We’re back again on our American gin fix. Last time it was Dorothy Parker in NY, now we head a bit south to Philly, and a bit back to revolutionary times. (Both gins are made by modern recipes and such, but whatever). For a slightly overproof and pretty bottle though is the bluecoats better than the redcoats?
We really do like when companies such as Cedar Ridge take the step from being things like a winery or brewery or pub and branch out into the spirits game. That being said at the top let’s get into why this small batch bottle of ‘bourbon’ isn’t exactly what we had in mind.
Dorothy Parker was a famous New Yorker, made popular by poems, plays, and working for the New Yorker/Vanity Fair. Dorothy Parker gin is – okay. It’s an interesting gamble by the New York Distilling Co. (props though for making a NY spirit while in NY unlike some folks). For most people they won’t know Dorothy Parker by name, maybe by her photograph, but even less likely from her works or lifestyle.
Because today’s Christmas eve we decided to review a gift we got ourselves. Don’t worry whiskey is still going to be every other Wednesday, today’s a one-off because this whiskey is rather special. It begins in a Glasgow whiskey bar. Staying over the Easter weekend – Nah JK we’re not a recipe blog. While Aultmore isn’t as well known as some other scotches it should be. It’s probably one of the great whiskeys out there, and if you can find it – a real gift.
We got a sample of this actually sent to us, albeit on the coat tails of something called ‘Hot Dickel’ which was a whiskey aged in Tabasco barrels. However as we told the company that reached out to us – that was a bridge too far for us, and since they sent it any way we’ll merely remark that whatever you are thinking George Dickel aged in hot sauce barrels tastes like – it’s not that, and much more mediocre.
We arrive here at a contradiction. We actually like this vodka, but then we do have to ask ourselves if this is truly a ‘vodka’ or if it should be labeled as ‘Underproof’. That’s because this rests at a 23.8% ALC/VOL or 47.6 proof. Maybe this is down to the specific distilling process, or watering down – but what you get is something that is nice, and yet fails to complete the job?
This gin was introduced to us by our Editor-in-Chief’s boss (of their real job), and it was a good thing that it turned out to not be a bad gin. (No need for awkward discussion about why their tastes are bad and they should feel bad). It however does exactly what you typically want from a London gin – to do well in tonic.
We here have been long time fans of the Grand Macnish 12 year for being all the scotch your well decanter ever needs, at a price that’s competitive. It lets you feel good about buying some new single malt because it’s always there for you if it ends up being something like Jura. This is a new edition (much like the 15yr sherry) that’s aged in charred casks – and proves that maybe you should just leave things well alone.
If you asked us why a noted Ghostbuster would join forces with someone to make vodka in the form of Crystal Skull – we wouldn’t have an answer for you. (Maybe because it’s spooky?) We also wouldn’t have an answer for you about why this vodka is just not good, and how starting from the visage of a skull it keeps getting worse and worse.
One of the main benefits of moving whiskey to every other Wednesday is the ability to review more brandies and cognacs as we integrate them more into the site’s lexicon. The cognac we have here is as such a fine addition with some good and some bad points, and some grapey points?
