Episode 121 features Bénédictine. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $40. Enjoy this episode with a Béné & Hot, or just sip on it neat. Bénédictine's official website: https://www.benedictinedom.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1510 - Dom Bernado Vincelli, a monk at the Abbey in Fécamp, Normandy, France, creates an elixir intended to revie tired monks. 1789 - The Abbey is destroyed during the French Revolution and the monks gift documents to secular benefactor P...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Ep. 121
This is a special guest episode featuring B&B - Bénédictine & Brandy, courtesy of My Tiny Bottles hosted by Tammy Coxen. Tammy and I are on similar paths, diving into the world of distilled spirits, though Tammy is doing this by exploring her grandmother’s legacy of miniature liquor bottles, one tiny bottle at a time. She has hundreds of bottles waiting to be discovered, and with each she’s telling the story of them and then opening & tasting many of these vintage, collectible bottle...
Jul 30, 2024•6 min•Ep. 121
Episode 120 features Everclear Grain Alcohol. Bottled in 750ml at 95% ABV, or 190 proof and it retails for about $21. Enjoy this episode with something you've made with Everclear. Everclear's official website: https://diywitheverclear.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1922 - Everclear is mentioned in various issues of the Druggists Circular as a product of American Distilling Company. 1936 - Article lists Everclear alongside whiskey, gin and rum. 1950 - Everclear is registered as a trademark. 1981...
Apr 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 120
Episode 119 features Kentucky Owl, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Maighstir Edition. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof and it retails for about $134. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Kentucky Owl as you like it. Kentucky Owl's official website: https://kentuckyowlbourbon.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1879 - Kentucky Owl is founded by C.M. Dedman. 1916 - Production ends and aging stocks are confiscated by the US government, they are then all "lost in a fire". 2014 - Dixon Dedman, ...
Feb 24, 2024•24 min•Ep. 119
Episode 118 features St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. Bottled in 750ml at 22.5% ABV, or 45 proof and it retails for about $30. Enjoy this episode with a tiki cocktail using "Pimento Dram" if you like. St. Elizabeth doesn't have standalone brand website, but here's the producer's website: https://alpenz.com/product-allspice.html Brief Historical Timeline: 1850s - Pimento Dram is thought to have been invented. 1862 - First written reference to Pimento Dram as a commercial product. 1900s - Pimento Dram...
Oct 27, 2023•20 min•Ep. 118
Episode 117 features Four Roses. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $25. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Four Roses however you like. Four Roses official website: https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1860s - Paul Jones Sr. and Paul Jones Jr. get into the whiskey business in Atlanta, Georgia 1883 - Paul Jones Jr. moves to Louisville, Kentucky and builds his whiskey business there. 1888 - The brand of Four Roses is founded with a legend of a...
Oct 06, 2023•30 min•Ep. 117
Episode 116 features Herbsaint. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof and it retails for about $31. Enjoy this episode with an Herbsaint Frappe, or any cocktail that calls for absinthe. Herbsaint doesn't have it's own website, so here's the Sazerac listing: https://www.sazerac.com/our-brands/sazerac-brands/herbsaint.html Brief Historical Timeline: 1914-18 - World War I and J. Marion Legendre 's friend Reginal P. Parker learns of pastis while stationed in Marseille, France 1920-33 - Post war,...
Jun 15, 2023•22 min•Ep. 116
Episode 115 features Tito's Handmade Vodka. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $20. Enjoy this episode with some Tito's and soda with a lemon wedge. Tito's Handmade Vodka official website: https://www.titosvodka.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1992 - Tito Beveridge begins making vodka infusions for his friends 1995 - Tito applies for a distillery license 1997 - First year of production yields about 1,000 9-liter equivalent cases 2001 - Tito's wins a Double Gold Med...
Mar 21, 2023•29 min•Ep. 115
Episode 114 features Jeppson's Malört. Bottled in 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and it retails for about $22. Enjoy this episode with a shot of Jeppson's Malört straight. Jeppson's Malört official website: https://www.jeppsonsmalort.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1880s - Carl Jeppson immigrates to Chicago, Illinois, USA from Sweden 1920s - Carl Jeppson begins making and selling door to door his own bask brännvin, later to be named Malört 1933 - Carl Jeppson sells Malört to Bielzoff Products 194...
Feb 17, 2023•20 min•Ep. 114
Episode 113 features John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum. Bottled in 750ml at 11% ABV, or 22 proof and it retails for about $22. Enjoy this episode with a pour of John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum mixed in a tiki cocktail if you like. John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum doesn't have a website I can find, so here's the US Importer's website: https://alpenz.com/product-falernum.html Brief Historical Timeline: Pre-1800s - Falernum is likely being made in Barbados on sugar estates alongside rum 1821 - The ...
