Candy is Dandy but Liquor is Quicker

Liquor basics or what I believe is best.

Everyone has their favorite types and brands of distilled spirits and should never apologize; drink what you like. My wife had a friend who loved Asti Spumante something I would never touch myself. But I never judge; whatever makes you happy!

The types and brands that I will discuss will be my go-to’s.  I will drink other brands, but these are the best for mixing in my opinion.

GIN.

What are your favorite brands?

Rob's Gin Poll

• What is your Favorite Gin?
• Beefeater
• Saphire
• Gilbey's

Beefeater.  British Gin. I like this brand for a couple reasons. You can really taste the botanicals including the juniper which makes for an excellent Martini or a Gin & Tonic.  The other reason is that it’s the only British gin that is distilled AND bottled at the source (in the city of London).  Other British gins are distilled and shipped to the US in bulk and bottled here.  I believe that something is lost on the way here.  The gins I have tasted during trips to England are better there, where they’re bottled, than the same brands tasted at home.      Tip: When ordering a G&T at a bar or restaurant, get regular Bombay Gin not Safire.  The tonic water at bars come out of a “soda gun” and are loaded with sugar. The strong juniper presence in regular Bombay can cut through it.  I’ll have a discussion on tonic water later.

VODKA.

Svedka.  Originally distilled and bottled in Sweden.  It is excellent and very affordable.  It is superior to all other vodkas in a very crowded vodka market.  Far better than the overrated Grey Goose. Distilled 5 times, smooth as a baby’s bottom.  Now for the not-so bad news, it is now distilled and bottled in Kentucky!  And only 4 times distilled.  The Swedish company discovered, I believe, that it’s cheaper to produce here using the same recipe.  Thankfully it still tastes the same and has not lost any quality by switching to 4 times versus 5 times distilled.  I’ll discuss flavored vodkas later.

RUM.

Don Q.  Fine Puerto Rican Rum.  Many years ago, on a business trip to Puerto Rico my client told me that the native Puerto Ricans drink Don Q.  I had seen a billboard, from my taxi, advertising Don Q & Tonic.  Intrigued, I tried it that evening at my hotel and found it to be excellent.  It is also very affordable.  Like Svedka, I consider Don Q to be another hidden gem.  My all-time favorite rum is Havana Club from Cuba. It has won many awards including the International Spirits competition in Chicago.  Sadly, because of the embargo, it is unavailable in the US.

BOURBON.

Evan Williams.  Kentucky Bourbon.  Bourbon/Sour Mash is another fiercely competitive crowded market and I know I will be schooled by many since it can be a touchy subject among bourbon aficionados.  I like Evan Williams because it is, again, very affordable and great for mixing.  It is very smooth and tasty, perfect for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds.

CANADIAN WHISKY.

Canadian Club.  Very smooth and tasty.  You can easily sip this straight on the rocks.  The difference between Canadian Whisky and Bourbon is that bourbon barrels are used once and the sent to Scotland for scotch aging while Canadians re-use the barrels.

SCOTCH.

Pinch.   Over the years, I decided that I like blended scotch over Single Malt Scotch.  Pinch fits the bill for me, and it has that classic bottle!

Well, that’s it for now.  Going forward, I will be discussing other liquors, liqueurs, mixers, etc.

Cheers!