Hats and Drinks - A Match Made in Heaven

[Bamaboots]

Did you ever try it? Terrible.

No, never did. No point now after reading your review. Can’t remember seeing it in the local shops. Good to see you around.

 

[Rumad]

I have the bottle with about 4 ounces missing if you want it haha. They don’t sell it up my way so when I saw it in Virginia, dropping my kid off at school, I was excited. All tails. Wet dog/cardboard. Even if it was all hearts I don’t think it’d be good.

 

[BobHufford]

I have the bottle with about 4 ounces missing if you want it haha. They don’t sell it up my way so when I saw it in Virginia, dropping my kid off at school, I was excited. All tails. Wet dog/cardboard. Even if it was all hearts I don’t think it’d be good.

Maybe with the proceeds from your bottle the man can buy a shirt.

 

[Rumad]

I second that

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I have the bottle with about 4 ounces missing if you want it haha. They don’t sell it up my way so when I saw it in Virginia, dropping my kid off at school, I was excited. All tails. Wet dog/cardboard. Even if it was all hearts I don’t think it’d be good.

They sell it here but never bought a bottle. Thanks for the warning!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Picked up the Japanese Malt as part of my order today but tonight is Tex Mex HH so I won’t be sampling it tonight.

a few Modelo icebergs instead. Under an OR 3X,

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Been wearing a LEE Royal derby on this dark & dreary day as the holidays approach. Test driving a dram of The Shin 10 yr old Japanese Blended Malt whisky as an aperitif on a clean palate before dinner. First impression is this blend is very much like a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky with tastes of dark stone fruits like figs, dates & raisins, maybe plumbs. Much preferred over citrus & tropical fruits. A bit of vanilla on the nose but not so much on the taste. Mouthfeel is clean but thin, watery. Few legs or curtains inside the glass. Aged in Mozunara Oak but I’m not getting any of the incense/sandalwood “smoke” or spice. Some black pepper & small bit of alcohol in the aftertaste. It may take a couple drops of water to open up these other tastes. Pretty smooth 96 proof, non chill filtered with no additives. Not harsh at all.

PS: In time a little heat builds in the chest.

PSS: Nosing the empty glass brings a nice aroma of cinnamon & spice, vanilla, oak & sandalwood smoke.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Been wearing a LEE Royal derby on this dark & dreary day as the holidays approach. Test driving a dram of The Shin 10 yr old Japanese Blended Malt whisky as an aperitif on a clean palate before dinner. First impression is this blend is very much like a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky with tastes of dark stone fruits like figs, dates & raisins, maybe plumbs. Much preferred over citrus & tropical fruits. A bit of vanilla on the nose but not so much on the taste. Mouthfeel is clean but thin, watery. Few legs or curtains inside the glass. Aged in Mozunara Oak but I’m not getting any of the incense/sandalwood “smoke” or spice. Some black pepper & small bit of alcohol in the aftertaste. It may take a couple drops of water to open up these other tastes. Pretty smooth 96 proof, non chill filtered with no additives. Not harsh at all.

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PS: In time a little heat builds in the chest.

PSS: Nosing the empty glass brings a nice aroma of cinnamon & spice, vanilla, oak & sandalwood smoke.

Thanks Jack for the review. After reading I am intrigued and will look to see what the whiskey sells for in my neighborhood. The 96 proof whiskey sounds like a taster.

Puzzling this morning. This has nothing to do with the review or taste of the whiskey, just my puzzling over this "newby" whiskey. I am reading and still confused about the age statement. Is it 10 year old whiskey that arrives at the Shinobu distillery and bottled into oak casks. Casked for 10 or something years. I read that ice/water dillutes the delicate and sweet tones get mtued in order to highlight the oak barrel tastes. I will read more.

Inspired by the Japanese Whiskey talk of late and I enjoyed a small it of Hibiki Suntory Harmony. Yesterdays tasting complimented my memory of the taste. To my tongue the light fruity tastes finished with a bit of sweetness. Honey, tea, apples, cantalope and grapefruit are my taste findings.

I like this 43% ABV whiskey. It has a real sweet spot for a whiskey shelf. Yesterday inspired by the conversation and the slightly cool weather after eating a bowl of fruit as a snack, the whiskey was the correct choice. The above is all opinion.

The bottle does stands out on a whiskey shelf.

Later yesterday I had a Calsberg Pilsner. Included in my collage pic is Friday nights Guinness and this mornings coffee (Volcanica Costa Rica).

Cheers, Eric. -

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Home after work antics find me enjoying a Surley Supreme.

Cheers, Eric-

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A couple Tall Grass Brewing’s Buffalo Sweat Vanilla Bean Stouts with a shot of Baileys, on this dark & dreary afternoon, under a Stetson No. 1Q.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Guinness pairs well with snow.

Eric. -

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Sipping a pilsner (Surley Brewing) in the snow is a great way to cool down from the day.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Variations of The Johnnie Walker “Striding Man” in the top hat goes back to 1900. This print ad is from 1928.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

“There's a rundown bar 'cross the railroad tracks
I got a table for two way in the back
Where I sit alone and think of losing you”

A few German Dunkels under an Optimo for HH. Then home for some Wood Hat Spirits Aged Blue Corn Bourbon Whiskey neat.

