Jazz and Spotify
When I was young, I played alto sax. I’m not sure why I chose the sax. I imagine my parents thought alto sax was cool, and wanted me to be cool. I think I played the sax before Slick Willy’s first term, but I’m not sure, maybe that had something to do with it. In any event, I bring it up because despite playing a jazz instrument, I did not like jazz as a young man. I liked Pep band and symphonic band music well enough, but I never listened to jazz. I wasn’t into any music the way a lot of my friends were. Flash forward about 20 years, and I’m very much into music. Recently, I’ve gotten into jazz. I’ve made a short playlist for this blog. Hopefully it peaks some interest out there. If you like it, maybe light a cigar and pour a few fingers of brown.
If you find an artist you like, maybe just pull some of his stuff up on spotify. I’ll admit, some of the tracks I’ve included below are a little out there, but with enough variety, hopefully everyone can find something they like.
If you don’t use spotify, I’d look into it. My brother in law got me a subscription to the mobile version (the desktop verson is free), which I now don’t know how I lived without (thanks again Chris).
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The Virginia Sportsman
Before I forget, I’ll talk about my other favorite magazine, The Virginia Sportsman (also available on Amazon). Virginia Sportsman is a lot like G&G, but more Virginia Specific. However, it is not limited to VA; the current issue has an article all about Georgetown, DC (**UPDATE – just got the new issue, which is about Georgetown SC, cheeky). If you’re a Virginian and a sportsman, definitely check it out.
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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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Soccer
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is right around the corner (this summer). I couldn’t be more excited, but right now, I’m focused on my Premier League team. I decided to follow Sunderland AFC because they’re both a port/shipbuilding town (like Newport News), and a coal town (like many in WV). As it turns out, Sunderland has not had a great year this year. WVU and the Redskins had similarly bad seasons this year. I was much more interested in watching the Black Cats due to the possibility of relegation. In the Premier League, the bottom two teams are demoted to the division below the Premier League, while the top two teams from the lower division are promoted to the Premier League (the top division). So I’ve been on edge as the Mackems fight to avoid relegation. (It would also be fun to watch US Men’s National Team player Jozy Altidore score for Sunderland, if he did so more often)
I’ve been watching Sunderland on NBC Sports, and NBC Sports Live Extra. Between the two, I can see all the games. I’ve also been watching some matches on beIN Sports. beIN Sports has a program called, “90 in 30” which condenses matches to the highlights. You don’t see the build and swings in momentum, but you do see a lot of action. Its a fun way to watch teams and/or leagues you’re not personally invested in. If you’re not into soccer yet, I’d reconsider.
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2014 Catch Up
Although this blog was started in late January, I’d like to capture the whole year. I’ll start with xmas, which was technically 2013. I got an early xmas prezzie from my wife, the Weber Smokey Mountain. My first time out, I just tried a single rack of ribs with a dry rub. It was awesome, and I highly recommend the WSM.
Shortly thereafter, a fraternity brother hosted a KC BBQ rules rib off. My team won, but I can’t really take much of the credit. We had a tried and true competition smoker on our team who made most of the decisions.
For xmas, we started with our (for the last two years) tradition of vodka, champagne, caviar, blinis, and creme fraiche. Then we opened presents. My wife got a Beretta Explor A400 in 20 gauge. I got a champagne saber, inscribed with a quote from Napoleon, reiterated (but paraphrased) by Winston Churchill. Then for dinner we had our traditional steak (a slightly older tradition), which was phenomenal.
For New Years, we went to Montreal. It was about a 9 hour drive, but it flew by talking to close friends in the car. We stayed on Square Phillips at an awesome hotel that was walking distance to just about everything.
We went to Casa Del Habano in Montreal twice. Once because we jumped the gun because we were so excited, and then again for my buddy’s 29th bday. I enjoyed a Hoyo Epicure #2, and a Monte #4. We also had some great Cuban rum. Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros was our favorite.
We also did some sightseeing. The museum of fine arts was particularly good. My two favorite works were Moonlight by Henri-Joseph Harpignies (1889) (Clair de lune by Debussy was played deliberately in the room), and Boys Club by Jules de Balincourt (2011).
We also enjoyed visiting the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
We ate at schwartz’s.
Visited the house of jazz:
For my friend’s birthday, we ate at Le Club Chasse et Peche on the recommendation of Tony Bourdain. Then on New Years, we dined at Chez Queux, right on Place Jacques Cartier, where the festivities go down.
NYE in Montreal:
When it was time to drive back, it was a little chilly and a bit of a snow storm rolled in.
We also celebrated my wife’s birthday this month. First by going to Russia House during restaurant week (everything was great, I’d go back for the vodka sampler), followed by a Caps game.
Then we headed to West By God for a hunt, a movie in an old timey theater, and some relaxing with friends. For her birthday dinner, we smoked a pork butt and had us some pulled pork.
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Sick Day
I’d been thinking about starting a blog for some time. Being home sick has finally provided the time I needed to see it though. In celebration of the blog, and in treatment of my ailment, its time for a hot toddy.
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The well-read Virginian
I’m currently reading A Man in Full by Richmond’s own Tom Wolfe.
I’m about halfway though the book. I’m quite absorbed in Charlie Croker’s story, but I have a feeling things may not work out well for him. Even if you can’t identify with a charismatic good ‘ol boy turned business mogul who entertains his associates by taking them quail hunting at his plantation, this book is still worth a read. If you haven’t read any Tom Wolfe before, I’d start with The Bonfire of the Vanities or The Right Stuff.
The Right Stuff is quite possibly the best book I’ve ever read. Its a non-fiction account of the Mercury 7, centering around the space race. Wolfe illustrates the mens’ incredible risks and spectacular achievements, while also describing a a frat house atmosphere in which the astronauts constantly tried to one up each other, played pranks, pulled cookies (read it to find out), street raced, etc. I can’t do the book justice in this brief review, but if you want to read about men who are the epitome of the manly American male who made this country great, this is a book for you.
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