Month: August 2023

Aug 28

Sunday Funday: Summer Style

The Day: Welcome to Sunday Funday: Summer style.  With the summer ending, it is great to get outside and enjoy the weather, as in a couple of months, we will be housebound in the state of Wisconsin.  Now is the best time to get out and enjoy the weather while you still can. To start sitting outside on the patio with the morning coffee, watching the birds have breakfast at the feeders and the turkeys and other wildlife wandering through the yard eating anything that the birds threw out of the feeders.  The weather was perfect at a comfortable 65 Degrees F.  Got ready and then went to have lunch and meet some friends at The Stillery.  Had a few drinks and enjoyed one of the lunch specials, Chicken flatbread, which was fabulous.  Started with a Spicy Bloody Mary and then went to a drink special they had for a fundraiser for the local human society.  It was a grapefruit-based cocktail with bourbon.  Didn’t catch the name, but it was a very good cocktail.  Chatted with our friends regarding taking a vacation to Florida to get out of the Wisconsin winters. From there, we went to play a round of golf.  Sun was out, drinks flowed, and the golf game was decent.  I could only play fifteen holes as the round was a bit slower than I would have liked, but with the weather, everyone was out enjoying.  Had a great time with my wife on the course and had a few drinks to pass the time in the gorgeous weather. Left the course and headed home to make T-bones on the grill, along with some salmon and asparagus.  While cooking, I had a few high noon and enjoyed music, the weather, and the patio.  Once the steaks were done, I switched to an old-fashioned with Elijah Craig barrel-proof.  That was a nice touch with the steaks. For an after-dinner drink, I decided on a rye Manhattan with Basil Hayden Dark Rye that I sipped the rest of the evening. Conclusion: I had a great Sunday with my wife and friends.  Enjoyed cooking and relaxing on the patio with a great dinner and cocktails.  Nothing better than spending time with my wife on a great Sunday at the end of the summer.

