Posts Tagged ‘drinkwire’

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Posted 12:59 pm April 20th, 2013

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

BourbonBlog.com was recently the first bring you news of the release of the new Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.

This cask strength, non-chill filtered Bourbon leverages the popularity of the the Russell’s Reserve label while delivering a new expression for the Bourbon enthusiasts.

This Bourbon demonstrates how well-balanced the sugar and barrel notes are in the whiskey aged at Wild Turkey Distillery and the range of flavors you can experience in their juice.

Does it taste anything like the original Russell’s Reserve 10 year Old Bourbon? Only slightly with some of those components present in the sweetness.

While warming on the mouthfeel, the smooth nature makes it feel lower than 110 proof as it drinks closer to 100 or so.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel (750ml) is available now priced at $49.99, definitely a bargain for a barrel proof.

As Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel has long been an treasure, and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel shows, we hope to see even more single barrels from Wild Turkey.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Bourbon: Rusell’s Reserve Single Barrel Small Batch

Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg

Color: Medium to dark amber

Age: 8-9 Years, varies by barrel

Proof: 110 proof 55% ABV

Nose: Pleasant burn with prevalence of alcohol and barrel.

Taste: Quite buttery blending the deep medium extraction of barrel with a chorus of brown sugars together in the mouth. A touch of light honey and milk chocolate toward end of the mid-palette.

Finish: Smooth, medium linger.

Bourbon review by Tom Fischer.

Tags: drinkwire
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Michter’s Bourbon at Bourbon Classic 2013, Louisville Kentucky

Posted 1:41 pm April 19th, 2013

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer interviews Joe Magliocco, President of Chatham Imports, Inc / Michter’s Bourbon and and Willie Pratt Michter’s Master Distiller at the recent Bourbon Classic in Louisville, Kentucky.

At the Contemporary Bourbon Cocktails competition portion of the Bourbon Classic, Anu Apte, Owner of Rob Roy Seattle teamed with Chef Shawn Ward, Jack Fry’s for a Michter’s cocktail and food pairing.

(L to R) Willie Pratt, Michter’s Master Distiller, BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer, and Anu Apte, Owner of Rob Roy Seattle – photo by Tyler Gater

Michter’s Whiskey Collection

Executive, Chef Shawn Ward, Jack Fry’s Restaurant, Louisville, Kentucky

Video filmed and edited by Tyler Gater, event photo by Tyler Gater.

Tags: drin, drinkwire
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Four Roses Secretariat Bourbon, Barrel to Be Selected by Penny Chenery

Posted 1:06 am March 28th, 2013

Watch video above as BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer interviews Dan Gardner of Four Roses Bourbon who gives us an overview of the upcoming limited edition Secretariat bottling AND the 2013 Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon (which are told will be a spring release of a barrel proof 13-year-old OBSK)

We catch up with Dan at the inaugural Bourbon Classic. Dan has recently also become one of our favorite Bourbon lovers to follow on Twitter , check him out on @BourbonDan .

Penny Chenery

Dan tells us that Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, will soon sample from several barrels to select a Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the iconic thoroughbred’s Triple Crown.

Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge will be on hand to oversee the selection.

The barrels chosen will be bottled in special commemorative packaging, including a very limited, hand-painted ceramic decanter featuring a full-bodied Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard, as well as a collector’s bottle adorned with Secretariat’s likeness and the famed blue and white checks of the Meadow Stables jockey silks.

In addition to the annual spring release of a Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel., the distillery will also release 500 Secretariat decanters and 3,500 Four Roses Secretariat bottles. (See photos of each below.) This will be a completely different bottling that the Limited Edition Single Barrel.

They will be available for purchase at the Kentucky Derby Museum beginning April 27.

Proceeds from the sale of the special bottlings will benefit preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Derby Museum and to the Secretariat Foundation benefiting equine-related causes within the racing industry.

Video filmed and edited by Tyler Gater.

Four Roses Secretariat Limited Edition Decanter, unfinished, see finished bottles on this link

Four Roses Secretariat Single Bourbon Bottle

Tags: drinkwire
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Firefly Moonshine by Firefly Distillery

Posted 7:58 am March 27th, 2013

Firefly Moonshine

Our Wadlamaw Island friends Firefly Distillery co-founders Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt tell BourbonBlog.com they are the launching of Firefly Moonshine this spring.

