Grimbergen, here's the thread you were looking for. Gadfly reccomended the Whiskers.

By Petermarc on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 05:57 am: Edit

food very good...a chinese/thai fusion thing but not as good as thai...washed down with a snake wine digestif... more details to come...

By Perruche_Verte on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Cool!

How was the food?

And was there any sign of absinthe-related
items? I should think this former French colony would have a few lying around here and there.

By Petermarc on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 05:37 am: Edit

speaking of red, i saw "uncle ho" tuesday in hanoi...looks pretty good for a dead guy...the VN
do over-guard the guy, he ain't going anywhere...if anyone wants to know what it's like to really see a commie-fest, it's street decorations in hanoi before the jan. 23 Tê't new year celebrations...red flags and hammer and sickles everywhere, christmas in a macarthyesque nightmare...i have never seen so many shops for everything you could imagine, aren't they supposed to be repressed and starving?

By Lordhobgoblin on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 01:04 pm: Edit

I thought that Reds came from Cincinnati.

By Black_rabbit on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 12:10 pm: Edit

LH, I dunno, I have seen many an old book and movie referring to communists as Pinkos (as well as reds and commies.)

Maybe I misinterpreted.

I think I will take your advice- people tend to respond well to being called fuck-wits, especially around here ;-)

(that was sarcasm for any of you fuck-wits out there.)

By Lordhobgoblin on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 12:00 pm: Edit

Black Rabbit,

If you don't watch out you'll be skinned, made into a stew, a furry hat and some lucky charms.

You are just too subtle with your sarcasm, perhaps you should start with something like "listen up you fuck-wit I am about to be sarcastic" ;-)

Hobgoblin

(I always thought pinkos were part of the pink triangle)

By Absinthedrinker on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 09:21 am: Edit

Actually it is Madeira that is almost indestructable. They found out by accident that Maderia wine shipped by sea via the tropics actually lasted longer than wine that had remained in storage on the island. In order to simulate the effects of a long hot sea journey they started to store it in estoufiers, rooms in the eaves of the wine lodges that baked under the mid day sun. Because it gets such rough treatment before bottling it is pretty hard to spoil it afterwards and an open bottle will last months (if you can resist the delicious taste that long).

Although fortified, Port and sherry will deteriorate on opening like any other wine, due to oxidation, these days sherry is only lightly fortified to around 15 to 17%. Fino sherry, like any other white wine, should of course be drunk in one sitting, chilled and never allowed to sit at the back of a cupboard.

By Anatomist1 on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 08:39 am: Edit

I think you can make virtually any drink last a very long time by buying some of those rubber stoppers with one way valves and a little plastic suction pump: no air, no spoilage.

Historically, port and sherry were invented to keep wine from spoiling on long ocean voyages. Basically, mixing more refined spirits in with the wine upped the alcohol content to the point where it was less perishable. It seems doubtful to me that contemporary port would be more fragile than wine.

K.

By Black_rabbit on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 06:37 am: Edit

Martin, man, I was kidding- read further down.

Even if you were a pinko, I wouldn't give a damn, I think the embargo is a pointless cold war holdover, designed more to keep sugar compaines profitable in the US than save democracy in any case. I was agreeing with an earlier post of yours, though I guess my sarcasm was too obtuse for that to come through.

You fuckin pinko.

By Tavis on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 04:20 am: Edit

There's not many drinks nicer than a Cuba Libre....

By Martin on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 03:57 am: Edit

That's right, an Anarchist. Buying Cuban cigars helps fund and evil dictator? Well, so does shopping at Wal-Mart or eating at McDonalds.

Yeah, please don't call me a fuckin' pinko.

People don't complain so much about rum because fine rum isn't all that popular. Most people are content with Bacardi. Cigar smokers tend to be alot more picky about quality than rum drinkers. Probably because rum is usually served in mixed drinks.

-Martin

By Bob_chong on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 09:23 pm: Edit

Some port recommendations? Get something vintage.

Example:

Warre's 1977 Vintage
SC price=$52.21
U.S. price=$149.99

YMMV. Check around.

BC

By String on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 09:13 pm: Edit

Things start happening in a 10 year old port that are interesting. But the changes in a 20 year old port are amazing. It turns into a wonderful drink. Have it with a little dark chocolate.

By Bob_chong on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 08:18 pm: Edit

Grim and K:

I was *just* reading something the other day about port, cognac, armagnac, and calvados, which would act as a perfect primer. However, I cannot for the life of me remember where it was--online or in print, at my house or elsewhere--which has been driving me nuts ever since Grim started this thread.

Anyway, this is helpful here:
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Spectator/Faqs/PortFAQ.html
and this (select link and scroll down to "Portugal" section for a few port articles):
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Aficionado/wine.html

BC

By Perruche_verte on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 06:09 pm: Edit

I have had Havana Club 7, in Canada. It is delicious. Rumor has it that a good Cuban rum beats a Jamaican or Puerto Rican hands down. That was certainly better than Bacardi. I don't know about the other brands though.

The downside of this wonderful stuff, or so I've heard, is that most Cubans can't buy it -- the bulk of it is reserved for foreign exchange. Like China, Cuba has tourist hotels and luxury shops where only foreign currencies are accepted.

I'd never heard that Port loses its flavor so rapidly. I should think in a proper decanter (one that seals airtight) it would last? I always thought Port was something you kept around and broke out on special occasions -- wasn't it invented to keep wine from going bad?

I second the call for recommendations, if Bob or anyone else will be so kind.

By Admin on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:33 pm: Edit

Port is a desert wine, that is why it is so sweet. Akin to Malmsey of old and Madeira.

