Pappy Van Winkle 23

Wow we have missed a lot of stories over the last two years. Life got in the way I guess.

 Demtri and I are going to be in New Orelanes in a couple weeks and are going to partake in Tales of the cocktail I am sure it is going to generate a story or two.

 For now I will post a review.

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve is the flagship bourbon of the Sazerac company. It is extemely hard to get a hold of and when you do find it very expensive.

Imagine my surprise when my favorite neighborhood liquor store owner called me one Tuesday morning.

"Brian, get here quick I just got a Pappy shipment, I have a 23, 2 20 year old, 2 12 and 2 10s"

Being in the car already I raced over, the 20s were already sold but I bought the 23, a 12 and a 10. He called me later to let me know he was completely out within 30 minutes of the shipment.

On to the tasting. It can best be described in one word:

WOW!!!

I normally enjoy my bourbon with a single cube of ice so in my initial taste test I did just that. I immediatly could tell something was missing. I poured a 2nd glass neat so I could do a comparison.

I was right - the ice had instantly muted the taste and dulled the flavor a little. The neat serving was perfect it has that rich carmel and oak flavor with just a hint of sweetness.

While the price is pretty high and the bottles are tough to find, if you do get the opportunity to get one run out and do it.

And just how do they know I'm

I've been known to surf the web from the crapper before.

Lesson learned

I had a dream last night that can only be described as a nightmare. In the dream, I come to in a limo with some of my friends all dressed in tuxedos and them telling me that they can't believe I'm getting married. I look at them like they are crazy and then realize I'm in a tux too. When we get out of the limo all of my family is there and they are telling me how happy they are for me. I know, how does this sound like a nightmare. Well, I have no clue who I am marrying and my last memory is this past 4th of July weekend. FYI - I'm no where close to being married. The worst part is that I refuse to tell anyone about my lack of memory because I don't want them to think I'm crazy. Lucky for me, I woke up before the real horror show started. I really don't know which was scarier, the getting married part or the not knowing who it was on the other end.

Goes to show, going to bed sober does you no good. Drink up!

Drunk Girls Say the Darndest Things

"Look, I'm not that clever, all I have to give is sex."

Farewell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Part 2 - Who doesn't know where the Sprint Tower is

After finding my buddy in the parking lot, which was 2 miles from the track, we got in line to get on the bus. When we get to the front, some lady, who looks official, tells us that they will not let us bring a full size cooler in the track. We then walk back to my car where, luckily, I had a reusable grocery bag to put the beer and ice in. We finally get on the bus and are on out way to the track. On the bus, a guy asks where I'm sitting. I tell him I'm looking for tickets and he says he has a pair. I ask where, and he says, "the Sprint tower, you know where the Sprint tower is." I have no clue, so he shows me a map, and the tickets are 40 rows up and 10 yards before the finish line. We buy them and the seats were a great place to watch Smoke win the race. After the race, the line to get on the bus that takes you back to the lot is Disney long. We decide to walk back. Felt like the longest walk ever, and I had to talk to cops along the way, good thing they were Smoke fans. Got back and got out of the lot in a few minutes, remember, it was only a few minutes.

Part 1 - Fast Trucks and Uppers

So it is Friday night and I am watching the truck race at Daytona. I start thinking, I live pretty close to Daytona and it is a Superbowl-caliber event, I should go. I call my buddy John, who lives in Orlando and is Whiskey's love-slave, and he says that he has no plans so I should come on down. Next thing I know, I am making plans to drive to Daytona in the morning, but did I mention I was drunk. It is 11 PM and I need to wake up at 5:30 AM to get to the Nationwide race. I wake up at 5:00 AM, and I am pulling onto the highway by 6:00 AM. Anticipation is one hell of an upper.

Part 2 tomorrow.

Pork Chops

Mix equal parts salt, pepper, hungarian paprika, ginger powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Rub on pork chops (I used bone-in, 3/4" thick)

Put a few dashes of habanero hot sauce on each side and rub in as well. You should have a red-orange paste on each side, but still be able to see the meat.

Let sit for 2 hours.

At 1.5 hours into the sit, turn on oven and set at 400 F. Put in cast iron skillet.

After 2 hours, set burner on highest setting. Once rocket hot, pull skillet out of oven and place on the burner. Sear pork chops on each side for one minute. After second side is done, move to oven on skillet and cook for 3 min. Then flip and cook for 2.5 minutes. After 2.5 minutes, remove from oven and place chops on plate covered by foil. Place skillet on burner set at medium and deglaze with red wine (I used a pinot). Pour glaze over chops. Enjoy.

I had a side of asparagus and mushrooms. I sauteed the 'shrooms in the skillet and deglazed after they were cooked. The asparagus I cooked in the oven for ten minutes, coated in olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Things that are Dangerous

Wine on tap, Sweet Tea Vodka on the rocks with a lemon twist, Pocket Shots, and double digit home dogs.