Pirate or Privateer
The wife and I have been watching black sails on stars. Its supposed to be a more realistic look at pirate life (not disneyfied). It reminds me of the series spartacus, only set in a different place and period. I’m enjoying the series, but I’m especially enjoying an excuse to break out some rum while I watch. However, I have a dilemma: Am I more pirate or privateer? I am in government contracting, but I also like to think I have a rebellious spirit. To settle the issue, lets taste some rum.
I read an article in Garden and Gun, that had this quote, “Another secret weapon is demerara rum, from Guyana. It has this smoky, charred-wood, almost gunpowdery taste. It’s what I thought rum tasted like when I was a kid watching pirate movies. A little dash of that in a drink really makes it.” After reading that, I went online and ordered a bottle. We’ll use this as our pirate rum. For the pirate rum, really any old style (not white) rum would do, but I think I picked a good one. Perhaps a bit older and more premium than would be historically accurate, but indulge me. For the privateer rum, accept no substitutes:
Pussers owns the recipe/blending information necessary to recreate the rum originally rationed to the British Royal Navy. The backstory to Pussers is complex, but to me, the differentiating aspect is this, “The Amazon “Greenwood” staves of these two old stills (two of five still used by pussers today) are impregnated with decades of esters and congeners – the organic compounds found naturally in wine and spirits that impart flavor to them. No other stills in the world can reproduce these flavors because all modern stills are made from metal which absorb nothing, and thus have nothing to impart in the way of flavor to a spirit during the distillation process. In contrast, wood soaks up the flavor of whatever it contains. In the case of the wooden stills, continuous usage over hundreds of years has made the wood of these stills extraordinarily flavorful.”
Pussers says that their wooden pot stills (not column stills) are only 60% efficient (as opposed to column stills’ 99%). This means more gets though the distillation process, and a lot of that more is flavor. All this adds up to a historically accurate rum, that is very very unique. For all those history buffs out there, I do realize that privateers would not have been issued Navy rum, but go with me on this one. On to the flavor.
Pussers gives me an immediate olfactory trigger. One waft, and I’m in the BVI, or at the Pussers in Annapolis (where I purchased this particular bottle), having a drink on the water. This is a rum I believe I could pick out of a lineup. On tasting it, you get a lot of molasses. This is definitely a dark rum. There is some caramel and pepper that even I can notice. For a more nuanced review, look here or here. Also check out some cocktail ideas. This is one of my favorites. I really appreciate the history and uniqueness, but I also can’t objectively separate good memories from its smell and taste.
The El Dorado has a tighter nose, but you know its rum. After my first sip, my impression is that this is a much more complex and sophisticated rum. I also really really like it. It doesn’t really taste like molassas the way the Pussers does. I’d say its more of a honey flavor. Or maybe the flavor of a molasses cookie. The Pussers tastes like black molasses out of the jar. Its unmistakable. Beyond that, I have trouble pulling out individual flavors. It has less alcohol burn that the Pussers. For what the experts think, look here, here, and here. More info here.
The bottom line? Pussers has been called the single malt of rum. I don’t really agree with that analogy, and I think its doing Pussers a disservice. As a marketing ploy, I can see the benefit. People like scotch, maybe they’ll try Pussers. But Pussers is unique. I like to think of it in a category all by itself. The El Dorado is similar to scotch or bourbon in that its pretty easy drinking, complex, and at least for rum, dry. If you served this to a bourbon or scotch drinker, I think they’d probably enjoy it. I’m not sure if I’d say that about Pussers. I think Pussers is more of an acquired taste. So who wins? I’m going El Dorado. I can’t believe how much I like it. Its pretty amazing. While watching black sails, I’ll still pour a glass of Pussers and think of times gone by, and this summer, you find me at Pussers having a softshell crab sandwich. Next time I’m in the islands, I’ll probably look for Pussers too, as its commonly available. However, I look forward to blowing some friends’ minds with the El Dorado. I can’t recommend either highly enough, but yo ho, yo ho, its El Dorado for me.
5E6CM9VUFZEN
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One barrel too many?
I received this bottle of Prichard’s Double Barrel Bourbon as a very generous gift. As a Virginian (or perhaps more specifically, an non-Kentuckian), I try to keep an open mind about non-Kentucky bourbons. I had it on several occasions now, and figure I’m ready to review the bottle.
My first impression of this bourbon was after having some Evan Williams Single barrel. After a glass of EW, my friend produced his gift, and we each poured a glass. My initial impression was that it was too oaky with an almost artificially concentrated flavor. I thought it might be gimmicky, or at best, not well executed. After that, I left it on the shelf for a while. Later, I decided to give it another shot. This time around, I tasted it, and nothing else, and had just about the opposite experience. It was good, but fairly boring. The oak was still present, but not overpowering. The other normal bourbon flavors, caramel, vanilla, etc. were less obvious. If his bourbon was a girl, I might describe her as homely. Just a little too plain for my taste. I did find this bourbon a nice compliment to a cigar.