Aug 25

A Guide to Starting a Home Bar for Bourbon Enthusiasts

Intro: Howdy all you bourbon enthusiasts.  It’s time to build that home bar for you to enjoy all your favorite bourbons.    Building your home bar isn’t just about savoring the bourbon but is also a wonderful way to expand your hobby and your collection of bourbons while entertaining friends and family.  In this guide, you will walk through the essentials to starting your journey to creating the ultimate bourbon oasis in your home. Define Your Space: The first thing in creating a home bourbon bar is finding the perfect place for it.  This can be a dedicated room, a corner of your living room, a cabinet with your bottles and glassware, or a man cave.  The key is to have a place that is easily accessible and well-lit so you can enjoy our bourbon experience.  If you are doing a man cave, add some accents of bourbon-related artwork and or vintage barware to impress friends and family or just to enjoy your spirits your way. Choose Your Bourbon Selection: Since you are already thinking about or have started your home bar, you already have a few bottles of bourbon in your collection.  If you don’t have the bottles already, go grab two or three of your favorites to get your collection started.  These bottles you enjoy and are a great way to introduce others to the bourbon world.  Now, don’t be afraid to go out and try a different style than you are used to or comfortable with.  Go get one of those rare bottles that you will crack open for that special occasion. Essential Bourbon Tools and Glassware: You have your bourbon now; you will need the essentials of the bar.  These are the tools of the trade per se.  You don’t have to spend a fortune on the tools, but ensure you get nice quality as you will use them for some time. Some essentials include: – Tasting Glasses: Glencairn glasses or tulip-shaped glasses are great choices to start.  Most distilleries will sell these in their shops, or if all else fails, start with some old-fashioned glasses. – Jigger: For precise measurements when making cocktails. – Cocktail Shaker: There are multiple kinds of cocktail shakers.  Boston shakers are two-piece shakers, and then you have a hybrid shaker that is one piece with a cover over the top.  This one is the easiest and comes with a strainer where the cover goes on.  – Ice Molds: To start, these are not required but you will want to move to them.  They add a nice touch to any cocktail you make for friends and family.  Large ice cubes or spheres to avoid quick dilution. – Bar Spoon and Strainer: For stirring and straining cocktails. Bourbon Accessories: Once you have the tools and bourbon selected, the following are nice to have. – Bourbon Stones or Ice Ball Makers: These are really for people who want a chilled bourbon neat.  A chilled bourbon needs an ice cube as the flavors can be more pronounced with that touch of water.  – Bourbon Books:  Books are a great way to learn where a cocktail originated and how it was changed. Or how bourbon became so popular in the US.  Also, some nice artwork can be lying on the bar or tabletop. – Bourbon Barrel Decor: Get a bourbon barrel head from your favorite distillery or a small barrel itself to add to your bar area. Organize Your Collection: Keep your bourbons organized and accessible. A simple shelving unit or cabinet with adjustable shelves can accommodate your growing collection. Arrange your bottles by style, brand, or age for easy selection. Learn the Art of Tasting: Take your bourbon appreciation to the next level by learning how to taste it properly. Understand the importance of nosing, sipping, and savoring the flavors. Experiment with tasting notes and record your impressions to refine your palate over time.  A popular way to taste bourbon is to try it neat and then add a drop or two of water.  When you do this, you will see the difference between the two as flavors become more pronounced with the water. Experiment with Bourbon Cocktails: This is where things start to get fun.  Mixology of cocktails and drinks.   Start with classics like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Whiskey Sour.  Once you master these, you can really impress your family and friends and come up with your own concoctions.  Remember, practice makes perfect, but don’t use the good bourbon to start.  Get the base drink down and then add the different bourbons to see the effects on the cocktail. Share the Experience: Invite friends and fellow bourbon enthusiasts over to share your passion. Host bourbon-tasting nights, compare different bottles, and exchange tasting notes. It’s a fantastic way to build a sense of community around your home bar. Conclusion: Building your home bourbon bar, be it a full-blown bar or a cabinet that holds your tools and bourbons, will be a great place to invite your friends and family to show off your new abilities and share your bourbons.  Remember, the bottles you gather are not to sit and look pretty.  They are meant to be drunk, so get out there and enjoy your bottles.  Cheers!

Aug 11

Greater Whiskey Open 2023

Greater Whiskey Open I was asked to play in the Greater Whiskey Open at my golf club yesterday.  The entry is a $40+ bottle of whiskey (bourbon) and $100 to cover food, skins, and hole prizes.  Your team consisted of two players, and you were paired with another group.  The first six holes were a scramble, the next six holes were one best ball of two, and the final six holes were true alternate shots.  This is where the fun really starts. Both people place each other in places they may not have played before. Or miss a putt…  Before the round started, para-mutual betting existed for first and second-place finishers.  All 28 guys knew each other from the club, and there was a lot of camaraderie and good luck from everyone. The opening group comprised the previous year’s winners and their playing partners.  All 28 guys gathered around the first tee for the opening ceremonies, which consisted of a shot and a group picture with the trophy shown below.  The winners each year sign the trophy. Here is an image of the bottles each participant brought for the entry fee and to be given away to the top teams. The Play Each 6 holes, you were given your handicap based on the teams’ handicaps down to the tenth of a point.  My partner and I were getting 1.7 strokes on the scramble, which were on both par 5s.  On the best ball, I was given 1 stroke, and my partner had 4 of the holes with a stroke.  On the alternate shot, we received 5.7 strokes. Highlights Highlights for us were the fact we had three gross birdies on the scramble and had par on the other three holes.   Pretty good for a 7 hdcp and a 21 hdcp.  Better ball; we had one bogey and five pars with hdcp ended up under par.  The fun started for us on the alternate shot.  The first hole of the alternate shot was a par 3.  In this event, for this first hole, we both could tee off and then choose which shot to start the alternate shot.  We chose poorly and ended with a gross double.  On the next hole, my partner had a really nice drive. The approach was five feet, and we sank the putt for a gross birdie.  Great, so after two holes gross, we were +1.  It’s not a horrible way to start the alternate shot.  The next two holes made gross par, and things looked really good.  Then came another Par 3.  The short tee shot and bad chip lead to a bad putt, another bad putt, and a tap in 5.  Another double on the par 3.  OUCH.  It’s the last hole, and we still think we are in really good shape with our first 12 and then playing okay in the alternate shot.  It was a decent tee shot, then hit well over the green.  Now this chip coming back is staring straight downhill to water.  Partner leaves it short.  Ok, no problem.  Oops, I leave it short.  My partner hits it on, and we two-putt for a 7.  It’s a really big ouch to end with a gross triple bogey.  The enjoyment of alternate shot! The Score Overall, we played really well and ended up taking second place, giving us three bottles of whiskey.  These were the bottles I picked.  The Old Forrester is a barrel pick from a local liquor store. Winners also get to take the trophy for the year.  After the dust settled, we took home one skin and second place.  We ended up taking second by less than one stroke, so the last two finishing holes were even more painful.  REALLY BIG OUCH.  The fun of alternate shot and two guys really having a great time on the course.  The event was run really well and was a great day. Playing the six holes of different golf made the day really interesting.  Can’t wait for next year to see if we can take home the trophy. Junior.

