Flash in the Pan

With the review bottle of Knob Creek Kentucky Bourbon that came in for testing, my wife has declared that I've turned her into a bourbon drinker, with the caveat of her being a "drinker" is a highly relative term. In this case, she's tried adding it to eggnog. I've done the same, but prefer Knob Creek at a cool room temperature and straight up for sipping. I've had bourbon before, but rarely tried one that I'd want without some kind of mixer. Knob Creek is relatively mellow, so you're not choking on the vapors, but still a bit assertive and smoky. Aged nine years, I've probably had older ones, but this certainly holds its own. Although one cute feature is no longer available in time for the holidays, you can order a bottle and add a personalized note right on the label -- good for gifts.

Labels: alcohol, beverages, bourbon, liquor, reviews

A bottle of New Amsterdam gin arrived from the company's PR firm for testing, claiming that it had "a taste so smooth you can drink it straight." So I tried it that way ... and have to agree. This gin is perhaps the most gentle on the palate of any that I've tried. The taste is not so explosively floral as Bombay Sapphire, but it's agreeable and balanced and would lend itself well to mixed drinks. It's certainly proven its worth in gin and tonics, one of my occasional pleasures during the summer months. A fifth runs about $14, with various other sizes available, and although I would never recommend a beverage based on the bottle design — and consider the industry's stressing of container aesthetics to be bordering on silly — this one is attractive, if that matters to you.

Labels: alcohol, beverages, drinks, product, review

Odd stories from the previous week:

• Where's the Beef? EwwwThe company that owns Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains is suing Jack in the Box for suggesting that their Angus burgers come from bovine anus. (Miami Herald)


• WWI - Wheelchairing While Intoxicated A wheelchair-bound German man decided to drive himself home after a party in Pennsylvania - and a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. No news as to whether the police checked if he could roll a straight line. (Independent Online)


• Think of the Size of the Straw The Coca-Cola Company broke the previous world record for an ice-cream float. Theirs was 10 tons, sitting in a 15-foot high glass. But they didn't let the spectators consumer it ... spoil sports. (RedOrbit)


• McDonald's in a McSniff The Oxford English Dictionary defines a McJob "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects." McDonald's is taking offense and launching a petition to change the definition. Next step is redefining the word food to mean "the McStuff they sell at McDonalds." (ABC News Online)


• But It's Just a Go Cup An Atlanta package store gets into trouble for selling cups of ice along with bottles of liquor at the drive-up window. The Georgia Alcohol Dealer's Association thinks it's ok so long as the cups have lids. (KMGC, Channel 7 in Denver)


• Quick, Pass the Fire A Cornish man claims a world record for sleep deprivation for saying awake 11 days and nights. He attributes his ability to a "Stone Age" diet of raw food. No wonder prehistoric people discovered fire - they were desperate for a good nap. (Anova)

Labels: alcohol, driving, McDonald's, raw, sleep, weird