Resurgence

Long time, no see,

I guess I owe everyone an explanation for my absence. I didn’t quite know where this blog was heading and my inactivity was mostly just trying to re-examine my longterm goals for this blog. But I believe I did that now and its time to turn this blog into something that I will love.

In order to do so, there’s going to be some well needed changes. First and foremost, Whiskeysoaked is broadening to cover more types of alcohol, including beer. You can blame this on my ever-growing fondness for tequila. However, if you’re a gin and vodka fan, you may not have any luck here. I like the dark stuff.

Secondly, expect less reviews or none at all going forward. I’m clearly not that good at them and at the end of the day, your opinion is as good as mine. To replace the lack of reviews going forward, I have a bunch of fun things planned. I won’t spoil it now but be prepared for interviews, pictures, and more fun things (including a new look and spellcheck, but not today). I want you to have as much enjoyment reading this blog as I will have putting it together for you.

Hope to see you around (metaphorically speaking).

- Crystal

 

 

Cheap Vs. Expensive

How about a video?

I’ve always been interested in why people drink whiskey, why they don’t and basically the relationship people have with their alcohol of choice. I decided to shoot a video basically on that premise but also with a little twist, why not also have people compare cheapo, run of the mill whiskey with some of the rarer, top of the line ones?

I decided to profile Eli and Keze for this video because I knew they had expressive personalities. We went to the liquor store to buy some everyday whiskey (Cutty, which the owner of the liquor store had to dust off and the ever popular Jameson). The expensive whiskey is the the Balvenie that I reviewed in the last post. Then I asked them for their honest opinions.

*the song used is Film by Aphex Twin

Above the Drinking Age: My Birthday Whisky Treats

It seems like whenever I put on my workout clothes, I find myself doing things counter productive to exercising. A couple days ago, I put on my workout clothes and then promptly went to Gordo Burrito. Yesterday, it was taking a nap during Project Runway and I guess today, I’m going to drink whiskey at 3pm while watching I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant.

Anyway, my 23rd birthday was in early April and perhaps as a way to redeem themselves from last year, I got two bottles of whiskey from Gabe, Eli and Keze. The first is my 15-year-old The Balvenie Single Barrel and the second is The Glenlivet, aged 12 years. Both are Single Malt Scotch.

The first thing I want to say about The Balvenie is that it seems pretty fancy, too fancy for me to be drinking it in a sports bra.  In fact, when I opened it, Keze made a point of pointing out how the bottle number seems to be handwritten on the label (I’m drinking from bottle 179 by the way), along with the cask number (3659), bottling date (October 10, 2010) as well as the in-cask date (April 7, 1995). I never thought knowing all that information was such a big deal but now that I do know it, I dont think I can live without it.

This is some quality stuff. Its rich but also sweet, which is exactly up my alley. The smell reminds me of honey and you can taste the honey and oak with every sip. The website notes that there’s also vanilla in the mixture which is one of my favorite flavors. The Balvenie is definitely a drink you sip slowly and with only 350 bottles made of each edition, the smooth taste is clearly something that needs to be savored.

Glenlivet is also a well respected whisky and when Gabe presented it to me (at work along with a tequila handbook, it really gave off a great impression), I was ecstatic. This isnt the first time I’ve tried it but this will be the first time I’ve spent the time to analyze the taste. In comparison to The Balvenie, this whisky isn’t as smooth and to be honest, I’ve never really tasted the pinapple and other tropical fruits that consist of the flavor. However, I will say that I very much enjoy the taste of the honey and nutty taste that I do detect.

Honey, almond, vanilla. You can probably tell that I have a preference as far as my palate goes.

All in all, I would say that Glenlivet is a staple that every whisky lover should have in their collection while The Balvenie is a slurge that you should shell out sparingly during special occasions or when you feel like being fancy.

Good job guys.

Now, its time to put on some jeans.

My kind of Breakfast

Sorry about the absence, guys. Between midterms, Coachella, my 23rd birthday and various illnesses, I haven’t had time to even drink whiskey so blogging about it was pretty much out of the question.

I’m recovering from a pretty gnarly sinus infection right now so I’m going to share some photos and insights from the time Gabe and I went to have ice cream a few weeks back.

Located in the Mission, Humphry Slocombe is pretty well-known for their highly creative ice cream flavors, but the one that stands out (and keeps me running across town from the Richmond) would be have to be their bourbon and cornflake flavored “Secret Breakfast.”

The first time I had Secret Breakfast was some months back. A very good friend of mine took me there with the directions “Get Secret Breakfast. Don’t ask any questions.” I’m usually too defiant to comply with such blunt directions but for some reason I did and I have no regrets.

I told Gabe about it and being the alcoholic he is, we were standing in line at the shop within two days. Even around 8pm on a rather chilly day, the place the packed with a line running outside the door to the sidewalk.

