Girl Meets Glass

Live from the Girl Meets Glass cocktail kitchen

Blood Orange & Bourbon Cocktail

For National #Bourbon Day - Red Stag, lemon juice, simple syrup (Taken with Instagram)

Bell Wine & Spirits monthly grand tasting!! Held the last Wednesday of the month, these tastings cover wine, spirits, and beer. This one, bourbon and scotch. Clearly I had to be in attendance! As I develop my palate (fancy speak for I drink a lot and am trying everything) I’m kinda getting into bourbon and scotch. Having attending tasting for Johnnie Walker, The Macallan, and Glenfiddich recently, this tasting was an excellent way to taste a lot of different styles while not spending the money that it would cost to buy each one. (And some of the money would’ve been wasted as there were a few that just were not for me.) So for $10, I tried everything. And by everything, I mean 27 different scotches, whiskeys, bourbons, scotch whiskeys, rye bourbons… A Gentleman in attendance said that he was very proud and impressed as to how I handled myself throughout the entire tasting. I asked intelligent questions, sipped not guzzled, and I was still standing. Compliment much appreciated sir!

Some of the standouts of the tasting were:

Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey (12, 14, 15, 17, 21 year) — everything they make!! This was some of the most aromatic and smooth Scotch that I’ve had. And the 21 Year, aged in Port casks…OOOHHH!!
Balblair 1989 (Single Malt) — Full bodies with a lovely toffee, vanilla finish
Oban 14 Year
Talisker 10 Year
Lagavulin 16 Year — Totally smelled like bacon! Smoky flavor on the palate.
Temptation Bourbon —75% corn, 25% rye. Sweeter style with a nice bite on the finish. This would be an excellent base for a cocktail

Bourbon Infusion

Thanks for all of the infusion help!! I’m gonna go with bourbon. Now to find some recipes…

Angels Envy

I had the pleasure of attended the inaugural release party for Angels Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey this evening. This is the Bourbon that brought 47-year Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson out of retirement. He attended the event and was so kind and gracious. I talked his ear off for a good 30-40 mins with questions regarding Angels Envy, how he became a Distiller and what it’s like to be a Master Distiller. Most interesting (and memorable after sipping bourbon) was the story of how he decided on the name Angels Envy. It is said that for every year a bourbon is aged, you lose a little spirit to evaporation. This is known as ‘the Angel’s Share’. Lincoln Henderson reckoned that he was willing to lose a little more for this masterpiece, leaving behing the Angel’s Envy. And he then signed a bottle of the Angels Envy for me. An amazing guy that Lincoln Henderson.

The main things he wanted me to take away from the tasting were:

1. This is a complex whiskey aged in traditional new oak barrels and FINISHED in port casks. They are the only Kentucky distillery to do this.

2. The port casks soften the alcohol making this a bourbon that women will love

3. This bourbon is delicious!!

Tasting Notes: Bright amber color with a tinge of copper. Aromas of maple syrup and vanilla. Medium-bodied with flavors that match the aromas and I got a subtle apricot, raisin, and perhaps a hint of chocolate. Lingering sweetness and Madeira on the finish.

The Angel’s Decree

1 1/2 oz of Angel’s Envy

1/2 oz of Port

Dash of bitters

Top with Ginger Ale

Combine the first 3 ingredients, top with ginger ale. Serve in a high ball glass.

The components of Angels Envy Bourbon

(Taken with picplz.)

Angels Envy Bourbon Whiskey (Taken with picplz.)

The Gold Rush

Something for the bourbon/whiskey crowd…and a great way to start the weekend.

The Gold Rush

3 oz Domaine de Canton

2 oz your favorite bourbon or whiskey. I’d go for Old Overholt Rye or Makers Mark

1 oz fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into two martini glasses and enjoy!