La Redonda Toro Libre

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel.

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

The first time I tried Mexican wine & did not get a good impression. Overpriced for the quality. Though this Syrah is drinkable, I did not like the feel of the wine and its taste. I would stick with cabernet sauvignon in the future. 

Occasion- Dinner with family

SJ's Pro tip- Great with food

Alternates- Encore 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon . Cheaper and much more enjoyable. 

Food Pairing- Italian food(Warm Salmon Carpaccio with pasta, Roman-style calamari, Grilled zucchini & eggplant, Roasted quail, Sicilian style salmon, dessert-chocolate piano)

The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)

Produced by Vineyards La Redonda, this is a syrah wine. Syrah also known as Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world to produce red wine. 

Toro Libre means Freel Bull. It's website says that the proceeds of the sale of this wine is used to protect fighting bulls in Mexico. 

Vital Stats- La Redonda Toro Libre Syrah

Price- $40 for 750ml

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 13%

Country/Region- Mexico

Winery- Vineyards La Redonda,Queretaro, Mexico

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Wine glass

Serving style- Room Temperature 

Appearance- Purple, reddish

Aroma- Grapes, fruity, earthy

Flavor- Fruity, chocolate, dark cherries

Body- Medium bodied

Finish- Long, smooth, lingering

Give it a shot, it is still drinkable. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Sapporo Premium Beer

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel.

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf (Of the refrigerator 😀)

High-quality Japanese lager, tasty and highly satisfying, I Loved the crisp, clean flavor. 

Occasion- Dinner with friends

SJ's Pro tip- It is a perfect companion for any meal

Alternates- Pilsner Urquell has a similar crisp, clean taste

Food Pairing- Sushi

The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)

Sapporo needs no introduction, it is one of the best-selling Japanese beer on the market. Not much information online about the brewery itself. The website states that the Sapporo beers in the US are brewed in US, Canada & Vietnam. 

Sapporo Premium is the original larger among its other expressions. If you enjoy a clean, crisp beer look no further. 

Vital stats- Sapporo Premium Beer

Price- $20 for 600ml bottle(20.3oz)

Age- N/A

ABV- 4.9%

Country/Region- Japan

Brewery/Company- Sapporo Breweries Ltd

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tall beer glass

Serving style- Chilled of course 😀

Appearance- Bright golden(Like the sun)

Aroma- Fruits, wheat

Flavor- Fruits, wheat, hops

Body- Medium

Finish- Crisp, clean, short linger

I highly enjoyed this lager from halfway across the world. Cheers! 🍺🍺🍺🍺Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Jinro Soju Strawberry Korean Spirit

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel.

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Smooth, sweet & delicious just perfect with a hearty meal.  Light & refreshing, I enjoyed it! 

Though it is a balanced neutral spirit, and not too sweet, it is not for my palette. I will have it once in a while with dinner.

Occasion- Dinner with friends

SJ's Pro tip- Great as a summer drink.

Alternates- Sake goes well with food as well. 

Food Pairing- Korean bbq(pork belly, spicy chicken, shrimp,squid)

Feel- Light & smooth 😇

The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)

This is the first time I had Jinro Soju(spirits distilled from grain,13-24%ABV). There is not a whole lot about the distillery and how it's made. The company website states "Since it's launch in 1924, jinro soju has consistently held its position as the number one soju brand in Korea while revolutionizing Korea's drinking culture". 

It claims to be the world's best-selling spirit brand for 20 years, I did not know that! Ingredients that go in are selected grains and spring water. 

Jinro strawberry soju is a neutral spirit(colorless) made with natural and artificial flavors. Apparently, it uses strawberry in this expression. 

Vital stats- Jinro Soju Strawberry, Korean Spirit

Price- $15 for 375ml bottle

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 13%

Country/Region- South Korea

Distillery- Hitejinro Co Ltd

Awards won- Various awards in International Spirits competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Shot glass

Serving style- Ice cold, neat

Appearance- Clear neutral color

Aroma- Rice, strawberry, chocolate

Flavor- Sweet but not overpoweringly sweet

Body- Medium

Finish- Smooth, short clean. No lingering

Loved trying this new spirit diversifying my portfolio :-) Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Hibiki Harmony Suntory Whisky

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel.

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

Balanced, smooth, excellent Japanese craftsmanship. Just what I expected from it. 

Occasion- Cinco De Mayo celebration with friends

SJ's Pro tip- Enjoy this harmony of flavors slowly, at first sip you might not get the full potential of it. 

Alternates- Nikka Miyagiko 

Cocktail- N/A

Food Pairing- Juicy Pork Burrito

Feel- Silky smooth :-)

The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)

Hibiki is a part of Suntory Distillery. The blend comes from two of its distilleries, Hakushu Distillery & Yamazaki Distillery. 

Reads the product label " Kanzen or complete, Hibiki Whisky is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aroma". And what flavor & aroma it is. You will have to try it yourself to savor this orchestra :-)

Vital stats- Hibiki Harmony Suntory Japanese Whisky

Price- $69.99(Changes by state)

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 43%

Region- Japan

Distillery- Sourced from Yamazaki & Hakushu Distillery

Awards won- None found, I give it my gold medal :-)

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky glass

Serving style- On the rocks

Appearance- Medium gold

Aroma- Fruity, floral, vanilla, honey

Flavor- Harmony of sweet, fruity, light chocolate

Body- Medium

Finish- Smooth, long & lingering 

I thoroughly enjoyed this whisky with my friends and had a blast celebrating Cinco De Mayo!. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. Reach out to me if you would like any suggestions on drinks for your upcoming occasion. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Pairing food with drinks

Hello single malters, today I am not reviewing any liquor. Instead, sharing my picture gallery of food that I enjoyed with my drinks. Whisky & food pairing is a very complex subject on its own and I continue to find out what food best compliments a particular liquor. 

I have to admit that Nepali food is the best with any drinks. The spicy food makes drinking highly enjoyable. Turning back to my blog, I enjoyed momos with my drinks the most. 

When tasting single malts- No food pairing is needed because single malt is a taste in itself and food will interfere with the real flavor and also the aroma. Hence, I eat first then drink. 

As a rule of thumb pair food with the flavor of the whisky for example if you taste vanilla in your whisky pair it with vanilla ice cream. 

Enjoy my Delicious food gallery!

Nepali food

                                                        Sausage & spicy potatoes on a stick

Chicken momo with Yuengling beer

Sausage & Spicy potatoes on a stick 

Pork Choila

Bhatmas sadheko, aachar

Mutton sukuti

Duck fry Nepali style

C Momo

Other food

Pork ribs with umami fries

Chicken & Rice

Chicken bbq

Homemade chicken sandwich

Milestone soup with cornish hen

I am sure your mouth is watering by now :-) Reach out to me for any recommendations on drinks for your upcoming occasion. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.

Enjoy some delicious food with your drinks, Cheers!