I got a scoop of Secret Breakfast paired with a scoop of Tahitian Vanilla while Gabe coupled his scoop of Secret Breakfast with some super-exotic flavor that I can’t seem to remember right now. What’s important to note is that both of our choices were fantastic.

My friends and coworkers cringe when they think of a bourbon flavored ice cream but I think declaring Secret Breakfast my favorite ice cream of all time would probably be an understatement. The taste of bourbon is very faint but just enough to get the point across and the corn flakes are the perfect crunchy companion to sweet and bitter taste. In addition, Humphry’s ice creams are very light and creamy so its not like you’re eating a frozen block of milky whiskey and cereal. Actually, I don’t think I would complain too much about that either. I would say that the only downside is that it melts faster than I can physically eat it.

P.S. The whiskey they use is plain ol’ Jim Beam (we asked!)

Humphry Slocombe

2790 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Hated it: Hogshead Scotch Whisky

I hadn’t quite thought about what I was going to write for this week’s post until Saturday Night. I was throwing a taco party at my apartment when my friend Eli reached into my whisk(e)y cabinet (pictured above) and pulled out this bottle of Hogshead. Upon pulling it out, another friend yelled “That has got to be the worst whisky I’ve ever had.”

I agree with him.

I got this bottle of whisky around this time last year for my 22nd birthday from the Eli mentioned earlier in this post and Gabe. They never tried it before shelling out nearly 50 bucks for it. I guess they were just seduced by the packaging.

The whisky is a golden brown/maple-like color and has a smell that can knock you out from across the room. The smell can only be described as smoke, ash, alcohol, total devastation and bad ideas. It’s basically arson in a bottle.

Upon tasting it, you think one thing: bacon. This whisky tastes like bacon.

After some research, the Hogshead is described on various websites as “a superlative vatted malt scotch whisky created by marrying many different malts together. It has an unusually high proportion of malts from the island of Islay, producing a distinctive but subtle peaty flavor.”

Well, its also tastes like lighter fluid. There’s really nothing subtle about lighter fluid.

I’ve tried everything to get rid of this whisky short of just throwing it away. I’ve racked my brain to find a way to mix it in a cocktail but the taste is just too overbearing. I’ve tried innocently leaving the bottle at parties or when I’m hanging out away from the house but eventually I always get a call saying to pick it up, like it’s a child after daycare.

In the year that I’ve own this bottle, I’ve only met one person who liked it. He mixed it with a can of expired orange soda he found in the back of my fridge and thought it was delicious. I have no plans to re-create that drink.

However, it looks like scotch-flavored bacon may in my near future.

Brown Out-N-About: Rye

A couple days ago, Gabe and I, with a few friends, ventured out of the Richmond to Rye, the beacon of light in the gritty sea of the Tenderloin’s dive bars.

Located on Geary and Leavenworth, the whole ambiance of Rye is clean, rustic, dark and minimal. The sign outside is a clear reflection of this. It’s simple and dark, almost to the point where it looks like the bar is hiding in plain sight.

Walking inside the bar, the space just feels open. The tables are low along with the cushion seating accompanying them. The bar has a wood finish that strands out among the candle light and otherwise minimal lighting.

Then there’s the music…

The music was exceptional: Joy Division, Pavement, The Smiths, and The Cure were just a few played that night.  You know those underground parties you went to with your friends when you were a kid? The ones where all you did was hang out in dark rooms listening to music and sweating? Then when you left, you felt all energized and ready to punch people in the face? Just kidding, I didn’t do any of that but if I did, this would have been the grown up equivalent.

Alright, lets get to the drinks. Being more of a Bourbon and Irish Whiskey girl, I’m not very experienced in the world of Rye so we asked the bartenders to make something up for us.

For our first round, we got a Basil Blueberry Whisky Smash and an English (or Irish) Garden.

The Whisky Smash was very delicious. Its a sweet drink and reminded us a unsalted margarita with whiskey instead of tequila. But of the two, I would have to say that the English Garden was the clear winner. It was minty and fresh, a lot like a mojito but with Rye.

Very satisfied about that round of drinks, we got a Mint Julip, a Whiskey Punch, a traditional Sazerac along with a Whiskey Sour. They were all delicious but the Whiskey Sour has to be my favorite of the bunch. Whiskey Sours are usually my go-to drink at bars but Rye definitely stepped it up by adding egg whites to the mixture. It gives the drink a thick, frothy texture that sounds kind of disgusting but I dare you: try it. You’ll love it.

Rye is the not the bar to get rowdy drunk for several reasons. One being that the drinks are so carefully made and delicious that you want to savor the taste, not shove them down your throat. Secondly, you’re getting what you pay for and these drinks are not cheap. Three drinks will easily set you back about $30 buck but I’ll tell you right now; its far worth it.

Rye

688 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Review: Bushmills Irish Whiskey

photo by drinkhacker.com

I am sitting in my living room on a Monday night. Its rainy and cold outside in the middle of March on the outskirts of San Francisco. I should be studying for a Midterm in my “Thought and Culture in the US” class, but I have a bottle of Bushmills and that’s about all the culture I need.