One can find some pretty positive and pretty negative reviews online. My opinion is left somewhere in-between. Not overly impressed, not really let down either. Really, the most interesting part of this bourbon is the story behind it. Its aged, cut, then aged some more. Very unique. I’m just not sure that translates into the experience of its consumption.
I’m not sure I’ll pick up another bottle, but I’ll definitely pour a glass of Prichards Double Barrel Bourbon while cleaning my gun, or reminiscing about a hunt.
EDIT***
Found out this bottle was the bottle of the month (featured) on the straightbourbon forum. Check it out:
http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?8555-BOTM-1-08-Prichard-s-Double-Barreled
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Experiential Learning
I posted the other day about starting Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba on my kindle. I made good on my promise of a Cuban themed evening:
I picked out my last Monte #2. This stick has been in my humidor for a good while, so it needed to be smoked. I figured this was as good a time as any. And because you can’t have a Monte without rum (though I’m sure I’ve broken that rule a time or two)…:
I paired it with some HC7. I lit up the pyramid took a sip of rum, and got into the book.
All three were amazing. On the first puff, you get that unmistakable flavor. Then a sip of the rum gives you a fairly light body, but rich dark molasses, smoke, and spices. The book kept me turning the pages.
When the cigar got down to about the size of a Fuente WOA, it really hit the sweet spot. The book got into the 1920s, and I went to find some coke. I mixed myself a cuba libre (relax, why not) and finished the chapter and cigar. A great cigar, great rum, and great book made for an amazing evening.
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Smoking Parlor
I’d been thinking about having a smoking room in my house for years. A search on the internet would have you believe you need a fancy hepa filtration system, strong exhaust fan, or some other complex system that bipasses air ducts and reheats or cools your home. Intimidated by others’ smoking rooms, I put my idea on the back burner, thinking I’d wait until I could afford to have a high CFM exhaust fan installed. Then one day I decided to just try smoking in my office, and seeing how bad it was. As it turns out, it was fairly bad. I removed all textiles (that would hold the smell of smoke), but even so, the smoke smell lingered and even went beyond the room. As bad as it was, the smell went away in about a week, and I thought it was a problem I could solve. My current solution contains smoke to my office pretty well, and the smell only lasts a day or so. If for some reason I need the smell gone immediately, I have a backup plan for that too.
I started with Fans. I have two windows in my office, so I got a small air circulator fan for the intake, and a larger vornado for the exhaust. I didn’t buy fancy fans, or even window fans, just small cheap fans to handle a room of about 10×20. Since its winter, I bought a small ceramic heater on amazon. Its very small, very quiet, and often gets the job done on low. This was very surprising, but its really all I need to be comfortable in a tee shirt when its less than 30 degrees outside. With both fans and the heater running, its whisper quiet.
I was worried about my door so I bought weatherstripping, and went all the way around the frame. Then I bought a piece of foam to block the bottom of the door, but honestly I don’t always use it. Since I don’t have any air ducts in my office, and I’m exhausting most air out than I’m drawing in, I don’t expect much smoke to escape until I turn the fans off.
When I leave the fans running for about an hour after I’m finished, most smell is gone. If I just shut the windows and leave the room, a small amount of smell remains. If I’m having company over soon after smoking, I’ll leave the fans going, and run a small air purifier. This type of air purifier has its drawbacks, but it completely eliminates the smoke odor. For just over $100, I have a very functional smoke management system.
Despite very cold temperatures this weekend, I was able to enjoy a cigar. My wife went to brunch with some friends, so I grabbed my kindle, some bourbon, and a nice stick.
I’ll do a full review of the bourbon later. The Cabaiguan was great as always, though I did experience a slight run problem. It came out of my travel humidor, so it was probably my fault. The book I’ reading is excellent, but not well paired to Tennessee bourbon and a cigar from Ecuador and Nicaragua. I’ll try to enjoy a more authentic Cuban experience, and write it up soon.
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Me Day
I had a pretty stressful week the week before last. I decided to take a me day. I reaggravated an old rowing injury, and had a sore back, so I decided to pop a few muscle relaxers and advil, and start my day at NMTI right down the road from me in Falls Church City. NMTI is a massage school that offers massages from current students for $35 an hour. Its a great deal, and the worst massage I’ve ever had there was still good. More often than not, the massage is excellent. Its very easy to schedule your massage online.
After the massage, I stopped in palm beach tan to get some color.
After tanning, I swung by my parents house for a soak. I poured a little Talisker Storm, and put some jazz on my portable speakers.
After the hot tub, I quickly got into the sauna to dry off and stay warm (notice the snow on the ground).
In the evening, I took the metro in DC to meet a friend at Old Ebbit Grill for the orca platter (half off during happy hour). We also got a bottle of rose bubbly. A couple at the next table asked what we were celebrating (assuming we were together).
