the manhattan

originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
the new Abraham Bowman release looks intriguing for example.
If you can find the cask-strength one, it's gorgeous. Haven't tried the regular, 90 proof version yet.
 
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
So hey, this thread made me think of something.

I am not and have never yet been ITB. But I have people in Kentucky and fantasies about buying old barrels of whiskey. There are still a few out there. So far I've only tracked down a couple and they weren't worth buying, but the fantasy remains.

My question is - if I was successful, what would need to be done to bring something like that to market? Probably depends on the state, but is it even possible? Presumably it would be a boutique spirits dealer or large store or something like that since we're talking a one-off here.
Basically right. You could also work with a distributor. The key point is to make sure you have a relationship with a bottler, since you cannot buy spirits in barrel without a DSP number.
 
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
So hey, this thread made me think of something.

I am not and have never yet been ITB. But I have people in Kentucky and fantasies about buying old barrels of whiskey. There are still a few out there. So far I've only tracked down a couple and they weren't worth buying, but the fantasy remains.

My question is - if I was successful, what would need to be done to bring something like that to market? Probably depends on the state, but is it even possible? Presumably it would be a boutique spirits dealer or large store or something like that since we're talking a one-off here.

I'd be willing to pony up to split a barrel purely for personal consumption. I have had the same fantasy, but I have no connections whatsoever.
 
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
For sippin' rye I'm partial to Pappy's 13. Although there are a lot of other very good ones hiding out there, including more and more I've never tried: the new Abraham Bowman release looks intriguing for example. And then those Rittenhouse 21/23 bottles - never sprung for one yet, but they beckon, like sirens...

I almost never sip rye, I only mix with it. But I could be tempted by those old Rittenhouse bottlings.

It's almost Manhattan season. Can't wait. Getting sick of Ti-punch and Martinezes.
 
I don't find Dolin to be particularly rich. Certainly not in comparison with Punt e Mes.

Also, really enjoyed Atinca Formula on the rocks with a twist of orange after dinner last night. Forgot how much I liked it alone.
 
VLM - if I find some that tastes good and isn't absurdly expensive I will drop you a line here. Maybe we can do a WD private bottling and skip the business side entirely.
 
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
VLM - if I find some that tastes good and isn't absurdly expensive I will drop you a line here. Maybe we can do a WD private bottling and skip the business side entirely.

I'd be willing to meet up in Kentucky to taste through some barrels.

This is a fantastic idea. I say we only bottle in magnums.
 
Magnums it is.

Now I just need to get a line on some barrels. I will keep you posted.

I will say that it is possible to examine old barrels at the various distilleries and warehouses etc. on your own, in theory - some boutique liquor stores do this. My fantasy is to buy one from an old farmhouse out in the sticks though.
 
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
Magnums it is.

Now I just need to get a line on some barrels. I will keep you posted.

I will say that it is possible to examine old barrels at the various distilleries and warehouses etc. on your own, in theory - some boutique liquor stores do this. My fantasy is to buy one from an old farmhouse out in the sticks though.

Buffalo Trace does this. My local haunt, Whiskey has purchased a barrel.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Steven Spielmann:
Magnums it is.

Now I just need to get a line on some barrels. I will keep you posted.

I will say that it is possible to examine old barrels at the various distilleries and warehouses etc. on your own, in theory - some boutique liquor stores do this. My fantasy is to buy one from an old farmhouse out in the sticks though.

Buffalo Trace does this. My local haunt, Whiskey has purchased a barrel.

K&L in San Francisco does single-barrel bottlings too.
 
For Journeyman, I made a Perfect Manhattan variation I was particularly proud of:

Union Square

2 oz Berkshire Mountain Distillers New England Corn Whiskey
.75 oz Mauro Vergano Americano
.75 oz Cocchi Americano
dash Bittermens Boston Bittahs
good stir

Bit hard to source, but you could sub out another young, brash whiskey and the bitters. The sweetness in the Americani would be too much w/ bourbon or rye (and I tried w/ lesser amounts- just unbalanced), but worked to cut the brawn of the BMDNECW. The BBB has a chamomile and citrus topnote.
 
originally posted by Seth Hill:
Due AmericaniFor Journeyman, I made a Perfect Manhattan variation I was particularly proud of:

Union Square

2 oz Berkshire Mountain Distillers New England Corn Whiskey
.75 oz Mauro Vergano Americano
.75 oz Cocchi Americano
dash Bittermens Boston Bittahs
good stir

Bit hard to source, but you could sub out another young, brash whiskey and the bitters. The sweetness in the Americani would be too much w/ bourbon or rye (and I tried w/ lesser amounts- just unbalanced), but worked to cut the brawn of the BMDNECW. The BBB has a chamomile and citrus topnote.

I often put a quantity of the Vergano Americano in my Manhattan. Replacing its quantity of vermouth.
 
I love the OP. Perfect martinis work for me too. I'm looking forward to getting into some Spanish vermouth soon, Primitivo Quiles. Anyone know it?
 
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
I love the OP. Perfect martinis work for me too. I'm looking forward to getting into some Spanish vermouth soon, Primitivo Quiles. Anyone know it?

i know primativo quiles, at least the raspay, cono 4 and fondillon. never knew he made a vermouth...
 
originally posted by VLM:
I often put a quantity of the Vergano Americano in my Manhattan. Replacing its quantity of vermouth.

Do you use the same recipe you posted above? If not, rye or bourbon? Proof? I've enjoyed it on occasion, but generally find it a bit sweet. I'm one who forgoes the cherry as a rule, though Bill's cherry bitters sound really intriguing.
 
originally posted by Seth Hill:
originally posted by VLM:
I often put a quantity of the Vergano Americano in my Manhattan. Replacing its quantity of vermouth.

Do you use the same recipe you posted above? If not, rye or bourbon? Proof? I've enjoyed it on occasion, but generally find it a bit sweet. I'm one who forgoes the cherry as a rule, though Bill's cherry bitters sound really intriguing.

2 or 3 parts Rittenhouse 100
1 part vermouth (or half vermouth, half Americano)
dash Luxardo
Bitter Truth Aromatic bitters
 
originally posted by VLM:
BTW
I don't find Dolin to be particularly rich. Certainly not in comparison with Punt e Mes.
Punt e Mes is "vermouth amaro," so of course it'll be more intense.

Also, really enjoyed Atinca Formula on the rocks with a twist of orange after dinner last night. Forgot how much I liked it alone.
Best way to drink it.

VLM - if I find some that tastes good and isn't absurdly expensive I will drop you a line here. Maybe we can do a WD private bottling and skip the business side entirely.
Can't "skip the business." But if you find a retailer who will be nice to you, you might be able to skip one layer of markup.

This is a fantastic idea. I say we only bottle in magnums.
You can bottle in 750mL and 1.75L. "Standards of fill" in US Law parlance. The law sucks. It means we can't bring in all that great booze all over the world bottled in 700mL bottles.

It's hard to find "nice" 1.75L bottles, but they do exist. Probably cost $12-14 each just for the bottle, though.
 
originally posted by Jake Parrott:


It's hard to find "nice" 1.75L bottles, but they do exist. Probably cost $12-14 each just for the bottle, though.
Sine Qua Non! Sine Qua Non!
 
I won't be trying it myself, I expect, but I hope to read about the results from using the small-batch rye (wooded and white) that CSW offered today.
 
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