Tonight I am drinking Bushmills Irish Whiskey (The “E” is included on most Irish Whiskey). I think Bushmills was the Whiskey that got me into being an alcoholic that spends his Monday nights drinking by himself while listening to old Minor Threat records. Bushmills has a distinctive gold color, and a light viscosity. But what I love most about Bushmills is the scent. A smell of carmel, chocolate and light cherry awaits anybody with extra-large nostrils who happens to sniff their Whiskey before drinking it.

I happen to be one of those individuals.

Bushmills is smooth and has very short notes. I usually enjoy mine on the rocks or with a splash of Tonic. Bushmills Distillery is the oldest in all of Ireland. I heard Bushmills actually saved the Irish population from the potato famine! But the same guy who told me that also said he rode a chariot made of chocolate and feathers to work everyday…I found out it was actually a Honda.

Bushmills is a blended Whiskey which means that it is a whiskey mixed with a neutral grain spirit, something like vodka. Some people believe that blended whiskies are inferior to, say, a single malt whiskey. Those people are idiots. I would never trust anyone that said that. Honestly if you have any friend that says that, run over him with your car. Actually you know what? Blacklist’em. Go to all your local bars with a picture of that douchebag and go to the bartenders and say “See this guy? Yeah? Fuck that guy! Don’t let him drink here.” And then piss on the picture just for good measure.

I am now on my third glass of Bushmills and I must say that the only downside to drinking Bushmills is that it makes you want to drink a shit ton of Bushmills. That being said I am going to give this Whiskey an A for effort and an A….for whatever else you would grade Whiskey on. Totally worth the $19.99 price tag.

If Jesus were a Whiskey, he would be Bushmills cos he is kind, smooth and smells like Cherry.

Gabe

Bay Area Whisky Events March 2011

Just a quick reminder:

Check out the Bay Area’s  March whisky events calendar over at The Casks.

The events are arranged by various hosts like SFWeekly, adored whisky bar Bourbon and Branch, along with some others. Don’t expect free booze, these events are all pretty pricey.

Enjoy.

 

 

Review: Trader Joe’s Highland Single Malt Scotch

I’m only slightly embarrassed to be doing this whisky review before 11am on a Monday. However, I’m watching a Joan River’s documentary and it just seemed fitting somehow.

Anyway, today’s whisky review is Highland, a Trader Joe’s single malt Scotch, aged 10 years.

To be honest, I can’t really give you a reason why I decided to pick this up as Trader Joe’s doesn’t really strike me as a reputable whisky brand but I will say that Highland was a pleasant surprise.

According to the bottle, Trader Joe’s Highland Single Malt was chosen to represent the usual characteristics of the Highland Region in Scotland. The color is the rich honey brown. I detected a citrus-like smell at first but after doing some research, agree with the hint of Apple.

At first sip, I was sure I didn’t like it. There’s definitely a bit of a bite to it. At the second sip, however, the whisky tasted really smooth. Highland isn’t a heavy, dark scotch by any means, it has a really color, scent and flavor. I detected a light caramel or toffee taste, the finish was really smooth and I realized it was very easy to drink, even before breakfast.

At around 20 bucks and with this easy availability, it’s a whisky to shove in your basket at moment’s notice or if you’re trying to bring booze to a party. However, if you’re trying to expand your whisk(e)y collection at home, I’d say save your money and shell it out for something more memorable. The key word for this whisky is ‘nice.’  No one remembers nice.

Rating B-

Alright, its breakfast time.

Take Two: Theres No ‘E’ in Whisky…sometimes.

I had a stellar write up here until my computer decided to shut off on me. Remind me to write my drafts in Pages for now on.

One of the biggest controversies in the alcohol world is the spelling of whisky vs whiskey. The NYTimes even has an article full of comments from whisk(e)y drinkers about the debate. Look at these nasty comments:

Graham Kent of London wrote: “I cannot pass over the unforgivable use by a serious writer on wines and spirits of ‘whiskey’ to refer to Scotch whisky.’’ He goes on to say: “I am afraid I found the constant misspelling of the product made your article quite unreadable. It is exactly the same as if you had called it ‘gin’ all the way through or were to describe Lafite as Burgundy. It is simply a basic error that a reputable writer should not make.’’

A popular explanation is that the disappearing ‘E’  comes simply from language differences (kind of like color vs colour). From my own knowledge, some research and discussion among friends, the general consensus is that WhiskEy refers to American and Irish whiskies while Scotland, Canada ,Japan and Wales prefer to throw the ‘e’ out with the bathwater. Don’t believe me? Go to your local BevMo! and take a look.

There is no wrong way of spelling whisk(e)y, just make sure you know what you’re referring to. Bourbon? Leave it in. Scotch? Take it out or watch out for some whisky fanatic ready to stone you.