fan of Pusser’s Rum for many years.  I was first introduced to it in the British Virgin Islands and found it to be an excellent stand alone drink.

However, you don’t run across if very often here in Missouri, although I have seen it available at the Tinderbox a few times.  In fact, I tried to special order a unique decanter (now available online) for a Trafalgar Day Party I wanted to have.  To be honest, I think the distributor thought the order way to small to handle and didn’t wish to ship.

Their loss.

Anyway, it appears that Pusser’s is now making a resurgence here in MO (although the bottle I have came from Michigan) and hopefully more people will give this one a try.

To begin with, here a is a quick video on the History of Pusser’s Rum and it’s usage in the British Navy.

Ahhh Yes, those great days when you would get a twice daily issue of 1/2 a pint of rum. 

As a fan of Naval History and Literature (Hornblower rules) you can see why I would gravitate to trying “The Official Rum” of the British Navy.

Like many of my drinks, I normally drink this neat…..although adding water brings out the honey in the flavor and reminds me quite a bit of a heavy mead.

I also wanted to add before I give my notes, that there are varying alcohol levels based on the country that purchase;  Canadian version is 42% ABV, (the lowest alcohol rum that Pusser’s offers), the US version is 48% ABV and the German version is 54%.  So next time I am overseas, I will try and pick up a German Version :)

Appearance-  This rum looks more like a bourbon than a rum.  The deep amber/orange plays the light well and the drink has great legs on the glass.

Nose- Excellent nose with heavy rum and oak tones.  I was also reminded of sorghum or molasses with a hint of sweetness.

Taste- The oaky smoothness goes down with almost no “Burn”.  Heavy vanilla and honey (even more so if cut with water) work the palette.  There is a slight peppery aftertaste and I wonder if that comes from the use of wooden pot stills.

In the end, this is probably my favorite high end rum….even more-so than Pyrite.  The unique flavors are definitely a man’s man drink and something that pairs well with cigars (I was doing NUB Cameroon's when tasting) or could even be a good aperitif.

If you want to try something different, this is the way to go…..I truly believe the website’s mantra….it is the Single Malt of Rum.

I give this a 5 out of 5.

The Damage

One Six Pack HeBrew Messiah Bold
One Six Pack HeBrew Genisis Ale
One Case PBR (It seemed like a good idea at the time)
Two Bottles of Red Wine (Bitch was one of them)
3/4 Bottle of Wild Turkey
1 Bottle of Wild Turkey American Honey Liquor
Some Jim Beam
A Case of Sam Adams Seasonals
1/2 Bottle of Sailor Jerry's Rum
One Bourbon Smoked Turkey (AWSOME)
1/2 Debi's Turkey
Kendra's Deviled Eggs
Assorted Pies (to many to count)
....and a ton of other stuff.

I love Thanksgiving and I'm glad it was just Glenn and Kendra that came over ;)