What Are You Sipping on Lately? (Spirits Thread)

[UncleWede]

We were expecting a wait at the restaurant, and I saw Whistle Pig on the shelf, so I asked for 1 up, meaning I wanted the glass chilled. They filled a martini glass to the rim, no garnish at all. We went thru some h'ors doovers and then dinner, and I was barely able to finish the last drop. That was not something I was expecting when I placed the order.


Would order again. . .

[smokinjoe64]

Adopted twin Bros...

[smokinjoe64]

Gifted from a true friend...an ole fav of mine too

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Gifted from a true friend...an ole fav of mine too

Medicinal whiskey. Of course.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Medicinal whiskey. Of course.

Correcta-mundo...believe in takin' ALL my shots :

• Flu
• COVID
• Bourbon

[Lady Jane]

Aperol Spritz. Dangerous. You started something Artemis and I hold you responsible for my actions today.

https://www.aperol.com/en-us/aperol-spritz-cocktail/

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Aperol Spritz. Dangerous. You started something Artemis and I hold you responsible for my actions today.

https://www.aperol.com/en-us/aperol-spritz-cocktail/


Attachment 3591111

🍹

Originally Posted by Artemis

3-2-1:

[Lady Jane]

Another panties remover from Italy. Artemis

https://mybartender.com/recipe/limoncello-spritz/

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Another panties remover from Italy. Artemis

Always appreciate a 'verified' testimonial

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Another panties remover from Italy. Artemis

https://mybartender.com/recipe/limoncello-spritz/

Attachment 3596513
Attachment 3596512

In Italy, limoncello and grappa are normally served in tiny glasses (size: shots).

My mother-in-law can make it (homemade). Best served cold, non-diluted. Easy to get tipsy (dangerous... ).

If the pictured (big!) glass contains pure (non-diluted) limoncello, you'll be operating in another dimension right now !

https://limoncelloquest.com/blog/how...rve-limoncello
https://www.dolceterra.com/blogs/new...-lemon-liqueur

[Artemis]

If you want to up the ante, with a soft spot for tasting/smelling the woods, try "Liquore Strega" ("The Witch's Liquor") ("la strega" is Italian for "the witch"): a rich mix of about 70 herbs and spices - 40% alcohol. From the Benevento region in Italy.

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." (W. Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act IV, Scene I (three witches circling a cauldron)).

https://www.strega.it/en/liquore-strega/
"Strega liqueur is one of the most famous Italian liqueurs, it is unique and unmistakable for its taste, thanks to the exclusive use of natural ingredients. Its processing starts with the grinding of about 70 herbs and spices, they are being selected from all over the world, and each one of them has unique properties. Among these herbs we find Ceylon cinnamon, Florentine iris, Italian Apennine juniper, Samnite mint, which grows along the riverbanks in the whole region. The liqueur gets its characteristic yellow colour from the precious Saffron that is added to the herb distillate. Strega liqueur is aged in ash barrels over a long period of time to ensure a perfect blending of the different aromas. The resulting distillate is 40% proof and only after the ageing process is the liqueur bottled and distributed all over the world."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strega_(liqueur)
"Liquore Strega is an Italian herbal liqueur produced since 1860 by the Strega Alberti Benevento S.p.A. in Benevento, Italy. Its distinctive yellow color comes from the presence of saffron. Strega is bottled at 80 proof (40% alc/vol), which is an alcohol content comparable to most hard liquors, but it has a sweetness and viscosity typical of liqueurs. Among its approximately 70 herbal ingredients are mint and fennel, giving it a complex flavor with minty and coniferous notes."

If you want to go all the way: an Italian 80-something Signora once convinced me to try her "Centerbe" (it means "100 herbs"). Man, that was about ± 70% alcohol - a 'herbs aroma galore' hammer. I struggled keeping a straight face ("well, uh, Signora, yeah, that's ...lots of herbs.". "Ah, you like it, young man. Lemme get you a second one". "No-no-no, Signora, grazie mille !" )

The "Limited Edition" of the "Liquore Strega" features a fancy drawing on the package and bottle - you may be inclined to keep it.
https://zyn.ca/products/strega-liquore-limited-edition



Every January 6 in Italy (Epiphany - "La Festa della Befana"): good kids will find candy inside their sock, gifted by "La Befana", bad kids will find charcoal ("carbone").

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Artemis

If you want to up the ante, with a soft spot for tasting/smelling the woods, try "Liquore Strega" ("The Witch's Liquor") ("la strega" is Italian for "the witch"): a rich mix of about 70 herbs and spices - 40% alcohol. From the Benevento region in Italy.

