National Rum Day

I’m not a fan of celebrating many holidays. Even missed celebrating my own birthday last week. But one holiday I will never miss… National Rum Day. So why not join me and celebrate with some Brugal Rum today with the following yummy recipe.

S.S. Resolute
1.5 oz Brugal Añejo
.5 oz Smith & Cross
.5 oz Marie Brizard Apry
.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
.5 oz Simple Syrup
1 egg yolk
2 dashes Agnostura
2 dashes Jerry Thomas’ Decanter Bitters

S.S. Resolute was created by Maura McGuigan at Bar Pleiades at The Surrey Hotel in New York.

While I can say that I’ll be enjoying one or more rum drinks today, I’ll be doing so responsibly and hope that you will as well on National Rum Day. Thanks to the guys over at MBooth for the reminder!

[ Links: Brugal Rum ]

Sometimes I get gifts or items that despite their novelty, I might never find a use for them. Useful Things sent along a package that included the silicone mold for some shot glasses that once filled up with water and frozen would allow you to imbibe and cool off at the same time.

After a few experiments, I finally figured out that I’d have to slightly thump the silicon mold to get rid of any air bubbles and toss it in the freezer to get nice and hard. Novel? Yes. Worth a purchase? After a week of 100 degree weather each and every day; hell yes.

Despite being made out of ice, the shot glasses do last for quite a while even in the aforesaid heat. You can easily pour two to three shots if you’re just a casual sipper or pound quite a few shots if you so wish and never worry about the shot glass dribbling out the contents. The ice shots can equally take on adult beverages or juice without any incident.

The Ice Shot Glass Mold sells for $9.95 at Useful Things and worth every penny.

[ Links: Useful Things, Ice Shots ]

Looking a legit reason to celebrate tomorrow? July 27th is National Scotch Day. That’s right… you now have a proper excuse reason to imbibe all day tomorrow. Normally, I’d just say go out, buy some scotch and drink it neat in a glass and call it a day. But let’s add some excitement to the mix for once.

Grab a bottle of The Macallan 10 Year Single Malt from their Fine Oak range and follow up with a couple of soothing drinks that will make National Scotch Day more relaxing:

Seething Jealousy

• 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
• 1/2 ounce The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old Single Malt
• 1/2 ounce Cherry Brandy
• 1/2 ounce Orange Juice

Pour the vermouth, scotch, cherry brandy and orange juice into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Rob Roy

• 2 1/2 ounces The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old Single Malt
• 3/4 ounce Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth
• dash Angostura Bitters
• lemon zest garnish

Pour all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass and stir as you would a Martini. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with lemon zest and a Maraschino cherry.

The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year Old Scotch costs around $35 or so per 750ml bottle. Definitely worth every drop and remember to drink responsibly.

[ Links: The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old Single Malt ]

Some things just “go together”. Peanut butter and chocolate. Toast and vegemite. Leather, studs and booze.

IN AN ABSOLUT WORLD, you’re with the band. To pay tribute to rock-and-roll — ABSOLUT is launching a limited edition bottle wrapped in a leather and studs gift pack.

On second thought, it looks like a fetish version… but that also seems to go with booze too. This limited edition Absolut vodka was a collaboration with designer Natalia Brilli.

[ Links: Absolute Rock Edition ]

Of all of the things that vodka could ever claim to be, I never thought I’d see “green” and “eco-friendly” in the same sentence as vodka. Green, sure… just add lime or food coloring. But eco-friendly? Never. That is until 360 Vodka that is.

Quadruple distilled through a highly energy efficient process, with every bushel of grain being fully utilized and nothing to waste. 360 is also five times filtered and produced at a facility that has improved its eco-footprint measurably over the past 5 years.

The “green” packaging that surrounds 360 Vodka is the utmost in eco. Our Eco-Audit details the environmental benefits of the packaging.

The packaging alone saves 193 fully grown trees, 82,766 gallons of water, 9,255 pounds of solid waste, 139 million BTU of energy and 18,052 pounds of greenhouse gases.

