Whisky appreciation

[DaddyFlip]

Norm Hooten is a personal friend…

FWIW, while I’m admitting I’m biased (due to friendship), H&Y is absolutely my favorite American whiskey.. the 12 year has some incredible sweet apple and caramel notes on the finish that are divine.. and it’s silky smooth, almost like a quality rye…

I won’t spend pages talking about Norms accolades… but… I will say he is a no shit genuine hero, one of the most devout patriots I’ve ever known, that tirelessly gives and gives and gives to the veterans community…

Google “Norm Hooten Delta Force”… hundreds of hits will come up.. he’s been on a few podcasts, done a handful of interviews, etc..

If you’ve seen Blackhawk Down, one of the central characters, “Hoot”, played by Eric Bana (ie “this is my safety, sir”)… is Norm in real life…

FWIW, the only thing better than their whiskey is their cigars… the Gothic Sepent is an incredible smoke…

I would like to find some of these, especially the Gothic Serpent 7yr rye. "This is my safety, sir."

Tonight's selection is a Maker's Mark Private Selection from an up and coming (well, they been coming for awhile) local in premium catfish country near me. I've had several of these; the first one I bought I nearly killed the bottle in one sitting it was so good! Tonight is effectively Friday for me and it's early, so I'm looking forward to an enjoyable evening. I've read a few reports that keeping the toasted French spice out of the recipe makes for a better sip, though I've never had one WITH the toasted French, so I can't say for certain. I can say that the 411 on the 4-4-1-1 is wood forward with balanced heat and just enough sweetness to keep it light and interesting. It's a slightly less wood forward version of Garrison Brothers Balmorhea. An easy sipper; what the young folks call "crushable" as evidenced by my initial near bottle kill. I'm not a big Maker's fan, but I'm glad my local has a recipe I like when I'm in the mood.

This is the second backdrop I've posted from the free back issue of Field Ethos I received with my new subscription. It's coincidence that it's a hunting theme; I thought Mr. Moose provided a nice mnemonic to Maker's Mark. So far, I like the writing and the variety of topics presented. Enjoy!

 

[Rumrunner]

It's Top Gun. Now, I need to go play volleyball in some jeans....

I feel the need, the need for speed.
Lots of great one liners in Top Gun

 

[DaddyFlip]

Here's a new one for you, given to me as a gift from a Michigander. Two James Spirits out of Detroit "The French Connection" Rye. Description on the back: "The French Connection" is created by finishing our 100% Michigan Rye whiskies in French brandy casks producing lip smacking candied fruit, tobacco, and citrus notes. This whiskey is strong and expressive just as our ties to our international friends and local community who encapsulate the same. The nose is fantastic, more like a Scotch, like a heavier, sweeter Glenmorangie Signet without the cinnamon twist - I get a lot of chocolate on the nose; this is one I could savor for a long time before the first sip. The palate isn't like most rye I've had; again, it's more Scotch-like without being peaty or smoky... I'm trying to think of a comparable but it isn't coming to mind at the moment. I agree with the description; I get fruit-tobacco-citrus. A bit dry and vegetal on the finish but it's not off-putting; just a bit of spice that lingers until the next sip. I like this one AND it's my new favorite rye bottle, a keeper.

My French connection is always WWI, so a selection of books I have on the topic as a prop. Plus, my burro along with horses and mules served and died in the war. Too many died.

 

[BeeMaa]

@DaddyFlip - Gotta know what the deal is with the burrow in your pictures. Shown up too many times for me to ignore it.

 

[DaddyFlip]

@DaddyFlip - Gotta know what the deal is with the burrow in your pictures. Shown up too many times for me to ignore it.

I used to drive by this field on the way to a work location where there was always this donkey. Most times he was there by himself; sometimes there would be cows out there he was guarding. I never did find any people around even though there was a house adjacent to the field. I would stop sometimes and just watch him doing his work, either guarding those cows or guarding the field.

Several years ago, I happened to be listening to an album by Gov't Mule (Warren Hayne's band) at a time when I felt like I was carrying a heavy load- you know, bearing the weight, guarding the field. So I went on eBay and found that little pack mule figurine and bought it for my desk to remind me it's my job to carry the weight for my family. For the whiskey pictures, I just decided I wanted him in there as a fun prop, no other reason.

One day I drove by that field after not having gone that way for over a year. I saw a headstone out where he used to stay it says R.I.P. Rev. Jack, so I guess he had carried the load and guarded that field as long as he needed to and went on to a better pasture where the load was lighter.

 

[BeeMaa]

@DaddyFlip - Appreciate the insight and a touching story. Cheers mate.

I've heard of donkeys being used as protection for livestock against coyote and other varmints.