When asked at a dinner party what flavor whiskey he would create if given a chance, Chima Burey, co-founder of Duke & Dame, responded with a whiskey that tastes like Sugar Daddy candy or Werther’s Original caramels.
Whiskey mixed with a hint of salted caramel—what could go wrong? Absolutely nothing. Caramel is a familiar note in many whiskeys, so the mix is a match made in heaven, or in this case, barrels.
The founders of Duke & Dame, Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey, have created a smooth spirit that blends whiskeys (including bourbon and corn whiskies) with 100% natural salted caramel flavor. You won’t find a chemical-type caramel flavoring in Duke & Dame. Imagine biting into a salted caramel and then taking a sip of whiskey. The combo is perfection, and Duke & Dame nailed it.
Here are the notes you’ll enjoy in Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey:
Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, caramel
Palate: Caramel, oak, toffee
Finish: buttery, sweet, a long, satisfying finish
Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey is an excellent choice if you are looking for a sipping whiskey. It’s lovely served neat or over ice. It’s also a great sipper if you’re new to whiskey or do not enjoy the heat of peppery ryes and other high-proof whiskeys. At only 70 proof, Duke & Dame packs in plenty of flavor without the burn.
After enjoying some slow sipping of our Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey, we decided to put it to the “Old-Fashioned” test. The distillery offers its own Old Fashioned recipe; however, we used our classic recipe with the Duke & Dame whiskey. The result: we have a winner. I LOVED it. I do recommend leaving out the simple syrup in the recipe. The whiskey is sweet enough.
As mentioned, caramel and whiskey pair fabulously together, each complementing the other. Unsurprisingly, salted caramel whiskey makes a beautiful Old Fashioned (I do recommend leaving out the simple syrup in the recipe. The whiskey is sweet enough). Duke & Dame has some other magical cocktail recipes you can try at home. How about a little Caramel Pumpkin Pie, or Caramel Apple Sangria? I know…it’s distracting.
As bourbon collectors, I can’t help but wonder if we will ever get tired of it or if, eventually, nothing new and unique will come along. Labels like Duke & Dame remind us that there will always be a new whiskey adventure to look forward to. As long as creative and passionate people like Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey are willing to turn dreams into reality, whiskey will never get boring, and we will never have too many bottles. Check out Duke & Dame, where you can purchase a bottle and stock up on holiday gifts.
“Horton is the ultimate drink for every occasion – from girl’s nights in to hangin at the lake with your fav people.” ~ Horton Coconut Rum
We mix most of our cocktails ourselves and seldom buy pre-mixed drinks. Still, variety is the spice of life, and it’s nice to have quick and delicious things on hand.
I was excited to receive a box of goodies from Horton Rum. The first thing that caught my eye was the adorable cans. They are cute enough to sit on a shelf in your bar; however, these cocktails are best chilled in the fridge.
The fun canned beverages were founded by Krista Horton, whose go-to cocktail is diet cola and coconut rum. Put the two together in a can, and boom…Horton Coconut Rum Cocktails were born. There are other flavors as well. I love one of the company’s catchphrases, “You don’t need sunshine for a fun time.” The drinks are sunshine in a can. My mind goes directly to the beach while sipping them.
Below is a quick video I made while enjoying my first taste of a Horton Coconut Rum Pre-mixed Cocktail. Visit drinkhorton.com to snag some of your own.
As we all eagerly await the Deadpool & Wolverine movie this summer, we can also look forward to Aviation American Gin’s release of six limited edition bottles inspired by the Marvel movie.
Although the combination of botanical gin and the alluring Ryan Reynolds was near perfect, he no longer co-owns the company based in Portland, Oregon. The well-known liquor enterprise Diageo acquired the Aviation to add to its already impressive portfolio of established brands, such as Smirnoff, Guinness, Tanqueray, and Baileys.
Designed by Maximum Effort and Sandstrom Partners, the one-of-a-kind bottles are sleek and sexy with colors that pay tribute to Deadpool. Ricky Collett, Global & US Brand Director for Aviation American Gin at Diageo, says this of the design, “Our collaboration with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ to create this series of bottles is a first-of-its-kind promotion for Aviation American Gin with one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history. The custom bottle embodies the irreverent spirit of both brands and showcases our commitment to pushing cultural boundaries and redefining the gin drinking experience.”
If you are already a fan of Aviation American Gin, don’t worry; the special edition bottles contain the same well-balanced, botanical gin you know and love, just in a ridiculously cool bottle.
You can snag a limited edition bottle (or six) in early summer or sign up here to find out when and where to get your collector’s bottle near you. Grab one to display and one to open, then try some of Aviation’s fantastic cocktail recipes. We are in for a hot summer with Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds, and Aviation American Gin.
