What non Whiskey or Rum Spirit (Cognac, Mezcal, Calvados etc) are we drinking?

Black Sheep · 28-03-2021 12:16am

Got a bottle of Cacique 500 via a Venezuelan business in Ireland. Delivery of various Venezuelan rums to your door. Boderum they are called...

Also, realised I never gave a verdict on the Clase Azul.

First of all, the decanter is legitimately cool, it genuinely is something you would keep and use.

The tequila is very, very good, not sure what else to say. I have had Casamigos, 1800, Cazador, Don Julio etc and I’d say this is the most floral, delicate sipping reposado I ever had. It’s actually nearly too perfumed for me, but the missus loves it.

Would I buy it again? Hell no, but she was very happy.

Rodin · 28-03-2021 12:21am

Apple Brandy.

BonnieSituation · 28-03-2021 6:13pm

Cazale wrote: »

The mezcal tasting set from Celtic Whiskey arrived today along with a little bowl. Wasn't sure what it was so looked it up and it's called a copita.

Did you do the tasting on Wednesday?

I wasn't home from work in time, so saving it.

The two of us here just decided to have a wee sip of them there though.

Quite a range from the smokiness of the Pechuga and Chichicapa to the sweet initial taste of Tobala and its fiery finish.

Looking forward to doing it next weekend now.

Beersmith · 28-03-2021 6:15pm

The tasting was good and bad. Too much waffle from your man, didn't talk enough about actually tasting the mezcals.

Cazale · 28-03-2021 8:15pm

BonnieSituation wrote:

Did you do the tasting on Wednesday?

BonnieSituation wrote:

I wasn't home from work in time, so saving it.

Nah I was on a project in work but I've changed hours now and it's playing havoc with the live tastings. Missed this, three drams on the Thursday and will probably miss the Calvados on Wednesday. I'll catch up on them asap though as if I leave them too long they never get drunk.

BonnieSituation · 28-03-2021 9:06pm

Cazale wrote: »

Nah I was on a project in work but I've changed hours now and it's playing havoc with the live tastings. Missed this, three drams on the Thursday and will probably miss the Calvados on Wednesday. I'll catch up on them asap though as if I leave them too long they never get drunk.

Yup. I still have my Bushmills deconstruction and my Kurayoshi samples still sitting there.

Cazale · 31-03-2021 7:01pm

Chateau Du Breuil Calvados Tasting on tonight with Celtic Whiskey. Can't make it live but will try catch up over the next few days.

BonnieSituation · 31-03-2021 7:23pm

Cazale wrote: »

Chateau Du Breuil Calvados Tasting on tonight with Celtic Whiskey. Can't make it live but will try catch up over the next few days.

Just on the way home from work now. Will try and get it going tonight. But it's not looking likely at this remove.

Cazale · 31-03-2021 8:09pm

BonnieSituation wrote:

Just on the way home from work now. Will try and get it going tonight. But it's not looking likely at this remove.

I'm having a sneak watch of it albeit sans Calvados in the glass.

killbillvol2 · 31-03-2021 9:22pm

Cazale wrote: »

I'm having a sneak watch of it albeit sans Calvados in the glass.

I'll have to catch it later too. Leaving a ceiling half painted to drink Calvados might appear problematic to some observers so I'll wait.

BonnieSituation · 31-03-2021 10:47pm

Cazale wrote: »

I'm having a sneak watch of it albeit sans Calvados in the glass.

I didn't get a chance to. I guess Saturday it is so.

Black Sheep · 01-04-2021 11:13am

I opened up my bottle of Cacique 500 last night.

My second bottle of it, and I still rate it highly but I think now that I'm drinking more rum these days I need to be really clear that is far below something like Appleton 12 year old in terms of quality. It's still very nice and you can definitely sip it, but there's none of the complex layering of flavour that Appleton do.

My Venezuelan friend has been recommending Santa Teresa 1796, will try that next.

There are few like El Dorado that I want to get my hands on as well, that I suspect might be worthy challengers to Appleton.

Cazale · 05-04-2021 10:17pm

Tried some calvados tonight for the first time ever. First up is the Chateau du breuil calvados 8 year old. A really inviting nose of fresh apples, honey, nuts and gooseberry. I never played in an orchard as a child but I imagine this is what it would have smelt like. In the mouth there was fresh apples, vanilla, wood and nuts. Smooth, well balanced with a medium finish.