The moonshine will be distilled out of South Carolina pride, Firefly Moonshine is a raw southern spirit from the creators of the original Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

Firefly Moonshine is produced in six flavors: White Lightning, Apple Pie, Caramel, Cherry, Strawberry, and Peach.

They are between 41.1 and 100.7 proof; 20.55% and 50.35% alcohol by volume. Each has a unique flavor that delivers on low country character yet packs a punch.

While some moonshines on the market have real fruit floating in them, they tell us Firefly Moonshine uses real fruit flavors.

Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt have been experimenting with lots of regional flavors ever since they built their first homemade still.

When Jim and Scott started building the Firefly Distillery, they made a crude still in Jim’s workshop. As Jim explains to BourbonBlog.com, “We started with a 55 gallon stainless steel tank and some old pipes.”

Then we worked on many original recipes until we perfected the very first sweet tea vodka, Firefly. Since that time, we’ve cooked up many fine spirits and some really
good moonshine too!”

“When we first started making the Firefly Moonshine, we kept it to ourselves. It was a ‘distillery secret’ that only a few people knew about. But it tasted
so good our ‘Firefly insiders’ kept asking for it. So we decided it was time to share the good stuff and make it available across the U.S” Scotts explains to BourbonBlog.com.

Firefly Moonshine sales kicked off at
the Distillery Tasting Room in mid-February and it was introduced statewide later in the
month. At this time, it is on its way to licensed liquor distributors, retailers, bars and
restaurants nationwide.

Firefly Moonshine Flavors

Firefly Moonshine is easy to serve & drink.

Enjoy it straight out of the jar, in mixed drinks or make up a big batch of “DIY Firefly Punch.” This recipe makes 55 servings, 6 oz. drinks:

- 1 jar Firefly White Lightning Moonshine
- 2 jars of any flavor of Firefly Moonshine
- 2 gallons of your favorite juice(s)
- Fresh fruit

Instrutions:

Mix in pitcher or tub

Firefly Distillery Scott Newiit Jim Irvin

Firefly Distillery co-founders, Jim Irvin (L) and Scott Newiit (R) introduce Firefly Moonshine.

Tags: drinkwire
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BoozeBrackets.com, play now!

Posted 9:09 pm March 21st, 2013

Booze Brackets

Bracketology BourbonBlog.com has just launched BoozeBrackets.com, a first of its kind tournament giving spirit enthusiasts and fans of Bourbon, beers and spirit the chance to vote for their favorite brands in matchups.

The winner of each round means that the winning brand will move on to the round next with an ultimate winner at the end.

Very similar to popular basketball tournaments, these 64 brands range from craft distilleries to large distilleries.

They have been matched up in challenges and it is up to YOU to vote for who the winner of each round will be.

There could be some upsets and Cinderella stories. No matter who wins, each brand is

Return every day to see how your favorite brands are progressing as there will be an ultimate champion! vote in new matchups which will coincide with the basketball tournament, resulting in a final winner.

This is our fun surprise to sports and spirit fans alike as both brands and consumers all learned about it at the same time today ensuring that every brand had a chance to rally their team via Facebook and Twitter.

As a result of a few unique matchups in BoozeBrackets.com, we have enjoyed seeing brands compliment their matchup competition on Twitter, follow us on @BourbonBlog as we’ll be bringing you live updates.

Join us and show the world that spirits fans are good sports in this new sport of BoozeBrackets.com!

And by the way, we aren’t being biased, we are simply pleased to see brands like the couple below who got so excited about our gamethat they created these images for the purpose of rallying their fans!

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon

Jim Beam sports

Early Times Whisky

Tags: drinkwire
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Four Roses Bourbon unveils Single Barrel Bourbon Secretariat bottle

Posted 7:24 am March 20th, 2013

Four Roses Secretariat Single Bourbon Bottle

Four Roses Bourbon’s tells BourbonBlog.com that they will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Secretariat’s record-breaking Triple Crown with a Single Barrel Bourbon collectible bottle and one of a kind Bourbon selection.

Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, with Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge, will select the single barrel bourbon during a visit next week to Four Roses’ warehouse and bottling facility in Cox’s Creek, Ky.

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer has attended a number single barrel selections at Four Roses and provided assistance in the barrel selection process.

These have included barrel selections with Seven Grand, and several liquors stores in Kentucky and Indiana.

Watch the video segments of all these private barrel selections below to enjoy unique experience of private selection.

The commemorative Secretariat bottle is the second component of Four Roses’ tribute to Big Red’s anniversary.

Last month, Four Roses and the Kentucky Derby Museum announced a partnership to release a specially created ceramic Four Roses Secretariat’s bourbon decanter, created in the style of the popular 1970s-era collectibles.

The front of the bottle will feature an image of Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte, while one side will list Secretariat’s unmatched finishing times in the three races of the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

The neck of the bottle is adorned with the blue and white checks of the Meadow Stables jockey silks.

Four Roses will produce only 3,500 of these Secretariat bottles, which will be available for purchase this spring at select retail outlets along the Triple Crown trail in Kentucky, Maryland and New York.

Sampling all 10 unique recipes of Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey

Sampling all 10 unique recipes of Four Roses Bourbon at a Private Barrel Selection

The Secretariat bottles also will be available for purchase at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Ky., beginning April 27. Jim Rutledge will be available for bottle signings that day at the museum’s gift shop from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Four Roses decanter will resemble a full-bodied Secretariat, with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard. Just 500 hand-numbered ceramic decanters will be produced and will be sold at a ticketed event at the Kentucky Derby Museum on May 1.

“These will be very special bourbons, honoring a very special horse,” Master Distiller Jim Rutledge tells us.

Proceeds from the sale of both the Secretariat bottle and the decanter will be dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Derby Museum and to the Secretariat Foundation benefitting equine-related causes within the racing industry.

Seven Grand , LA - Four Roses Private Barrel Selection on BourbonBlog.com

Four Roses Private Barrel Selection with Paul, Rick Jones and Ken Blum

Frontier Liquors, Evansville, IN – Four Roses Private Barrel Selection on BourbonBlog.com

Tags: drinkwire
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Impractical Jokers, Murr interviewed about the TruTV show and The Tenderloins

Posted 8:06 pm March 19th, 2013

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Impractical Jokers logo BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer interviews comedian James Murray aka “Murr”, star of TruTV’s Impractical Jokers and performer of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins in the podcast interview above, click to play.

James “Murr” Murray of The Tenderloins and Impractical Jokers on TruTV

We thought it might be appropriate among our whiskey drinking crowd to let Murr share some suggestions on how to play the best pranks and get away with them in everyday life.

Murr also tells us how these four lifelong high school friends from New York- Joe, Q, Sal and himself formed The Tenderloins and their adventures in creating Impractical Jokers on TruTV.

While Murr and Joe Gatto don’t drink, Sal and Q are Bourbon fans.

Listen to how Joe uses nights out in the clubs and bars as a character study for drunkenness AND to see how much he can get away with.

As the Tenderloins are on tour now, check out the tour dates across the country.

This week they will be in Sioux City Iowa and Evansville, Indiana!

Also watch out video clips from Impractical Jokers that are referenced in our interview below.

The Tenderloins have their own podcast show check it out here.

Search for the new Impractical Jokers app on iTunes and Android for soundbytes, videos and more!

Watch Murr Kiss a Stranger on Impractical Jokers

The Tenderloins Tour Dates

The Tenderloins are Q, Joe Gatto, Murr, and Sal Vulcano

The Tenderloins (L to R) are Q, Joe Gatto, Murr, and Sal Vulcano

IOWA

Sioux City, Iowa
Friday, March 22nd, 8pm
Marina Center
Tickets

INDIANA

Evansville, Indiana
Saturday, March 23rd, 8pm
Victory Theatre
Tickets

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, March 26th, 7:30pm
Helium Comedy Club
Tickets

