Blog Posts

Mar 12

Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon

St. Patrick’s Day is a great time do try a new cocktail, and the Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon is a refreshing choice that combines the sweetness of Midori with the rich flavor of bourbon. This is not your standard Irish whiskey St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail here. We use bourbon for a twist. Here’s how to make this delightful drink that’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Ingredients: Instructions: Tasting Notes: The Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon is a delightful blend of flavors. The Midori provides a sweet melon base, while the bourbon adds a smoky complexity that elevates the cocktail. The lemon-lime soda introduces a bubbly brightness, and the lime garnish gives a zesty kick that ties everything together beautifully. Conclusion: Whether you’re at a St. Patrick’s Day Party, lounging by the pool or hosting a summer gathering, the Melon Splash is a cocktail that offers a unique twist on traditional bourbon drinks. It’s easy preparation and delicious taste make it an ideal choice for both cocktail aficionados and newcomers alike. So, pour yourself a Melon Splash, kick back, and enjoy the sweet taste of the Melon Splash: Refreshing twins on Bourbon! 🍈🍀

Feb 25

Sunset Serenity Cocktail

Welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall, where we explore the cocktails to create at home.  Today, we present the Sunset Serenity Cocktail – a blend of bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, grenadine, and a splash of orange juice. This cocktail is not just a drink; it’s an experience that will transport your taste buds to a realm of pure bliss. How the Ingredients come together: Ingredients: Directions: What the cocktail will look like: Cocktail Video Link In conclusion, the Sunset Serenity Cocktail is not just a cocktail; it’s a work of art that combines carefully selected ingredients to create a delightful and well-balanced experience. So, gather your ingredients, shake up this masterpiece, and let the serenity of the sunset unfold in your glass. Cheers to the art of home bartending!

Feb 23

Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned

Introduction: Howdy and welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall and we are going to discuss the Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned. On Old Fashioned Friday’s love to have a great old-fashioned with a wonderful fish fry. This cocktail matches a Dark Rye / Double Rye with sassafras syrup and angostura bitters.  Basically, this cocktail could be named a Root Beer Old Fashioned as well.  Let’s dive in. What is sassafras syrup you ask?  Well, it is made from the root bark of the sassafras tree.  The syrup itself gives off a great earthy flavor and what I like to call the Christmas spice of cardamom, molasses, and start anis.  Great flavors that go with Rye whiskey and give you a bit of spice.  And gives you a great root beer flavor. The sassafras syrup gives this old-fashioned sweetness that a good old-fashioned need to become a great cocktail. It also gives off the aroma of the molasses and cardamom or a good root beer flavor. Here is the Recipe for the Sassafras Old-Fashioned: Ingredients: Instructions: Video on how to make the Sassafras Old-Fashioned. Conclusion: The Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned is a sweet and spicy cocktail that tastes like a root beer soda.  You can control the sweetness by using a higher proof rye or a bit less syrup.  This would be a great after dinner cocktail or a way to end your night.

