Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Episode 121 features Bénédictine. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $40.

Enjoy this episode with a Béné & Hot, or just sip on it neat.

Bénédictine's official website: https://www.benedictinedom.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1510 - Dom Bernado Vincelli, a monk at the Abbey in Fécamp, Normandy, France, creates an elixir intended to revie tired monks.
• 1789 - The Abbey is destroyed during the French Revolution and the monks gift documents to secular benefactor Prosper Couillard.
• 1863 - Alexandre Le Grand creates Bénédictine based upon a manuscript he finds in his grandfather Prosper Couillard's collection.
• 1864 - Bénédictine is commercialized and the bottle trademarked.
• 1882 - Alexandre Le Grand purchases the site of the old Abbey and builds a distillery.
• 1888 - Bottles are first available in the United States.
• 1904 - The new Le Palais Bénédictine opens after the original distillery was destroyed by arson.
• 1905 - An outpost for the brand is opened in Paris.
• 1917 - British soldiers during WWI get a taste for Bénédictine and begin drinking it mixed with hot water post war back home.
• 1937 - B&B, a version of Bénédictine mixed with Brandy, is first produced.
• 1984 - The La Grand family sells the brand to Martini-Rossi.
• 1992 - Bacardi purchases Martini-Rossi, becoming owner of Bénédictine.

Key Cocktails:

Bénédictine has been around for ages and prominently features in the Vieux Carré and Singapore Sling. But, you can also enjoy it like the patrons of the Burnley Miner's Club in England and drink it mixed with hot water.

References:

Wikipedia Article on Bénédictine

YouTube Video Featuring Le Palais Bénédictine - French language

The Spruce Eats Article on Bénédictine

Diffords Guide Article on Bénédictine

The Culture Trip Article on Bénédictine

Epicurious Article on Bénédictine

Liquor.com Article on Bénédictine

BBC Article and Video on the Burnley Miner's Club

Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails - Book

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

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This is a special guest episode featuring B&B - Bénédictine & Brandy, courtesy of My Tiny Bottles hosted by Tammy Coxen.

Tammy and I are on similar paths, diving into the world of distilled spirits, though Tammy is doing this by exploring her grandmother’s legacy of miniature liquor bottles, one tiny bottle at a time. She has hundreds of bottles waiting to be discovered, and with each she’s telling the story of them and then opening & tasting many of these vintage, collectible bottles! Later this year Tammy and I are planning to get together to taste some tiny bottles, but in the meantime, here’s the story of Benedictine as told through bottle #17 in her collection, B&B.

Enjoy this episode while I work on more of my regular content, including an episode on Bénédictine to follow shortly!

Episode 112 features Cacique Guaro. Bottled in 365ml at 30% ABV, or 60 proof and it retails for about $3.

Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cacique Guaro if you can find it.

Cacique Guaro's official website: https://fanal.co.cr/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1850 - Beverage alcohol production is nationalized in Costa Rica
• 1853 - Fábrica Nacional De Licores, aka FANAL, is established and begins producing guaro
• 1980 - FANAL brands Cacique Guaro and begins bottling it
• 2015 - Cacique Guaro sells 1 million 9-liter equivalent cases

Key Cocktails:

Most Cacique Guaro is consumed mixed with fruit juice, or consumed neat. But, you can try this "fancy" version of a popular shot featuring Cacique Guaro.

Chiliguaro (makes a batch to share)

• 2 cups tomato juice
• ⅔ cups Guaro - or as much as you want
• ½ cup lime juice
• 1 tbsp chopped onion
• 1 tbsp chopped red pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• ½ tsp lizano sauce
• ¼ tsp tabasco
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Blend all the ingredients, strain and store in a glass bottle in the fridge. Serve very cold in shot glasses.

References:

Wikipedia Article on Cacique Guaro

Article on What is Cacique Guaro from the Tico Times

Article on Giving Guaro a Second Sip from the Tico Times

The National Drink of Cost Rica

YouTube Video on the History of Guaro - In Spanish

YouTube Factory Tour

Canadian Distributor's Website

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 22 features The World Famous Pickle Flavored Vodka. This clear, dill pickle scented and flavored vodka is made in Idaho, USA. At 30% ABV, or 60 proof, it's the first pickle flavored vodka available.

Enjoy this episode with a Caesar cocktail or Bloody Mary.

Pickle Vodka's official website: https://getpickledvodka.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 2017 / 18 - Founder Austin Chesser is inspired to make Pickle Vodka by seeing the popularity of pickle infused vodka at at Denver, Colorado bar
• 2019 - The first batch of Pickle Vodka is produced
• 2020- Available to ship to 26 US states

Key Cocktail:

Pickle Vodka is well suited for use in the Canadian cocktail the Bloody Caesar. It's also good as a shot.

