Showing 2 posts tagged cats

I’ve always had a distrust of people that don’t like pets or have never had one. Pet lovers the world over probably know what it means to be in a place (physical or mental) where your pet is your only drinking buddy. The song’s a little sad, the video’s kinda cute, and it just made me think about what pets are to us some times.

So, here’s to Thurgood, Owen, and Mister Pippers…my four-legged drinking buddies of the past. Here’s to yours as well!

Sanford & Harrison (Mostly Harrison)

Just to be clear, Sanford is the ginger kitty, and Harrison is the W.H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

sanford_harrison


It was Saturday, cheat day on my diet, so I wanted some bourbon. Okay, I wanted a rye, but I’d picked up the Harrison earlier in the week and thought I should give it a taste (or four).

First Taste (Neat)
My palate wanted a rye, so my split second reaction was disappointment followed by a velvety mouth feel and a spicy finish at the front of the tongue that kept heating up for several seconds. I felt guilty about that split second of disappointment, because I think this stuff delivers the best of what bourbon can offer with just enough hints at rye that it can easily please fans of both.

Second Taste (On the Rocks)
Suddenly, the spiciness is all over the palate which is very nice, but that velvety mouth feel subsides noticeably. It acts more like a rye. Yay! This taste turned into an extended few minutes with a book and extended sips.

Third Taste (Manhattan)
I totally blew the Harrison off the palate with this one using a tad too much Carpano Antica Formula.

  • 2oz. Harrison
  • 1oz. Antica Formula
  • 2 dashes Dandelion & Burdock Bitters

Stirred with a dried fig for garnish.

Fourth Taste (Old Fashioned)
Since we’re playing with a bourbon that walks the rye line, I ended with an Old Fashioned. The Harrison holds up well, yielding an Old Fashioned that’s sweet and spicy. I had to make two…Extra Special KDB stole the first one I made.

  • 2oz Harrison
  • .25oz Simple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Dandelion & Burdock Bitters

Muddled tangelo peel and garnish (sorry purists, it’s the only citrus I had)

Final Thoughts

I got a Batch 1 bottling that came in at 114 proof, and I’m glad I got to taste this with a few folks around. I like it, and will be playing with it some more very soon (next cheat day). I like it…a lot. The only thing I’m not sure about is the price point. At $63, I can think of 3-4 other things in the $70 range that I’d put on my shopping list above it (Thomas Handy Sazerac, Pritchards Double Barreled, Whistle Pig). If you have a well stocked cabinet, GO FOR IT. If you’re looking for some hard ‘n fast ryes, maybe skip it (if only for now). If you’re out some place that can make you an old fashioned with it, GO FOR IT.

Actually, just go for it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.