As if I ever needed a reason to drink up, I think I found one. And yes, the vodka isn’t bad either; it’s crisp with no true aftertaste and tastes just as good chilled as it does with some organic orange juice. At prices starting at $19.99 for 750mL, it’s definitely worth a sip.

[ Links: 360 Vodka, BevMo ]

This time of year… the family, the friends, the long lines from shopping and all of the other headaches that come along definitely makes the Tuthilltown Spirits perfect for this season. Tuthilltown offers a range of un-aged and aged spirits made much in the same methods that predated the Prohibition and never truly resumed by American spirit makers; namely rum that was crafted in the US from molasses from the Caribbean.

The standout is the Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey that retails for $40-45 per bottled that is hand-numbered and twice distilled in upstate New York for that old-fashioned taste and flavor that makes you forget about the long lines and bad weather.

[ Tuthilltown Spirits ]

I’m really starting to like news such as Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila, or in this case Highland Park is launching their 40 year old premium single malt scotch whisky. Keyword, premium.

Matured primarily in previously-filled sherry oak casks, Highland Park 40 Year Old is a harmonious masterpiece. The extended time that the spirit matures in previously-filled sherry oak casks is evidenced by the classically composed and perfectly balanced Scotch whisky Highland Park 40 Year Old. The delicate coppery paleness of the whisky is entirely natural — true to all bottlings of Highland Park — and in this case also a result of the judicious use of refill casks.

Highland Park 40 Year Old encompasses the essence of the Orkney Islands with its authentic taste and characteristics.

Tasting notes by Max MacFarlane, Whisky Maker:

Color: Rich, coppery hues of amber
Bouquet:Spicy and aromatic with a background of rich dark fruits, nutmeg and darkest chocolate
Palate: Beautiful balance of sweet toffee notes, dark chocolate, sun dried orange zest and aromatic heather peat smokiness
Finish: Rich, long, elegant, smoky and surprisingly sweet

Adding an element of virtuoso to the timeless 40 Year Old expression is the enduring packaging. The distillery enhances its existing bottling to exude a sense of smoothness coupled with durability. The decanter-like bottle has a bell-bottom shape, which slips nicely into a resilient, solid grey-oak wooden box, finished to cabinet quality. Highland Park silver amulets adorn the box and bottle, which are accompanied by a premium, leather-bound book that explains the expressions in more detail.

Highland Park 40 Year Old is available in key markets with a suggested retail price of $2,000.

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in the world. With windswept moors, craggy outcrops and ancient religious sites, Orkney is a land full of mystery and rich in anecdote. This, combined with the wind, rain, crushing waves and freezing hail of the Orkney environment provide the perfect setting for the home of one of the world’s best malt whiskies. The Highland Park range of single malt whiskies in the U.S. includes: 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old, 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old and Single Cask. For more information, please visit www.highlandpark.co.uk.

Despite being a premium at a very premium price; I’m quite sure Scotch enthusiasts will love this one as well. I’m just personally in love with the bottle.

Although I have a Caribbean background that fully supports my love for Rum, I’m no stranger to Tequila. But I’ll be honest, just most any type of tequila was used in our Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises. And by “any type of tequila”, I mean truly any type of Jose Cuervo or Pancho Villa Tequila this stuff could strip paint would do. That is until I found Sauza’s Tres Generaciones which still had that – which I thought was – vintage Tequila “bite” and taste. I have enjoyed Tres Generaciones, Three Generations in Español – thinking that it was pretty much one of the best I could find and afford.

Wrong. Enter Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila. It’s definitely on the upper end of what most casual drinkers could call affordable at $75.00 a bottle, but I have Cognacs and Single Malt Scotch in my “collection” that cost easily near double that. Those are the ones I bring out when the good friends and company come by and share while talking about world events, sports, stocks, gadgets, or most anything else while trying to feign sophistication.

As mentioned here previously on Remove The Labels, Maestro Dobel is a hand made. From the cultivation of the Blue Agave to the blending to even the labeling of the very nicely crafted bottles which combine metal and rubber for the bung to the weighted metal and rubber bottoms with a very angular cut, a play on the “diamond” no doubt, clear glass bottle, the whole initial experience just screams premium.