NEW JERSEY

New Brunswick, NJ
Tuesday, April 2nd, 7:00pm & 9:45pm
Stress Factory
Tickets

Murr and Joe with “Strip High Five” in Union Square Manhattan on Impractical Jokers

NEW YORK

Poughkeepsie, NY - Thursday, April 11th, 8:00pm Mid-Hudson Civic Center

Tickets here

IOWA

Davenport, IA
Friday, April 26th, 8:00pm
Tickets

Des Moines, IA
Saturday, April 27th, 7:30pm
Location: Hoyt Sherman Place
Tickets here

WISCONSIN

Madison, WI
Sunday, April 28th
Barrymore Theatre
Tickets

Murr Jumps on the Couch on Impractical Jokers

Murr Jumps on the Couch with his hopeful roommate

TENNESSEE

Nashville, TN
Friday, May 10th, 7pm & 9:30pm
Saturday, May 11th, 7pm & 9:30pm
Sunday, May 12th, 6:30pm
Zanies Comedy Club
Tickets

Watch Murr Convince a Potential Roommate to Move on Impractical Jokers

Impractical Jokers TRU TV

Murr and Sal are up to another prank on Impractical Jokers on TruTV

Kissing Stranger Murr Impractical Jokers

Murr steals a kiss from this “mark” on Impractical Jokers which led to him dating her for a month

Tags: drinkwire
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Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 Medal Winners and Results

Posted 8:59 pm March 10th, 2013

Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 BourbonBlog.com brings you the results and winners of the Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 and congratulates all the fine winners!

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer was a chair and judge along with 11 other prominent spirits professionals who participated in this double-blind tasting.

We are happy to report a number of Bourbons and whiskeys won prestigious medals. An array of other amazing spirits from vodka, absinthe, gin, brandy, tequila, and more from across the globe also won medals.

Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon won the highest honor of all spirits taking the “Best of Show” as the highest rated spirit of all categories in the competition.

Others to note: Wathen’s Bourbon (Gold); Breckenridge Bourbon (Gold); Knob Creek Rye (Double Gold), and the rest of the Knob Creek family all won medals.

Also we’re pleased to note that Town Branch Bourbon of Lexington won a Silver Medal and Local Choice’s Black Cherry Bourbon won a Bronze Medal- along with several other big wins for Local Choice, see below.

This annual competition, held at the Omni Interlocken Resort, is one of only four competitions of its kind in the world with the degree of international focus on spirits and the large number of categories of spirits judged.

Detailed results listed below, we recommend you taste them all. Thanks to all spirits who submitted!

Judges (L to R) William Davis, Tom Fischer and Dave Elger toast to winners at Denver International Competition 2013 after discovering what they’ve been judging

2013 Best of Show:

The two bourbons from Charles Medley Distillery both won high honors. Old Medley 12 Year won a Double Gold and Best of Show for the highest rated spirit at Denver International Spirits Competition. Wathen’s Bourbon won a Gold Medal

Old Medley 12 Years Old Bourbon

2013 Double Gold Winners:

The complete Knob Creek Whiskey Family won medals at Denver International Spirits Competition: Knob Creek Rye (Double Gold); Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Silver), Knob Creek Bourbon (Silver)

Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon, Charles Medley Distillery

Knob Creek Rye, Beam, Inc

Exclusiv 1 Vodka, Serge Imports, LLC

Roundhouse Gin, Roundhouse Spirits

Piedra Azul Reposado, Underdog Wine & Spirits

E&J VS Brandy, E&J Gallo

Ted Palmer, Distiller and Owner, poses with his Double Gold Medla winning for his Roundhoues Gin

Ted Palmer, Distiller and Owner, poses with his Double Gold Medal winning for his Roundhouse Gin - photo by Chris Davies

2013 Packaging Contest Winners:

Suerte Tequila Collection including Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo – these bottles won Gold for Packaging

Gold- Suerte Tequila, 3 bottle series, Blanco, Anejo & Reposado

Silver- Infusion Diabolique, 2 bottle series, Mixto Tequila & Kentucky Bourbon

Bronze- KAH Tequila, 3 bottle series, Blanco, De’Agave, De’ Reposado

Infusion Diabolique Kentucky Bourbon and Mixto Tequila, both infused with natural fruit, herbs and spices – these bottles won silver in the Packaging Contest

Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 Results:

Double Gold	Medal	Spirit Name	Producer
	Bronze	1One Vodka	Salveto Imports, LLC
	Gold	Barenjager Honey Bourban	Sidney Frank Importing
	Gold	Big House Bourbon Straight	Underdog Wine & Spirits
	Bronze	Big House Bourbon Tupelo Honey	Underdog Wine & Spirits
	Silver	Bird Dog Peach Whiskey	Western Spirits
	Gold	Breckenridge Bourbon	Breckenridge Distillery
	Gold	Breckenridge Spiced Rum	Breckenridge Distillery
	Silver	Cedar Ridge Dark Rum	Cedar Ridge Distillery
	Silver	Clear10 Vodka 80 Proof	Good Spirits Distilling
	Gold	Concannon Irish Whiskey	Underdog Wine & Spirits
	Silver	Denver Dry Gin	Mile High Spirits llc
	Silver	Dirty Karma Organic Vodka	Lifestyle Spirits
	Bronze	Dirty Karma SOL	Lifestyle Spirits
	Gold	Dizzy Three Express Vodka 60 Proof	Good Spirits Distilling
	Gold	Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur	Chopin Imports Ltd
Double Gold	Gold	E&J VS Brandy	E&J Gallo
	Gold	E&J VSOP Brandy	E&J Gallo
	Silver	E&J XO Brandy	E&J Gallo
	Gold	Elevate Vodka	Mile High Spirits llc
Double Gold	Gold	Exclusive 1 Vodak	Serge Imports LLC
	Silver	Exclusive 7 Coconut Vodak	Serge Imports LLC
	Gold	Feisty Spirits Elements -Kamut Wiskey	Feisty Spirits
	Silver	Fireside 4 year aged Bourbon	Mile High Spirits llc
	Silver	Five Wives Vodka	Ogdens Own Distillery
	Gold	Golden Moon Gin	Maison De La Vie, Ltd. Dba Golden Moon Distillery
	Gold	Howdys Apple Pie Liquer	Cedar Ridge Distillery
	Gold	Infusion Diabolique Kentucky	Black Squirrel Enterprises, Inc.
	Silver	Infusion Diabolique Mixto	Black Squirrel Enterprises, Inc.
	Gold	Iowa Bourbon Whiskey	Cedar Ridge Distillery
	Gold	KAH Tequila Anejo	Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC
	Gold	KAH Tequila Blanco	Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC
	Bronze	KAH Tequila Reposado	Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC
	Silver	Knob Creek	Beam, Inc
Double Gold	Gold	Knob Creek Rye	Beam, Inc
	Silver	Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve	Beam, Inc
	Bronze	Local Choice Black Cherry Bourbon	Local Choice Inc
	Gold	Local Choice Lime Tequila	Local Choice Inc
	Silver	Local Choice Orange Honey Tequila	Local Choice Inc
	Silver	Local Choice Vodka	Local Choice Inc
	Bronze	Local Choice Whiskey	Local Choice Inc
	Gold	Michael Collins Blend	Sidney Frank Importing
	Silver	Michael Collins Single Malt	Sidney Frank Importing
	Bronze	New Amsterdam Gin	E&J Gallo
	Gold	New Amsterdam Vodka	E&J Gallo
Double Gold & Best of Show	Gold	Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon	Charles Medley Distillery
	Bronze	Peak 7 Vodka	Peak & Vodka
	Gold	Peg Leg Rum	Mile High Spirits llc
	Bronze	Piedra Azul Blanco	Underdog Wine & Spirits
Double Gold	Gold	Piedra Azul Reposado	Underdog Wine & Spirits
	Silver	REDUX Absinthe	Maison De La Vie, Ltd. Dba Golden Moon Distillery
	Silver	Reed & Lacey California Gold Sugarcane, Barley, Corn Spirit	Reed & Lacey LLC
	Gold	Ricardo’s Decaf Coffee Liqueur	Spirit Hound Distillers
		River Rum	Quentin D. Witherspoon Distillery LLC
Double Gold	Gold	Roundhouse Gin	Roundhouse Spirits
	Gold	Santa Fe Spirits Apple Brandy	Santa Fe Spirits
	Silver	Silver Coyote	Santa Fe Spirits
		Spirit Hound Gin	Spirit Hound Distillers
	Silver	Suerte Tequil Anejo	Suerte Tequilla
	Silver	Suerte Tequil Bianco	Suerte Tequilla
	Gold	Suerte Tequil Reposado	Suerte Tequilla
	Bronze	Tahoe Blue Vodka	Tahoe Spirits, LLC
	Silver	Town Branch Broubon	Antech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
	Gold	Trinity Absinthe	Overland Distillery
	Gold	Underground Herbal Spirit	Ogdens Own Distillery
	Gold	Wathens Kentucky Bourbon (Single Barrel)	Charles Medley Distillery
	Bronze	Wheeler’s Gin	Santa Fe Spirits