By Daedelus on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:30 pm: Edit

"The downside is that port absolutely must be consumed the same night you open it. "

This is true, except that many a fine sauce can be made from a day old port. Port and dried cranberries make for an amazing glaze over pork. Mmm...Mmm...Mmm

for God's sake don't throw it out just because you passed out before polishing off the second bottle!


daedelus

By Anatomist1 on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Yeah, let's hear a primer on Port. I bought a $15 bottle the other day just because I had never tried it, and I was surprised how sweet it was. I didn't want to spend a lot on it, as I had no particular reason to. I guess I was expecting it to be dryer or tangier than some of the red wines I like, in addition to having more alcohol. Not so. Is there something quick to read about what the deal is with port?

K.

By Grimbergen on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 04:56 pm: Edit

Bob,
Got any specific names for me?

By Timk on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 03:41 pm: Edit

Talking of port, i have a nice cellar stored dow vintage port, 63 if i remember, it just lays there waiting to be opened

Tim

By Black_rabbit on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 03:01 pm: Edit

LH, actually, I guess I was being too opaquely sarcastic. I am with Martin on this one- I decided to come off as Mcarthyistic as I could, because I think the embargo is absurd.

Next time I will include a 'warning, sarcasm in use, wear your helmet!' warning or something ;-)

By Bob_chong on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 02:06 pm: Edit

I stick by the Havana Club testimony--I've heard it from different sources.

Don't buy any "white" port, though. You wouldn't save any money and you wouldn't get anything you can't get here. But if you get some really good, high-end port (i.e., not white), the price savings are substantial (possibly $75-$100 per bottle less than over here).

The downside is that port absolutely must be consumed the same night you open it.

BC

By Grimbergen on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 01:31 pm: Edit

So does anyone have any SC recommendations?

By Lordhobgoblin on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 01:15 pm: Edit

Black Rabbit,

Martin is I believe, an Anarchist. He'd probably be very offended to be called a "Fucking Pinko", a "Fucking Black and Redo" would be the more appropriate term. Just for the record I personally would also be offended at being called a "Fucking Pinko", prefer to be called a "Fucking Deepest Redo".

Just helping to ensure that the correct descriptive terms are used on this forum.

Hobgoblin

By Dengar on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 07:31 am: Edit

Martin: If I'm correct, the fact that you can't get Cuban cigars is upsetting a lot of cigarsmokers. So, is it the same situation with rum. Is there a bunch of rumdrinkers who're pissed off on you goverment? Just curious...

By Black_rabbit on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 07:27 am: Edit

Martin, you're a fucking pinko, arent you?

Let me just ask this now to get it out of the way: Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the communist party?

And while I'm at it, don't you realize that your buying Cuban rum or cigars or whathaveyou is funding an evil dictator? Every one of those cigars you smoke is a nail in the coffin of Democracy!

Drink enough rum, and you'll find yourself goosestepping under a giant picture of Lenin, right down Mainstreet, Usa.

Pinko.

By Martin on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:50 am: Edit

We can't get anything from Cuba because they're a bunch of commies and our government doesn't like that. That's the same reason why we can't get Cuban cigars. It's all because of the Trade Embargo. Stupid bullshit if you ask me.

-Martin

By Dengar on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:20 am: Edit

Ok, you get get Cuban rum. Is that a problem? I've no clue since I find rum discusting. Is Cuban rum any good?

By Grimbergen on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:10 am: Edit

We can't get cuban rum in the US. Buying rum from them would be downright un-American.

By Martin on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 03:03 am: Edit

I like Bacardi rum. It's common and cheap, but I like it. Yes, Dengar, we get all the rum we could ever want. I guess just that particular brand isn't available here.

-Martin

By Dengar on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 12:40 am: Edit

You can't get rum in the US???

By Bob_chong on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 11:10 pm: Edit

I've heard that Havana Club 7 year is good rum.

SC's port prices are amazing (i.e., for the really good stuff, anyway).

BC

By Grimbergen on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 08:16 pm: Edit

Oh yeah, and the DeLoach later harvest Gewurztraminer.

By Grimbergen on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 08:04 pm: Edit

Ok. If we are to open it up to general recommendations, I have 3 to offer.

Boodles Gin
Ports from the Prager Winery & Port works in Nappa, especially thier white port Aria.
Glenora Risling, from the NY fingerlakes region.

The Boodles is the best value you can get in gin, and is generally amazing. The Prager Ports are pretty much all great, but you can only buy them from their tasting room or order direct. They will ship to you, but the shipping is really expensive. Finally the Glenora Risling is a dirt cheap but very enjoyable wine. $7-8 a bottle.


Grim

By Gadfly on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 07:48 pm: Edit

I'm glad you started this thread. I'm curious about
some of the offerings at SC that might be worth
exploring. I'd like to expand the topic to cover any
exotic and interesting drinks that anyone can
recommend from SC that aren't available in the US.

Grappa, port, rum, orujo, eau deux vies, etc. Any
comments and/or recommendations?

And now, to change the subject slightly. Here are some
(non-SC) recommendations:

Whiskers Blake Tawny Port from Australia. It runs about
$13 in the states. It's really incredible for the price.

I did just have a glass of Inga grappa at a restaurant
the other night - liked it lots but it's not listed at SC or
my other online likker source:
http://w
ww.hitimewine.com/spirits.htm

Can't speak to Cuban rum but Ron Centenario Anejo
Especial from Cost Rica is deliciously smooth and
brown. It's made by Seagrams but you can't get it here
in the US, as far as I know. A friend brings me a bottle
whenever she comes to visit.

By Grimbergen on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 07:25 pm: Edit

I am interested in trying a good grappa, a port (preferably white), and a cuban rum. Any recommendations? Or any other good drink that is hard to find or expensive here in the US.

Grim