We ended the evening at Shelly’s Back Room. Had some nice cigars, and a few glasses of Blanton’s (only 9 bucks a glass, about the cheapest place to have Blantons out).
What a great day. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to top it.
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Valentine’s Day
VDay is only a week away. If you haven’t already, its time to make some reservations, and buy a gift. I recommend an etsy shop with Appalachian inspired jewelry, run by a Virginia Tech grad:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/12POLE
I’d imagine the ladies already have things handled, but just in case, for a last minute gift hit the ABC store and grab a bottle of Elmer T Lee (bourbon), or Laphroaig (scotch). I, personally, always like more brown sauce, ammo, cigars, etc. If you hit the cigar store, but don’t know what to buy, my first recommendation is to ask his buddies what he likes, but my second is something by Arturo Fuente. If the shopkeeper has anything in the Hemingway line, you’re golden.
Y’all have a good one.
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G&G Magazine
Pictured above is the current issue of one of my two favorite magazines, Garden & Gun (also available on amazon). I’ve only read the article on drinks so far, but as always, its a great issue. I’m a huge mint julep fan (I’m sure I’ll do a whole mint julep post when it starts to warm up). I bought some sorghum syrup a while back to try in cocktails in place of sweetener. In the drinks article, a sorghum sweetened julep is suggested:
http://gardenandgun.com/article/antebellum-julep
I’ve had a brandy julep, and a julep made with white dog whiskey, but never one made with rum. After reading the article, I think I’ll try a more traditional recipe, but substitute sorghum syrup or simple syrup.
I also like G&G’s sporting life coverage. They review hunting lodges and vacation spots I’d love to visit.
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Bourbon, Straight – Very Old Barton drops age statement – Magruders
I started a book club a year or so ago. The first book we read, which was instrumental in getting all parties to agree to join the club, was Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey by Charles K. Cowdery. If you’re a fan of bourbon, its a must read. I’d describe the book as a history of bourbon and the bourbon industry. It also includes instructions on how to taste bourbon, and reviews of specific bourbons at the end. Mr. Cowdery also has a blog, and a documentary. He also puts out a newsletter, “The Bourbon County Reader”, which I get sent to the house. I highly recommend the book. I’ve been thinking about taking a road trip to bourbon country. If I do, I’ll be sure to reread Bourbon, Straight so I can ask the right questions, and get the most out of the trip.
If you’re looking for some more bourbon resources, I like the forum http://www.straightbourbon.com/, and the blog, http://bourbondork.blogspot.com/
On the latter, I recently found out that my go-to value bourbon, Very Old Barton, is dropping their age statement. However, some folks on straight bourbon had some and didn’t realize it had changed. I haven’t had the new kind yet, but I’m hoping it hasn’t changed too much. My bottle, with the age statement, looks like this:
And while we’re on the topic, I do a lot of my alcohol shopping at Magruders. In Virginia, we have state run ABC stores, so a quick run into DC can yield me much better prices, and a different selection. Blantons is usually a few bucks cheaper than in VA, and VOB, which is unavailable in VA, is about $19 for a handle.
***Update on VOB age statement here.
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And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails
Its been a good while since I’ve read And a Bottle of Rum. I read it before the kindle, or at least, before I had a kindle. As much as I like a good James Bond book on a vacation, I think this may be the ultimate vacation read. Each chapter is named for a cocktail, so it makes your next drink order much easier while sitting at the beach. This is a book about the history of the United States, so if you’re not into history, this book may not be for you. I found the book fascinating, but of particular interest to me, was that rum, not bourbon, was America’s first favorite brown sauce.
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First Bourbon Review on BVVA!!!
I’m a brown sauce fan. Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Blends, Aged Tequila, Rum, I love them all. While Scotch and Rum hold a special place in my heart, Bourbon is my number one. I figure what better way to get the brown sauce reviews started, then to start with my all time favorite: Blantons.
Lets start with the cons, as there is actually only one for me. Price. At about $50, I think its a fair but high price. I love everything else Blantons. To me, there is no more quintessential bourbon. It has all the flavors I associate with good bourbon: caramel, wood, vanilla. The flavors are obviously more complex, but I’ll let you decide on the specifics yourselves. The only criticism I’ve ever heard of Blantons is that it is too sweet (though I do not share said opinion).
If you’re fairly new to bourbon, or on a budget, I’d recommend Elmer T Lee (first picture, right side). ETL is similar to Blantons in that they are both from the same Buffalo Trace mashbill (#2, 15% rye). Its about half the price, and twice the value. I think they have a fairly similar taste profile, and both are single barrel expressions of their common mashbill. That said, Blantons is far and away my favorite. In the second photo of this post, you can see that there are eight collectible stoppers. Once collected, a stave or horseshoe can be acquired to display the stoppers, which when placed in order, show the different parts of a horse’s gait. I think I’ve got about 4 or 5 stoppers to go.
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