Drinks
My Birthday at The Cellar
It was a great night full of amazing food, out-of-this-world bourbon and surprisingly good cigars (I like Punch cigars but they just seemed significantly better Thursday night. I’m sure it had something to do with the setting.). Here is what I had at The Cellar:
The Bourbon
Evan Williams Single Barrel – The world’s only vintage-dated Single Barrel Bourbon and is one of the world’s most acclaimed whiskeys. The first American Whiskey ever to win The Spirit Journal’s Whiskey of the Year award.
Elijah Craig 18 yr. old – The oldest Single Barrel Bourbon in the world at 18 years, Elijah Craig Single Barrel is a rare marvel of whiskey-making.
Parker’s Heritage 27 yr. old – Simply one of the oldest bourbons on the market. This smooth spirit features silky and sweet nose with hints of caramel and vanilla. The taste is amazingly balanced and smooth…sweet without being too sweet…and dry without being too dry!
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The Cigars – Punch
The original Punch cigar was created in 1840 by a Cuban cigar manufacturer named Manuel Lopez. In an effort to attract the British market, he named the cigar after Mr. Punch, the cantankerous half of the Punch and Judy puppet shows.
Punch Champion Natural – bold, full-bodied taste with a wrapper that is Ecuadoran Sumatra. Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican (Piloto Cubano). Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf. 90 pts cigar insider.
Punch Rare Corojo Magnum – these cigars are made with extra rich, dark Sumatra wrapper leaves that are grown in the mountains of Ecuador. Medium to full bodied. 92 pts cigar insider smooth, earthy, slightly sweet flavors of clay, charcoal, stewed meat, and raisins.
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Dinner – By Executive Chef David Kelser
Seared Ahi Tuna served under a spicy Mango salsa and fresh micro greens
Ratatouille veloute with Pesto croutons and crème fraiche
Slow roasted Short Ribs over herbed Polenta and Shallot-Thyme Jus
Chocolate-Espresso soup with Vanilla Ice cream, Fresh Berries and Pistachio crisp
I was lucky enough to have a man from Heaven Hill’s Distillery at my table – an entertaining fellow who I am extremely jealous of. Wouldn’t it be great to have a job selling such amazing libations as the ones we had? Of course it would!
My favorite cigar was the Punch Champion Natural. It’s a perfecto with a good amount of kick to it. My only regret is that I smoked it first because I am certain it would have mixed much better with the older bourbons. As far as regrets go this is but a pittance. The cigar definitely belongs in the 91-93 point range.
Everyone at the table was great. They were all extremely accomplished men and the stories and jokes they told were a lot of fun. Before I continue with my Saturday I need to thank my professor, John Jackson, for inviting me. That cigar dinner was a great way to cap off my birthday. Thanks JJ!
Where’s the Whiskey?
I was walking through the local grocery store today when I realized something: there is not a huge selection of bourbons, whiskeys, or scotches. There are some of the ones you would expect like Wild Turkey (thankfully), Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, and Dewar’s but beyond those big name brands there isn’t much selection. It’s actually a very puny selection.
But wine? The next aisle over has both sides dedicated to wine. My drink of choice gets half of one side of the aisle. That’s pathetic.
I am not writing this because I am a whiskey connoisseur because, quite frankly, due to my geographic location how could I be? Trader Joe’s has an acceptable wine selection. Sam’s Club and Costco have decent wine selections. But if you are looking for something stronger you are just out of luck.
I Drink Wild Turkey and Coca Cola with my Cigars
Yep, that’s right. Wild Turkey and Coke. Is there anything more American than smoking a cigar from Cuba and drinking 101 proof bourbon and a sugary beverage? I don’t think so.
But there is also a practical reason behind this choice. I like both Wild Turkey and Coke, usually Cherry Coke. They taste good and they go well with cigars.
I’m certain that some of you think that it’s not fair for me to be drinking bourbon and rating a cigar. So what? Whenever I do something different, like just having a Cherry Coke, I tell you. As long as I keep the playing field level I don’t think it affects the score of cigars that much.
When I smoke a cigar I drink Wild Turkey (101 proof) and a Cherry Coke.
In fact, whenever I am smoking a milder cigar I will frequently note that what I am drinking is overpowering the flavors. And you might be right if you think that is why I don’t particularly like milder cigars for the most part. Even though I do like Auroras most milder cigars just don’t float my boat.
But what am I to do?
Wine Spectator’s Top Wine List 2008 – The Top Wine
The wait is finally over. Here is Wine Spectator’s top wine for 2008, Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005. Need to know a little more about the process of choosing the top wines?
From Wine Spectator:
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted.
Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the past two years. With the dollar weak early in the year, however, prices increased, pushing this year’s average to $52 per bottle. We hope that you enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.
From: top100.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List 2008 – Wines 4, 3 and 2
Here are wines four, three and two from Wine Spectator. Need to know a little more about the process of choosing the top wines?
From Wine Spectator:
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted.
Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the past two years. With the dollar weak early in the year, however, prices increased, pushing this year’s average to $52 per bottle. We hope that you enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.
From: top100.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator Top 100 List 2008 – Wines 6 and 5
Here are wines six and five from Wine Spectator. Need to know a little more about the process of choosing the top wines?
From Wine Spectator:
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted.
Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the past two years. With the dollar weak early in the year, however, prices increased, pushing this year’s average to $52 per bottle. We hope that you enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.
From: top100.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator Top 100 List 2008 – Wines 8 and 7
From Wine Spectator:
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted.
Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the past two years. With the dollar weak early in the year, however, prices increased, pushing this year’s average to $52 per bottle. We hope that you enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.
From: top100.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator Top 100 List 2008 – Wines 10 and 9
From Wine Spectator:
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted.
Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the past two years. With the dollar weak early in the year, however, prices increased, pushing this year’s average to $52 per bottle. We hope that you enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.
From: top100.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines 2008
It’s that time of year when things get ranked. What were the best movies? What are the best cars? And what are the best wines of 2008?
Even though I am not a big wine drinker, I like bourbon myself, I appreciate the connection between cigars and wine. They are both things that demand connoisseurship. If you are not willing to put in the time to understand what it is you are drinking (or smoking) then you will never be able to fully appreciate those finer things in life.
So, for those of you cigar smokers who love a great glass of wine with your cigars, Wine Spectator, the sister publication of Cigar Aficionado, is coming out with a Top 100 list and will begin unveiling their list soon.
And if you don’t know the difference between tannins and terroir (I’m still a little fuzzy) this Top 100 list is a good place to start understanding what makes a wine great.
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