Spirits
- 2 fingers of Costco/Kirkland 12-yr big-bottle blended scotch
- 1 finger of Brown County port
- 2 large cubes of ice
Gouden Carolus: πΊ & π₯.
2017 CuvΓ©e Van De Keizer and the Single Malt
Merry Christmas!
![As stated](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2023/372e2a6b89.jpg)
When I travel I like to try the most creative foods and drinks. (In the USA that usually means a βNew Americanβ restaurant.)
π₯ This drink did not disappoint!
π₯ I wish alcohol labels had ingredients, if not nutrition information. Sometimes I canβt tell if sweetened or just naturally sweet.
E.g. St Elmoβs cherry vanilla bourbon or old fashioned. They write it up as if unsweetened, but are not explicit.
ππ₯ My people know me.
Not pictured: awesome cutting boards that are still on the way and a meaningful family ornament.
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π₯ Cool Toddy with a traverse city cherry garnish.
![](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2022/26cebea11e.jpg)
π₯ opened for Christmas:
GlenDronach 12. Highland. Single malt. PX and Oloroso sherry casked.
Very tasty and has legs for days.
π₯ Amalga single malt peated American whiskey. 100% barley, new American oak, finished in rum casks.
Peat is not super strong. Clearly distinct flavor profile compared to both Islay whisky and High West Campfire.
Tasty!
π₯ For those wondering, this is the “authentic” recipe for a “Cool Toddy”:
If you want to diverge a bit you can use different whiskys/whiskies and different ports (I prefer tawny if diverging), but part of the point is to keep it reasonably priced rather than buying rare sherry- or port-casked whisky.
Pic from a friend who just stocked up.
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Looks like Ardbeg’s new distillery manager came from βnext door" which likely means Lagavulin (or possibly Laphroaig). Anybody know which one?
These are my three faves, anyway, so it will be interesting to see what the comingling means for the spirits. π₯
![](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2020/7540450f49.jpg)
Laphroaig CΓ irdeas 2020 π₯:
I like peaty whiskies and I like wine-finished whiskies and this is both.
Itβs their yearly special release, so the price point is not where Iβd buy up a bunch. Very tasty, and even better with a splash of water to bring the ABV back to around 80.
![](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2020/a6563ebdd1.jpg)
βwhiskey & sodaβ π₯ is the Americano of beer πΊ
Finally opening my bottle of Gouden Carolus single malt Belgian whiskey. π₯ First fill bourbon cask with Anker cask finish. Delicious. Now need to pair it with the beer this mash originates from!
Made our own blend of Wemyss Spice King π₯
![](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2019/add1ee9ab6.jpg)
Glenmorangie Bacalta π₯, lake, fire, sunset, family, friends. πππ
![](https://blog.grotenhuis.info/uploads/2019/9c11c3328c.jpg)
π₯ Toddhattan: traverse city cherry bourbon, tawny port, luxardo cherry
(Other community-suggested names: Mantodden, Manhuis)