Block Spirits: Talking about spirits from bourbon to vodka

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

Phil — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:33:33 +0000

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day coming and going once again, I wanted to write about an Irish whiskey that may or may not be new to you…Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey. This Irish gem is distilled with barley and grain. On the nose, you will get some tropical and citrus fruit with some vanilla. When you taste it, you’ll get toffee, fruit, and pepper for a vanilla toasty wood finish. Kilbeggan is distilled in the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, The Old Kilbeggan Distillery. This Distillery was opened in 1757 and is located on the main road between Dublin and Galway in the town of Kilbeggan, where the Whiskey gets its name. Kilbeggan has won some pretty big awards including 2006 & 2007 International Wine and Spirits Competition Silver Medal, and 2006 & 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Silver Medal. It’s priced pretty decently…you can grab a bottle in Chicago for anywhere from $20-$25. Kilbeggan is a brand that’s not only a great whiskey, but also a great conversation piece as well. So the next time you bring it to a party, remember to bring along these recipes as well…it is sure to impress any Irish whiskey drinker.

Kilbeggan Irish Mule: Combine 3 parts Kilbeggan, 2 parts Triple Sec, 2 parts simple syrup and lime juice into a shaker with ice and shake for 60 seconds. Strain over ice into a tall glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with lime wedges.

Kilbeggan Dubliner: Combine 3 parts Kilbeggan, 2 parts Sweet Vermouth, 1.5 parts Cherry syrup, 1.5 parts cranberry Juice, and a dash of simple syrup into a shaker with ice and shake for 60 seconds. Strain neat into a martini glass. Garnish with a black cherry.

Kilbeggan Shamrock Spritzer: Pour 1 part Kilbeggan, 4 parts apple juice over ice in a tall glass. Top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a lemon.

Picture from shoppica.net

Svedka Grape

Phil — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:36:09 +0000

The best, inexpensive vodka has just introduced a new flavor to their portfolio. Svedka introduced Svedka Grape into the family in August of 2011. This newest flavor is made with West Coast Concord Grapes and distilled 5 times. I tried it with ginger ale and it was great. I’ve also heard of people mixing it with energy drinks…that grape flavor mixes well with it. It’s light, crisp taste makes it really mixable. All Svedka vodkas are made from winter wheat and imported from Sweden. Svedka is known for being a premium tasting vodka without the premium price. I wrote a blog a few months back explaining that Svedka was one of those inexpensive brands that floated under the radar for a long time. People started realizing that this was not only a value brand, but a high quality brand as well. You can shoot it, mix it, or rocks it and it will still taste great without that “bad booze” hangover the next day. The price is usually 14-16 dollars for a 750, however, in Chicago-land, Jewel-Osco is having a sale on all 750 bottles of Svedka this week from Thursday, September 22-Sunday, September 25 2011. This is a good chance to sample any of the Svedka vodkas for an even lower price than usual…I’m taking advantage! If anyone has tried the new grape or any of the Svedkas and want to comment on my blog, please do so, I look forward to hear what everyone thinks.

Picture from proof66.com

Christian Brothers Honey

Phil — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:50:25 +0000

Brandy fans, listen up! There has not been a new innovation to brandy since it’s birth…that is, until now. Christian Brothers has released a new product using their traditional VS brandy and infusing it with natural honey. Christian Brothers Honey is a 70 proof explosion in your mouth. It’s an interesting product because it’s like a brandy and a cordial. As a matter of fact, you can find this product in the brandy section AND the cordial section at your local liquor store. There are a few different ways to drink this new product, so here are a few different recipes: 1.) 2 oz. CB Honey, 2 oz. Ginger Ale. Pour over ice and stir, garnish with lime wheel. 2.) 2 oz. CB Honey, 1 oz. club soda, squeeze of lime. Pour over ice and stir, garnish with lime twist. 3.) 2 oz CB Honey, 2 oz Cola, squeeze of lemon. Pour over ice and and stir, garnish with lemon wheel. 4.) CB Honey on the rocks. 5.) CB Honey in a shot. These are just a few ideas but feel free to experiment. The price range is a dollar or 2 more than the regular Christian Brothers Brandy putting Honey at around 12 bucks for a 750. So if you like brandy and/or honey, give it a shot.

Picture from christianbrothersbrandy.com

Poland or Russia: Who Invented Vodka?

Phil — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:50:27 +0000

Bourbon comes from America, Scotch comes from Scotland, and Tequila comes from Mexico. These are pretty obvious, but what about Vodka? Vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world right now. People, from all over, drink it straight, make martinis, and mix it into countless cocktails. But what country is known for inventing it? Well, it pretty much comes down to 2 countries…Poland or Russia. There is no definitive proof from either country, but experts agree it is probably one of these Eastern European regions. Vodka is recorded in early Polish and Russian texts and dictionaries, but there is no exact country that officially takes the credit for the origin of the spirit. Although, if you ask anyone who has Russian or Polish blood, I’m sure you’ll get a much more definitive, enthusiastic, answer. The fact of the matter is, no one really knows…That’s why i want to tally it up! We probably will never know for sure but i thought it would be cool to COMMENT UNDER THIS BLOG whether you believe Poland or Russia are the true owners of the spirit, and we’ll see who gets the most votes.

