Knick Knacks 11/15

We're at that point in the year when the blog posts become gasps for fresh air, rather than long, deep, researched breaths of detail and information. I don't have much time to dedicate to finding new items, hence why we spend most of the year building to this point: so that it's ready to go when we get here. Here are some things I've been thinking about lately:

- I managed to get a bottle of Parker's Heritage "Promise of Hope" for myself. I've tasted every new release of "collectable" Bourbon released this year and this is my personal favorite. I like the Four Roses LE Small Batch as well, but something about the Parker's makes me very happy. We've been raffling off all our bottles so far and we've managed to put a good number into the hands of people who hopefully will drink them. That makes me happy too.

- Despite the intense focus on brown booze during the cold weather season, the only spirits that are really inspiring me right now from a professional point of view are agave-based. I had the chance to taste a sampling of rare, traditional, micro-produced, rustically-distilled Mexican spirits this week and my mind was thoroughly blown. They were all so different, so wonderfully sweet and vibrant with spice and flavor, and incredibly unique. Because my drinking is very habitual, however, and based on my own engrained desires and expectations, I don't know when I would ever drink these spirits if I could actually purchase them. I'm completely ensconced in my Campari-soda, bottle of wine, glass of whiskey routine right now. That's always the way, isn't it? "Man! That's delicious!" "Great, want to buy a bottle?" "NO!"

- Next year's travel schedule is already shaping up to be a hectic one. It looks like Mexico in January, South America in February, Scotland/France in March, and that's just what we know of right now!

- We should be getting the Glenmorangie 18 year old single malt back into stock today at our old hot hot hot price of $84.99 - CHEAPEST IN THE UNITED STATES! Our LVMH prices are seriously sensational. Lowest Ardbeg Uigeadail and the lowest GlenMo 18 -- two top-shelf whiskies that you can drink over, and over, and over again. I never get tired of either one.

- Has everyone worked out their Thanksgiving Day tasting menu? I'm trying to work out which Champagne to start with, before moving into Burgundy, and finally into Scotch. I did all-American last year, so I want to switch it up to all Euro/UK this time around. Which whisky goes best with turkey? Or maybe which Cognac? Or maybe which Armagnac? I think Armagnac might be the move.

- We should see the new edition of Lagavulin Distiller's Edition on the shelf next week. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for more Diageo Rare Malt releases, but I'm not holding my breath. Judging by our allocations so far this year from other companies I'd be happy to get anything at all.

That's it for today!

-David Driscoll

David Driscoll