Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Squid Mixes: The Right Balance and a Good Rye

Image result for dad's hat rye
via Dad's Hat
Thanksgiving is, of course, a grand harvest feast.  Alcoholic beverages are by no means necessary accompaniment but they're certainly enjoyable.  We went to visit English Prof for the holiday and, as luck would have it, she loves a good Manhattan almost as much as I do.  She also had a fine whiskey to try...

Dad's Hat hails from Bristol in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Their rye is their flagship product and a fine, flavorful liquor it is, too - great in a cocktail.  Alas, it is not available for sale back here in Vermont!  Vermont, you see, is a control state which in our case means the state has a wholesale monopoly over liquor.  If the state stores don't sell it, there are no other options.  It may be just as well.  Looking online, it would appear Dad's Hat is significantly more expensive than Old Overholt, our standby.  I suppose it is good to know that the difference in price could be worth it.

I feel I have settled on a good proportion for my Manhattans: 3:1 rye to vermouth.  That's the same as in The New York Bartender's Guide but I've upped the bitters to 3 dashes rather than 1.  Against the Dad's Hat, I could probably have gotten away with more but then I think one risks making it syrupy as it is in many restaurants.  I might have to go down to 2 with the Old Overholt.

It's definitely time to start experimenting with different whiskeys, though better to focus on ones easily acquired, I think.  I have my eye on George Dickel, which costs a bit more than Old Overholt, and Ezra Brooks, a new product to Vermont stores, which costs a bit less.  Stay tuned.


Squid on the Vine

Château Combel la Serre, Le Pur Friut du Causse Chors Malbec 2017
My Rating: 8.1
Starts sweet, then a little sour.

Free Run Cellars, Dry Gewürtztraminer 2017
My Rating: 8.5
Grape juicy
Starts bitter, finishes sweet.
We visited the winery in Michigan last summer.  That's right, Michigan.

20 comments:

  1. we do not celebrate thanksgiving in poland:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose not. Do you have a different autumn harvest holiday instead? Or another big feast holiday at some point in the year? A Google search brings up lots of church holidays, most of which I know nothing about.

      Delete
    2. we have just Christmas:) but that is in December. In november we have at 11th Święto Niepodległości:)

      Delete
    3. Independence Day! Thank goodness for Google Translate.

      My wife is technically part Polish by heritage. She even has a Polish surname. But she doesn't generally know this stuff.

      Delete
    4. ooo yes Independence Day:D we celebrate in this day that Poland finally after 123 years of partisions gets freedom and becomes independent coutry.
      that is interesting with your wife:) how did you meet?:)

      Delete
    5. In New York at a housewarming party. Hers. I was "the gift."

      :)

      Delete
  2. I like Rye--generally I buy George Dickel rye, but I'll keep an eye out for this one. I've never seen it for sale here.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. South Carolina actually has a history of rather strange liquor laws. You probably know more about them than I do. Until about 10 years ago, liquor could only be sold in the airplane-size bottles. I remember seeing something about on it, I think, on the old Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

      Delete
  3. It sounds tasty! I hadn't thought about different alcohols not being available in certain states. I am curious if this one is available in CT now. Will have to investigate. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connecticut is not a control state so I would imagine there is a wider variety available, at least throughout the state as a whole if not individual stores.

      Delete
  4. I’m glad you like it but I don’t care for rye, whiskey or scotch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You prefer gin, right? Gin may be next after I nail down my rye of choice. G&T is my wife's summer drink of choice.

      Delete
  5. I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! https://thehappinessboxproject.com/2019/12/02/sunshine-blogger-award/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, first of all, hello! It's been quite a while and it's wonderful to hear from you.

      Thank you for the award. I am humbled.

      Delete
  6. 8.5 seems a good rate....should try it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do tend to like rieslings and gewürtztramminers, especially the Alsatians. The German ones can be a little too sweet.

      Delete
  7. I want to do some whiskey experimentation, but I just haven't gotten to it yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to your findings, whenever they should arise.

      Delete