Category: Spirits, Wine & Cider

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A Mad March Hare

Despite being married to a half Irish lass, I have not ever tasted a proper poitín aka Mountain Dew.  That changed this year, when I bought a bottle from Mad March Hare.

I did smile at the “quietly distilled” wording on the label as well as the triple distilled declaration because I have learned a bit about the number of distillations and how each cleans up impurities but also strip away flavor, generally, of course.

Enough wordplay, what does this poteen taste like? Drinking from the logo’d mug that came with the bottle, the aroma was strong. Alcohol and minty. The eyes do sting a bit bringing mug to lips but the taste is brisk and botanical. Mint and herbs for me with a burn down the pipe.

One of the recipes on the website was for an Irish Mule with ginger beer and lime and bitters which after tasting the poitín neat makes me wonder who would win that powerful flavor battle royale. I would instead go the martini route. Have the botanicals from the Vermouth work with the mint.

I like this neat but could see it working as a cocktail minor player more.

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Old Thomasina

On my latest visit to Portland, I went to the Freeland Distillery and quite liked their gins. I missed out on trying their latest though, an Old Tom. It is their Dry Gin barrel-aged “for 6 months in hand-selected whiskey barrels from women-owned Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.” I do like their whiskey and story as well.

Also, “This exclusive release marries the art of distillation with a cause—supporting women entrepreneurs. AND $5 of each bottle supports Re:Her.”

That is a win, win and win.

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Love & Whiskey

Some people must not sleep.  In addition to running Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and also starting a cognac line (in France), Fawn Weaver has also written a history of Nearest Green which you can pre-order, called Love & Whiskey.

You may know of Nearest Green because he was the distiller for a, checking notes, Jack Daniels.  How Green was lost to Tennessee whiskey and then re-found is the story of this book and one that I cannot wait to read.

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Tiki L.A.

I had my three first Tiki Bar experiences last year and I am glad that Los Angeles has a resurgent number of them to visit because they are super fun and kitschy. Plus rum of course.

Watching Lost L.A. as they hit three different bars and talk the origin story was a good education.

You can check the half hour episode out HERE

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Baddie

2 Towns Ciderhouse has their Women’s History Month cider ready for you.  “The Baddie is the result of an all-women led initiative and 2 Towns is allocating a portion of the proceeds to the Pink Boots Society, aiding women and non-binary individuals in the fermented beverage industry.”

Look for it when you are in cider mode.

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Portland 2024 Cocktail & Spirits Report

First non-beer stop was Freeland Spirits in NW Portland near the towering Montgomery Ward blocks.

Lovely spot with nibbles and seasonal cocktails and mocktails and a little shop too with their signature bottle shape and an RTD Gin Rose and Tonic.

I sampled the “whole flight” which had three gins and three bourbons. The gins were each distinct from the previous one and I quite liked them all. The flagship gin had a mint top note. The Forest Gin despite the presence of chanterelles was very spring day in Oregon. The Navy Strength had a real punch to it and would be a boon to the G&T.  The bourbons were less impressive in contrast. I found the standard bourbon a little weak and the rye was extra malty and cereal laden.  The Cask strength was my favorite of those three.

Next stop (not the same day, don’t worry) was a trip to the Alberta bar and restaurant, the Radio Room.  A multi-level and multi-room experience with a fun cocktail list filled with creative new cocktails as well as reimagined old standbys.

Last, but not least was my first visit to Aviation Gin HQ. Since they only have a distillery license, they can only serve so much gin per person but you can get a flight of special monthly cocktails or classic Ryan Reynolds choices or just a G&T.

The candy Valentine cocktails was my choice and all but the last one was really good. The presentation was excellent and the setting and staff was really cool. Did not see any Wrexham gear though.

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Gin Day – Lindemans Old Kriek

Time to talk gin again bit this time with both a Belgian and beer twist to it as Lindemans, known for their sweeter fruited lambics and some harder to find distinctly Belgian beers also has a gin! And it is made from Old Kriek distillate!

You know that I will be seeing how I can get myself some.

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Gin Day – Rested v Aged

I have been intrigued by barrel-aged gins and even have bought a couple but both were lightly aged and on not pungent wood, as it were.  That changes with the new releases from The Botanist.

One is Islay Cask Aged and the second is Islay Cask Rested Gin. The latter “has been matured in cask for a minimum of 6 months, and Aged has been matured for a minimum of 3 years.”

The Botanist has a big selection of botanicals that just might meld with an Islay cask.

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Mead Review – Two from Nectar Creek

I am known to be ambi-beverage-ous so I was happy to receive two mega meads from Nectar Creek. Both Super. Mure and Cyser.

Starting with the Super Cyser, which looks a bit like honey in my glencairn. The aroma is apple-y and not sweet. The honey comes on strong in the first sip. But the apple is not far behind at all. A bit slick on the tongue but not in a cloying way. For something that is 14%, it is not super bitey.

The SM with blackberry has a more pronounced aroma. Berry comes through for sure. This one tastes way sweeter to me. I get sugar, then blackberry, then a smidge of honey. I do like the berry, it tastes natural and fresh. But this is the one for the sweet tooths.

Which one the casual mead appreciator would like comes down to sweetness tolerance. If you prefer dry then the Super Cyser is the choice, if you are looking for a dessert partner, the Super Mure is the pick.