What's in the glass? 2020

Fell this morning while working outside. Tripped over a branch and pulled something stretchy in the back of my leg. Sore as Hell.

So, a Martini is now indicated. Bombay and Cinzano vermouth, fortified with Everclear, shaken over ice. A garnish of pickled garlic, an oil-cured black olive, and a pickled green bean.
 

John, you be careful. After a certain point, falling aint no joke no more.

Thanks for the kind thoughts.

I fall more often than I used to. I mostly am walking through tall grass and brush and cannot see where to place my feet. So, down I go. If people took better care of their irrigation ditches, this would be easier. People are lazy.

That sounds perfect!

Well, you can imagine how well they make them here LOL. Apart from a couple of knowledgeable bartenders, people don't even know it. It's all Jägermeister and Captain Morgan here: nothing wrong with that, but I do prefer to stock my own bar. 90% of the time, I sub the cognac for bourbon or Irish though and use a dash of absinthe liqueur instead rising the glass with the real thing.

Maybe you'll reconsider making yourself a couple while waiting on that trip.

Nothing!...but I'm looking to change that.

Years ago, the wife and I went to the fanciest hotel in Taos for Sunday Brunch. We ordered Ramos Fizz cocktails. We might have well as ordered XFEMJF. No fuggin clue. I had to go to the bar and ask if she had a book of recipes? Most decent bars do. I looked it up and showed it to her. Then she said the kitchen would not give her an egg. How to deal with this kind of stupidity?

Unfortunately, as you age you get to learn your limitations all over, again and again. The list of things that you think you can do gets shorter and shorter.

Another drink, Bombay Sapphire and ginger ale over ice.

Will, my 18yo, kept saying "Dad, let me do that. That chainsaw is awfull heavy for limbing overhead." All that did was poke my pride and make me stubborn. Ive got plates and screws in my anatomy that shouldnt be ignored, and he knows that. Thats why he bucks out any new colts for me these days. But you know the saying, "There's no fool like an old fool".

I slept good though, and Im alright this morning. Just a little sore in places.

When Chris LeDoux sang Bruce Springsteen's song "Tougher Than the Rest" he was singing about me? No? Then no, I didnt learn a durned thing. 😁

"Baby, Im dumber than the rest".

I thought I had a bottle of Gilbeys, but I emptied the cabinet and only found the Sapphire. I guess I will drink it up before restocking with Tanqueray. It's far and away my favorite.

I prefer The Botanist, it's the only gin in my cupboard on the regular. I'll go and pour some right now.

Yes, Bruichladdich distillery. Most of their offerings are on the pricier side, but very decent. This gin is no exception.

It sometimes gets called out for being average and overpriced. It's priced fairly for what you're getting (including the very nice bottle) and I think the criticisms have to do with that the fact that it's rather subtle. Like the name suggests, heavy on the botanicals, but also deceptively smooth while still packing some strength. It's not Beefeater and you gotta use it for what it does best: varied and nuanced taste. If the plan is to pour a bottle of tonic over it then I can understand why would someone find it average. Kinda like getting a blend heavy on black cavendish and then complaining it tastes mellow and lacks a real punch. 

I like it neat and in simple cocktails where you want to get the herbal/floral qualities out.