Definitely a spring or summer drink rather than one for dark cold evenings. I could imagine having it after dinner or even a small one on a sunny Sunday morning. I enjoyed this and I'm intrigued by what Calvados has to offer. I have another six samples to get through but a full bottle might be in order.

odyssey06 · 05-04-2021 10:30pm

I like cognac, calvados and armagnac but I dont think at this stage I am appreciating the differences between them.

I guess my palate isnt trained enough.

Cazale · 05-04-2021 10:39pm

The other Calvados I tried tonight is the Chateau du breuil 8 years old “Finition en fûts de Sauternes” (Sauternes finish). This is the same spirit as the one above aged in French oak casks but with an additional few months finished in casks that contained Sauternes wine.

I found this one more subtle on the nose with less fruit or apple to the fore. Sweet honey, floral notes and spice on the nose with apple in the background. Gentle. In the mouth there was honey sweetness, spice, wood, nutmeg and apple. Nice balance, light with a long finish.

I thought this was really nice and maybe nicer than the first sample. However as a Calvados novice the regular 8 year old was what I was expecting nose and mouth wise from an Apple Brandy so I think that one edged it for me tonight. I'll continue my Calvados journey later this week.

Cazale · 05-04-2021 10:43pm

[PHP][/PHP]

odyssey06 wrote: »

I like cognac, calvados and armagnac but I dont think at this stage I am appreciating the differences between them.

I guess my palate isnt trained enough.

Same here. I've ordered a good few samples to try and I'm watching a lot on YouTube. They are not as ubiquitous as whiskey though so it's hard to know what to go for. Hopefully I'll get a good understanding eventually but there will be a bit of stumbling about first I imagine!

Cazale · 06-04-2021 10:13am

Cazale wrote: »

[PHP][/PHP]

I've ordered a good few samples to try

Speaking of samples I ordered a few more last night. 2020 was the year of whiskey and as anyone who reads the whiskey thread knows I have enough samples and full size bottles of whiskey to do me for the next few years. For the rest of the year I'm going to redirect most of my budget of 100-150 a month to rum, mezcal, brandy etc. Picked up the following:

Armagnac

Baron de Lustrac 1968 - Armagnac from Baron de Lustrac, distilled in 1968
Delord 1984 Bas-Armagnac - Bas-Armagnac from the year 1984 with deep wells of coffee, orange and vanilla notes.
Delord 25 Year Old Bas-Armagnac - Distilled from four different grape varieties, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Baco and Folle-Blanche before it was matured in oak barrels for 25 years.

Cognac

Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac Florilege - An intense, aged Grande Champagne from Ragnaud Sabourin

Calvados

Domaine Dupont 1977 Calvados - A 1977 vintage Calvados, which is bottled at cask strength without filtration.

Rum

Gosling's Black Seal 151 Proof - A super high strength dark rum from Bermuda. (75.5%)
Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary - XO rum from Barbados, aged in bourbon barrels before being shipped to France for a secondary maturation in Cognac casks
Clairin Sajous 2015 - An intriguing style of rhum agricole from Haiti. Double distilled before being bottled at full-strength.

Pisco

Pisco Portón - Pisco from Peru
Qollqe Italia Pisco - An artisan spirit made with late harvest grapes in Peru

Tequila

Tres Sombreros Reposado - A reposado tequila (which means that it’s rested in oak casks for between two and twelve months)

Pastis

Tarquin's Cornish Pastis - Southwestern Distillery's Cornish Pastis is the first pastis ever created in the UK
Berger Pastis Vintage - A Pastis de Marseille from Swiss producer Berger

BonnieSituation · 06-04-2021 11:28am

Cazale wrote: »

Speaking of samples I ordered a few more last night. 2020 was the year of whiskey and as anyone who reads the whiskey thread knows I have enough samples and full size bottles of whiskey to do me for the next few years. For the rest of the year I'm going to redirect most of my budget of 100-150 a month to rum, mezcal, brandy etc. Picked up the following:

Armagnac
Baron de Lustrac 1968 - Armagnac from Baron de Lustrac, distilled in 1968

Delord 1984 Bas-Armagnac - Bas-Armagnac from the year 1984 with deep wells of coffee, orange and vanilla notes.

Delord 25 Year Old Bas-Armagnac - Distilled from four different grape varieties, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Baco and Folle-Blanche before it was matured in oak barrels for 25 years.

Cognac
Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac Florilege - An intense, aged Grande Champagne from Ragnaud Sabourin

Calvados
Domaine Dupont 1977 Calvados - A 1977 vintage Calvados, which is bottled at cask strength without filtration.

