First Whiskey Review

First whiskey review:

I love blogging about whiskey. Whiskey lends itself well to blogging; I enjoy it. Other people enjoy it. It is wonderful to share. It is a social, culinary, olfactory, cultural, and of course intoxicating creation, with a myriad of characteristics and qualities. I am ready to further the existence of my whiskey blog with some whiskey reviews. It is more difficult than I thought to decide which whiskey to feature as my first review. Like it defines me somehow. Bullshit! There are so many whiskeys, so many platates, so many moods.....let the drinker be the final judge of what they like and when they like it!

The world is loaded with wonderful, high quality, yet affordable bourbons, it can be overwhelming for a novice to embark upon the sojourn that is bourbon appreciation.

In describing whiskey, I am of the school of thought that all pretense is off the table. Please describe what you see/smell/taste, even if it is in your own terms. Don't be constricted to some narrow, strict list of terms. If it smells like old rubber, then say so. If it smells like a musty catchers mitt, than say so. If you taste hints of peaches, then say so. If it tastes like apricots and freshly hewn 2x4s, so be it. If the finish is oily, or astringent, then say so.

Knob Creek, Small Batch Bourbon:

This was one of the first bourbons I started drinking as I moved past the bottom shelf stuff. Along with Makers Mark, this is a good choice for introducing oneself to “better” bourbons.

Nose: Very friendly. Sweet, apricot, and rosebud. A bit hot, (it is 100 proof), somewhat sharp.

Palate: A nice warm glow. That is the first thing I taste. Then some wonderful oak, some cinnamon, fruit; a bit of apple and apricot. A nice, broad maltiness sort of supports the aforementioned notes.

Finish: (This is the hardest for me to describe; figuring out what constitutes the finish). Quite sweet. Oak, and even maple flavors linger. Herbs and a bit of spice hold the end. Not the longest finish, but decent for sure.

Overall: Knob Creek is a fine bourbon, great for sipping, can be well utilized in a cocktail, and is a respectable addition to one's list. If you are out and about, many bars will have Knob Creek, it will serve you well!

But....with all due respect to The Jim Beam Corp, (the makers of Knob Creek), I think it's a bit overpriced.

Where to drink whiskey

Drinking whiskey, to me, is about relaxation, and perhaps some good conversation.  A loud sports bar?  No.  A frenetic nightclub?  Nope.  I like a dimly lit, friendly, casual to upscale bar, with a good whiskey selection, a knowledgeable barkeep, and an acquaintance, new or old to talk with.   This is the ideal place to imbibe.

In Ann Arbor, a few places instantly come to mind.

The Ravens Club fits the bill nicely.  While it can get pretty busy on the weekends, it is always a pleasure to sip a glass of bourbon, scotch, or any of the other fine whiskeys they have in their vast selection.  Some really good cocktails are just waiting for your request as well.  Their signature house made, hand pulled Old Fashioned is not to be missed.   Other original, superbly crafted, cocktails are ever changing on the menu.  Tasty food offering are to be had; a nice charcuterie boards, cheese plates, as well as other fine small and large plate snacks or dinners, a great way to enhance the enjoyment of good whiskey.

The Last Word, with it's speakeasy-like location, dim lighting, fine whiskey selection, and small, but well made cuisine menu, is another of my "go to" spots for a whiskey or other libation.  Veer off from whiskey long enough to enjoy the Last Word Cocktail, a Gin based prohibition-era cocktail originally developed at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Bring a friend, or make a friend, at either of these unique Ann Arbor bars, and have a whisky for me!  Cheers!

Songs about drink

Booze and song have always gone together.  The good, the bad, and the ugly, there are so many songs about alcohol.   The Kinks song, Alcohol, is a jazzy, pop song, espousing the darker side of drinking.  http://youtu.be/ea-MVgC_jz4

The song Moon of Alabama is known to many by The Doors version.   Lotte Lenya recorded it many years before The Doors.
http://youtu.be/X4IzqG7oP18

This one is great to sing along to:  The Days of Wine and Roses
http://youtu.be/tKuWGF8oyyk

I hope my Ann Arbor friends, (and beyond!), join me in exploring the wonderful world of whiskey.

Let's try and get things going by inviting you to share your review/opinion of a favorite whiskey of yours.

I'll go first:  Old Weller bourbon.   A wheated bourbon, 107 proof, a great value for the price!   Sweet, malty, a full flavored, and smooth palette for the proof.  As is my custom, I recommend drinking neat, with a small splash of water to open up the flavor.

So, what does it mean to drink and enjoy whiskey?  That is the question, and the answer is, hopefully, a never-ending quest by me, you, and the other old souls who imbibe in the malty, smokey, woody, wonderful goodness that is whiskey.  So let us undertake the search for meaning, truth, love, and life, with our taste, smell, and all our senses, as we explore and live in the amazing world of whiskey, (and occasionally other spirits).