The nice people over at Maestro Dobel sent me a bottle – which I waited until the weekend to open, enjoy, and write this review. I decided to not mess this one up… poured the exceptionally clear liquid into a well-cleaned and and hand dried, slightly chilled lead-free crystal triple shot glass that I’d been holding onto for ages. On first glance it looks entirely like water. It’s honestly that clear. Not even my favored platinum Sauza Tres Generaciones had this much clarity.

Upon first sniff, I smelled the familiar Tequila smell, but it was snappier, almost citrus-like. Upon taking my first sip, I halfway expected that familiar Tequila “bite” that makes even the prettiest person frown up not in displeasure, but due to the inside of your cheeks getting sucked in and that “AHH!” moment once the taste lets go. Not a problem with Maestro Dobel. In fact, I’d liken my first sip to what you’d experience to your third or so shot of Tequila. My mouth just welcomed it.

And that’s odd. I normally don’t enjoy Tequila neat.

After swishing it around, swallowing it down, I can easily say this is the first Tequila that I’d serve alongside my homegrown limes from my very own lime tree – one benefit of living in an entirely warmer climate than I’d rather.

At $75.00 a bottle though, this is definitely not your Margarita mixer type of Tequila. A good cigar, some good friends, the “Solid Gold Hits: Beastie Boys” – hey, I said we feigned sophistication, it’s a work in progress – and seriously. This is a keeper.

And that’s surprising… because now not only do I have a favorite new Tequila, I now know that “premium” Tequila doesn’t have to have that “bite” that it’s known for.

Despite the price, this is exclusive Tequila comes totally recommended. Hit up Maestro Dobel for more information. It’s definitely worth it.

This really marks a first for RTL, but let’s be honest. There’s nothing like a premium crafted adult beverage to make that date day just that much better.

Cristal? Courvoisier? They have absolutely nothing on Maestro Dobel’s Diamond Tequila.

Juan-Domingo “Dobel” Beckmann, the sixth-generation leader of the world’s most prominent tequila-producing family, today announces the introduction of Maestro Dobel, the first-ever diamond tequila. Unlike any other aged tequila, Maestro Dobel is a diamond-clear spirit – a result of a proprietary blending and filtration technique.

Juan Dobel first imagined this unique tequila brand that bears his name while working with his family’s distilling Maestros. Beckmann personally raised the finances for his vision in order to bring this silver tequila concept to market as a completely separate business entity.

“I have long desired to create an aged spirit that is the liquid embodiment of my passion for tequila,” said Beckmann. “Maestro Dobel represents six generations of my family’s dedication to crafting the finest tequilas available. Yet, it also signals a renaissance – a new way of thinking about and enjoying tequila. ”

Standing alone in the category, Maestro Dobel is a luxurious silver tequila with the complexity of an aged spirit. This exceptional blend of three tequilas can be judged, like a diamond, by four C’s:

Clarity: The proprietary filtering system used by Maestro Dobel gently expels congeners and colors from the tequila, producing the “Diamond Clarity” without having an affect on aroma, flavor or complexity.

Complexity: The incredible complexity of Maestro Dobel stems from the incredible array of differently aged tequilas in the blend: Reposado (rested 15 months), Anejo (rested 24 months), and Extra-Anejo (rested for 36 months).

Crispness: The agave selected for Maestro Dobel grows in the volcanic lowlands of the Jalisco region, producing a tequila with lighter herbal and citrus aromas. This hand-selected agave, combined with the tequila’s double distillation in post stills creates an exceptionally crisp tequila.

Craftsmanship: Juan Dobel has entrusted the Tequila Maestros – Marco Anguiano and Luis Yerenas – to create the special blend for Dobel. Every step of the process is crafted by hand – from the harvesting of the agave to the blending of the tequilas.

Maestro Dobel will be available in August 2008 at the finest evening establishments in Los Angeles, Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta as well as online where legal. Dobel is 40% Alc./Vol. and has a suggested retail price of $74.99.

Seriously. This isn’t your normal guzzling in a plastic margarita bucket type of Tequila.

Check out their nice website to see more pictures and find out more information.

Update: The post has been updated and moved here.

Check out their nice website to see more pictures and find out more information.