Q: My sister gave me several bottles of Seagram’s VO. The tax seal says it was put on in 1982. It is still sealed, and the bottles says its 6 years old, that would make the whiskey 30 years old. How good is this whiskey? Is it drinkable?
Jim G
A: Sealed bottles of Whiskey and other Spirits should last indefinitely when still sealed. Unlike wine, however, liquor does not age in the bottle, so a six yea whiskey is still a six year. Is it drinkable? As long as it was stored in a fashion, it should be fine. Seagram’s VO is a decent blended whiskey and probably best mixed with Coke or Ginger Ale.
Author’s sidebar:
What’s with the black and yellow ribbon around the neck of every bottle of Seagram’s VO? The Broufman Family decided to honor their thoroughbred stables by putting it’s racing color on every bottle. (via)
A: Brandies, including fine Cognacs and Armagnacs can be enjoyed many different ways. One of my favorites is the classic sidecar, a refreshing blend of brandy, lemon/lime and triple sec.
If you have a cheap bottle (not recommeded) mix it with something, anything. Here’s a few drink recipes made with brandy. In some places, brandy is used instead of whiskey in many drinks. In Wisconsin, Old Fashions and Manhattans are routinely made with brandy.
The classic way to enjoy a well aged brandy is in a brandy snifter at room temperature. The drinker then holds the bowl of the snifter in the palm of his/her hand to gently warm the brandy and release all the aromas. Brandies are typically served in this fashion as an after dinner drink.
There is a general age rating system for brandies. This system is a good guide for cost and taste for selecting brandies:
AC - aged at least two years in a barrel
VS - “Very Special” - 3 year minimum in a barrel
VSOP - “Very Superior Old Pale” - 5 year minimum in a barrel
XO - Extra Old”, Napoleon or Vieille Reserve - 6 year minimum in a barrel
Vintage - Aged in the barrel and marked with the vintage date when bottled (kinda like wine)
Hors D’age - So old, don’t ask if you should mix it with coke. Really this is old shit, savor every sip!
Brandy can be enjoyed neat, in a cocktail, as a fine after dinner drink. So be sure to read the label and drink accordingly.
Q: I am throwing a 1950’s themed party and would like to serve popular drinks from that era!
A: The 1950’s are considered by many to be the Golden Age of the Cocktail. The martini was most popular. A favorite of Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Packm it became every one’s favorite. My grandmother, who was never much of a drinker, still foldly remebers the 50’s and those wonderful martini’s.
Q: Hi barkeep. I have question. What is your opinion of hip flasks? I just got a 9 oz one for a present and I was wondering if a flask keeps alcohol cold? If not what is a good alcohol (rum, rye, vodka, brandy) that tastes good when it is warm? Should I always fill the flask to the top or just the amount i need?
A: I am a big fan of flasks. Portable booze is a great thing. Just make sure of the local laws for public consumption before you start drinking. I like to take a flask of whiskey when I take the train into SF for the evening. It makes for a great primer. As for keeping liquor cold, they don’t. Maybe the high tech versions, but your basic metal flask won’t keep anything cold. I usually take whiskey as I like it the best warm, brandy is good too. If you want a cold drink, grab a cold soda or juice at a store and add your booze to it. Works every time.
I always fill my flask full, that way you have a few drinks for everyone. You can alway drink the rest later. Just don’t leave liqour in a metal flask for more than 3 days. The alcohol wil ruin the flask.
Q: Can I use Chivas Regal Scotch (15 yrs. old) in a pecan pie recipe? That is the only whiskey I have on hand and it’s never been opened. The recipe calls for bourbon.
A: While scotch and bourbon are both whiskeys, they have very different tastes. Bourbon is slightly sweet, which gives a wonderful taste to peacan pie. Scotch doesn’t have the sweetness and many have a peaty flavor.
Although I haven’t tried it, I think that the scotch would not add a good flavor to the pie, it might even ruin it. Finally, as a scotch lover, the bottle you have is a good one. It is meant to be enjoyed neat, maybe with a bit of water. Please don’t waste it in a pie. Pecan Pie Recipes
We get a lot of email, we though t we should start sharing. This is from Shane
“According to old school bartenders, and in fact good bartenders, Manhattans, and Gin or Vodka martinis should never be shaken. Only drinks with fruit juice. According to Pat the old school bartender I work with, shaking said drinks does not allow the flavors to blend and give that smooth taste, it only makes them colder so you cannot taste the harshness, so in short it masks the flavor, much like the domestic beers do by keepin their beer ice cold. James Bond is wrong.”
Q: What is the best way to drink brandy?
Q: I am throwing a 1950’s themed party and would like to serve popular drinks from that era!
Q: Hi barkeep. I have question. What is your opinion of hip flasks? I just got a 9 oz one for a present and I was wondering if a flask keeps alcohol cold? If not what is a good alcohol (rum, rye, vodka, brandy) that tastes good when it is warm? Should I always fill the flask to the top or just the amount i need?