Oct 09

Top 5 Cocktails

Howdy, and welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall.  Here to help you learn how to make great cocktails at home.  In the last few days, I have been seeing more and more posts about people’s favorite cocktails for the fall or just to make at home.  This got me to thinking about what my list of top 5 cocktails would be I enjoy making at home to enjoy with friends or just sitting around watching the game. Top 5 Cocktails: Whiskey Sour This cocktail is simple and easy to make.  This cocktail calls for three essential ingredients: Bourbon, Sour Mix, and Egg Whites.  You can use whatever sour mix you like, but I will give you the recipe that I use below.  Add your bourbon, sour mix, and egg white to a tin filled with ice.  Now, you will learn how much sour mix to use as you make this drink more and more.  You want enough to mix the drink and fill your old-fashioned glass to the top. Shake the drink for 8 – 10 seconds.  Some people say you should dry shake first, but I have always combined everything, and the drink comes out with a nice froth on top of it when you pour it over fresh ice in an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with a luxardo cherry. This is a refreshing drink with a bit of pucker punch from the sour mix.  I use a good 100-proof bourbon for this drink, but you can use any whiskey that you enjoy. Old Fashioned This is the top of my list of cocktails I enjoy and make for others.  It is a little bit of work to make a really good old-fashioned, but, so worth the work.  This cocktail I am making here is a Wisconsin twist on the classic old-fashioned.  I enjoy the classic old-fashioned with a good steak or fancy dinner, but, the Wisconsin old-fashioned is great on a Friday with your fish fry.  Why I have dubbed it OFF…  Old Fashioned Fridays. You start making this drink in your old-fashioned glass. Place the Luxardo Cherry, Orange Slice, sugar cube, bitters, and a splash of mix in your glass.  Muddle everything together, then add your ice and your bourbon, then top off with a bit more mix. Garnish with two Luxardo cherries, and enjoy. The mix can be sweet (7-up), sour (Sour Mix or Squirt), or Club Soda.  I enjoy sweet the best, and then the second best is the sour with my sour mix.  This way of making the old-fashioned is rarely found outside of Wisconsin.  It does not have a strong alcohol taste; you can have a few of them with your fish fry and be happy. Jalapeno Margarita The Jalapeno Margarita is a great way to enjoy a margarita for those who like a little spicy kick.  To create this cocktail, you will have to do a bit of preparation to make it perfect.  For the preparation, take a mason jar filled with your favorite tequila, cut up one or two jalapenos, and add to the jar for 24-48 hours.  This can be done ahead of time and even in a full bottle of tequila if you would like. Place the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup in a tin with ice.  Shake for a good 10 seconds and then strain over ice in an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with a lime wedge, and throw a couple of jalapeno slices into the drink.  I don’t salt the glass but feel free if you would like to. This drink has plenty of kick depending on the jalapenos and is one of my go-to during a taco Tuesday at home. The Godfather Cocktail This is a super simple cocktail that needs to be shaken, but if you want to, you can also stir this drink in the glass and stir it well.  You may not get as much dilution from the ice as shaking does, but it is quick and easy to stir the cocktail.  This drink became very popular in the 1970s when cocktails were strong and sweet.  It is also believed to be named after the movie The Godfather, which premiered in 1972.  I use a 2:1 ratio of bourbon to amaretto for this cocktail, but you can choose to lessen the amaretto to bring the sweetness down. Like a 2:.5 ratio or even a 3:1 ratio. Place the bourbon and amaretto into a tin filled with your ice.  Shake for about 8 seconds, then strain over a large cube in an old-fashioned glass.  It is a simple two-ingredient drink that is a bit sweet but very enjoyable and lets the spirit take center stage of the cocktail.  Mix this one up and enjoy Kentucky Colonel This last drink everyone may not have the Benedictine, but it is a great simple two-ingredient drink.  I enjoyed this one during the day of The Kentucky Derby.  This cocktail is mainly bourbon, so you will want to be able to enjoy our bourbon, which I do very much. Fill a mixing glass with ice and add your bourbon and Benedictine.  Stir in a glass for about 10 seconds.  Take a cocktail glass that has been chilled and strain the cocktail into the glass. No garnish for this one. Benedictine is an herbal liqueur that brings a sweeter note to the cocktail.  There are a lot of fall-type flavors in the Benedictine. This is a sipper type of drink enjoy. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find my top 5 cocktails worthwhile and tasty and something you may add to your favorite cocktails to make at home. Junior

