Black Friday

November 29, 2013



Did anyone see the pictures of Macy's in New York today? Thousands of people crowded into the first floor! That store is congested on a normal day but today it looked like the last place on earth to be. Suffice it to say I am not into shopping in malls or large department stores. I get really crazy and disoriented and well, just plain crabby. If I have to go to a mall I usually go to West Farms and park in the exact same spot every time. In and out quickly. Or I have to go with Hilary or one of my friends so I can find my way back to the car.


I just got back from the gym and the parking lot in the Plaza was mobbed. I thought all those people were working out. I was wrong. They were SHOPPING. Running in the stores with their flyers and coupons. It made me thankful that I did not plan a shopping expedition for today. Just enjoying my day off.


I did stop at the liquor to get some bourbon for the coming holidays. I thought I would try a new drink so a few weeks ago I bought Laphroaig scotch, which I had tasted one night in a restaurant. I loved it that night but when I opened this bottle it didn't smell at all like the stuff I had. It didn't taste like it either. Maybe I should have gotten the 18 year old blend, but the one I got can only be described as vile tasting. So back to good old bourbon. Thankfully the liquor store was not involved in any black Friday sales!

Berkshire Bourbon

March 30. 2013



I've been trying new bourbons lately. They all have subtle differences much like wine. But maybe that's just my opinion. Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden, Elijah Craig( which I did not like at all.) Last week I bought Berkshire Bourbon by Berkshire Mountain Distillers. They are located in Sheffield, MA. Since I've been spending a lot of time recently in that area I decided to try some.


I admit I was skeptical. I almost got a bottle of Makers 46 just in case I didn't like it. After all isn't Kentucky the home of bourbon? How could New Englanders produce a smokey rich bourbon? But I have to say I am enjoying this. A close second to Makers. Sheffield Mountain Distillers is the first legal distillers in the Berkshires since the Prohibition. They also have gin, vodka, rum and corn whiskey. Never heard of corn whiskey but it is described as smokey with notes of fig. I love figs! Maybe I'll try that next.


So tonight after I finish cooking for Easter dinner, I will toast to the Berkshires with my Berkshire bourbon in my Cape Cod glass. New traditions, indeed.


http://berkshiremountaindistillers.com/about-us/about-berkshire-mountain-distillers/

Sweet Lucy

January 7, 2012



I was in Amity Wine last week restocking my liquor cabinet and I came across a bourbon called Sweet Lucy. How apropos I thought. A word that would never be used to describe me no matter how hard I try! After I started a fire that evening I poured myself some. YUCK!!! I failed to read the entire label which described it as a bourbon based liqueur. I hate sweet drinks. But not one to waste things I drank it anyway.

I decided to give it a second chance. The next time I tried it was just as bad. I wasn't about to pour it down the sink so I thought about what I could add to it to cut the sweetness. I was never the drink maker when I was married. It was always a big production. I only use one other ingredient beside the actual liquor and that's ice. I decided to try a lemon wedge squeezed in the glass. Yeah!!! That did the trick! It provided just the tartness I needed. Maybe I SHOULD have consulted with my ex. He seems to be an expert when it comes to tarts. Sorry, couldn't resist.

So again, I vow to read all labels completely when I shop. Something I am very bad at doing as I am usually rushing from one place to the next. Not sure I will ever buy Sweet Lucy again but I WILL finish this bottle. Another learning experience.