Picture from thefiftybest.com

Weather Mark Tavern

Phil — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:25:55 +0000

A few weeks ago, a couple buddies and I decided to grab some lunch. One of my friends had a Groupon for a bar in the South Loop so we decided to check it out. The bar was Weather Mark Tavern located at 1503 Michigan Ave. Weather Mark is one of the only nautical bars in Chicago, and with Lake Michigan’s sailing season quickly approaching, it’s a much visit. When we got there, a sailing club was actually meeting to discuss their upcoming trips. The staff was really friendly and the owner, Mark Stern, even came and chilled with us for a while as he filled us in on the drink selections. One of the coolest parts about this bar, is the selection of over 50 kinds of rum (fitting in perfectly with the bar’s sailing theme). They have what is called the Weather Mark Rum Club. What happens is, they give you a card called a passport. In the passport is the different kinds of rum they carry. They hold on to the passport for you so every time you come in and try a new rum on the list, they’ll check it off…try all the rums and your name goes up on a plaque behind the bar-pretty cool. They are known for their sipping rums but also have good ones for mixing as well. We also entertained ourselves by playing this game they have on the wall which consists of taking a ring on a string, swinging it, trying to to latch onto a hook…I guess you would have to see it to fully get it, but take my word for it, It’s pretty challenging and fun. I thought I’d write about Weather Mark because it was a really interesting place to hang out, especially if you are into boats and sailing. Either way, the food was solid, the drinks were strong, and the atmosphere was one of a kind.

NEW Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Phil — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:30:51 +0000

Big big news in Bourbon Country!! The BRAND NEW Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is here! Its Knob Creek’s first-ever single barrel bourbon. Knob Creek Original is part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection (The others include Booker’s, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden’s). It’s a pretty big deal welcoming a fifth member of the crew. One big difference of Knob Single Barrel is its bottled at 120 proof, whereas Knob Creek Original is bottled at 100 proof. Also, which is pretty obvious by it’s name, Knob Single Barrel is not blended with bourbon from any other barrels, Single Barrel Reserve is handcrafted and hand-selected all in one barrel. The taste profile is rich vanilla and wood notes with a little bit of caramel. This has been a long time coming for Knob Creek fans who were looking for a bourbon for a special occasion with a little more bang! The price of Knob Single Barrel is going to be around the 40 dollar range, depending where you go. The higher price range, however, matches the higher proof and is well worth it. It’s in stores now so check it out and let me know what you think.

Picture from bourbonblog.com

ABC’s Of Bourbon: G-No Additives

Phil — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:22:59 +0000

The last standard of the ABC’s Of Bourbon is “No Additives”. I know, I know…it doesn’t start with a “G”. There are no good ways to say “No Additives” using the letter “G”. This standard means no additional alcohol, flavoring agents such as caramel, or colorings are permitted. In case some of you were wondering, Charcoal Filtering IS a flavoring agent. This prevents some types of American Whiskey from being Bourbon. Once again, this standard is a quality issue. Additives could alter taste and the way you feel in the morning. Also, by keeping Bourbon additive free, it most resembles the early days of America when Bourbon was first born.

A – American Made

B – Barrels

C – Corn

D – Distilled

E – Entered

F – Filled

G- No Additives

In conclusion, these 7 standards have to be followed in order to be called a Bourbon. So remember when your shopping for our native spirit, if it doesn’t say “Bourbon” on the bottle…It’s not a Bourbon. Thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with my ABC’s Of Bourbon series, I enjoyed it and your comments. Keep checking back and I’d love to hear from you!

Picture from zazzle.com

ABC’s Of Bourbon: F-Filled

Phil — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:03:51 +0000

We’re almost to the end and just like the last 2, the 6th standard dealswith proof again. In order to be called a bourbon, the bottles must be “Filled” at no less than 80 proof(40%abv). There are bourbons, however, that do have a higher proof than 80…that’s fine, it just can’t be lower. Also, There are some bourbon based cordials out there having a slightly lower proof than 80, but don’t be fooled, those are not bourbon. Check back soon for the last standard that makes a bourbon a bourbon(”No Additives”) and the wrap up to my ABC’s Of Bourbon series.

A – American Made

B – Barrels

C – Corn

D – Distilled

E – Entered

F – Filled

G- No Additives

Picture from tastefortravel.blogspot.com

ABC’s Of Bourbon: E-Entered

Phil — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:36:30 +0000

Just like the previous standard, the fifth standard has to do with the proof…proof of the whiskey when it is “Entered” into the barrel. The whiskey must enter the barrel at no more than 125 proof(62.5% abv). Here is a picture of bourbon entering new, charred, oak barrels. Another standard keeping bourbon a high-quality spirit.

A – American Made

B – Barrels

C – Corn

D – Distilled

E – Entered

F – Filled

G- No Additives

Picture from kentuckybarrels.com

ABC’s Of Bourbon: D-Distilled

Phil — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:01:14 +0000

The fourth standard has to do with distillation. Distillation is the evaporation and subsequent condensation of a liquid. In other words, it’s when impurities are removed from the liquid. The law states that it must be distilled at no more than 160 proof(80% abv). Short and sweet.

A – American Made

B – Barrels

C – Corn

D – Distilled

E – Entered

F – Filled

G- No Additives

Picture from cocktails.about.com