Rum
Gosling's Black Seal 151 Proof - A super high strength dark rum from Bermuda. (75.5%)

Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary - XO rum from Barbados, aged in bourbon barrels before being shipped to France for a secondary maturation in Cognac casks

Clairin Sajous 2015 - An intriguing style of rhum agricole from Haiti. Double distilled before being bottled at full-strength.

Pisco
Pisco Portón - Pisco from Peru

Qollqe Italia Pisco - An artisan spirit made with late harvest grapes in Peru

Tequila
Tres Sombreros Reposado - A reposado tequila (which means that it’s rested in oak casks for between two and twelve months)

Pastis
Tarquin's Cornish Pastis - Southwestern Distillery's Cornish Pastis is the first pastis ever created in the UK

Berger Pastis Vintage - A Pastis de Marseille from Swiss producer Berger

Samples? From where?

Pastis is one of my favourite things in his world.

Going on a pastis rampage when I'm in France is one of the best things in the world. Glorious.

Black Sheep · 06-04-2021 11:36am

Gosling's Black Seal 151 Proof - A super high strength dark rum from Bermuda. (75.5%)

Interesting... I think I would like to try that. I'd taste it at 75% and then start diluting.

I'm not sure I've had a spirit neat which was any stronger than 64% abv, there are a few bourbons around that, and they're oddly drinkable, I taste them full whack and then dilute to the high 50s to keep some of the specialness.

Effects · 06-04-2021 12:49pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

I like cognac, calvados and armagnac but I dont think at this stage I am appreciating the differences between them.

Cognac and armagnac are fairly similar, in terms of where the base spirit comes from, grapes. Calvados is distilled from apples, or more appropriately, cider.

It's easy enough to tell the difference between apple and grape based spirits, but I haven't had enough armagnac to be sure I can tell it apart from cognac.

Adyx · 06-04-2021 2:38pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

Interesting... I think I would like to try that. I'd taste it at 75% and then start diluting.

I'm not sure I've had a spirit neat which was any stronger than 64% abv, there are a few bourbons around that, and they're oddly drinkable, I taste them full whack and then dilute to the high 50s to keep some of the specialness.

We got some delivered in work by mistake instead of the regular Goslings. The bottles are almost identical apart from the cap. One poor woman, who was well used to her dark rum, went home in a heap one night. Oops.

Cazale · 06-04-2021 4:48pm

BonnieSituation wrote:

Samples? From where?

BonnieSituation wrote:

Pastis is one of my favourite things in his world.

Yeah all samples from Master of Malt delivered up North. Should be down with me next week then. I never even heard of Pastis until the other day. France seems to have some interesting drinks to explore.

Cazale · 06-04-2021 4:53pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

Interesting... I think I would like to try that. I'd taste it at 75% and then start diluting.

I've had some Waterford new make spirit which was 71%. The 75.5% rum will be one to respect alright. I'll report on here when I try it. If I go missing it probably killed me

BonnieSituation · 06-04-2021 4:55pm

Cazale wrote: »

I've had some Waterford new make spirit which was 71%. The 75.5% rum will be one to respect alright. I'll report on here when I try it. If I go missing it probably killed me

CWS and Drink Store have that 151 proof in stock.

CWS have the 40% for 45EUR for the litre bottle.

interlocked · 06-04-2021 5:41pm

Cazale wrote: »

Tried some calvados tonight for the first time ever. First up is the Chateau du breuil calvados 8 year old. A really inviting nose of fresh apples, honey, nuts and gooseberry. I never played in an orchard as a child but I imagine this is what it would have smelt like. In the mouth there was fresh apples, vanilla, wood and nuts. Smooth, well balanced with a medium finish.

Definitely a spring or summer drink rather than one for dark cold evenings. I could imagine having it after dinner or even a small one on a sunny Sunday morning. I enjoyed this and I'm intrigued by what Calvados has to offer. I have another six samples to get through but a full bottle might be in order.

Your post reminded that I'd bought a bottle of Longeuville House Apple brandy nearly two years ago and forgotten all about it, (I presume it's a form of calvados as it's made from cider). Any way I eventually found it in a drawer, along with bottles of Talisker 10 and Black Bush that I'd also forgotten about.

Good man Cazale! (must get around to opening it now)

Cazale · 07-04-2021 1:27pm

interlocked wrote:

Good man Cazale! (must get around to opening it now)

Is there a finders fee coming?

Cazale · 07-04-2021 1:55pm

Cazale wrote:

Chateau du breuil calvados 8 year old.

