Nigl Brut de Brut 2007

This is a quite tasty sparkler from Austria.  A blend of grüner and chardonnay.  This wine is tart, minerally, and rapidly disappearing from my glass.

Cost: $23.99
Grade: B

Wyoming is officially the lamest state in America

Google Analytics has spoken.

Wyoming is the only state that has not visited Two Parts Rye.

Ron Zacapa Solera Gran Reserva 23

This will start off similar to my review of Po Traminer Di Poli Grappa.  Much like grappa, I don't like rum.  In general, I find it too sweet, and there's just something about the flavor that I don't like.  I saw this one in the store today, and for whatever reason, I was drawn to it.  I think that it has to do with it being a solera spirit.  Solera is an odd way of aging and blending spirits that is described well here.

It's aged at high altitudes in Guatemala and according to their web site, it's the cognac of rums.  I feel is an appropriate comparison. They use bourbon, wine and sherry barrels to help add to the complexity.  It's got herb, leather,orange zest, dried fruit, nuts, and some oak.

Cost: $40
Grade: A
Cost Adjusted Grade: A+

Wry World of Sports: A stat that's hard to believe

Going into tonight's game, the Pirates are 4 games under .500, which is not surprising, because they stink.  Their run differential is -100.  That's mind-boggling.  That's a recipe for 5-35, not 18-22.  When they lose, they really get there asses handed to them.

Wry Slamma Jamma: De'Gloria, Glolante, or LeBron's Momante?

Rumor has it that there is a new celebrity power couple out there, and it's wild enough to turn Lebron into LeQuitter.  LeBron Jame's Mom, Gloria, is rumored to be hooking up with teammate Delonte West, causing him to tank the playoffs.  I predict that they will be the next Bradgelina/Bennifer.

Most sane people figure that this is a bullshit story.  I don't know.  What woman could resist a face like this?

In a league full of space aliens, he hails from the planet Yikes.

The Black Eyed Susan

The Preakness was last Saturday.  Unfortunately, a fussy Baby Rye did not allow me to get this cocktail up in time for the race.  The Black Eyed Susan is the traditional cocktail of The Preakness.  Like most cocktails, finding a definitive recipe is a challenge.  Most of the versions that I found used light rum as the base spirit, though I did find versions that used whiskey.  The rum is mixed with varying amounts of vodka, orange juice and sour mix.  Basically, it's a daiquiri.

Jim's Black Eyed Susan
2 parts Kracken Spiced Rum
1 part Triple Sec
1 part Limeade
1/2 part Orange Juice
Lots of ice

It's a tasty, "pinky out" drink with a kick.

He'Brew Lenny's RIPA on Rye

When you walk into the liquor store, and see a great beer like the He'Brew Lenny that's been aged in Sazerac barrels, you have two buy one.  In my case, you have to buy three.

I shared my first bottle with the $6MMm and a neighbor who is more of a wine drinker.  We all loved it.  The whiskey barrel smooths out the double IPA bitterness.  We all thought that it was an amazingly complex beer.  That's not shocking.  When you put a Rye IPA in Rye Whiskey barrels, you get Two Parts Rye.  How could it be anything less than awesome?

Grade: A

Wry Slamma Jamma: Rondo Revisited

You can't expect Mo Williams to guard this "guy".

The laws of physics mean nothing to him.

Wry World of Sports: Jay Cutler Tasered At Phillies Game

If that cop played for the Steelers, they would have made the playoffs this year.

Wry Slamma Jamma: Follow Lebron's Elbow on Twitter

http://twitter.com/LeBronsElbow

Some Hi-Lites

• LeBron is putting me on display at practice today. I am not a piece of meat. Now I know how Megan Fox's bagina feels...
• No I'm not friends with Kevin Garnett's Elbow. We hung out once and all he did was make angry faces.
• Home from the Clinic. Told me I'm bruised. I told them I was forged in the fires of Mordor so that is impossible. We're agreeing to disagree
• MRI Results back. Just what I thought. They found no damage, a autograph from Jesus, the tears of Joakim Noah and a lightning bolt.

House Tonic Challenge: Fever Tree vs. 365

As a result of parenthood, I have been drinking a lot of gin-less tonics.  Fever Tree is a premium tonic that costs about $5.60 for 4-6.8 oz bottles.  365 is Whole Foods store brand, you get 6 12-oz cans for around $3.50.  So you get 3x the tonic for 1/2 the price.  Chalk up a point for the 365.

Basically, I'm drinking tonic water with a squeeze of lime juice.  Both tonics are made with cane sugar instead of corn syrup.  If you do your serving size math, the fever tree has slightly more sugar, but I think that the 365 tastes sweeter.  I like them both, but I gotta go with the value of the 365 brand.

365 is the new house tonic.  Yay!

What do you do if you don't have a Whole Foods in your town?  Move out of the sticks Bubba.

Wry World Of Sports: Mint Julep Time

I love the Kentucky Derby.  It's not that I love horse racing, though I do like it.  How many sporting events have an "Official" cocktail?  The Derby has the mint julep.

Most people don't like the drink, and I can't blame them.  Typically you are given a glass of cheap bourbon and mint leaves.  Tastes like watered down cheap bourbon and grass.  Yummm.

Jim's Mint Julep is another beast.  Last night I made some mint syrup.  Which is as easy as boiling water.  It's what separates my cocktail from the riff-raff in the infield.

• Boil equal parts sugar and water with fresh mint until the sugar dissolves.  Let it cool and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. 
• Mix syrup and bourbon in whatever portion you like.  I prever 3 shots of bourbon to 1 shot of syrup.
• Add ice and stir.
• Garnish with mint.  Take a picture for your blog.  Throw away the garnish.

Race Prediction:  In a "weak" field like this, bet on the jockey.

1. Super Saver for the win.  (Calvin Borel)
2. Paddy O'Prado to place (Ken Desormeaux)
3. Devil May Care to show (John Velazquez) 

Update!  I called the winner and my place horse ended up showing.  That's why I never bet the trifecta.