I thought I knew what good rum was when I discovered "Doorly's XO" while drinking... err... vacationing in Barbados for the first time many years ago.
(BTW, "Almond Beach" is an excellent family all-inclusive and Barbados is a great island so if you've never been... consider it as a family vacation.)
"Doorly's" is however pretty pedestrian stuff compared to the best rum I've ever had - Bacardi Reserva Limitada, which is *ONLY* available at the distillery in Puerto Rico. Unfrigg'nbelievable stuff - like drinking pure distilled sugarcane. Sweet without being sugary if you know what I mean. Next time you're in PR or next time someone you know is traveling there and you're comfortable asking them to make a stop for you... ask them to pick you up a bottle.
My take on the best rum you're gonna find at your local liquor store... Ron Zacapa Centenario.
The glory of the manhattan is that you can use bourbon, rye, or I suppose any whiskey if you want to really experiment. (Use scotch and it's a Rob Roy.)
As a traditionalist, my classic mix is two parts whiskey/one part sweet vermouth/three shakes bitters.
Question: Which vermouth do you use? I use Noilly Prat, but Eric Felten - the WSJ's booze bard - recommends Carpano Sweet Vermouth, saying its Punt-e-Mes is robust and earthy and stands up to about three parts whiskey; its Antica Formula is refined and elegant, and works best with two parts whiskey. Of course... how this might apply to vodka I don't know. Frankly, I'm not a big vodka guy; I actually prefer gin.
I'm a "manhattan" man, myself, Anthony - that or single malt scotch. (OK... or cognac. Armagnac. Calvados. Rum..)
ReplyDeleteOK, damn it... my tastes in alcohol - including wine and beer - are wide ranging. (*GRIN*)
Thank God for adult beverages!
BILL
Bill,
ReplyDeleteI had a cognac phase about 10 years ago. Rum not so much, though I like it occasionally.
I am Italian, so wine is in my bloodstream, and yes, I like beer too.
>Thank God for adult beverages!>
Especially if Hillary is elected. I plan to spend the following four years in a vodka induced haze.
Ahh... but have you ever drank really GOOD rum?
ReplyDeleteI thought I knew what good rum was when I discovered "Doorly's XO" while drinking... err... vacationing in Barbados for the first time many years ago.
(BTW, "Almond Beach" is an excellent family all-inclusive and Barbados is a great island so if you've never been... consider it as a family vacation.)
"Doorly's" is however pretty pedestrian stuff compared to the best rum I've ever had - Bacardi Reserva Limitada, which is *ONLY* available at the distillery in Puerto Rico. Unfrigg'nbelievable stuff - like drinking pure distilled sugarcane. Sweet without being sugary if you know what I mean. Next time you're in PR or next time someone you know is traveling there and you're comfortable asking them to make a stop for you... ask them to pick you up a bottle.
My take on the best rum you're gonna find at your local liquor store... Ron Zacapa Centenario.
BILL
A friend of my wife was posted to Mauratius when she was diplomat and my wife visited her and returned with some special rum.
ReplyDeleteBack to martinis, one thing I have noticed is that I am increasing the amount of vermouth as time goes on.
Back to vermouth...
ReplyDeleteThe glory of the manhattan is that you can use bourbon, rye, or I suppose any whiskey if you want to really experiment. (Use scotch and it's a Rob Roy.)
As a traditionalist, my classic mix is two parts whiskey/one part sweet vermouth/three shakes bitters.
Question: Which vermouth do you use? I use Noilly Prat, but Eric Felten - the WSJ's booze bard - recommends Carpano Sweet Vermouth, saying its Punt-e-Mes is robust and earthy and stands up to about three parts whiskey; its Antica Formula is refined and elegant, and works best with two parts whiskey. Of course... how this might apply to vodka I don't know. Frankly, I'm not a big vodka guy; I actually prefer gin.
BILL
Bill -- I use Gallo Dry Vermouth
ReplyDelete