Jan 27, 2023•22 min•Ep. 113
Episode 112 features Cacique Guaro. Bottled in 365ml at 30% ABV, or 60 proof and it retails for about $3. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cacique Guaro if you can find it. Cacique Guaro's official website: https://fanal.co.cr/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1850 - Beverage alcohol production is nationalized in Costa Rica 1853 - Fábrica Nacional De Licores, aka FANAL, is established and begins producing guaro 1980 - FANAL brands Cacique Guaro and begins bottling it 2015 - Cacique Guaro sells 1 mill...
Dec 02, 2022•18 min•Ep. 112
Episode 111 features Tia Maria. Bottled in 750ml at 26.5% ABV, or 53 proof and it retails for about $31. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Tia Maria on ice or in an Espresso Martini. Tia Maria's official website: https://www.tiamaria.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1947 - Tia Maria is created with Dr. Kenneth Evans as the named founder 1980s - Hiram Walker acquires the brand 2005 - Pernod Ricard ends up with Tia Maria through acquisitions 2009 - Pernod Ricard sells Tia Maria to Illva Saronno Key...
Nov 25, 2022•17 min•Ep. 111
Episode 110 features Glayva. Bottled in 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and it retails for about $36. Enjoy this episode with a pour of Glayva neat. Glayva's official website: https://www.glayva.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1947 - Ronald Morrison creates Glayva 1960s - Glayva begins to spread across the UK and around the globe 1993 - Whyte & Mackay Ltd. acquire the brand 2022 - Glayva wins yet another double gold at the IWSC Key Cocktails: Enjoy Glayva neat or over ice. References: My thank...
Oct 14, 2022•18 min•Ep. 110
Episode 109 features Gordon's London Dry Gin. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $12. Enjoy this episode with the late Queen's favorite cocktail, the Dubonnet. Gordon's official website: https://www.gordonsgin.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1769 - Alexander Gordon found his distillery in London 1786 - The distillery moves to Clerkenwell in London 1823 - Alexander's son Charles takes over after a 7 year apprenticeship 1877 or 1889 - The Gordon family sells to John Currie...
Sep 24, 2022•17 min•Ep. 109
Episode 108 features Biodynamic Luna 1.1 from Waterford Whisky. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof. This retails for $119. Enjoy this episode with any of the Waterford Whisky offers you can get your hands on! The official website for Waterford Whisky: https://waterfordwhisky.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2004 - Diageo build the Waterford distillery site as a beer brewery 2015 - Mark Reynier converts the closed brewery into a whisky distillery 2016 - The first distillation goes into cask...
Sep 10, 2022•21 min•Ep. 108
Episode 107 features Vestal Vodka, Polish Potato Vodka. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof. There are three options covered, the Unfiltered 2015 Vintage that retails for $28. Next is the standard or "white label" that retails for $20. Last is the Black Cherry that retails for $21. Enjoy this episode with any of the Vestal Vodkas you can get your hands on! The official website for Vestal Vodka: https://www.vestalvodka.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: Early 1990s - William Borrell's father bu...
Aug 20, 2022•25 min•Ep. 107
Episode 106 features Myers's Rum - Original Dark from Jamaica. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof. It retails for $20. Enjoy this episode with a Myers's Planter's Punch! The official website for Myers's Rum: https://www.myerssrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1879 - Fred L. Myers founds the Myers's Rum brand 1920s - The brand finds popularity as an inclusion in the Planter's Punch, adding this to their brand description 1954 - Eustace Myers sells the brand to Seagram's 2000 - Diageo acqu...
Aug 10, 2022•19 min•Ep. 106
Episode 105 features Broken Shed Vodka from New Zealand. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof. It retails for $25. Enjoy this episode with some Broken Shed with a twist! The official website for Broken Shed: https://brokenshed.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2008 - Two Americans on sabbatical fall in love with the Wanaka region of New Zealand and move there permanently 2009 - Broken Shed Vodka is born when the first two founders wonder why they're drinking imported vodka, and decide to make ...
Jul 25, 2022•21 min•Ep. 105
Episode 104 features Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. Bottled in 750ml at 45% ABV, or 90 proof. It retails for about $28. Enjoy this episode with a Maker's Mark Old Fashioned! The official website for Maker's Mark: https://www.makersmark.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1840 - T.W. Samuels erects the family's first commercial distillery in Kentucky 1943 - Bill Samuels gets out of his family business, for awhile 1953 - Bill Samuels founds Maker's Mark 1958 - The first bottles of Make...
Jul 16, 2022•31 min•Ep. 104
Episode 103 features Ron Flor de Caña 12. Boxed and bottled, it's 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and was intended for the domestic Nicaraguan market. In the United States, this is sold at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $40. Enjoy this episode with a neat pour of Flor de Caña 12! The official website for Ron Flor de Caña 12: https://flordecana.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1875 - Alfredo Francisco Pellas Canessa immigrants to Nicaragua from Genoa, Italy 1890 - Alfredo sets up a su...