The Whistler have a Calvados cask finish whiskey which is now sold out I think. They used Chateau du Breuil casks to finish the blend for around 15 months. A few of us tried it last year in a tasting and it got favorable reviews. Chateau du breuil have sent more casks over to Boann so expect another release of it.

odyssey06 · 07-04-2021 1:58pm

Cazale wrote: »

The Whistler have a Calvados cask finish whiskey which is now sold out I think. They used Chateau du Breuil casks to finish the blend for around 15 months. A few of us tried it last year in a tasting and it got favorable reviews. Chateau du breuil have sent more casks over to Boann so expect another release of it.

That was my favourite from the tasting. I picked up a bottle of it.
Which I must get around to opening next time I'm watching something french though I am still working my way slowly through the Delamain XO cognac pale and dry.

limnam · 07-04-2021 4:15pm

Something I do with Calvados which really opens the flavors is put the glass over another glass with hot water like a Bain-Marie and gently heat up the calavados.

Probably best done in winter

Black Sheep · 14-04-2021 12:50pm

Bought a bottle of Stillgarden distillery's O'Maro as a gift for the missus. https://stillgardendistillery.com/omaro/

I'm sceptical, to be honest, but it's a good 'stocking filler' (Do we use that term for birthdays too? We do now).

I've tried various boutique-y bitter drinks, from the likes of Asterly Bros. in the Uk, and generally I find that Campari remains hard to beat for outright bitterness and also consistency of product.

But sure might as well give it a whirl.

BonnieSituation · 14-04-2021 1:53pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

Bought a bottle of Stillgarden distillery's O'Maro as a gift for the missus. https://stillgardendistillery.com/omaro/

I'm sceptical, to be honest, but it's a good 'stocking filler' (Do we use that term for birthdays too? We do now).

I've tried various boutique-y bitter drinks, from the likes of Asterly Bros. in the Uk, and generally I find that Campari remains hard to beat for outright bitterness and also consistency of product.

But sure might as well give it a whirl.

They're based in the same estate as Rascals. Anything to do with them at all?

Black Sheep · 14-04-2021 2:06pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

They're based in the same estate as Rascals. Anything to do with them at all?

One of the founders is an investor in Rascals as well, so yes.

the beer revolu · 14-04-2021 2:18pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

Bought a bottle of Stillgarden distillery's O'Maro as a gift for the missus. https://stillgardendistillery.com/omaro/

I'm sceptical, to be honest, but it's a good 'stocking filler' (Do we use that term for birthdays too? We do now).
.

But sure might as well give it a whirl.

Interesting that they are claiming it as Ireland's first Amaro.
It is NOT Ireland's first Amaro.
We, at Blackwater Distillery, released an amaro in one of our Taster's Club boxes.

Black Sheep · 14-04-2021 2:32pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

Interesting that they are claiming it as Ireland's first Amaro.
It is NOT Ireland's first Amaro.
We, at Blackwater Distillery, released an amaro in one of our Taster's Club boxes.

I would be interested in doing a Campari-son between your products, if there was a chance. Do you still make it?

the beer revolu · 14-04-2021 3:06pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

I would be interested in doing a Campari-son between your products, if there was a chance. Do you still make it?

No, it was a once off. It wasn't terribly bitter, either.
To be fair to Stillgarden they probably didn't know we released an Amaro - I'm not even sure it was labelled as Amaro - but it was one.

Cazale · 14-04-2021 5:55pm

Cazale wrote:

I'll continue my Calvados journey later this week.

I've a proper dose of a cold which has interrupted my tastings. All my samples from Master of Malt have safely arrived but it would be a bonus if I could smell them! Back at it next week hopefully.

odyssey06 · 17-04-2021 6:41pm

Nice short article in Decanter comparing Cognac v Armagnac:

Cognac distillation comprises a small-batch, double distillation in a Charentais copper pot still...
The traditional method of Armagnac production, dating back nearly 200 years, uses a single still, the Armagnacais alambic. This allows a continuous distillation, in contrast to the batch-by-batch, double distillation practised in Cognac. But there are a few double stills in Armagnac too, after the practice was revived in the early 1970s. To generalise, the eaux de vie made using the Cognac method are stronger (as they’re distilled twice) and, depending on your point of view, either finer or more straightforward – because only the middle part of the distillate, the heart, is used...
Is Armagnac more distinctive and varied than Cognac? Certainly. Does that make it better? It depends what you like.

https://www.decanter.com/spirits/how-to-differentiate-armagnac-from-cognac-246227/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=20200417_XDC-X_NWL_NW_weekly

Effects · 17-04-2021 9:30pm

I saw a still on wheels in the south of France a couple of years ago, in bad shape at a corpo depot. The town were hoping to restore it at some stage. I think I've a picture or two I can dig out.
Before then, I hadn't realised that distillers used to move their stills around to the various producers, distill the liquid for them, and then move on to the next one.

the beer revolu · 18-04-2021 8:20am

Effects wrote: »

I saw a still on wheels in the south of France a couple of years ago, in bad shape at a corpo depot. The town were hoping to restore it at some stage. I think I've a picture or two I can dig out.
Before then, I hadn't realised that distillers used to move their stills around to the various producers, distill the liquid for them, and then move on to the next one.