Sep 30

Cocktails Tied to Sporting Events

Everyone has their favorite cocktails that they go to for any sporting event that they attend or watch on TV.  Here are some cocktails tied to sporting events for you to try.  Personally, at an early afternoon football game, I am going to the Bloody Mary Extra Spicy or the Screwdriver to start the day for the game.  Heading to a tailgate, there will be a bottle of canned beer and maybe a shooter or two to get the party started.  Now, what are some of the cocktails of famous sporting events?  Taking a look at 8 of the Most Iconic Cocktails Tied to Sporting Events | VinePair we will discuss four of these drinks in detail. Azalea Cocktail Quote: Widely considered to be the world’s most prestigious golf tournament, the Masters takes place each April in Augusta, Ga. On the course, a blanket of blooming flowers decorates the grass surrounding the 13th hole and inspires the tournament’s unofficial cocktail: the Azalea Cocktail. Consisting of vodka, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine, the Azalea takes on a bright pink color, similar to that of the blooms surrounding the green. While I have not personally crafted one of these cocktails, I have now learned of this, and next spring while I am getting ready to watch the Greatest Major The Masters, I will ensure I have the ingredients and prepare one or two before the event starts.  To get this drink to look similar to the plants around the 13th green, you will have to use just the right amount of grenadine.  Too much will be too dark and too little will be too light and could throw off the flavor as grenadine can be a bit sweet.  Looking forward to trying this cocktail Recipe: Mint Julep  This drink is tied to the best two minutes in sports, The Kentucky Derby. Quote: The Mint Julep has been practically synonymous with the Kentucky Derby since becoming the horse race’s official cocktail nearly 100 years ago. Traditionally made with Kentucky bourbon as its base, the Mint Julep combines the spirit with muddled mint and a splash of simple syrup for a lively summer sip. Classically distributed in a silver cup meant to mimic the winning trophy, the cocktail has been served at Churchill Downs since the 1930s, and today, nearly 120,000 Mint Juleps are sold during Derby Weekend each May. I have hosted a Derby party for the last six years and have made plenty of this cocktail.  Use Woodford Reserve bourbon for this drink.  Slap the mint and then add it to the bottom of the glass.  Fill it with crushed ice or ice cubes.  Then add the simple syrup and bourbon and stir the drink in the glass.  Top it with more mint and no straw so you get the smell of the mint with each sip of the drink.  I have also used a shortcut to place the mint into the simple syrup as you are making the syrup to get that nice minty flavor and not have to slap the mint for each julep.  You can prepare this drink beforehand and serve as your guests arrive for your party.  Give it a whirl and enjoy. Recipe: The Lily Cocktail This is the drink of the Kentucky Oaks which is the biggest filly horse race.  This will most definitely be on my next derby party drink list. Quote:While the Kentucky Derby is obviously the mainstay at Churchill Downs the first weekend in May, many may not know that a separate horse race actually takes place the day before: the Kentucky Oaks. Held on the Friday before the Derby, the winner of the Kentucky Oaks race receives prize money and a garland of lilies, hence the event’s official drink: the Lily Cocktail. Created by the event’s official vodka sponsor, Grey Goose, the cocktail takes inspiration from the Cosmopolitan with its mixture of Grey Goose, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The color of the cocktail is meant to pay homage to the winner’s lily bouquet and honor the race’s association with breast cancer awareness. Recipe: The Belmont Jewel Finally, the last drink to discuss is.  Staying with the horse racing theme, this is the cocktail of the final race in the triple crown of horse racing.  Made with Woodford Reserve again you will only need one bottle of bourbon to make a couple of different cocktails. Quote:Since the first two races in the Triple Crown boast their official cocktails, it’s only fitting that the Belmont Stakes, the final race in the series, receives its drink as well. Created in 2015, the Belmont Jewel — named for the race’s status as the final jewel in the Crown — is made using Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of Belmont Park. The cocktail combines the bourbon with lemonade and pomegranate juice and serves as an easy concoction to serve in large quantities, which is exactly what the drink’s creators had in mind. This is a very simple cocktail to make and is made in the glass, so you don’t need a shaker or any other items for this.  This cocktail is very light and refreshing for everyone to enjoy. Recipe: Conclusion While plenty of other Cocktails Tied to Sporting Events, the above are some of my favorites that I have enjoyed.  What are some of your favorite cocktails to go with sporting events?  Or other events that you enjoy? Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Junior’s Bourbon Hall

