Belle de Brillet Pear 🍐 Liqueur is an original blend of Brillet Cognac and the essence of Williams Pears. The perfectly matured pears are carefully selected, picked at peak ripeness, macerated, and then blended with Brillet cognac. I was pretty blown away by how luscious it is, ripe tart, and the perfect balance between pear flavor and cognac.
Read MoreDavid Wondrich calls it “the tastiest Mint Julep recipe” he knows, here I am introducing you to an updated Prescription Julep on the #nationalcongancday, served in the new Norlan Vawe glass.
Read MoreToday, June 6th is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. After the D-Day Normandy Landings in 1944, General Eisenhower was introduced to the Boulard family and Calvados Boulard V.S.O.P quickly became a favorite of the General and his troops.
Read MoreMizunara is a rare and expensive Japanese oak that is used to age premium Japanse spirits. It was first used right after the end of World War II, because of the lack of importing from food, medicine to American and European Oak. Japanese turned to their own Mizunara.
Read More“Cynar got a vegetal earthiness hidden under its dark herbal hood. Artichokes also have the ability to temporarily suspend over our perception of sweetness, so when using Cynar in cocktails, it pays to pair it with sweeter items.
Read MoreFolle Blanche is a grape variety grown in Western France. It used to be the most popular grape for Armagnac and Cognac (slightly less extent). However, Folle Blanche is highly susceptible to rot and disease. The late 19th century Phylloxera epidemic wiped out most of it, since then it has been replaced by Bacco 22-A which is the only hybrid grape allowed by A.O.C.
Read MoreBefore I knew it, I am a proud owner of 5 different Armagnac Delord. I thought to share some of my learnings on Armagnac Delord and my thoughts on these five different expressions.
Read MoreDuring my week-long visit to the Armagnac region, one of the unique Armagnac houses we met is Armagnac Fitte et Laterrade. Vincent Laterrade, the owner of the house, has been a sommelier in his previous life. He patiently recorded the stocks of Armagnac from very small producers throughout 20 years – talk about the virtue of patience! Together with the Fitte family, winemaker at the Château de Herrebouc, they distill and age in the small cellar.
Read MoreIn the past year, I have been traveling through some countries where brandy has been the much kept secret such as Peru (Pisco) and Portugal (Aguardiente), I started falling in love with it. This March, I got pretty curious about Armagnac, the oldest brandy in France and also the cousin of the more well known Cognac.
Read MoreRecently, I had the opportunity to develop a few recipes for Exitus Wine from O’Neil Vintners & Distillers. Exitus Wine is not your typical bottle of red wine on the shelf. Fermented in American stainless steel and then aged for 3 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels, Exitus is a red wine with a bourbon soul, a bold blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel with aromas of blackberry compote, baking spices and loose-leaf tobacco. This new bourbon barrel aged wine brand tiptoes on the boundary with spirits, which makes it an interesting one to use in cocktails.
Read MoreThis is my riff on the wehavethelastword campaign and I call it First Word Morning Edition.
Read More
