Anyone drinking tonight... or, today??

It is the 1584, and is pretty good.

 

So after chatting with the owner at our go to place and getting to taste a bunch of high end stuff for free, we told him we’d bring him some tasters next time.

The first batch is karoo agave spirits from South Africa. Leonista Reposado Black, Honey Reposado, and Blanco. I brought these bottles 10,000 miles back home. They are definitely unique and it’s very unlikely you’ll ever see them.



The second batch is great bottles not behind their bar. Original NOM 1579 Pasote Blanco - they are out of 1584. Gran Dovejo High Proof (this nearly won our 8 bottle high proof blind from a couple weeks ago) out of NOM 1414. Limited release Tequila Ocho 2023 Puntas. And limited release Cascahuin 11 Brix.


Then it was business as usual with the half priced pours.






During the evening they gave us previews of cocktails coming in January to ask for our input on them.

 

Always a great text message to receive!




Fortaleza’s 2023 Winter Blend Reposado

It starts with 100% Weber Blue agaves cooked in brick ovens, the agaves are then milled by a tahona stone wheel, and distilled in copper pots. From there the tequila is aged separately in former Charanda barrels as well as used French and Hungarian oak barrels before getting blended and bottled at 88 proof.

 

I am so jealous right now. Do you mind me asking how much that cost? I splurge every now and then on somewhat higher price Tequila. Although lately I can’t seem to get a simple bottle of Fortaleza. Lol

 

I actually have 2 bottles of this year’s winter blend. I found 3 in the wild - the first bottle they didn’t have out or advertised, I asked and got it at retail for $220-225. The second was on the shelf for $475, I passed on that. The third was $300 but you had to have and use reward points that equated to a $1000 worth of buying just to be able to buy it at above retail.

The second bottle I got (this one) he hooked me up and sold it to me under retail, which is unheard of.

I have 2022 and 2021 Winter Blend as well, retail on those was $100 less than this years. I fell like the manufacturers are seeing the liquor store price gouging and secondary market costs and they are starting to push their prices on anything limited production to see what how much they can get (like G4 day of the dead reposado, which is just Madera blanco lightly aged and tossed in a cheaply made coffin, retailing at $300).

Personally I’d rather see the distillers turn a bit more profit vs the middlemen selling stuff for 2-3x what the manufacturer says it should cost.

 

Molson Canadian Cold Shots beer
Must be 15 years since I drank these last, typically golfing

 

The official beer for working on my 2005 Whitey is Silver Branch Dr. Juicy, but right now I'm doing a Third Hill Thank You Emma (RIP Astrolab--the place that first brought New Zeeland hops to the USA).
I love how this thread has become possibly the most popular on the blog

 

thirsty thursday
back on the Canadian Whiskey boys

 

A local place just had their anniversary 20% off sales.

I grabbed a Fortaleza Lot 150 for $44!!! Along with a Arte Nom 1146 and Don Fulano Extra Anejo.

 

I managed to land a Caballito Cerrero Unicorn!

 

For tonight around the fire.

 

Free State Northern Lights IPA in my new Free State glass.

 

Me, making another old fashioned right now lol
tnite is a simpleton Gentleman Jack double charcoal mellowed

 

I have heard good things about this.

 

@SlvrSlug @captrussia253 Kirkland is always solid, I find. My cousin's wedding in Wash. State was 100% Kirkland alcohol - everything

 

$35 and super smooth. Can’t complain.

 

Does the bottle have a nom # on it?

 

Here you go.

 

The wife bought me a festive bottle opener, it actually jingles. Regardless, Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome. Cheers!

 

drank last night and just woke up. Lol!

 

girly cosmopolitan (Tito's Vodka) balanced with a manly tire

 

I'm having a rumrunner while I watch the Packers. On Thursday I was getting anxious about going to Florida in a few months, so I decided to enjoy some Florida beverages. They're not hard to make, but a lot of ingredients. Delicious!

 

135.6 proof sipper!

 

Shop Beer amber lager by Defiance Brewing … Hays, Kansas.

 

This cider is good.

 

Kraken is my budget premium go to rum, but other than that I go for the cheap dark spiced stuff.

 

Drankin’ in the back yard on vacation.

 

I am indulging.

 

Mmm, I do love a good tequila but enjoying a Great Lakes Christmas Al’s with cinnamon and surfer tonight with friends. Cheers