Short Cut to Whiskey etc.

So T-Day was a blast.

The cooking, the people, the booze.

I would like to thank everybody who turned out for our little Island-of-Misfit-Toys celebration and let anyone that I didn't invite know that they were welcome to come. A man planning a proper Thanksgiving can't possibly think of everyone to invite. Lord knows you were here in spirit.

Anyway, I 've begun my inter-holiday fitness death march mode and am so sore from the gym that I can't raise my arms above my head. Eating and living well, as it turns out, will make you fat as hell and I'm trying to make sure that my gluttonous ass doesn't get any bigger.

One of the reasons I'm lifting heavy things and pounding away at the stationary bicycle until my testicles fall asleep is our upcoming trip to Tuthilltown Gristmill and my newfound general interest in all things fermented and distilled.

Ralph Erenzo, the distiller from Tuthill the came by the other day with his most excellent distilled beverages, including not one but two vodkas distilled from apple cider (like the best apple grappa you could imagine) and a pure, unoaked, corn whiskey which was the fuel and social lubricant that got me through the most recent stint of houseguests of all kinds. It's pure, delicious 'shiney goodness that, because it doesn't contain the usual host of tannins and phenols that one gets from charred oak barrels, is kinder to the drinker (me) than burly bourbons and honey colored-scotches. It however didn't belay my post-T-Day morning migrane that included barfing chunks of Advil through my nasal passages. No one, even Ralph, is perfect.

Whatever the case, I've been lucky enough to taste some of the best the world of hard drinking alcohol has to offer lately and I'm sharing my hard, hangover-won, insights with you.

Grocery Guys Top-Six, Desert Island Favorite Hooches:

George T. Staggs 140 proof Bourbon

My hat is off to Sean, our Sous chef, for introducing and sharing sharing with me this strong(!) and fragrant bottle of whiskey in it's highest form. From the earthy, dark honey-like aroma to it's hot crushed velvet mouthfeel I give it the highest marks of anything I have ever tasted in the realm of hard alcohol. You can't find it anywhere but, if you do, buy as many $75 bottles as you can.

Ron Zacapa 23 year-old Reserve Rum

Saveur just did a big spread on the glories of Martinique cane juice rhum but I'll bet that for the money you can't find a better bang-for-buck in the whole of the hard liquor world than this stuff. At Astor wine warehouse you can secure a bottle of this liquid gold for slightly under $30 a bottle and what a steal. Warm and mellow caramel flavors fade into the taste of distilled sunlight with this elegant beast. And you thought that civil strife was the only export of this country. By far my fave for under fifty dollars. Even the ladies like this suede hammer.

Rip Van Winkle 10-year 107 proof

Like apricot nectar if it could get you loaded. At $35 a bottle, price is the only reason it didn't edge out Zacapa for #2. Slightly sweet and honeyish with a light and delicate sensibility. The best special occation bourbon for cheapskates.

Old Gristmill Pure Corn Whiskey

Dry and sweet at the same time with a clean but lingering end that lets you know that you've been hitting the bottle without coating your mouth with the lengthy oak aftertaste of bourbon. Anyone who has had un-oaked chardonnay from Australia know what I'm talking about here.

Busnel's 12 year-old Calvados

Apple and oak making sweet love to one another for over a decade. I hated Calvados until Andre brought this one to the GG essay contest party. Only off the running because of the ruthless hangover factor. This French oak does not play.

Marolo Moscato Grappa

Duker brought this pain and what a sweet misery it was. I hates me some grappa but this fragrant and floral number set my edge-y soul to right T-Day night. It was so good Julliet and I wrestled over a glass of it though the bottle had not begun to quit on us. As with the others, the highest and bestest of the breed with a bullet because grappa is only distilled once showing off the very rare, slow heating run. Very special.

I'm a bit damaged from the judging of these super-stars of the copper still but I'll get it together enough to get a new post up as soon as I stop being drunk.