Stetson Bourbon
 
 

Holiday Features & Recipes

Stranahan’s Solitude Snowflake Review

Stranahans Snowflake ReviewA snowflake you’ll want to catch with your tongue to embrace a very rare spirit of the season you’ll never taste again. This among the best limited editions we’ve ever tasted.

Each year for the last 10 years, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has released a “Snowflake,”  a single barrel expression, named for the fact that no two batches are alike.

This limited edition you can only purchase only at Stranahan’s Denver distillery. BourbonBlog.com reviews Stranahan’s Solitude Snowflake, which has been given a Chardonnay and port barrel finish (see age notes below on our review).

The depth of character and tannins imparted by the used wine barrels are impressive. For an experimental, flavors from the original Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey are well-balanced with the new discoveries of this expression.

 


Stranahan's Snowflake Solitude WhiskeyStranahan’s Solitude Snowflake Review

Whisky: Stranahan’s Solitude

Distillery: Stranahan’s Distillery

Age:  American white oak for 3.5 years. Then transferred to French White Oak barrel that housed a Colorado port, finished for 6 months. Then  Hungarian white oak barrel that has housed a  Sonoma California Chardonnay, finished for 2.5 months.

Proof: 94Proof, 47% ABV

Color: Medium amber

Nose: Ripe bananas, honey, and creamy. Hints of chocolate fudge.

Taste: Enters with a smooth citrus, goes quickly to milk chocolate and apple butter that play against each other well. A rich, smooth toffee-like character coats the mouth before becoming slightly hot and spicy with pepper (between a cayenne and serrano). Definite heat blended more notes of chocolate melts this snowflake before the finish.

Finish:  Caramel chews

 

Is there any wonder that Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey makes it feel like a holiday anytime of the year? It seems evident in the shape of the bottle and the warmth of the whiskey

Is there any wonder that Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey makes it feel like a holiday anytime of the year? It seems evident in the shape of the bottle and the warmth of the whiskey

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is located on 200 South Kalamath St. Denver, CO 80223

Popularity: 13% [?]

 
 

Michter’s Whiskey Winter Cooking

Snow Winter scene windowBanish winter’s chill by pouring historic Michter’s whiskey, the spirit that warmed General Washington’s troops at Valley Forge during the American Revolution.

Michter’s Bourbon, Rye, or American Whiskey has relieved some chilled bones here at BourbonBlog.com and a meal prepared with Michter’s may give you some extra warmth and comfort.

US*1 Bourbon balls, glaze a holiday ham with US*1 Rye, or delight hungry souls with a bread pudding spiked with US*1 American Whiskey. Also see the suggested pairings below.

Michter’s tells us they are America’s first whiskey distilling company, dating back to 1753. Every bottle is matured to perfection according to the highest quality standards set by the company’s Master Distiller, Willie Pratt, who we interviewed in this video segment.

Patsy’s Bourbon Balls
suggested pairing: Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

Michters Bourbon whiskey1 cup chopped pecans
6 tbsp. Michter’s US*1 Bourbon
½ stick butter
3¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
16 oz. dark chocolate chips

Soak pecans in Michter’s US*1 Bourbon in an airtight container for four days. Flip after the first two days to fully coat the pecans. The pecans should absorb all of the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon. Mix butter, sugar, and pecans. Roll into 1-inch balls and refrigerate overnight. Pour dark chocolate chips into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2½ minutes. Remove chocolate every minute and stir. Dip refrigerated balls into the melted dark chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered bourbon balls in an airtight container and place in freezer until set (just a few minutes). Store in a cool place.

Joe’s Rye-Glazed Ham
suggested pair with Michter’s US*1 Rye

Mitcher's Rye 1 cup honey
½ cup molasses
½ cup Michter’s US*1 Rye
¼ cup orange juice
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 ham half, about 6 to 8 pounds, fully cooked

Combine the honey and molasses and heat them in a bowl in the microwave, or in a saucepan on the stovetop. Stir in Michter’s US*1 Rye, orange juice, and mustard. Remove all but about ¼ inch of fat from the ham and place in a roasting pan. Bake the ham at 325°F for about 1½ hours, or until a meat thermometer reaches 140°F (about 10 minutes per pound). Baste the ham occasionally with the honey-rye mixture. Transfer drippings to a saucepan and add remaining honey-rye mixture; bring to a boil. Slice ham and serve with the glaze.

