Acquired Tastings

On this cocktail episode Josh is joined by his friend Jordan to sip on some cocktail. This time we focus less on the cocktails themselves and more on the tools you use to make them. We make a glass built, a shaken, and a stirred cocktail. For the glass built we make the tequila based Paloma highball. Next we make a Hemingway Daiquiri with the Diplomatico rum and a Boston shaker. Finally, they stir up the classic Manhattan in a cocktail glass. They have a good time sipping and chatting.

We welcome back Marie to the podcast and once again she brings gifts. This time it is whiskey from Saint Liberty distillery. Each one of these whiskeys pays homage to the women whiskey distillers of the Prohibition. Each whiskey pays homage to not only the women, but also the location where they distilled. First up Marie talks about the Bertie's Bear Gulch Straight Bourbon. Next, Josh talks about the Josephine's Flat Head River straight rye whiskey. Finally, John shares the Mary's Four Grain straight bourbon whiskey. They all talk about the story of the person to whom the bottle is named after and the whiskey itself. They have a great time chatting about these wonderful whiskeys!

Well, its time for IPA. John excitedly brings the local Two Term Presidential IPA from Diamond Bear Brewing in Little Rock. As his pairings he shares brats cooked in the Two Term IPA beer, pork belly sandwich, and smoked chicken wings. Josh brings the Lagunitas IPA and fried brussel sprouts with crispy bacon and blood orange, grilled New York strip, and Meyer lemon rosemary creme brulee. They have a great time sipping and finding some surprises.

Josh and John say hola to some Spanish wines. Josh starts in the west with the Martin Codex 2019 Albariño from Rias Baixas. Josh shares some fried calamari, burrata, cave aged goat cheese, and for the first time ever successfully creates Persian saffron rice with Tahdig. John goes to the red of Rioja, and shares the Herederos del Marques de Riscal 2015 Reserva. We snack on pan con tomate, tortilla de Espanola kicked up with chorizo, and Flan.

Josh and John crack open some of their favorite non whiskey sippers. Josh opens and shares the Boulard VSOP Calvados. He serves some Camembert cheese and French onion soup, and between the courses a Frose sorbet from Jeni's ice creams as a palate cleanser. John pours the Flor de Cana 12 year old single estate Rum. His snacks are Central American beans and rice, Pork tamales, and sweet fried plantains. Pour a snifter and join us on this episode.

In this episode John and John explore some of the classic Irish beers. Josh cracks open Smithwick's Irish Red and serves up some classics, corned beef, Irish soda bread, and 5 cheese pizza. John pours the Irish favorite Guinness draft from a nito can. He pairs it with fish and chips, and Dubliner Irish cheddar with stout.

Josh and John dip their toes into the vast wines of the Napa Valley. Josh finds some bubbles and shares the Mumm Napa Brut rose. He finally finds duck and has it, as well as herbed brie and fresh mozzarella with cracked black pepper. John hits one of the main grapes of Napa with the Black Stallion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. He pairs some Gorgonzola, a brisket sandwich from Count Porkula, and some brownie bites. They talk about some of the Napa's history and the Judgement of Paris which helped to make Napa valley a huge success.

Josh and John dip their toes into the vast wines of the Napa Valley. Josh finds some bubbles and shares the Mumm Napa Brut rose. He finally finds duck and has it, as well as herbed brie and fresh mozzarella with cracked black pepper. John hits one of the main grapes of Napa with the Black Stallion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. He pairs some Gorgonzola, a brisket sandwich from Count Porkula, and some brownie bites. They talk about some of the Napa's history and the Judgement of Paris which helped to make Napa valley a huge success.

On a day when temperatures were spring like, Josh and John sip on some cocktails which remind them of warmer times. Josh shakes up a Kamikaze. He uses Absolut vodka, Solerno blood orange liquor and lime juice. John goes for one of his famous margaritas. This drink packs a punch with Tequila, Damiana, Agavero, and Grand Marnier as well as lime and mixer. They have a good time sipping on these cocktails. Cheers!

Josh and John travel to the Emerald Isle for some water of life. John pours the Powers Gold Label and snacks on Irish Cheddar, shepherds pie, and pecan pie. Josh sips on the Sexton single malt Irish whiskey. His pairings are rare New York Strip steak, 3 meat wood fired pizza, Snickers and Twix. They have fun getting back into whiskey.