The Bloody Caesar is a variation of the Bloody Mary, but features Clamato or clam juice and is usually spicier. Heres the recipe from Pickle's website:

Celery Salt of Montreal Steak Spice for Rim of Glass

2 - 3 Lime Wedges

3 oz. World Famous Pickle Vodka

6 oz. Clamato Juice

2 -3 Dashes of Worcestershire Sauce

2 - 3 Dashes of Tabasco

1/4 TSP Celery Salt or Montreal Steak Spice to Sprinkle on Top

Run a lime wedge across the top rim of your glass, then dunk the rim in celery salt or Montreal steak spice. Fill glass with ice.

Pour in World Famous Pickle Vodka with lime juice. Fill glass with Clamato juice.

Add Worcestershire sauce and tabasco and sprinkle with Montreal steak spice. Stir together.

Garnish with pickles, cheese, celery, olives, or whatever you desire

References:

The Retro Room Lounge in Denver, Colorado

Wikipedia article on the Caesar cocktail

Statistics on the percentage of women who buy spirits for home consumption.

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 21 features Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky - The Distillers Edition. This double matured, 10 year old scotch is bottled on the Isle of Skye. At 45.8% ABV, or 91.6 proof, it's the expected proof for a Talisker.

Enjoy this episode with a wee dram!

Talisker's official website: https://www.malts.com/en-us/brands/talisker

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1825 - Brothers Hugh & Kenneth MacAskill arrive on the Isle of Skye
• 1830 - Talisker distillery is founded
• 1857 - Donald McLellan takes over from the MacAskills
• 1866 - John Anderson takes over the distillery
• 1880 - Alexander Allen and Roderick Kemp take over
• 1892 - Roderick Kemp sells his share in Talisker and buys Macallan
• 1916 - A consortium formed by John Walker & Sons and John Dewar & Sons take over
• 1925 - Consortium evolves to become Distillers Company (DCL), an ancestor of Diageo who currently owns Talisker
• 1941 - Shut down due to war rationing
• 1960 - Still house is destroyed in a fire
• 1972 - Floor malting ceases at Talisker

Key Cocktail:

Neat, with a bit of water if you like.

Talisker recommends trying the spirit with seafood, in particular shellfish.

References:

Wikipedia article on Talisker Distillery

Wikipedia article on Talisker - the region

Article on the Talisker name

Diffords Guide reference on Talisker

2012 video "Share a Taste of Talisker"

2020 Whisky.com Review

2014 Whisky.com Review

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 20 features Cascadia American Bitter Liqueur. It also provides an overview of New Deal Distillery and the various adventures and experiments that lead to Cascadia's creation. At 35% ABV, or 70 proof, it's a decently potent liqueur.

Enjoy this episode with some Cascadia Liqueur!

Cascadia's official website: https://newdealdistillery.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 2001 - Distillery founder Tom Burkleaux gets the idea to start distilling
• 2004 - New Deal Distillery is founded, the smallest licensed distillery in the USA at the time
• 2005 - First distillery products go on sale
• 2013 - Cascadia Liqueur is introduced

Key Cocktail:

Like most bitter spirits, Cascadia is perfect neat as an aperitif or digestif. However, give this cocktail a try should you want to mix it.

Negroni Blanc:

1 1/2 oz. Gin (New Deal Portland Dry Gin 33 recommended)

3/4 oz. Cascadia American Bitter Liqueur

3/4 oz. Cocchi Americano

1 dash orange bitters

1 dash aromatic bitters

Lemon peel for garnish

Mix over ice in a mixing glass and stir. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with the lemon peel.

References:

Thanks again to Tom Burkleaux, Founder of New Deal Distillery for taking the time to speak with me for this episode, and sharing his stories with me.

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 19 features Chareau. The world's first Aloe Vera liqueur. At 25% ABV, or 50 proof, it's a fresh new take on a liqueur. Made in small batches in California from locally sourced ingredients.

Enjoy this episode with some Chareau!

Chareau's official website: http://chareau.us/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 2013 - Chareau was launched
• 2015 - Chareau distillery opened

Key Cocktail:

Many great Chareau cocktails are listed on their website, but these 3 were included with the bottle I received.

Spa Cocktail:

1 1/2 oz. Vodka

3/4 oz. Chareau

1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

Topped with Club Soda

Mix over ice in a shaker, shake, then strain into a Collins glass. Garnish with cucumber.