Vincent’s Bread Pudding with American Whiskey Sauce
suggested pairing with Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey

Mitcher's American Whiskey1 loaf French bread, at least a day old, cut into 1-inch squares (about 6–7 cups)
1 qt. milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins (soaked overnight in ¼ cup Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey)
¼ tsp. allspice
¼–½ tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Place the bread into a large mixing bowl and pour the milk over the bread. Press bread with hands until well mixed and all the milk is absorbed. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and spices together. Gently stir into the bread mixture. Fold the raisins into the mixture. Pour the butter into the bottom of a 9”x13” baking pan and coat the bottom and the sides of the pan well with the butter. Pour the bread mix into the baking pan and bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, until set. The pudding is done when the edges start getting a bit brown and pull away from the edge of the pan. The pudding can also be cooked in individual ramekins. Serve with Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey sauce (recipe below) on the side; pour on to taste.

Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey Sauce

½ cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey

In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the sugar and egg. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. (Do not allow to simmer, or it may curdle.) Whisk in Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey to taste. Remove from heat. Whisk before serving. The sauce should be soft, creamy, and smooth.

Popularity: 11% [?]

 
 

The Aviation Flip

Another twist on the classic Egg Nog is a new creation by BourbonBlog.com Chef/Mixologist Stephen Dennison made with Gin, Creme de Violette and Luxardo.

The Aviation FlipCocktail Glass

1 oz. Aviation Gin
1/2 oz. Crème De Violette
1/2 oz. Luxardo Marascino Liquer
1 egg, pasteurized and uncooked

Add ingredients to shaker. Dry shake for 30-45 seconds. Pour into chilled cocktail glass through a fine mesh sieve. Garnish with marascino cherry.

Aviation Gin Bottles

Popularity: 9% [?]

 
 

Which Bourbon or whiskey is best for Winter?

Whiskey bar

We all know this is a time of year when Bourbons, whiskeys and spirits are especially consumed as the perfect compliment to a cold  season. Regardless of the climate where you live, at BourbonBlog.com, wants to know which Bourbon, whiskey or whisky says “Winter” to you in it’s flavor, memory, or theme?

Post your favorite for the season below, make it as brief or detailed as you like. Is it the spicy ryes, deep and smokey Scotch or a barrel proof Bourbon?  Comment here with your reply.

Glass of whiskey

There is no wrong answer. Consider this  is yet another way we’re asking what you’re drinking today, or as we ask our followers with the hash tag on Twitter @BourbonBlog, “What are you #DrinkinTonight?” Share your thoughts, recipes or comments on how you like to warm up with the whiskey.

For some real inspiration, we invite you to check our our continued holiday coverage, recipes and stories.

 

Popularity: 10% [?]

 
 

Four Roses Egg Nog Recipe for National Egg Nog Day

Egg Nog RecipeFor National Egg Nog Day on December 24, we’re celebrating with the original Four Roses Egg Nog recipe that came from a Life magazine ad in 1936.

Master Distiller Jim Rutledge tells BourbonBlog.com he changes it up a bit by using a bit more Bourbon and forgetting the Rum. They still regularly receive requests for this recipe at Four Roses Distillery and we’re sharing it with you below along with a photo of that original Life magazine advertisement.

Four Roses Egg Nog Recipe

Four Roses Egg Nog Recipe for National Egg Nog DayIngredients

Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
6 Eggs
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Sugar
Milk
Cream
Jamaican Rum

Instructions:

1) Beat separately yolks and whites of 6 eggs.
2) Add 1/2 cup of sugar to yolks while beating.
3) Add 1/4 cup of sugar to whites after they have been beaten very stiff.
4) Mix egg whites with yolks.
5) Stir in 1 pint of cream and 1 pint of milk.
6) Add a pint of Four Roses Bourbonand 1 oz. Jamaican rum. Stir thoroughly and serve very cold.

Popularity: 11% [?]

 
 

AGWA Liqueur Cocktails for Christmas

AGWA de Bolivia Herbal LiqueurWinter cocktails made with AGWA give a colorful twist and kick which perfect for this season and BourbonBlog.com is sharing a few below. AGWA de Bolivia is the world’s first authentic coca leaf spirit.

Since late 2009 it has been steadily gaining a steady increase in popularity, achieving cult status in major cities across the US.

It starts in Bolivia, where three times a year traditional Bolivian farmers harvest their coca leaf crop and bring them to market.

The finest coca leaves are handpicked and flown over 8500 miles to a state of the art distillery in Amsterdam, where they are macerated and de-cocainized and made into a coca leaf liqueur.

Natural coca leaf distillate is blended with 36 herbs including Guarana and Yerba Mate to truly capture the Incan spirit of Bolivia.

AGWA Bellini
Bellini champagne cocktailIngredients

0.7oz AGWA de Bolivia, Champagne

Preparation

Celebrate the arrival of 2012 with a champagne toast that has an exciting AGWA twist! Pour AGWA into a champagne flute. Fill to the top with cold champagne and stir gently. The green color of AGWA makes this cocktail more festive and offers a nice version of this classic holiday drink.

The Green Angel

AGWA de Bolivia
Ingredients

8 Basil leaves, 12.5 ml Pallini Limoncello, 37.5 ml Martin Millers Gin, 25 ml Agwa, 25 ml pure apple juice, vanilla sugar.

Preparation

In a chilled Boston glass place 7 Basil leaves, fill with crushed ice, drizzle the limoncello and stir. Strain off limoncello, add 3 other liquids and stir to taste. Rim the martini glass with a lime wedge and sprinkle vanilla sugar on outside only. Strain Boston contents into glass and serve.

Bolivian Rhapsody

Ingredients

1.5oz  AGWA
½ fresh lime
1 tsp raspberry jam
1 tsp vanilla sugar
1 dash cardomon bitters
1 tsp chocolate syrup

Preparation

Muddle lime, sugar, jam, and syrup. Add AGWA and bitters and stir. Top with crushed ice in Collins glass. Garnish with lime zest.

Ginger Tree Cocktail

AGWA cocktail recipe Ginger TreeIngredients

2 oz Agwa, 4 oz Ginger beer, 2-3 fresh limes wedges (squeezed)

Preparation

Mix ingredients in a chilled glass, and top with crushed ice

(As an alternative you can use ginger ale use 2oz ginger ale & 2oz ginger beer)

 

Popularity: 11% [?]

 
 

The Librarian at The Lanesborough Hotel, London

Hot LibrarianThe librarian in this hotel can be found at the bar and in the picture to the left. The Library Bar at The Lanesborough in London, England helps guests escape winter’s cold amongst leather bound classics and a cracking fireplace.

The photo to left isn’t even of the hotel nor the bar. We are being tricky because we wanted to introduce you to the popular signature drink at The Lanesborough called “The Librarian” recipe below.

The Library Bar, rated by Hardens 2004 as the “Best Hotel Bar in the World,” houses the ‘Liquid History’ collection of vintage cognacs, some of which are more than 200 years old.

The photo below is The Library Bar where distinguished Bar Manager Giuseppe Ruo often hosts exclusive tastings and enlightens aficionados with the storied backgrounds of each spirit.

Strike up a fire and grab a Shakespeare or Dickens classic and make the drink below for the perfect winter’s night in your own living room:

The Librarian

Ingredients:

1 and 3/4 oz. Cognac
1/2 oz. Visciolata Cherry Wine
1/2 oz. Antica Formula Vermouth
Drops of Peychaud Bitters

Garnish:

One Visciolata Cherry

Preparation:
In a mixing glass, add Cognac, Visciolata Cherry Wine, Antica Formula Vermouth and Drops of Peychaud Bitter. Stir and Strain into a Martini Glass. Garnish with a Visciolata Cherry.

