Smooth Ambler Old Scout

This is a bourbon from the Smooth Ambler Distillery in West-By-God.  Except, it is not from West-By-God.  It is from Indiana.  It is a sourced whiskey, hence "scout".  We all know the scout's motto: be prepared, with a 99 proof bourbon.

That is all fine and dandy, but the important question is does it taste good?  The important answer is yes.  It is spicy and somewhat rye forward.  Nice minty notes, especially if you dilute it with a splash of water.

Aperol

Aperol is the sweet Amaro.  Not that there really is such a thing.  For those who are not familiar with Amaro's, they are a class of Italian liqueurs that have the following in common.

1. They are made from a secret family recipe.
2. The secret family recipe contains many botanicals.
3. It is bitter.

Aperol tastes like orange, sugar, and ouch.

I mixed up Jacopo Falleni's Jashimi cocktail for the image.  It contains equal parts Aperol, St Germaine, and Grapefruit Juice.  These ingredients really enhance what Aperol is all about.  The St Germaine brings out the sweet and herbaceous qualities while the grapefruit juice adds to the dry tartness of it all.  It is relatively low in alcohol so I think I'll have another or more likely five anothers.

OK.  I actually used the last of my St Germaine in the drink for the picture.  In 15 minutes since I posted I have swapped it out for the following:

• Heering Cherry Liqueur: Oddly enough, it gives the drink a raisin flavor.
• Laird's Apple Brandy.  Whoa.  Now that ain't half bad.

The Ginger Julep '68 Fastback

Ahhh, the summer of '68.  Boobs were sagging.  Gas was leaded.  And, I was still a few years from being born so I don't know what I'm talking about.

I featured this recipe right before the Kentucky Derby in exchange for a bottle of Bulleit for review.  I've reviewed Bulleit Bourbon way back in yee-olden days of 2009, and in summary.  Is it good?  Yes?   Is it my favorite?  No.

It's hot today and this cocktail works nice.  I've swapped out the muddling for 1/2 oz of ginger syrup and swapped the soda water and twist for some french lemonade.

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The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback

Ingredients:

o   1 ½ oz. Ginger Infused Bulleit Bourbon

o   ½ oz. Organic Brown Sugar

o   ¼ oz.  Peeled Minced Fresh Ginger

o   1 ½ oz. Soda Water

o   1 Lemon or Lime Twist

Directions: Muddle the ginger and brown sugar together until all of the sugar is moistened and nearly dissolved. Add a dash of soda to finish dissolving the sugar, stir in your Bourbon. Finish with ice, soda to taste and a lemon or lime twist.

Why we love it: The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback brings a warm, gentle heat to the julep cocktail family with an invigorating ginger kick and splash of lime zest.

Knob Creek Rye

When I did my half-assed Basil Hayden's review last week, I was shocked, SHOCKED I tell you to find out that Knob Creek was one of the "Better Beams".  Its name doesn't start with a B, how is that possible?

So, I went to a wine tasting last night and came home with a bottle of Rye.  Why?  Because I'm cool.  The label tells me that it was patiently aged, because if you are impatient, those 9+ years just drag you down.  It has a very strong cherry-nutty-oaky flavor.  It's 100 proof and little bit of water helps to cool the burn.

Is it good?  Yes.
Is it $37 good?  Ummuhhmaybeishno.
Is it better than Russel's Rye?  Nope.

Basil Hayden's

Basil Hayden's is one of the Better Beam's: Baker, Basil, Booker and Knob Creek.

This is the easiest drinking of the Better Beams.  It has a nice corn, rye, mint and leather flavor.  It drinks quite nicely straight and works well in a Manhattan.  I only had one shot in the bottle at the time of writing this review and it is already gone.  Shit.  I'll have to break out the old grading scale to fill up some space.

Grade: B+
Cost: $40
Cost Adjusted Grade: B

Derby Day; Trying to Sell out to Bulleit Bourbon; Cinco De Mayo; Drinking holidays collide

It was all supposed to work out.  The bottle of Bulleit bourbon was offered up for review.  Tasty Kentucky Derby Cocktail recipes were provided.  Today is Kentucky Derby Day, one of the great drinking holidays, and it's Cinco De Mayo, another great drinking holiday.  One problem.  The bourbon has yet to show up.  Barney Fife had one Bulleit for his pistol.  I have none. 

Good thing for me that I have a well stocked bar.  When the Bulleit shows up, I plan on taking the Ginger Julep '68 Fastback for a ride.  Until then, we'll sip on a Cinco De Mayo Julep.

• 3 oz of Anejo Tequila (using Patron, because I'm  a poser)
• 1/2 oz of Mint syrup
• Add ice, stir and drink

I'm going with Bodemeister to win the derby.  I hate to pick the favorite, but my kid has a friend named Bode, and that's as good a way as any to pick this race.

The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback

Ingredients:

o   1 ½ oz. Ginger Infused Bulleit Bourbon

o   ½ oz. Organic Brown Sugar

o   ¼ oz.  Peeled Minced Fresh Ginger

o   1 ½ oz. Soda Water

o   1 Lemon or Lime Twist

Directions: Muddle the ginger and brown sugar together until all of the sugar is moistened and nearly dissolved. Add a dash of soda to finish dissolving the sugar, stir in your Bourbon. Finish with ice, soda to taste and a lemon or lime twist.

Why we love it: The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback brings a warm, gentle heat to the julep cocktail family with an invigorating ginger kick and splash of lime zest.

The Bulleit Rye Mint Julep

Ingredients:

o   1 1/3 oz. Bulleit Rye

o   1 ½-2 oz. Stirrings Simple Syrup

o   Fresh mint leaves

Directions: Muddle mint leaves, Stirrings Simple Syrup and crushed ice in rocks glass. Add Bulleit Rye and fill glass with ice. Pour into cocktail shaker, shake vigorously and serve in rocks glass with fresh mint garnish.

Why we love it: The mint julep has been the refreshing spring cocktail icon of the Kentucky Derby since 1938, proving its test of time as a classic and distinguished recipe.