2013 Design Contest	Gold	Suerte Tequila Series (3 bottles)	Suerte Tequilla
	Silver	Infusion Diabolique Bottle Series (2 bottles)	Black Squirrel Enterprises, Inc.
	Bronze	Kah Tecquila Series (3 bottles)	Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC

Exclusiv Vodka offers a line of Vodka flavors including Limon, Orange, Berry, Coconut, Rose, and Peach at the Denver International Spirits Competition, the regular straight Exclusiv Vodka won a Double Gold Medal

Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur by Chopin and Ricardo's Decaf Coffee Liqueur of Spirit Hound Distillers Colorado

Two favorite liqueurs among the judges that both received a Gold Medal: Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur by Chopin and Ricardo’s Decaf Coffee Liqueur of Spirit Hound Distillers of Colorado

Breckenridge Bourbon wins a Gold Medal at the 2013 Denver International Spirits Competition

Chris Davies Darcy Davies Wine Country Network

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer with Denver International Co-Founders Christopher Davies and Darcy Davies

Special thanks to Bridger Root and Mickey O’Hara for photography.

Tags: drinkwire
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Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 – Day 1

Posted 2:53 pm March 5th, 2013

There were a number of Bourbons entered in the competition that we enjoyed judging as we reviewed them thoroughly

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer reports from Colorado at the Denver International Spirits Competition 2013.

This is one of only four competitions of its kind in the world with the degree of international focus on spirits and the large number of categories of spirits judged.

Tom Fischer serves as a chair and also a judge in this annual competition. We will bring you results soon here on BourbonBlog.com.

In the video segment above, Tom Fischer interviews Christopher J. Davies about the competition.

Tom and Dave Elger, host of HotMixology , talk about the art of the blind tasting.

Tom also catches up fellow judges and friends Mike Manning, Co-Owner and Co-Founder Proof Media Mix, and Carolyn Riggs, Owner/Head Chef Brick Cellar Bar & Bistro.

Special thanks to Darcy R. Davies CO-Founder, President of Denver International Spirits Competition, all the chairs judges (listed below), and the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield Colorado for a spectacular weekend!

Film credit: Filmmakers, photographers, editors Bridger Root and Mickey O’Hara, thanks guys!

Christopher Davies, Co-Founder, Chairman of Denver International Spirits Competition; Wine Country Network, Inc

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer with Christopher Davies, Co-Founder, Chairman of Denver International Spirits Competition; Wine Country Network, Inc

Bryan Dayton Certified Sommelier, Master Mixologist & Proprietor OAK at Fourteenth Restaurant, Boulder, CO, BourbonBlog.com Host/Founder Tom Fischer, William Davis, CWE, CSS Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers

(Left to Right) Bryan Dayton Certified Sommelier, Master Mixologist & Proprietor OAK at Fourteenth Restaurant, Boulder, CO, BourbonBlog.com Host/Founder Tom Fischer, William Davis, CWE, CSS Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers

2013 Competition Chairs

Christopher J. Davies
C0-Founder, Chairman
Wine Country Network, Inc

Darcy R. Davies
CO-Founder, President
Wine Country Network, Inc

Bryan Dayton
Certified Sommelier, Master Mixologist & Proprietor
OAK at Fourteenth Restaurant, Boulder, CO