If you’re itching to travel this spring, consider visiting Laws Whiskey House in Denver, Colorado. The tasting room debuts this April and is sure to impress with its lineup of straight rye, small-batch whiskey, limited releases, and more.
Not only can you enjoy tasting the various whiskeys from Laws Whiskey House while there, but the ambiance of what’s known as the “Whiskey Church” with floor-to-ceiling arched windows is enough to make the visit worthwhile.
Follow along as we discover why Laws Whiskey is quickly becoming a well-known name in the industry and why you should get your hands on a bottle (or two) for your whiskey collection.
Rocky Mountain High
The grains for whiskey need rugged growing conditions to yield robust and bold flavors. It’s similar to grapes needing to fight through less-than-desirable soil to produce a wine-worthy grape. What better terrain to find rugged growing conditions than the Rocky Mountains?
Another variable critical to whiskey is temperature swings as the whiskey ages, which Denver has plenty of. Mix that with mountain fresh water, heirloom varietal grains, and a host of free thinkers and Master Distillers, whom Laws Whiskey House refers to as “The Village,” and you’ve got a whiskey that is leaving its mark.
The Notes
I recently enjoyed sampling Laws Whiskey House, which included rye, straight wheat whiskey, straight malt whiskey, and their four-grain straight bourbon whiskey. Here’s what I found:
Henry Road Straight Malt Whiskey
Henry Road in Alamosa, Colorado, bisects miles of farm fields, including the farm fields of Cody Family Farm, which grows some of the best barley in the world. Henry Road Straight Malt Whiskey pays honor to this vital farm and grain.
Aromas:
Toasted oats, apple cider, smoke, earthy
Palate:
Iodine, pepper, pipe tobacco
The finish is dry and lingers on the palate. This whiskey is very much for Scotch fans.
Centennial Straight Wheat
This wheat whiskey made from an heirloom soft white spring wheat (Centennial wheat) is the first Colorado-made wheat whiskey to meet the Bottled in Bond Act of 189 standards.
Aromas:
Orange marmalade, butterscotch, floral, honey
Palate:
Spruce, jasmine, sage, pepper
The finish is long, and the layers are complex. Centennial is best enjoyed with an ice cube and no mixers.
San Luis Valley Straight Rye
Another first to be Bottled in Bond in Colorado whiskey from Laws Whiskey House. San Luis Valley, Straight Rye Whiskey comes from single-season rye grains in San Luis Valley and is aged for four years.
Aromas:
Tobacco, honey, black current
Palate:
Oak, mint, serrano pepper, hazelnut
Finishes with sage and coats the palate. The rye is my favorite—layers of flavor and a nice kick. I like rye in an old-fashioned and will be trying that.
Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Before entering the charred oak barrels for three years, Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey is derived from heirloom wheat, rye, barley, and heritage corn from two local Colorado family farms.
Aromas:
Orange blossom, honey, black tea
Palate:
Cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla, and tobacco
The finish is rich and dry. It’s a great bourbon.
Once in a while, a “young” distillery comes along that makes you take notice. Laws Whiskey House is one of them. Each of the whiskeys is impressive, with complex layers and beautiful aromas. I look forward to trying more and getting that rye old-fashioned made soon.
Chocolates are great, but I’ll take a fine bourbon instead. Are you over the heart-shaped box of chocolates? Do you want to impress your one and only on Valentine’s Day? Follow along as we look at 6 excellent spirits to wrap up for Valentine’s Day and how to use them in delicious cocktails that look as good as they taste…just like your sweetheart.
Minke Irish Gin hails from the Clonakilty Distillery in beautiful Ireland. I recently enjoyed a taste of it and was impressed. Some gins are too herbal for me; however, Minke is one of the smoothest gins on the market, with a juniper-forward palate balanced beautifully with citrus. I would dare say this gin is “creamy,” which, in my opinion, isn’t a word I have ever used to express my feelings about a gin. Try this yummy recipe to impress him or her on Valentine’s Day:
Minke Raspberry Martini
Stirred, not shaken. Sweet and refreshing raspberries complement the smooth, velvety texture and citrusy aromas of Minke Gin.
Stir the gin, dry vermouth, raspberry syrup, and ice together in a shaker or mixing glass. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries. Purchase Minke Gin here.
Let’s be clear that this is Angel’s Envy Rye, not the bourbon. Both are fantastic, but I prefer the rye, especially for an old fashioned. On a side note for the men, Angel’s Envy was the first whiskey I ever tried neat. I think both the bourbon and the rye are great go-to’s if your love has never tried whiskey and assumes she won’t like it. The smoothness of Angel’s surprised me, and I have been obsessed with whiskey ever since. Fair warning, though, when Angel’s Envy is your first time, nothing else ever compares.
