A Connoisseur's Single Malt Scotch

The search for the best single malt Scotch whiskey is an obsession and passion for many. Watch out for that crowd of old guys, they will take you down. But, some younger people too are into the delights and intricacies of single malt. The problem is, how much money do you have to spend to find a scotch you really love? if you don't have a bar with a focus on Scotch, then you are at the mercy of what other people tell you, most don't know anything about Scotch, or the random pick of a bottle off the store shelf. Then come in the reviews. You can find malt reviews online an in books that help tremendously for establishing a good starting point. From here you must find what your palate likes. You might not like what is considered a 95 point Scotch. You may prefer one that is an 83 pointer instead. 

In this case, I do have one that is a highly rated and incredible single malt Scotch whiskey. It runs the gamete from smokey and punchy, to sweet and complex. Here we have Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Pedro Ximenez. This is a fantastic Scotch and a wonderful variation from the impressively peaty and powerful Lagavulin 16. Get both if you can afford it. Both are highly rated and will keep you coming back for more. Amity Wines.com can get the Distilller's Edition for you with a great price. Otherwise, see if your local fine liquor store can special order you a bottle. Make sure to drink it out of a Scotch glass or brandy snifter. 

Sparkling Water with a Gas Problem

Of all the bottles of sparkling water I have had, there is one I enjoy the most. I savor every sip and enjoy the limestone minerality and crisp flavor. Other bottled waters are too sweet or don't have enough gas. This one has sufficient gas, enough to challenge the line at the local burrito stand. 

Gerolsteiner Sprudel Mineral Water is what I am referring to. The water is perfect in every way. Although I have been drinking more self-carbonated waters at home to minimize the impact of my carbon footprint, I still like to pick a few of these up every now and then. Unlike Perrier or Pelligrino, this is not sweet sparkling water. This is absolutely crisp and refreshing water at it's best. A knock out.

Look for it at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and other fine food carriers. Yes, even water can be reviewed.

Orange you a Chocoholic?

So, why the heck would you want any fruit in your rich, dark connoisseurs chocolate? I would normally agree with you here, but every now and then a special combination of ingredients works especially well. So well, that I have to let others know about it. 

I have found the best orange chocolate. This little bar is the "Organic Dark Chocolate with Orange" bar by Endangered Species Chocolate. 

This 1.4 ounce bar packs a wallop to the taste buds. How can something so small be so damn good? Well, one of the secrets is that the bar is made from organic chocolate. For you that do not know or cough at the mention of organics, it's time you drop your attitude and try the stuff for yourself. There is a reason why many of the world's top chefs and companies are switching to organics, they taste better. Flat out…they taste better. The crops develop better and as a result have more nutrients and more compounds that produce more flavorful food. 

The second secret is that this little devil uses Valencia orange oil to flavor the bar. I do like orange peel in my food and chocolate, but the oil is spectacular. It's the very meaning of gastronomical richness. This might be too rich for those of you out there that are not used to eating pure foods and real flavors. There are no fake flavors or corn syrup fake fruits here.

While you are at it, you should probably grab two bars. One for now and one for the minute after.

A Wise Old Ale

Looking to try something new and different in the world of beer and ales? I have found something so unique and so good, that I still think about it every week or so. I still keep an eye out for it whenever I buy ale. 

New Belgian Brewing 1554, Enlightened Black Ale is the culprit. This beer is from a beer recipe dating back to, you guessed it, 1554. What an ale! Have you ever heard of a black ale? Me either. Wait until you taste it. The flavor is dark, nutty, malty, earthy, yet sweet and refreshing. Completely unique. To boot, it has a smooth body and is very easy to drink.

This brewery is known for it's Fat Tire brew, but it has so many other offerings that I consider to be much more worthy of your hard earned money. Check them out and see their very eclectic list of ales. You might be surprised to see what they make. I was.