jeffpaulsen

I had an urge for some scotch the other day, and had none. I went to the liquor store and picked up a bottle of Dalwhinnie 15, which is a perfectly reasonable highland type single malt. This got me to thinking about what I should get at my next trip to a well-stocked liquor store (which my local is not), so I downloaded the 2009 San Francisco Spirits Competition results. Ignoring the stuff I don't drink, and things over $100 per bottle:

 

BEST VODKA - Dry Fly Vodka, Washington, USA ($30)

BEST RUM - Angostura 1824 12 years old, Tobago, Trinidad ($40)

BEST GIN - Bluecoat Gin, Pennsylvania, USA ($26)

BEST TEQUILA - El Tesoro Platinum Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico ($38)

BEST REPOSADO TEQUILA - Blue Head Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico ($40)

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH - Buchanan's Special Reserve 18 Year Old Scotch, Scotland ($32)

 

Your mileage may vary on the prices – I can’t find that Buchanan’s 18 for under $65, myself. Some "double gold medal" winners that I now want to try that I might have otherwise skipped over:

Vodka - Ruskova Select  - $9.

Vodka – UV - $13.

Gin - Monopolowa Vienna Dry  - $16.

Gin - Rogue Spruce Gin - $37.

Bourbon - Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight  - $24.

Single Malt Scotch - Bowmore 12 Year Islay - $47.

Irish Whiskey - Michael Collins Single Malt  - $40.

 

The only one from this whole list that is in my local liquor store is the Buffalo Trace bourbon.

I made a couple pitchers of bourbon punch slushies. You make them like this:

1 bottle bourbon
1 quart double strong black tea
2 cans thawed lemonade concentrate
1 can thawed orange juice concentrate
3 quarts water

stir together and freeze. stir again after 6 hours.

People liked the slushies.