With the added sugar and bitters in an old-fashioned, the bite of the rye allows the whiskey not to get lost in the other flavors.
Ingredients: 1.5 ounces Angel’s Envy Rye .5 ounces simple sugar 6 to 7 drops of Angostura bitters 2 Luxardo cherries (yes, they must be Luxardo)
Add the rye, sugar, and bitters to a mixing tin and set aside. Peel a piece of orange rind about an inch wide and rub the rim of the glass with it. Add the peel to the bottom of the glass. Add an ice ball to the glass (or 2 to 3 regular ice cubes).
Add a few ice cubes to the mixing tin and stir. Pour into a glass and garnish with the cherries. Purchase Angel’s Envy Rum here.
Bayou White Rum imparts a fresh, vibrant taste and aroma and has a multi-layered flavor experience. When distilled, it rests for up to 40 days, allowing the crisp, clean flavors to mellow and combine. Thirsty yet? The best part is that Bayou Rum works in many cocktails, and the Bayou Cosmopolitan is one of my faves.
Bayou Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
2 ounces of Bayou White Rum 1 ounce cranberry juice 1/2 ounce quality orange liqueur 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
Method:
In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients. Top with cubed ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add a lime wheel or lime wedge for a tart addition or an orange for a slightly sweeter take. Purchase Bayou Rum here.
This is at our home bar. The photo doesn’t do the gorgeous bottle justice.
Nothing screams Valentine’s Day like the color pink! Inspired by Edinburgh Gin’s original Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur, Rhubarb & Ginger Gin is a fuller-bodied version of this pioneering flavor combination. Not only that, Rhubarb & Ginger Gin has one of the best lineups of pink cocktails, the perfect companion for Valentine’s Day.
I recently sampled this for the first time, and it will now be a staple in our home bar. The taste is unique, smooth, and refreshing. And guys, listen up…the bottle is lovely, and the shade of pink is so unusual for a spirit, making this a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for her. Plus, you’ll be set to make some yummy cocktails for the evening. It’s a win-win. Purchase Rhubarb and Ginger Edinburgh Gin, here.
Rhubarb Bramble
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces R&G Gin Full Strength .75 ounces fresh lemon .75 ounces sugar Gomme syrup .25 ounces crème de cassis
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Shake until ice cold. Strain into a rock or tumbler glass filled with crushed ice. Drizzle the crème de cassis over the top. Garnish with an orange twist and a blackberry.
Castle & Key Restoration Rye, Dedicated to “Sweetness”
Ladies — it’s your turn. If you have an avid football fan in your life this Valentine’s Day who happens to enjoy whiskey, this is the gift to give…if you can find it. Castle & Key’s Single Barrel Restoration Rye is fantastic, and a small number of bottles were dedicated to The Chicago Bear’s Walter Payton (Sweetness).
It was only released in Illinois. We found it at our favorite BBQ joint in Hinckley, Illinois, where they also sell great bottles of bourbon. Our lunches of BBQ ribs and fried potato salad always result in a new bottle of bourbon.
If you can’t find or purchase the “Sweetness” bottle, Castle & Key makes plenty of other bottles of the rye to go around. You can find the “Sweetness” bottle here and more Restoration Rye here.
Manhattan
You’ve likely enjoyed a Manhattan with bourbon; however, just like the old-fashioned, I think excellent rye works better with the sweet additions that go into the drink. Bourbon has a touch of sweetness and will make a sweeter Manhattan. If that’s what you prefer, then by all means, use bourbon.
Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled —strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey
If she’s expecting chocolates, surprise your Valentine with this chocolate instead.
Truthfully, when we first heard the words “chocolate whiskey,” my husband and I thought, what have they done to whiskey?? Then we tasted it. Other flavored whiskeys have come before, but no one did it right. Saloon Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, however, does. You can read my review of this dessert-like bourbon here.
We enjoy drinking it neat as a dessert. We discovered this gem of a whiskey while binging Downton Abbey a year ago. I won’t tell you how many bottles we went through during that time, but let’s just say that the Granthams and their scandals led us to drink.
If you’re in Sonoma County on a summer’s weekend and you find yourself without afternoon plans, Brewsters Beer Garden is the right spot for you.
Downtown Petaluma is one of the fastest growing cities in California. Packed with nightlife, events and a great food scene, it is a very fun spot to be. Sitting on the south side of Sonoma County, Petaluma has the southernmost AVA’s for Sonoma County wines, commonly known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Besides wine, Petaluma is known for food. A wonderful scene it is, with a seemingly endless supply of restaurants found on any street corner in the city. Brewsters, considered a beer garden and not a restaurant, can still hold a light to any of the other amazing restaurants you’ll find in this city.