Common in France and other countries for each village or area has a sort of communal still to which each household would bring their fermented produce to be distilled.

Cazale · 18-04-2021 9:24am

Effects wrote: »

I saw a still on wheels in the south of France a couple of years ago, in bad shape at a corpo depot. The town were hoping to restore it at some stage. I think I've a picture or two I can dig out.
Before then, I hadn't realised that distillers used to move their stills around to the various producers, distill the liquid for them, and then move on to the next one.

I've attached a pic I found on Google but it would be good to see those. The communal still travelling around the French countryside distilling small batches of family harvests evokes such a romantic image.

irish_goat · 19-04-2021 12:57pm

Bit confused here, can't find this brand online. Not sure if it's distilled in Ireland or Panama?

https://twitter.com/mcdigby/status/1384112384378228744

BeerNut · 19-04-2021 1:02pm

From the press release I took it that it was distilled in Panama and then barrel aged at Blackwater. It's not very clear though.

Salvado Rum €24.99/700ml – Panamanian Anejo Gold Rum distilled in the province of Herrera, one of the biggest sugar cane areas of Panama. After distillation, this rum is aged in ex-bourbon casks once used, so it's getting a strong and clear flavour with a fruity aroma, dry on the palate. On the nose & palate hints of vanilla, molasses and caramel, with a lovely oaked finish coming from the ex-bourbon barrels. This delicious rum is from the multi-award winning Blackwater Distillery.

the beer revolu · 19-04-2021 2:35pm

On the Salvado Rum:

Not distilled by Balackwater or finished.
It is fully distilled and aged in Panama. It's a double distilled Molasses based rum. Ex-Bourbon casks I don't have an age statement.

In my (biased) opinion, it is insanely good value ´@ €25.
I've tasted it beside Havana Club 7YO and thought it held up very well.
I highly recommend this one.

Effects · 19-04-2021 4:06pm

So did you guys just select, import and then bottle it?
You (biased) opinion is making me want to try it now

Cazale · 19-04-2021 4:47pm

the beer revolu wrote:

In my (biased) opinion, it is insanely good value Â´@ â‚¬25. I've tasted it beside Havana Club 7YO and thought it held up very well. I highly recommend this one.

Will have to give it a spin so.

Cazale · 19-04-2021 5:11pm

Brandy – Blind Tasting Event

€42.00

The team at Mother Macs introduce the Third in the Blind Tasting Series – Brandy Tasting. This tasting will be hosted by Mike and James with assistance of a special Guest on the evening of 02nd May at 8pm.

You will receive a tasting box including:

6 Select Brandies (50ml each)
Tasting Card
Live Guided Tasting with access after the event on Facebook & YouTube
The selection has been curated to include 3 main types of aged Brandy and in particular participants will taste:

Cognac
Calvados
Armagnac
Shipping within Ireland is available at a cost of €6 on this product and must be selected at time of purchase.

https://mothermacs.ie/index.php/product/brandy-blind-tasting-event/

BeerNut · 19-04-2021 5:27pm

Effects wrote: »

So did you guys just select, import and then bottle it?

[Sitting on a veranda in Panama]
- See this one?
- Yeah?
- Do you know who'd love it?
- Who?
- Aldi.

the beer revolu · 20-04-2021 10:05am

Effects wrote: »

So did you guys just select, import and then bottle it?
You (biased) opinion is making me want to try it now

Yes.
I also skillfully brought it to bottling strength with carefully selected proofing liquid!

Effects · 20-04-2021 1:51pm

I didn't mean to sound disparaging when I said "just", in case it came across that way!

the beer revolu · 20-04-2021 3:35pm

Effects wrote: »

I didn't mean to sound disparaging when I said "just", in case it came across that way!

I didn't take it that way at all.

We didn't make it and are in no way trying to claim otherwise. We did "just" source, proof and bottle it!

What non Whiskey or Rum Spirit (Cognac, Mezcal, Calvados etc) are we drinking?

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