Tastes

This is my baseline whisky. Probably the first bottle I finished by myself (twice, I think,) and only now do I realize the sentimental value and the balance. To basically start with exclusively beer and then take it and say “I’m drinking this now” is pretty interesting considering how many harsh/polarizing/less than ideal spirits there are out there... But Black Bush is exceptionally approachable. Nice in a chilled glass neat or with ice. If you want a novice starter bottle, I’d say this is my recommendation. Approaching four stars and up signifies I could drink these and lose track - and with Black Bush that was easy even before I became a full-fledged whisky drinker.

The signature whisky of the original Irish coffee at The Buena Vista in San Francisco. If this was your introduction to Tullamore DEW, then you have entered into a very rare and unfortunate fraternity/sorority. Albeit delicious and a perfect compliment to a stimulant, your night most likely went downhill from there and/or escalated quickly. One doesn’t simply stop by the BV for a nightcap; no no, there is a pirate ship in walking distance that’ll most likely inspire your inner privateer. No, that isn’t a euphemism. I don’t condone or recommend trying to board the nearby pirate ship. Take it from me, it does not end well.

Nose: Paul Newman Palate: Sleeping in the attic because you’re fighting with your SO Finish: Absolutely Everyone deserves a cheap go-to bottle of their very own. Something that excites you when someone points to it and says “what’s that?” Usually you find yourself saying “no really, it is exceedingly decent.” Paul Newman orders it in the way that feels like drinking it. Really cool, super confident, not pretentious. It may not be your thing, which is fine. You probably like something everyone else hates too; if you don’t, then something is wrong. Seriously, you shouldn’t like things that EVERYONE else likes. Or maybe you should... who knows? What do I know? More importantly who cares? Getting a bottle of this is like when you were a kid and got Lunchables in your school lunch. Yeah, it isn’t the most complex or expensive, but dammit, it is fun.

Good lord this is weird. Good weird though. I love Anchor Steam. Hands down my favorite beer. So I’m partially blinded and biased by that fact. Distilled from their annual Christmas offering which has become a tradition for me and my buddies (they have magnums FYI,) it has the best angle ever... the spirit of Christmas past. This needs a chunk of ice. I love it with a chunk of ice. They truly are doing the Lord’s work.

Like an old friend that you don’t really like that much but keep hanging out with. Sometimes he’s kinda fun and cracks an ok joke, but mostly you are thinking “how did I get stuck with him again?” That said, you keep hanging out with him and can’t quite commit to dropping him entirely; and when you mention this to your other buddies, they act like you are overreacting.