Monday, December 26, 2022

Desert Door Texas Sotol


 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf
First time trying sotol. I found it an amazing,  smooth & clear spirit from Texas. Tastes a lot like tequila but it is not tequila 😀
Occasion- Casual over Dinner
SJ's Pro tip- Great as a gift, since the bottle looks like a piece of artwork
Alternates- Aha yeto Tequila
Cocktails- Desert door sangria
Feel(Afer drinking)- Amazed

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

What is sotol? 
According to their website, Sotol is both the name of the spirit and the plant it is made from. 

Reads the website description "We wild harvest our sotol on ranches across Texas, we don't farm or cultivate any of our sotol stock "

What is wild harvesting? 
Unlike farming, ingredients are collected from crown native land that hasn't been farmed and no trees are cut down in the process. 


Vital stats- Desert Door Texas Sotol(Spirit distilled from Sotol)
Price- $36.99 for 750ml($2.99 for pictured 50 ml sampler)
Age- NAS(No Age Statement)
ABV- 40%
Region/Country- TX,USA
Distillery- Desert door, Driftwood,TX
Awards won- None found but I give it a gold medal

Tasting info- 
Serving glass- Glencairn glass
Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Clear
Aroma- Botanicals, fruity, juniper
Flavor- Sweet but not too much, fruity, spicy
Body- Full
Finish- Warm, lingering

This was an amazing find, I loved sampling it and hope you give it a shot. Cheers 🥃🥃. Enjoy Responsibly! 
Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podast

Monday, December 19, 2022

Old Forester 100 Proof

 



The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)
Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
Not quite the taste profile I was looking for yet still enjoyable. 
Occasion- Casual drinking with friends
SJ's Pro tip- Two cubes of ice mellows down the high ABV and makes it smooth
Alternates- Wild Turkey
Cocktails- Old Fashioned
Feel(After drinking)- Neutral 😐

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)
Old Forester Distillery has been around since 1870 and wiki says it is the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. 
Old Forester 100 proof- The product label reads "This whisky is distilled by us only, and we are responsible for its richness and fine quality. Its elegant flavor is solely due to original fineness developed with care. There is nothing better in the market"
I disagree with the last part, there are much better and cheaper whiskies out there in the market like Old Turkey. 

Vital Stats- Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 100 Proof
Price- $22.99 for 750ml
Age- NAS(No Age Statement)
ABV- 50%
Region/Country- Kentucky,USA
Distillery-Old Forester Distilling Company, Louisville, KY
Awards won- Gold, 2019 International Spirits Challenge -Straight bourbon 10 years or younger category

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Whisky Tumbler
Serving style- On the rocks
Appearance- Dark Amber
Aroma-Oak, vanilla, fruits, cornbread
Flavor- Sweet, oak, vanilla, some bitterness, cinnamon spice
Body- Full
Finish- Warm, not so smooth, lingering

I really enjoyed reviewing this bad boi. Hope you will too. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly
Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 


Monday, December 12, 2022

Sho Chiku Bai Nigori

 


The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

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

SJ's Rating-  Middle Shelf
Nigori is definitely an acquired taste. My taste buds did not like the taste of this milky nigori to put it in the top spot. It is a decent change of pace from drinking other types of spirits. 
Occasion- Casual, after dinner
SJ's Pro tip-  Don't forget to shake the bottle
Alternates- Jinro Soju
Food Pairing- Spicy korean bbq or as a after dinner dessert
Feel(After drinking)- Neutral, not highly satisfied


The second segment(Technical details that are mostly available on a google search)
Reads the product label "Nigrori is one of the oldest style sakes, which is coarsely filtered and milky white in color. Its full, pleasantly sweet and complex flavor and smooth texture guarantee you a uniquely delicious drinking experience."
I agree for the most part except that it claims for a delicious drinking experience. This depends on what a person likes and some may not like the texture and taste of nigori. 

Frequenly Asked Questions
1. What is sake? 
Sake is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese Origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove bran. 

2. What is nigori? 
Nigori means cloudy and refers to sake that still contains rice solids that have not fermented. 


Vital Stats- Sho Chiku Bai Nigori  Unfiltered Sake Silky Mild
Price-  $5.99 for 750ml
Age- No age statement
ABV- 15%
Country/Region- USA
Distillery- Takara sake USA Inc, Berkley, CA
Awards won- None found

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Wine glass
Serving style- Chilled
Appearance- Milky white
Aroma- Fermented rice
Flavor- Somewhat lactose sweet, rice
Body- Medium
Finish- Slightly lingering, warm 

I am happy I reviewed this one so you can make a sound decision on whether or not to buy one. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 
Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

Monday, December 5, 2022

Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo Tequila


The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
Does not cut out to be on the top spot. Though enjoyable, it is more like a reposado than an anejo. The color, aroma and flavor would be better with more maturation in the barrels. 
Occasion- None
SJ's Pro tip- It is a budget anejo tequila
Alternates- Aha Yeto Anejo
Food Pairing- Chipotle chicken burrito bowl
Cocktail- Margarita of course 

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Conmemorativo means in  honor of. This tequila is made in honor of the founding of destiliria la preserverancia 1873 as per the bottle. 
The product label says "Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo is 100% agave tequila that's both versatile and mixable. It's wood notes creates a complex drinking experience attained only through its aging process in medium toasted American Oak casks"

Vital Stats- Sauza Conmemorativo Anejo Tequila
Price-  $14.99 for 750ml(Was on discount)
Age- NAS
ABV- 40%
Region/Country- Mexico
Distillery- Destiliria la preserverancia, Jalisco, Mexico
Awards won- None found

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Tumbler
Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Very light golden, almost pale
Aroma- Vanilla, citrus, light spices
Flavor- Fruity, oak
Body- Medium
Finish- Smooth, warm, slightly lingering

I enjoyed sampling this tequila and hope you will too!. Cheers !! Enjoy Responsibly. 
Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast