HoustonNit Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 That Charles Neal video is awesome. It’s informative, yet campy at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpipster Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Can I get some suggestions for under $20 brandy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 10 hours ago, mrpipster said: Can I get some suggestions for under $20 brandy? What are you thinking of using it for? Not sure of a brandy for drinking on its own at that price point. Heaven Hill (under the Christian Brothers name) has released one called Sacred Bond that is 100 proof and decent for cocktails. Never tried it on its own. Might be able to find it in the low $20s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpipster Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Yes. I want one for sipping while I smoke a cigar. I was thinking E&J VO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) 13 minutes ago, mrpipster said: Yes. I want one for sipping while I smoke a cigar. I was thinking E&J VO. I wouldn't want to sip a VO (or even a VSOP), it's not designed or intended for that, especially since you are looking for an inoffensive, happy drink. Have you tried one before, is there any that you like? Edited May 14, 2018 by Kane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpipster Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I meant XO. I had the E&J VSOP and liked it but,thought the XO should be much smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 25 minutes ago, mrpipster said: I meant XO. I had the E&J VSOP and liked it but,thought the XO should be much smoother. Which makes a lot of sense since "VO" isn't a thing It's been a long & exhausting day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 10 minutes ago, Kane said: Which makes a lot of sense since "VO" isn't a thing It's been a long & exhausting day... Of course it's a thing… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 A nice inexpensive brandy that I have been buying for years is Paul Masson Grande Amber. A touch sweet, thick viscosity, and a nice accompaniment to a cigar. Sub $20 in my area. I went looking for a brandy years ago that would deliver pretty much what you’re looking for. PMGA checked most of the boxes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpipster Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 22 hours ago, smokinjoe said: A nice inexpensive brandy that I have been buying for years is Paul Masson Grande Amber. A touch sweet, thick viscosity, and a nice accompaniment to a cigar. Sub $20 in my area. I went looking for a brandy years ago that would deliver pretty much what you’re looking for. PMGA checked most of the boxes. I was wondering about that one. I picked up a bottle of E&J XO. I will give it a shot this evening. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I wouldn't want to sip a VO (or even a VSOP), it's not designed or intended for that, especially since you are looking for an inoffensive, happy drink. Have you tried one before, is there any that you like?Are you suggesting that no brands have a VSOP that is worthy of sipping? If so, I'd have to disagree, but the ones I like as sippers cost a lot more than $20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 30 minutes ago, lcpfratn said: Are you suggesting that no brands have a VSOP that is worthy of sipping? If so, I'd have to disagree, but the ones I like as sippers cost a lot more than $20. "No" is a bit too strong, but many brands don't, especially the big houses. It's a gamble with VSOPs in my opinion. And yes, that $20 was a factor in my response :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 "No" is a bit too strong, but many brands don't, especially the big houses. It's a gamble with VSOPs in my opinion. And yes, that $20 was a factor in my response Well, big house Hennessy VSOP is my regular sipper when I'm in the mood for cognac (not often these days it seems). I prefer XO, but at less than a third of the price of the XO, the VSOP is a much more affordable, decent enough sipper, that I can usually find between $50-$60. The VS, on the other hand isn't even worth it's lower price point to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenient Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Gin isn't mentioned in the title of this thread, but I've found a French gin, Esme, which I think is just delightful. I never thought gin could be enjoyable neat or outside of a cocktail, but this one has helped change my mind. To me as a gin newbie it is very approachable and enjoyable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 A PSA for all the Armagnac fans out there: K&L just got in more of the '92 and '81 vintage Cardinat Armagnacs and they won't last long. These are two of my favorite bottles from last year and really are not to be missed if you're an Armagnac fan. They are heavy on the oak but do have sweetness and spice that balance them out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Seemed fitting to drink calvados while finishing off the last of my homemade head cheese. This is a fairly reasonably priced and available calvados but is actually pretty solid stuff. Appears to be made (or at least “produced”) by Chateau du Breuil, one of the big calvados negociants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Seemed fitting to drink calvados while finishing off the last of my homemade head cheese. This is a fairly reasonably priced and available calvados but is actually pretty solid stuff. Appears to be made (or at least “produced”) by Chateau du Breuil, one of the big calvados negociants. Homemade head cheese...I didn’t see any head cheese in the pic! [emoji6] Not something I’d expect to see in SF... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 6 hours ago, lcpfratn said: Homemade head cheese...I didn’t see any head cheese in the pic! Not something I’d expect to see in SF... Indeed, not too many people seem to make their own! Especially here, despite being in a city that prides itself on being a culinary destination. I usually go pig hunting once or twice a year and try to make use of everything I can including the organs and the head. You ever try your hand at this? Here's a before and after... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonNit Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Indeed, not too many people seem to make their own! Especially here, despite being in a city that prides itself on being a culinary destination. I usually go pig hunting once or twice a year and try to make use of everything I can including the organs and the head. You ever try your hand at this? Here's a before and after... I’m impressed! No, I’ve never made it myself, but I used to eat it quite a bit growing up because my dad really liked it, and the commissary deli used to always have it in those days. A good friend of mine in Alabama hunts wild hogs a lot, but I don’t think he’s ventured down the path of making head cheese yet. I’ll have to mention it to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 1 hour ago, lcpfratn said: I’m impressed! No, I’ve never made it myself, but I used to eat it quite a bit growing up because my dad really liked it, and the commissary deli used to always have it in those days. A good friend of mine in Alabama hunts wild hogs a lot, but I don’t think he’s ventured down the path of making head cheese yet. I’ll have to mention it to him. Thanks! It takes quite a bit of time but it has become one of my favorite things to eat off of the whole pig. It's amazing how much meat is on there once you cook and dismantle it. Like you, I have fond childhood memories of head cheese so it's fun to re-create it, even though what I make is of a little different style than what my parents used to eat. It's a good activity to do with a friend as well because the hours of simmering and reducing provide ample time for beer/whiskey/rum/brandy drinking as well as conversation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 ^^^Hog's head souce, is what we call that around here! Traditionally, it's everything that's left over, including parts not from the head. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 ^^^Hog's head souce, is what we call that around here! Traditionally, it's everything that's left over, including parts not from the head.Souce! I’ve seen it called this when I’m perusing recipes. I did put a trotter and a pig heart in there so mine would probably qualify. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spade Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 I’m just about finished with a bottle of Pellehaut 28yr from Astor. It’s a little too bitter on the finish but it’s really nice overall. The nose in particular is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpiz Posted July 26, 2018 Share Posted July 26, 2018 On 7/24/2018 at 3:51 PM, Spade said: I’m just about finished with a bottle of Pellehaut 28yr from Astor. It’s a little too bitter on the finish but it’s really nice overall. The nose in particular is great. I've yet to have a bad Pellehaut. I debated buying that 28yo during one of their sales but ultimately didn't. Would have been a nice comparison against some of the ones I get locally. One of my favorites is the 1994 Pellehaut. K&L has brought in a bunch of it over the past few years and it looks like Astor has this vintage now as well. I highly recommend it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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