The Lanesborough Hotel London

Address:

The Lanesborough Hotel
Hyde Park Corner London SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom
tel: 020 7259 5599

Popularity: 10% [?]

 
 

Colorado Christmas Fashioned

Stranahans Colorado Whisky DenverBourbonBlog.com brings you a winter twist on the Old-Fashioned Christmas theme which will transport your holiday spirit all the way to Colorado with the taste of Stranahan’s Colorado Whisky, created by our own mixologist Stephen Dennison.

Colorado Christmas Fashioned

2.5 oz. Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
1 Sugar cube
4 dashes Boker’s Holiday Bitters
Maraschino cherry
Half orange slice

Instructions:

1 Place all except whiskey in rocks glass and muddle until becomes slurry.
2. Add Stranahan’s to the mix and place all in tin then dry shake for 30 seconds to break down sugars.
3. Add ice to tin and shake for additional 10 seconds
4. Strain over ice in rocks glass.

Popularity: 11% [?]

 
 

Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice Review

Kahlua Cinnamon Spice reviewAs we originally about Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice, we are now reviewing it on BourbonBlog.com.

It was inspired by the traditional Mexican Coffee “Café de Olla” – which blends coffee, cinnamon, brown sugar (piloncillo), and is served in an ‘olla’ a traditional earthenware.

Quite lovely on the rocks and perfect for holiday cocktails like the ones listed below. The cinnamon spice tastes more authentic with the real cinnamon flavors than many liqueurs and spirits.

Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice Review

Distillery: Kahlúa, Veracruz, Mexico – Pernod Ricard USA

Proof: 90 Proof, 45% ABV

Color: Deep cola with some transparency

Nose: Buttery, brown sugar. The coffee takes the background

Taste: Enters fairly light with cinnamon and coffe notes, becomes a bit heavier mid-palette but not cloying. Brown sugar, molasses, butter, and cinnamon

Finish: Smooth, mellow. Not overbearing with sweetness

Cinnamon Sparkler

1.5 oz. Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice
3 oz. Sparkling Apple Cider
Small squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Shake Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice and lemon over ice. Top with sparkling apple cider. Grate nutmeg on top.

Hot Mexican Cider

1 oz. Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice
3 oz. Hot Apple Cider
.25 oz lemon juice

Shake all ingredients and serve in a glass mug. Grate nutmeg on top to garnish

Kahlua Cinnamon Spice

Review by BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer

Popularity: 11% [?]

 
 

Blitzen’s Bourbon

Santa Reindeer Fly ChristmasAt BourbonBlog.com , we’ve often wondered if any of the reindeer choose to recover after that long winter’s night with a Christmas cocktail. They must be of drinking age because they’ve been at it for many years, right? Basil Hayden’s Bourbon tells us it sounds like we now have our answer thanks to mixologist Duggan McDonnell of Cantina in San Francisco, California.

Blitzen’s Bourbon

Basil Haydens Kentucky Bourbon2 Parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Whiskey
1 Reindeer Spice Syrup (recipe below)
2 Dashes Angostura® Aromatic Bitters
Orange Peel

Instructions for Cocktail

1. In an old-fashioned glass, combine all ingredients and stir 20 times.
2. Garnish with an orange peel.

    Reindeer Spice Syrup

3 Apples, peeled and diced
5 Large Cinnamon Sticks
1 cup Walnuts
2 cups Sugar
3 Cups Water

Instructions

1. Place the diced apples into water and boil, then reduce heat to low.
2. Briefly toast cinnamon sticks and walnuts in a saucepan, then transfer into apple mixture.
3. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Gently stir in the 2 cups of sugar, thoroughly stirring, and remove from heat.
Once mixture has cooled, strain and press the juice and flavor from the boiled apples back in the mix.

 

Christmas cocktail

Popularity: 8% [?]