The Mystery of “Overproof” Gordon’s Gin
Reader Peter May writes: I’m not so sure about what you say about Gordon’s Gin (in the Vesper cocktail) and — I’m not saying you are wrong, but I’d just like to chew the fat on this if that’s OK . You mention about Gordon’s being reformulated from 94 to 80 proof. But are you…
Review: Brave Spirits Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Gin
Want to celebrate Independence Day? Well, you can go to a parade, eat a hot dog, light some fireworks, or drink one of these liquors from Brave Spirits, four bottles designed specifically with “soldiers, marines, airmen, police officers, and firefighters” in mind. Presumably you can drink them even if you are not one of these…
Red Wine + Meat = A Healthy Carnivore
More research into how red wine works its magical health benefits: Pair red wine with red meat and the two mix in the stomach (before it enters the bloodstream), to “thwart the formation of harmful chemicals that are released when meat is digested.” From The Economist: The digestion of high-fat foods such as red meat…
Review: 2004 Owl Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon T. R. Passalacqua Vineyard
2004 California Cabernets are still trickling onto the market now, which is shaping up as a solid but not out-of-the-park year for the grape. When we last met Owl Ridge, we were reviewing its 2003 Brigden Vineyard Cab. This year we’re checking out the 2004 T. R. Passalacqua Vineyard. With just 600 cases made, this…
Tasting Report: Pinot Days 2008
Epic wine tasting this weekend. Despite a terrible flu, I pushed through the pain and drank up a whole lotta Pinot Noir (more than I’d thought possible) in my quest to find the brightest stars. 2006 was pouring from virtually all of these wineries, though pockets of library vintages could be found and even a…
Classic Recipe: The Vesper
In 1953, Ian Fleming wrote Casino Royale, and had James Bond invent his own drink, which he called the Vesper, after a character in the book. The drink made a new appearance in the previous Bond movie of the same name, with Daniel Craig rapid-firing the recipe to a waiter so quickly I’m amazed he…
Review: Lillet Blanc
Yes, even I have to fight the urge not to say it as “lillette” (hard T) instead of leelay, as it is in proper French. Lillet is an aromatic wine from the Bordeaux region in France; though not always marketed as such, Lillet is essentially a vermouth and can be substituted for dry vermouth in…
Calorie Counts for Every Booze
Captain Morgan has 86 calories per shot, but Seagram’s Gin has 120. Natty Lite: 95. Smirnoff Ice: 241. If you’re curious how your favorite tipple stacks up in the alcohol content, caloric content, and carbs per serving, check out the Consumer Federation of America’s Alcohol Facts table (PDF link) showing you exactly what’s what in…