Jul 08, 2022•21 min•Ep. 103
Episode 102 features Patrón Silver Tequila. Boxed and bottled in a handmade glass bottle that's 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $50. Enjoy this episode with a neat pour of Patrón Tequila! The official website for Patrón: https://www.patrontequila.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1989 - John Paul Dejoria and Martin Crowley wonder what the aristocrats in Mexico drink, Martin Crowley finds it at Casa Sieta Leguas 1989 - John Paul Dejoria and Martin Crowley form the Patron Spirits Co...
Jun 05, 2022•28 min•Ep. 102
Episode 101 features Old Elk Distillery. Five different bottlings are noted, with a tasting from the Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey that is bottled in 750ml at 44% ABV, or 88 proof and it retails for $45. Enjoy this episode with a neat pour of any Old Elk product! The official website for Old Elk: https://www.oldelk.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1880 - Brand is originally created 1888 - Old Elk Trademark is registered by Stoll, Vanatta & Co Prohibition Years - Old Elk is produced by Stit...
May 13, 2022•25 min•Ep. 101
Episode 100 features Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $36. Enjoy this episode with a neat pour of Gran Centenario! The official website for Gran Centenario: https://grancentenario.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1857 - Tavern owner and tequila producer Lázaro Gallardo starts making what will become Gran Centenario 1895 - Gallardo names his tequila Gran Centenario to commemorate the new century and the coming 100th anniversary of Mexican i...
Apr 29, 2022•19 min•Ep. 100
Episode 99 features 99 Bananas. Bottled in 50ml at 49.5% ABV, or 99 proof and it retails for $0.99. Enjoy this episode with a shot of 99 Bananas! The official website for 99 Bananas: https://99brandparty.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1997 - Barton Brands introduces 99 Bananas 2009 - Sazerac Company acquires Barton Brands and 99 Bananas Today - The brand has expanded to more than two dozen flavors Key Cocktails: Shots! 99 Bananas is meant to get you to a good time quickly. References: Barton Br...
Apr 22, 2022•16 min•Ep. 99
Episode 98 features Liquore Strega. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for $36. Enjoy this episode with pour of Strega chilled. The official website for Strega: https://www.strega.it/en/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1200s - Legend says witches gathered in Benevento, Italy 1860 - Strega is founded by Giuseppe Alberti 1894 - Giuseppe Alberti dies, leaving the distillery to his four sons 1900s - The brand invests in advertisings 1947 - The Premio Strega, or Strega Prize, is creat...
Apr 15, 2022•20 min•Ep. 98
Episode 97 features Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. Bottled in 750ml at 63% ABV, or 126 proof and it retails for $26. Enjoy this episode with a "Wray & Ting". The official website for the brand simply redirects to the corporate parent: http://www.jwrayandnephew.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1825 - John Wray founds The Shakespeare Tavern in Kingston, Jamaica 1860 - John. Wray brings his nephew, Charles James Ward into the business 1862 - J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. is formed 1862 - The...
Apr 08, 2022•19 min•Ep. 97
Episode 96 features The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. Bottled in 750ml at 47% ABV, or 94 proof and it retails for $21. Enjoy this episode with a Kraken and Coke. The Kraken's official website: https://www.krakenrum.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 2009 - The Kraken is available in limited release in the United States 2010 - The Kraken expands distribution internationally 2010 - Several awards are bestowed upon The Kraken for exceptional branding & packaging 2020 - Sales reach 510,000 9-liter equiv...
Apr 01, 2022•20 min•Ep. 96
Episode 95 features Tanqueray London Dry Gin. Bottled in 750ml at 47.3% ABV, or 94.6 proof and it retails for $22. Enjoy this episode with a Tanqueray and Tonic. Tanqueray's official website: https://www.tanqueray.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1830 - Charles Tanqueray begins working in the Vine Street Distillery 1898 - Tanqueray merges with Gordon's Gin 1922 - Tanqueray Gordon & Company join Distillers Company 1933 - Tanqueray is the first alcohol served in the White House after Prohibitio...
Mar 25, 2022•21 min•Ep. 95
Episode 94 features Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto by popular request from listeners. Bottled in 750ml at 20% ABV, or 40 proof and it retails for $40. Enjoy some Italicus with Prosecco and a lot of ice, plus some olives while listening to this episode. Italicus' official website: https://rosolioitalicus.com/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1500s - Rosolio was enjoyed by Catherine de' Medici Late 1700s - The 17th Duke of Savoy, Vittorio Amedeo III, banned Rosolio from his household and switched to ver...
Mar 20, 2022•17 min•Ep. 94
Episode 93 features Rockland Old Arrack Extra Strong from Sri Lanka. The small bottle came to me as a gift from a friend in his luggage following a trip to Sri Lanka. Bottled in 180ml at 34% ABV, or 68 proof and it retails for about $2 at this size. If you can find Arrack, enjoy some while listening to this episode! Old Arrack Extra Strong's official website: https://www.rockland.lk/ Brief Historical Timeline: 1924 - The Rockland Distillery is founded 2022 - I get a small bootle of Old Arrack Ex...
Mar 11, 2022•25 min•Ep. 93
