Whiskey Trail

Whiskey Trail logoIf you love whiskey and are looking for something fun and different to do this summer, look no further. The Northwest Whiskey Trail features seven distilleries in British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon. Yes, it’s the first Whiskey Trail that crosses an international border. So pack your bags and start planning your visit to the world of single malt and potstill whiskey. Find out what makes these whiskeys so special — whether it’s the local barley, the peat, yeast strains, craft brewing and distilling methods, or the premium oak casks. If you visit all seven distilleries, a gift awaits you. Read on for details.

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Spanish Sherry

Spanish SherriesOur monthly “Booze Group” recently held a Spanish Sherry tasting, and we contributed these two bottles: Bodegas Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa and Fino Jarana. Bodegas Lustau has been crafting sherry for more than 120 years. The International Wine & Spirit Competition named Lustau as the Best Spanish Winery in 2011, and Best Sherry Producer in 2014 and 2016. Read on for more details. Continue reading

Licorice Alcohol

Licorice AlcoholWe recently hosted our monthly “Booze Group” and held a tasting of licorice alcohol, paired with Greek food. The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun. Read on for details of the anise-flavored booze we tasted, and the menu. Continue reading

Smoke on the Boulevard

Smoke on the Boulevard CocktailOur new favorite cocktail is Smoke on the Boulevard, which we first tasted at Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Next, we ordered it again at Hell’s Kitchen in Lake Tahoe. We so adore this cocktail, Dave purchased a smoking gun kit, so we could make it at home. We adjusted the name to Smoke on the Water since our backyard, where Dave does the smoking, is on a little lake. As well, we both like the Deep Purple song of the same name, which tells the tale of a casino fire in Switzerland. Fitting, because of the Vegas connection. Read on for the recipe.

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