Aug 04

A Winning Hand: Playing Poker and Sipping Bourbon

Howdy, all of you bourbon enthusiasts and poker aficionados! Today, we will discuss two timeless pleasures and combine them together.  That is bourbon and poker. poker and bourbon.  The two are like peanut butter and jelly; they always go together.  The setting is a game room, friends’ basement, garage, or a bar.  You have your best buddies with you and are about to sit down for a night of bourbon and poker.  The following blog post explores the joy of playing poker with a glass of your favorite bourbon.  So, shuffle up and deal, and enjoy a bourbon. Before diving into the game, let’s talk about the brown liquid that will elevate your poker experience – bourbon. Whether you prefer a smooth, mellow bourbon or a bold and spicy one, the choices are abundant.  Choosing your favorite bourbon is your choice.  There are so many to pick from. You can grab a rare find or a common everyday drinker.  Remember, there’s no wrong way to enjoy bourbon; the journey is half the fun! Having the right setting is key to a great, relaxed poker game.   Get the music going, prepare the cards and chips, have the tables and chairs configured, and ensure everyone has a beverage.  Then fire up the cards and get them in the air.  Ensure everyone is prepared to have a great time for the evening. Poker IS a game of strategy, but some good luck always helps.  For the times you have some bad luck, grab your bourbon, take a sip, and let the bad luck go.  You could even say you are drowning your sorrows in it.  When you have good luck, grab your glass and cheers. Bourbon has a unique taste to all the different varieties and bottles out there but comes from the same three ingredients (Generally).  51% corn or more, rye, and barley.  The sweeter bourbons have some wheat in them as well.  Every deck of cards has 52 cards, which makes for an endless opportunity for good and bad hands.  On every hand, you will have friendly banter, share stories, and let the bourbon and cards enhance the camaraderie around the table. As you play into the night, break down the bourbons everyone tries at the table, almost like a tasting in a poker game.  Discuss why each person likes the one they are having and why it is their favorite or a new one they want to try.  This will be good for those unlucky players who bust out early.  Sit back and enjoy the bourbon. Playing cards and drinking bourbon, relaxation, friendship, and enjoyment are the keys to a great evening.  Combining the two creates awesome experiences you will discuss for years to come.  The camaraderie at the table is truly what makes the evening. So, fellow bourbon enthusiasts and poker players, let’s raise our glasses to a night of laid-back fun, and may your hands be blessed with good cards and even better bourbon. Cheers!