Sep 15

Bourbon Drinks Perfect for Fall

Introduction: Howdy! The warmth and sunshine of summer are coming to an end, and we will discuss bourbon drinks perfect for the fall.  The days and nights are starting to get that chill in the air of fall.  This time of year, you look forward to a cocktail with bold, robust flavors to warm you up while you enjoy the chill of fall.  In the following post, you will find cocktails that do just that. Cocktails: The first cocktail to talk about is the Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider.  This is a perfect fall cocktail as it adds apple cider and cinnamon, which are ingredients you think of when you think of fall.  If you have a local apple cider producer, go with that.  Think of this drink as a warm apple pie. Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 4 oz apple cider 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish Instructions Combine bourbon, apple cider, and cinnamon syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice. The second drink will be the Bourbon Maple Sour.  Fresh Maple syrup is produced in the fall, and try to find 100% maple syrup as Mrs. Butterworths is great on pancakes but not so much in this cocktail.  Always use fresh lime juice, as it makes your cocktail much better. Bourbon Maple Sour Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz pure maple syrup Dash of bitters Lemon twist for garnish Instructions: Combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist. The final drink on the list is Cranberry Bourbon Fizz.  This drink reminds me of the cranberry sauce I make from scratch for Thanksgiving dinner.  I do have bourbon in the cranberry sauce, and if you have never liked canned cranberry sauce, try making yours from scratch, and you will come around to it. Cranberry Bourbon Fizz Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 1 oz cranberry juice 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/2 oz fresh lime juice Soda water Fresh cranberries and lime wheel for garnish Instructions: Combine bourbon, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and lime juice with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wheel. Conclusion: The cocktails discussed capture the essence of fall and the changing of the temperature, as well as the leaves changing colors.  Whether sipping a Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider while changing the leaves or enjoying the warmth of a Bourbon Maple Sour by the fireplace, these cocktails will enhance your fall experience.  Enjoy the flavors and Bourbon Drinks Perfect for Fall  cheers to a season of unforgettable memories.

Sep 01

Glorious “Once in a Life Time” Buffalo Trace Tasting

The Tasting: This past week, I took in “Once in a Lifetime” Buffalo Trace Tasting.  There were seven different bourbons to sample and a bonus of a 1978 Old Commonwealth that was opened for the evening for everyone to sample.  The idea for the tasting started with the 1978 bottle and then grew from there. What was on the tasting menu?  Well, this menu had seven hard-to-find bourbons.  These are allocated in my state and may not be in others.  Here is the list: A person from the distillery and the local distributor were at the tasting.  The Club Manager was also available to answer questions and give insight into each bourbon being tasted.  These bourbons have a history at the Buffalo (O.F.C) Distillery.  The name Old Fashioned Copper Distillery was born in 1870 and was way ahead of its time.  E.H. Taylor was the man who named the distillery and used the copper vats and column stills to produce the bourbon.  Taylor was very particular and needed everything perfect for the bourbon to get the name and place it into the barrels.  The distillery is believed to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the US, now owned by the Sazerac Company. The person from the distillery did a nice job of giving the history of the bourbons and the men who created them.  The person was not forthcoming with details about the bourbons like age, proof, or mash bill.  Stated a few times that not informing people of this information was company policy.  Well, the proof is on the bottle, and the club manager would answer the questions, which was awkward.  They also didn’t want to answer any age questions.  This was a bit tougher as the only age statement is the Weller.  The person also didn’t want to answer about the OFC Rickhouse at Buffalo Trace Distillery being haunted.  Personally, I have been on that haunted tour at the distillery, and the guide takes you into that Rickhouse and talks about it being haunted. Surprise: Another great surprise for the evening was to see a bottle of 1995 OFC.  This was the first time I saw one of these bottles, and the enclosure and case are quite impressive.  The bottle was for display purposes only, and we did not get to taste it; it was amazing to see. Here is an image of the 1978 Old Commonwealth bottle.  It’s probably the oldest bottle of bourbon or any spirit I have ever tasted.  The bourbon was smooth and had no “Kentucky Hug.”  To me, it tasted very strong oak with strong vanilla flavors. Of all of the bourbons, my favorite was the Weller 12.  This had a nice mouth feel, and the flavor stayed with you throughout the sip.  It was very smooth on the way down without any burning sensation.  The wheat and sweetness prevailed in the taste and had a nice, oaky finish. The Stagg Jr. was the hottest of the bourbons that was sampled.  It came in at 132 proof from what the club manager informed us.  Neat, there was a punch when you sampled.  Add a drop of water or two, the heat disappears, and the flavor comes through.  This is not for anyone who doesn’t like high-proof bourbon.  This was the least favorite in the group that did the sampling.  I enjoyed it, and my least favorite was the Blantons.  To me, Blantons is more marketing than flavor. Conclusion: In conclusion, the Once in a Lifetime” Buffalo Trace Tasting was a great evening sampling rare bourbons.  I hope to add a bottle or two of these to my collection. I need to be at the right place at the right time or have a friend who can grab a bottle that works at a distributor or win a raffle.  Hope you have the opportunity to try one or all of these great bourbons. Cheers!! Junior

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.