“Jukebox plays on, drink by drink
And the words of every sad song seem to say what I think
And this hurt inside of me, ain't never gonna end”

“I spend most every night
Beneath the light
Of a neon moon”

Great lyrics!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A couple of Tesoro Maya doubles with Modelo backs under my BSHW blue heather short nap for HH. Then home to finish the night with some Siete Leguas Blanco tequila.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Wednesday I sipped a Surley pilsner enjoying some quiet time.

Yesterday found me enjoying a Cosmic Lounge Hazy IPA, (Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN).

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Observing HH at home since I wasn’t in the mood to get out in the rain, & I had a new bottle put back for a rainy day! Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This is the Lagavulin 16 double finished in Pedro Ximenez Oak casks. My favorite Islay whisky @ 96 proof. Peat smoke & charred Oak make for a dark molasses taste sweetened a bit by the taste of apples & cherries. Definitely a keeper. Along with another keeper, a VS 100X in Navy blue.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Met a friend at a new place tonight. Their mission statement in part is, “common people & rare whiskey!” Received 3 compliments from other patrons; one on my Optimo I was wearing. I think I’ve found a new place to add to my list of regular haunts. KC Bier Co Winterbock’s @ 8.2% ABV. Premium whiskeys, filtered water/ice frozen in round cubes, sealed baggies. Professional bartenders, not 21 yr old kids.

@Short Balding Guy , Eric: On their beer menu they have:

Surley Controlled Chaos IPA,
Surly Furious IPA,
Surly One Man Mash Pit IPA,
Surly Before I Die Lager,
Surly Grapefruit Supreme Tart,
& a 13% ABV Surly Stout which I have already forgotten the catchy name of (who thinks up these names?). I wanted to remember it too because I would like to try it.

Come down, I’ll take you there! I think I’ve found a new home!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Met a friend at a new place tonight. Their mission statement in part is, “common people & rare whiskey!” Received 3 compliments from other patrons; one on my Optimo I was wearing. I think I’ve found a new place to add to my list of regular haunts. KC Bier Co Winterbock’s @ 8.2% ABV. Premium whiskeys, filtered water/ice frozen in round cubes, sealed baggies. Professional bartenders, not 21 yr old kids.

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@Short Balding Guy , Eric: On their beer menu they have:

Surley Controlled Chaos IPA,
Surly Furious IPA,
Surly One Man Mash Pit IPA,
Surly Before I Die Lager,
Surly Grapefruit Supreme Tart,
& a 13% ABV Surly Stout which I have already forgotten the catchy name of (who thinks up these names?). I wanted to remember it too because I would like to try it.

Come down, I’ll take you there! I think I’ve found a new home!

Jack the “common people & rare whiskey" does it for me. Looks like a terrific place for many future HH's. Glad that our local brewery's offerings are available in your area. Jack for certain when I travel to your neighborhood I am giving you a jingle. (I suppose jingle is not understood by the cell phone generations. )

The Optimo does truly stand out. Your pics have it smooth and touchable. I am turned off by the price, but still desire the hats.

From a common people post I would like to share a couple pics from last night. I was "last man out" at work and came home and sipped a Surley Supreme Pilsner on a walkabout. Delicious.

The cooler temps found me wanting a heavier mouth feel beer. My choices were a couple of Porters or the KBS in the back of the beer fridge. KBS won. The barrel aged stout, 12%abv, had the exact taste the moment called for. The chocolate, coffee and bourbon barrel flavors are the taste. All grand tastes on their own and the combination is done well. Silky and smooth mouth feel. The beer coats the mouth. Truly a classic stout.

I am out and the beer goes back on my shopping list.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[The Shoe]

Been wearing a LEE Royal derby on this dark & dreary day as the holidays approach. Test driving a dram of The Shin 10 yr old Japanese Blended Malt whisky as an aperitif on a clean palate before dinner. First impression is this blend is very much like a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky with tastes of dark stone fruits like figs, dates & raisins, maybe plumbs. Much preferred over citrus & tropical fruits. A bit of vanilla on the nose but not so much on the taste. Mouthfeel is clean but thin, watery. Few legs or curtains inside the glass. Aged in Mozunara Oak but I’m not getting any of the incense/sandalwood “smoke” or spice. Some black pepper & small bit of alcohol in the aftertaste. It may take a couple drops of water to open up these other tastes. Pretty smooth 96 proof, non chill filtered with no additives. Not harsh at all.

View attachment 566394
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View attachment 566391
View attachment 566392

PS: In time a little heat builds in the chest.

PSS: Nosing the empty glass brings a nice aroma of cinnamon & spice, vanilla, oak & sandalwood smoke.

I’ve been meaning to reply to this for a while. I looked into this whisky, wondering what it went for over here. It’s not one I’ve noticed on the shelves. The local shopping sites don’t have it either. I assume it’s one that’s made exclusively for the foreign market.

On a side note, a friend told me about a place that runs an online whisky lottery. You pay around $US50 and get what you’re given. About 25% of them are worth slightly less than the $50. The rest are worth about $65 and up. The lottery sells out in a minute or two. I tried to buy a ticket, but hadn’t logged in. By the time I’d logged in, I had missed out. The friend who told me about it did get a ticket. He sent me a video of him opening the parcel. You can imagine his delight when he discovered he had got one of the two top bottles - Hibiki 21. I did suggest he come around for dinner that night. Invitation was declined.
I’ll try again next time.
The Hibiki sells for about $US620 on Amazon over here.