Endless Summer:

2 oz. Rose wine

3/4 oz. Chareau

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

1/4 oz. Simple Syrup

Topped with Club Soda

Add all ingredients to glass, stir and garnish with fresh botanicals.

Aloe Margarita:

2 oz. Tequila

3/4 oz. Fresh Lime

1/2 oz. Chareau

1/2 oz. Agave Syrup

Mix over ice in a shaker, shake, then pour into a glass with or without a salted rim.

References:

Thanks again to Kurt Charron, Founder of Chareau for taking the time to speak with me for this episode, and providing me with the bottle of Chareau for the tasting.

https://www.startengine.com/chareau

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 18 features Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka. A low proof, coffee and hazelnut flavored vodka that some may classify as a liqueur.

Enjoy this episode with a pour of Hazelnut Espresso Vodka, or the yummy Coco Puff Martini!

Crater Lake's official website: https://craterlakespirits.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1996 - Bendistillery founded
• 2001 - Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka introduced
• 2011 - Brands standardized under the Crater Lake name

Key Cocktail:

This cocktail is the result of experimentation at the tasting room, originally intended to be a temporary drink, it proved so popular it earned a permanent place on the menu .

Coco Puff Martini:

2 oz. Crater Lake Vodka

2 oz. Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka

1 oz. Chocolate syrup

1 oz. Half & Half

Mix over ice in a shaker, shake vigorously, then strain into a graham cracker rimmed martini glass. No garnish needed.

References:

Thanks again to James Padilla, National Sales Manager of Bendistillery for taking the time to speak with me for this episode.

Sister's Coffee

Article on Apollo Astronauts in Bend

Visit Bend Tourist Website

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 17 features Drambuie. A Scotch whisky liqueur. This is the Bonnie Prince Charlie's Drambuie.

Enjoy this episode with some Drambuie!

Drambuie's official website: https://www.drambuie.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1745 - Bonnie Prince Charlie brings Drambuie to the Isle of Skye
• 1746 - Drambuie is given to Clan MacKinnon
• 1870s - John Ross, owner of the Broadford Hotel on the Isle of Skye gets the recipe for Drambuie
• 1893 - James Ross, son of John, registers a trademark for Drambuie
• 1908 - Drambuie is made in Edinburgh by James Ross' widow Eleanor
• 1914 - The Drambuie Liqueur Company Ltd. is formed by Malcom MacKinnon, from Eleanor Ross
• 1916 - Drambuie is the first liqueur accepted to the House of Lords
• 2014 - William Grant & Sons acquires Drambuie

Key Cocktail:

Most people first have Drambuie in a Rusty Nail, a cocktail synonymous with Drambuie.

Rusty Nail:

1.5 oz. Drambuie

1.5 oz. Scotch Whisky

Twist of lemon.

Pour over ice, add the twist and serve.

References:

Wikipedia article on Drambuie

Difford's Guide Article on Drambuie

Rampant Scotland Article on Drambuie

Wikipedia Article on Charles Edward Stewart

William Grant & Sons

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 16 features Frangelico. An Italian hazelnut liqueur. The iconic bottle is shaped like a friar's robes.

Enjoy this episode with a chilled shot of Frangelico!

Frangelico's official website: http://frangelico.com/

Brief Historical Timeline:

• 1891 - Barbero family company is founded that eventually produces Frangelico
• 1960s - Barbero introduces Diesus, an amaro in the friar bottle
• 1978 - Frangelico is introduced
• 2010 - Gruoppo Campari purchases Frangelico

Key Cocktail:

Frangelico lends itself to cocktails, but it's also very good served simply. Either as a chilled shot, on the rocks with some lime, or mixed with soda.

Friar Tuck:

1 oz. Frangelico

1 oz. dark creme de caco

2 oz. cream

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with nutmeg

Angel Kiss:

Equal parts Frangelico and Vodka with a squeeze of lime, shaken with ice, strained and served in a chilled cocktail glass.

Nuts & Berries:

1.5 oz. Frangelico

1.5 oz. Chambord

3 oz. milk or cream

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass and serve.

Nutty Irishman:

3/4 oz. Frangelico

3/4 oz. Irish cream liqueur

Layer in a shot glass, Frangelico first.

References:

Wikipedia article on Frangelico

Barbero 1891 history

2002 Article mentioning additional named ingredients

Press Release on Barbero 1891 acquisition

Gruoppo Campari

Diesus Amaro reference

Spruce Easts article on the difference between a Liquor and a Liqueur

Oregon Hazelnut information

Contact Information:

Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquorandliqueurconnoisseur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiquorandLiqueurConnoisseur/

Twitter: @LLConnoisseur