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." (W. Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act IV, Scene I (three witches circling a cauldron)).

https://www.strega.it/en/liquore-strega/
"Strega liqueur is one of the most famous Italian liqueurs, it is unique and unmistakable for its taste, thanks to the exclusive use of natural ingredients. Its processing starts with the grinding of about 70 herbs and spices, they are being selected from all over the world, and each one of them has unique properties. Among these herbs we find Ceylon cinnamon, Florentine iris, Italian Apennine juniper, Samnite mint, which grows along the riverbanks in the whole region. The liqueur gets its characteristic yellow colour from the precious Saffron that is added to the herb distillate. Strega liqueur is aged in ash barrels over a long period of time to ensure a perfect blending of the different aromas. The resulting distillate is 40% proof and only after the ageing process is the liqueur bottled and distributed all over the world."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strega_(liqueur)
"Liquore Strega is an Italian herbal liqueur produced since 1860 by the Strega Alberti Benevento S.p.A. in Benevento, Italy. Its distinctive yellow color comes from the presence of saffron. Strega is bottled at 80 proof (40% alc/vol), which is an alcohol content comparable to most hard liquors, but it has a sweetness and viscosity typical of liqueurs. Among its approximately 70 herbal ingredients are mint and fennel, giving it a complex flavor with minty and coniferous notes."

If you want to go all the way: an Italian 80-something Signora once convinced me to try her "Centerbe" (it means "100 herbs"). Man, that was about ± 70% alcohol - a 'herbs aroma galore' hammer. I struggled keeping a straight face ("well, uh, Signora, yeah, that's ...lots of herbs.". "Ah, you like it, young man. Lemme get you a second one". "No-no-no, Signora, grazie mille !" )

The "Limited Edition" of the "Liquore Strega" features a fancy drawing on the package and bottle - you may be inclined to keep it.

Artemis these are awesome, well received insights...will be in Northern Italy for +2wks soon on business. Plan to look for & try unique experiences [libations too ]...any other suggestions?
That said, gonna rent a M2 to drive/carve throughout the wonderful region.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Artemis

In Italy, limoncello and grappa are normally served in tiny glasses (size: shots).

You would be correct. At the time, I was having a Spritz with Prosecco and soda water, hence the wine glass.

[Vindicator3]

As far as Italian herbals/amari go, I just learned of the existence of the special "Riserva" 24 year old version of Nonino and bought it. I enjoyed my first glass last night but not sure I'm seeing a huge delta to the normale. Will do a side-by-side in the future. Given the price premium Nonino gets over most amari, the additional premium for the riserva is less than I would expect. More research needed.

I've seen Strega around but have never tried it, and will need to check it out. I'm a big believer in the healing powers of Alpine herbs, as long as they are preserved in an appropriate liquid. Is it similar to yellow Chartreuse?

As far as brown spirits, the one I'm sipping most on these days is a L'Encantada XO Armagnac. Any other brandy people here?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Artemis these are awesome, well received insights...will be in Northern Italy for +2wks soon on business. Plan to look for & try unique experiences [libations too ]...any other suggestions?
That said, gonna rent a M2 to drive/carve throughout the wonderful region.

A must-try in Northern Italy is "Hugo". Deliciously sweet. Main competitor of Aperol Spritz (Hugo has a sweet twist - Aperol Spritz has a bittersweet twist).

Main ingredients: prosecco, elderflower syrup (sambucus aka Holunderblüten), sparkling water, mint leaves, lime slices and some ice cubes.

Paging Lady Jane: can't go wrong with this one. Easy. You just need to find elderflower syrup.

Took these in the past in Northern Italy:

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Paging Lady Jane: can't go wrong with this one. Easy. You just need to find elderflower syrup.

Are you trying to turn me into an alcoholic?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Vindicator3

I've seen Strega around but have never tried it, and will need to check it out. I'm a big believer in the healing powers of Alpine herbs, as long as they are preserved in an appropriate liquid. Is it similar to yellow Chartreuse?

I have sipped the "Liquore Strega" already during journeys in the Benevento region in mid Italy, where it's made. Local bar tender proposed to give it a try ("un po' di bontà da qui": "some good stuff from here"). Typical herbs, as if you walk through pine woods (was coined properly as "a complex flavor with minty and coniferous notes"). Mind you, it's strong stuff.

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Are you trying to turn me into an alcoholic?

I'm helping you to get your guests confide you all their real stories, speaking their mind in an unrestricted fashion.

Super sweet stuff like "Hugo" and bittersweet stuff like "Aperol Spritz" are super dangerous to get tipsy. It facilitates downing a whole bottle of prosecco with a guest in no time, LOL.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Artemis

A must-try in Northern Italy is "Hugo". Deliciously sweet. Main competitor of Aperol Spritz (Hugo has a sweet twist - Aperol Spritz has a bittersweet twist).

Main ingredients: prosecco, elderflower syrup (sambucus aka Holunderblüten), sparkling water, mint leaves, lime slices and some ice cubes.

Many thanks Artemis...added 'To-drink' list

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I'm helping you to get your guests confide you all their real stories, speaking their mind in an unrestricted fashion.

LOL.

Never mind the guests... I'm just worried about myself behind the keyboard if it happens...

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Many thanks Artemis...added 'To-drink' list

Your significant other will like it too. Can't go wrong with trying both a "Hugo" (sweet) and an "Aperol Spritz" (bittersweet). Massively popular in Northern Italy.

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Never mind the guests... I'm just worried about myself behind the keyboard if it happens... Attachment 3597198
Attachment 3597200

"Hugo" for the win !