Ti’ Punch actually references the island of Martinique, where rhum agricole has an appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC). This distinction refers to the rules and geographical areas where production of a product can be made. These rhums are made from fermented sugar cane juice instead of molasses. The drink itself is therefore designed to highlight and […]
Rhum agricole should not be mistaken for other molasses based rums. Unlike it’s molasses based cousins, rhum agricole is made by distilling fermented sugar cane juice. This results in a funkier, more grassy and herbaceous rhum (as opposed to a spicy, brown sugar, caramel, etc rum). Of the locations that primarily make rhum agricoles is […]
Back in 2019 when I was traveling, I came across a rep from Bedlam Vodka who was giving out samples. The flavor was unlike any vodka I’d come across to that point, and I’m hard pressed to think of one that’s similar since. Made at Graybeard Distillery in Durham, NC, Bedlam Vodka aims to be […]
2021 has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and it’s time again to look back on the year that was! This list is an effort to find some highlights and lowlights of the past year, while passing out some well deserved praise. Year in Review First Pour Cocktails 2021 First off, thank […]
Russian Standard Vodka is made with wheat like Grey Goose, it hails from Russia, and is distilled four times. As the original is the entry level vodka, you can expect more purification steps and distillations as you go up their line. Despite their story, this brand has only been around since 1998. They also use […]
Nothing says holidays quite like Eggnog. Made of cream, sugar, and cream, Eggnog is rich, sweet, and gently slightly spiced. The idea is that it is similar to a custard. Eggnog is widely available at the store, but by making your own you have better control over the spices and ingredients that go into it. […]
A few years back, Jim Murray named 1792 Full Proof the whiskey of the year. Like many products that receive notoriety, 1792 went the way of Weller and Pappy Van Winkle and got incredibly hard to find in all guises, including Sweet Wheat, Port Finish, and 12 Year. In the state of Ohio, this included […]
Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail inspired by the classic, “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”! The classic tale recounts how Rudolph doesn’t quite fit in because of his bright, red, shiny nose. Ultimately, what makes Rudolph not fit in is what helps him stand out, […]
The Grasshopper’s roots come from the era just before prohibition when cream based drinks were still in vogue. The original drink was the Alexander, a snow white mix of gin, white creme de cacao, and cream that was named for it’s creator, Troy Alexander. Shortly there after in 1919, a florescent green cream-based creation was […]
I went to school in Rochester, NY and as a result have fond memories of my days living there. Going back and forth to Albany, NY, I frequently make stops to explore what’s available in the local market that I can’t find in Ohio. Among the products I brought back with me, is Flower City […]
Summum Vodka is Total Wine’s house vodka brand, and their competitor for Grey Goose. The similarities are intentional and obvious. Summum is made from wheat in France and finished with spring water. As a result, they’re able to offer the brand in large quantities for cheap. So is this a goose hunter or should you […]
Bacardi Gold is the very definition of lightly aged. At between one and two years in oak barrels, Bacardi Gold is on the low end of age. The product is run through charcoal filtration and claims a remarkably smooth character. At only $10, this is either an incredible value, or a “you get what you […]