Forgive Me Reader

Forgive Me reader, for I have sinned. It has been entirely too long since my last post. No excuses, but have been traveling quite a bit for that job of mine and haven't had many chances to try new things.
Recent meal at home that I was quite proud of, as part of the progressive dinner party our town does: Winter Squash Soup with Porcini Syrup and Venison Meatballs. Magret Duck Breats with Grano "Risotto" with Root Vegetables and Miso/Merlot Sauce. The wines were nothing to write home about, but the food rocked!
A fun snack today : Duck Fat Popcorn. Needless to say, the duck fat came from the duck at last Saturday's dinner, but the popcorn was darned near an epiphany!

Beer: while on the road, rediscovered Leffe Blond. I forgot just how good it is.

Whisky: 2 new discoveries
Great King Street, from Compass Box. Generally, I never spend time on blended malts, as
they just always lack that oomph I feel you get from a good single malt. But, the reviews
on this made me think twice. This is by no means a big whisky, but really quite the
little blend! A lot of spice and a streak of vanilla. Good depth and balance. One of the
the better blends I've had in years. A whisky to make a malt drinker think twice and an
excellent way to introduce scotch to those who think they wouldn't like it. For me,
whisky never goes out of season, but for those of you who think there is a whisky season,
this is the whisky to drink out of season.

Talisker 25 year, 57.2 abv, 2005. I found this on sale at a price that seemed entirely
too good to be true well over a year ago. It got buried when I moved and was just
rediscovered when I finally unpacked my spirits collection. (OK, a little
embarrassed to admit that I had been trying to find it for the last three months
and couldn't find it!)
The Talisker smoke is unmistakable, but after 25 yrs, the smoke is not surprisingly
subdued. The bigger surprise is just how easy it is to drink without adding water.
the mouthfeel is quite viscous. It is from refill barrels, so the extended ageing
really doesn't overwhelm the spirit. With water added, a big hit of baker's splicers
shine through, as do several more layers of flavors. All the while, the smoke remains
gently in the background. A truly exquisite little dram! If you can find it, buy it!!

Bourbon: 2 more from the Buffalo Trace family.
William Laroue Weller. This is the fifth I've had in this once a year limited release.
I've yet to have one I didn't like and this is exquisite. Huge flavors that just keep
coming. It clearly has the flavor profile of a bourbon with some good age on it, but
the wood is not overwhelming and the whiskey is just inspiring. One of the better
wheated bourbons you'll come across.
George T. Stagg. Always the strongest bourbon released each year and always one of the
biggest and best. Also the fifth in this series that I have had and it is always
consistent. Big dark notes with chocolate always showing through. Surprising
drinkable straight at more than 140 proof and that is no joke and no small feat! The
good news is that when reduced to "normal" strength, the whiskey is still quite
complex. If you are at all hesitant of laying out $75 for a bottle, think about the
the fact at that strength, you are literally getting almost two bottles for the price
of one.
And speaking of Buffalo Trace, had the classic Buffalo Trace after work a few days ago with a coworker,who loves his Makers. It had been a good few months for me and I forgot just how good it is. He took one sip and said "wow, that is smooth!" and quickly downed it and had a second before I had to head out to catch bedtime with my little ones.

Live To Eat, Love To Drink!