The Yard
The setup of the beer garden is that of a long backyard. Tables flow from the building deep into the back with a walled off alley on one side and a rustic, brick building on the other that creates a wall from the environment. Sticking with a rustic look, there are lots of antique decorations throughout this outdoor beer garden that tie the aesthetic together.
On the weekends it’s packed, loud, fun and young. The environment is lively and comfortable; not formal in any sense, but in no way trashy. Everybody seems to always be smiling and laughing, truly enjoying themselves.
Oftentimes there is a live band playing, quieting the crowd enough to hear the music, but in no way diminishing from the lively environment.
The Menu
The menu there changes on a daily basis, but you can bet on having some great barbecue no matter what the menu holds. Brewsters does their own smoking, so oftentimes you find 12-hour smoked meats like chicken, ribs, and brisket. They’ll melt in your mouth and leave you with the best hickory flavors you’ll find in Sonoma county.
Their amazing barbecuing is also accompanied by sides of different vegetables, fries, mac & cheese, etc. Personally, the fried chicken sandwich jumped off the page for me, and words could not do it justice. It was juicy, savory and crunchy; perfectly delicious.
Drinks
The beer garden shows off the vast amount of microbreweries there are in California. All of the beers on tap are unique and only a few come from outside of the state. You can find beers from companies like Lagunitas, Lost Coast and Barrelhouse on the draft list.
The beer garden also has a full bar, so any cocktail you’re looking for, they can make. Not much goes better than good beer or a hand crafted cocktail to go with southern style barbecue and live music.
Takeaway
Brewsters Beer Garden is a great summer day lunch or dinner spot. Whether it is for a fun date, a day out with friends and family, or just a quick beer, it really is unbeatable. Explore the downtown Petaluma nightlife, play pool at Buffalo Billiards, and make sure you check out Brewsters Beer Garden.
One of the most amazing culinary adventures you will find in Santa Cruz County, in the heart of Capitola, is Shadowbrook restaurant.
Capitola, a beach town that brings thousands of tourists annually, with some of the most gorgeous beaches and best vibes you will find in California, is just south of Santa Cruz.
If you visit the area, make sure to spend your day adventuring the boardwalk, seeing all the beauty it has to offer, and then check out the beautiful buildings in Capitola. Like Burano, the colorful island near Venice, Capitola is partially known for its gorgeous beaches and colorful buildings.
The town’s uniqueness rubs off on the restaurant, Shadowbrook, which has been around since 1947!
Shadowbrook’s Uniqueness
Shadowbrook lies at the bottom of a steep hill, directly above, and overhanging of a river. The location is tucked in and you cannot see the restaurant from the main street. If need be, the restaurant will give free transportation in retro taxis up to three miles from the restaurant.
Once you get to the top of the steep hill, you can either walk down the hill, through a forest of plants and flowers, or you can take a unique cable car, which will take you directly to the front desk of the restaurant crafted from recycled redwood. This restaurant’s recycled wood is all from used wine redwood vats from the early 1900s!
The restaurant itself has multiple indoor levels, all unique and themed, along with multiple levels of patios, including one on the same level as the river. Every table outside has an overhead heater that can be turned on by the customers through the touch of a button.
The experience beyond the food is worth the trip!
The Food at Shadowbrook Restaurant
Besides the salad starters, a lot of the starters are fish, including calamari and ahi poke. I ended up enjoying a baked brie dish, with a jalapeno jelly and crostinis on the side. They also have a small selection of soup, including a clam chowder which is supposedly the crowd favorite.
For entrees, the restaurant offers a few selections of seafood, including salmon, lobster tail, and scallops. There is also an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options, followed by a list of entrees containing meats. These entrees include filet mignon, chicken parmigiana, and osso bucco.
The Drinks
Accompanying the decent wine list and beer list, Shadowbrook is known for its unique craft cocktails. They use unique ingredients not found in most bars, and create a large list of cocktails, each with a fun twist.
I had a cocktail called the “Gold Rush” which was Larceny bourbon, mixed with orange blossom honey and orange bitters over ice. It was sweet and tangy; an amazing cocktail!
Final Words
If you are ever in the Santa Cruz area, Shadowbrook restaurant is a must. The retro cabs, cable car, and restaurant scenery are fascinating and fun. The place is amazing for a date, but it’s also a great place to go with your family! You can reserve a table up to 30 days in advance, which I would highly recommend. Also, there is a dress code, so check that out on their website before you go!
