Stocked our liquor cabinet today. Plan on breaking out the blender we got for Christmas for Margaritas before long – but we were low or out of just about everything anyway.
Got into an interesting conversation with my friend Amanda – a big Margarita fan – about which Tequila she prefers and why. Here’s what I went with for the cabinet:
1) Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila.
When I was working in a restaurant this is what we used in the Margaritas and nothing more expensive ever tasted better to me. It’s the best selling Tequila in the world – so I guess I’m not alone in that.
2) Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka
I’m not really into flavored vodka and I figure we’ll be using it mostly for Martinis and other straight mixed drinks that won’t require some sort of fruit flavor. I’d have gone with Absolut otherwise. But, in a recent blind taste test conducted by the Dining In section of the New York Times, Smirnoff actually came out on top. The experts were shocked – but some of the more expensive, better adorned bottles (like Grey Goose and Ketel One) didn’t even crack the top ten.
Having a blind taste test for vodka’s a little strange. After all, this is the U.S. government’s definition of vodka:
“Neutral spirits, so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.”
And no one understands why I bitch about Gin drinks having turned into Vodka drinks. Still – if you’re going to drink the stuff, go with the purest and the best tasting and not with the pretty bottle.
That said I was very tempted by Tanqueray Sterling…which I’ve never tasted, but come on…it’s Tanqueray.
3) Jim Beam Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
My friend and favorite Tennessean Kevin Harvey might kill me for saying this – but I’ve come to prefer Kentucky Bourbon to Tennesee Whiskey. I have nothing specific against Jack – it just tastes to me like Bourbon before it’s become Bourbon. The higher end Jack products they’re now making are, essentially, like middlingly to very good Kentucky Bourbon. But, to my mind, unless you’re mixing it ginger ale or something, why not just go with the Bourbon straight away?
4) Tanqueray London Dry Gin
I hear you on the Bombay Sapphire. Really. All the same, this is what I’ll be having.
We have all the other essential drink fixings…just going to need some Champage for New Year’s.
But now I wanna know…what do you people drink? Give me your favorite…
1)Tequila
2) Vodka
3) Whiskey
4) Gin
And tell me why. I can be persuaded…
9 Comments
December 28, 2005 at 5:58 pm
1) Whiskey: The most flavorful I think without killing you with tartness or sweetness. It can be mixed with a variety mixers (ex: soda or juice) or just thrown over a couple of ice cubes. I prefer Jim Beam over ole No. 7 myself although Gentleman Jack is quite nice in tea.
2) Vodka: Now see I like the flavored vodkas, particularly the smirnoff line. Raspberry vodka with Sprite is quite delightful. If I were to drink plain vodka, I’d go with Skye. Vodka again is pretty versatile although better in juices, in my humble opinion.
3) Tequila: I used to love tequila…but Jose and I had a disagreement several years ago and I can’t hardly choke the stuff down. But as I remember the taste (before the incident) it was quite delicious.
4) Gin: This noxious stuff that needs to never be bought (sorry Joe!). Either that or I haven’t been fixed the right drink with it before.
~Sarah
December 28, 2005 at 6:59 pm
I’m hearing a lot of people say they hate Gin lately.
It never occurred to me to hate Gin — but then, I don’t usually drink it straight.
Good whiskey I can drink straight all day. Or, you know, until I fall down…
December 30, 2005 at 11:37 pm
Bourbon, scotch, water, blood. These are the only liquids I allow in my body.
Tequila has but one purpose, to relieve yourself of all control over your body. If you’re running short of tequila, acid or heroine will do just as well.
Vodka is good for mixing, but an alarming amount of gay men drink only vodka. I’m just throwing that out there.
Gin is a vile syrup. If the devil ate pancakes, he would cover them in gin and wash them down with dead baby margaritas. Gin is given to old women in order to start the preservation process early. If it was a choice between using gin to clean a wound on my right arm or letting it fester, I would learn to write with my left.
December 31, 2005 at 12:12 am
Here’s a New Year’s resolution for Joe: stop being such a booze snob!
BTW, Patrone. That is the best tequilla.
December 31, 2005 at 1:36 am
Caring what booze you pour down yourself doesn’t make you a booze snob.
In fact, I hate that entire way of thinking — that really caring what goes into your mouth, your eyes, your ears or your mind makes you a snob. If you prefer one thing over another and are serious about it…well, then, you’ve now so seperated yourself from society that you might as well be a monk.
The largest argument against my being an actual booze snob? I prefer Jose Cuervo Especial to Patron. I don’t have a terribly sophisticated palate – I just know what I like.
December 31, 2005 at 4:26 am
Actually, having just tried it the other night, I like gin. Tastes like alcohol. Add it to Sprite, and you have Sprite, with alcohol. Thus, it has served it’s purpose.
My logic is that alcohol should do one of two things: it should taste good, or it should mix well with other things that taste good. Failing this, it should give The General Lee enough of a kick to give Boss Hog the slip.
I’m one of those people that does a lot of research into the best and most reliable brand of bike, car, or computer before I buy. I think booze is just as important a purchase; who wants to be stuck with a whole bottle of vodka that tastes like it could cure acne?
December 31, 2005 at 5:14 pm
Lately, my drink of choice has been a Kir Royale, mostly b/c I like walking around with a Champagne flute.
Over the course of the last 2 years of high school I finished of the bottle of Jim Bean in my parents’ liquor cabinet. They never seemed to notice. Haven’t had it since, but it holds a special place in my heart.
I’m SO down with tequila. Thing is though, that I have to be ready for it, I need the fixin’s (lime, salt), I need not be drinking anything else. Then I’m good for a night of matching shots with people. Just not white tequila! I have a phobia of that shit.
Gin? A dirty Martini, baby. Although I hear gin gives you premature wrinkles. Failing that, I want a Nancy Reagan’s Sweet Sweet Pussy: gin and tonic with lots of Grenadine.
December 31, 2005 at 6:55 pm
Nancy Reagan’s Sweet Pussy?
That’s hilarious!
Of course it would be a G & T with grenadine!
Terrific!
December 31, 2005 at 10:42 pm
Nacy Reagan’s Sweet Sweet Pussy, Joe. Get it right.
That’s awesome. I’m diffenantly going to try it. Although I just noticed the Grenadine I just bought is nothing but corn syrup. Fuckers! It’s supposed to be pomagranite juice!
I want a Ronald Reagan’s Wrinkled Limp Cock. I’m guessing Jack, Gin, and Peppermint Schnapps. Serve with two olives.