Tom Fischer
Spirits & drinks Journalist,
Host and Producer of BourbonBlog.com

Denver International Spirits Competition Judges for 2013 photo courtesy Christopher Davies

2013 Judges

Ted Palmer
Chief Distiller and President
Roundhouse Spirits

Tom Fischer
Spirits & drinks Journalist,
Host and Producer of BourbonBlog.com

Bryan Dayton
Certified Sommelier, Master Mixologist & Proprietor
OAK at Fourteenth Restaurant, Boulder, CO

Allison Anderson
Director Of Distillates
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO

Mike Manning
Co-Founder and Co-Owner Proof Media Mix

Dave Elger, Host of HotMixology

Carolyn M. Riggs
Owner/Head Chef
Brick Cellar Bar & Bistro
Gunnison, CO

William Davis, CWE, CSS
Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Food & Beverage Industry Professional

Natalie Guinovart DWS, CWE, CS
Senior Tasting Editor, VinoTasting.Com

Dave Elger Host of HotMixology (Left), Tom Fischer Host and Founder BourbonBlog.com (Right)

James Lee
Proprietor & Spirits Professional
The Bitter Bar

Chris Stadler
Senior Wine Instructor
International Wine Guild

Kevin Burke
Bar Manager
Colt & Gray

Larry Wilcox
Certified Spirit Sommelier
Topshelf Liquor Consulting, LLC

Denver, Colorado

Tags: drinkwire
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CAMUS Unveils Exceptionally Rare 5.150 Cognac

Posted 3:28 pm February 25th, 2013

CAMUS 5.150 Cognac

BourbonBlog.com’s Matt Capucilli reports from NYC:

Advanced blending and fanciful storytelling are permeating throughout the spirit industry. Many brands are taking it upon themselves to create super-rare amalgamations tied to their heritages. Despite a corresponding opportunity for overwhelming pretentiousness, the resulting products are frequently quite lovely.

Cyril Camus, President of CAMUS Cognac

Amongst this barrage of high-end additions, CAMUS recently released one of the most standout products on the market. I was fortunate enough to attend a private release dinner for the 5.150 Cognac at Scott Conant’s Private Culinary Suite in Soho (see menu from this dinner below).

The event was elegant, intimate, and relaxing. Several CAMUS representatives were present, including president Cyril Camus. A notable addition was Frank Matz, head of CAMUS Coffee.

Before dinner we learned what inspired the new product release. Since 1863, CAMUS has been led by five generations of men, all contributing to the vision of the company in unique ways. Thus five specially selected Cognacs were blended to create the 5.150. Ranging from 22-37 years of age, each component Cognac represents a generation of CAMUS leadership. The result is a celebration of these five leaders.

Chef Scott Conant prepared an amazing five-course meal for the group. My personal highlight was a course of three cheeses; a whipped sheep’s milk ricotta balanced by two other savory selections. I accidentally ate part of the soup course before the soup had been poured in. I turned to my neighbor, quipping “It’s a bit dry, but I love the flavor.”

CAMUS coffee was also served. It was robust and pleasantly bitter… a perfect choice for someone who knows that coffee should be taken black.

Soon after our meal, the 5.150 bottle presentation began. The Baccarat crystal design was amongst the most beautiful pieces I have seen. I wondered if the spirit inside would be as amazing as its enclosure. It certainly was.

Cyril Camus with BourbonBlog.com's Matt Capucilli

Cyril Camus enjoys a cognac with BourbonBlog.com’s Matt Capucilli

CAMUS 5.150 was hands down the most explosive, flavorful Cognac I have ever consumed. I tasted a rich, nutty center, notes of toffee and honey, and highlights of berry and earth. The finish was long, clean, and left me aching for another glass.

When I asked Cyril about the most important thing he learned from his grandfather, his response was weighty. “Even after he passed away, I noticed that no matter where I went, everyone had deep respect for him.”

The long tradition of CAMUS craftsmanship shines through in the 5.150 Cuvee Cognac. A mere 1492 bottles are in existence, and only 60 will be available in the United States. With an estimated price point of $13,500, this Cognac is about as good as it gets.

French menu