Angel's share and Devil's cut !!!!

The name

Many of us are aware of the Angel's share, yes it refers to the loss of a spirit or wine due to evaporation during long stay in barrels. Also a certain fungus (Baudoinia compniacensis or Torula) on the walls and ceiling of the cellar also plays a vital role in this evaporation. 

The new term in the market however is the Devil's cut, brought about by the famous Bourbon brand Jim Beam. They claim to reclaim whiskey which has been trapped deep inside the wood out of the barrel after the barrel has been dumped. They blend this pulled out whiskey with 6 year aged bourbon and market the product as 'Jim Beam's Devil's Cut' 

How does it taste?

Nose: Diffusion of baking spices, oak, and nuttiness

Taste: While the Angels have taken their share out of the barrel, the Devil has left a Southern ambrosia here. The overwhelming notes are cinnamon and red hot candies, but not so prevalent that it becomes overly sweet. There is a buttery note on this which rounds out the spice, sweet and woody notes.

A bite of fire and kick on the swallow. Noticeable DNA of Beam Bourbons with hints of the Small Batch collection, including fragments of the lightness of Basil’s Hayden and boldness of Baker’s.

While Devil’s Cut is 90 proof, it drinks a bit friendlier and doesn’t feel like 90 in the mouth.

Finish: Mellow and warm.

How is it made?

To create Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam is empties barrels of extra-aged Jim Beam Bourbon. The barrels are filled with water and mechanically agitated to pull the trapped Bourbon and flavors from the barrel wood. The liquid (with the extracted elements it now contains) is then held for an appropriate length of time in a proprietary process until it has developed the proper balance of Bourbon notes. In the final step, this special liquid is carefully added back to the extra-aged, 6-year Bourbon to create a finely-balanced, smooth 90 proof Devil’s Cut Bourbon. 

Cheers !!!!


courtesy, http://www.bourbonblog.com/

Desmondji - An Indian Tequila.

The man

Tequila is now made in India. Yes, you heard it right. The signature drink of Mexico made from the famous blue agave plant is now produced just 150 kms.off Bangalore. The brain child behind the spirit is Desmond Nazareth, an IIT engineer who returned to India after a Y2K crash in US. Back home,he found it difficult to replicate his perfect margaritas here as the imported tequila was too expensive.

His mission

He set out to make his own tequila. Desmond did extensive research in spirits, distillation and topography. He concluded that he could grow agave plant (raw material for tequila) in Deccan plateau. Desmond selected an area in Chittor district of AP and planted agave in 44 acres of land. The tougher part however must have been to recourse finance and getting clearance and licence for his micro-distillery. Thankfully he could cut across the redtape and open India's first micro- distillery.

The product

Desmond named the company 'Agave India'and it is the first alco-bev company in India to make high-quality Margarita blends, Agave Spirits and Orange Liqueurs using original production methods such as harvesting, baking of agave 'pinas', fermentation, double distillation, ageing etc. This method is in accordance with the international spirit production standards, unlike most spirit producers in India, who simply add flavour to ENA (extra neutral alcohol).

Agave India is also the only company in the world to produce 'Tequila' outside of Mexico. However according to international law a product can be termed 'Tequla' only if it is made in Mexico. Hence the company calls its products - Desmondji 100% agave and Desmondji 51% agave. The product is only available in Goa right now and is priced at Rs. 495 per bottle (750ml). The company has plans to launch it in Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune by the end of this year.

http://www.desmondji.com/home.php

Chaterbox salutes Jesmondiji's spirit !!!!

Blavod - Black Vodka and its dark secrets

Vodka is hip and modern tipper for a new age. In recent times vodka sales across all markets has seen a sharp rise thanks to its popularity among young drinkers and cocktail lovers.

Vodka as we have known is a colourless, odourless and flavourless spirit. The only problem, if any was that it never looks 'sexy' in a glass, like a single malt filled with ice in a crystal rocks glass, or a champagne in a tall flute.

Now one might think how difficult it would be to add some colour to the drink, specially when vodka by nature is a great mixer as well. The trick however is to get a colour that will not affect the taste or flavour of vodka.

After years of research a UK company finally came with the perfect ingredient that would give a sophisticated yet edgy black colour to the drink without affecting taste in any form. They found Black Catechu, ie extracts from the heartwood of Burmese catechu acacia trees has this unique property.

Now what is 'catechu'? Well we all know it as katha in Hindi, Kaath in (marathi) khoyer in Bangla, same stuff our panwala puts in our pans to give colour. It is produced by boiling the wood of acacia catechu tree in water and evaporating the resulting brew. The only difference being that Burmese catechu tree produced black colour.

Well as they say rest is history. We now have a dark black coloured vodka whose popularity is growing among the party circuits and fashion events across New York , London, Milan and Paris. Blavod is also an excellent cocktail mix, as it floats effortlessly over any juice, forming a contrasting dark layer on top.

Cheers !!!

How canine is your Hot Dog ?

Not much thankfully, ie. if you do not go by its misleading yet interesting name. So, why is this tasty treat called a 'Hot Dog?"

What is it?

A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is commonly garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish or sauerkraut.

Why the name?

The term 'Hot Dog' was first coined by cartoonist T.A. Dorgan around 1900 in a cartoon recording the sale of hot dogs during a New York Giants baseball game. He drew a 'dashund' between a split bun to give a humorous twist to the word 'Dog' used for sausage in his era. It is said to echo a 19c. suspicion (occasionally justified) that sausages contained dog meat.

Why is Sundae called a 'Sundae' ?

What is it?
The sundae is an ice cream dessert. It typically consists of a scoop of ice cream topped with sauce or syrup, and in some cases other toppings including chopped nuts, sprinkles, whipped cream, or maraschino cherries.

Trivia
It was once unlawful to sell fizzy drinks on Sundays. So soda shoppes served, ice cream treats instead, "Sundaes".

Origin
Origin of the term sundae is obscure, however, it is generally accepted that the spelling "sundae" derives from the word Sunday. the dish arose in contravention to so-called blue laws against Sunday consumption of either ice cream or ice cream soda (the latter invented by Robert M. Green in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)in 1874. The religious laws are said to have led druggists to produce a substitute for these popular treats for consumption on Sunday. According to this theory of the name's origin, the spelling was changed to sundae to avoid offending religious conventions.

Pink Vodka - Name and fame

Whats that Pink vodka made of?
by Sandeep Chatterjee on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 8:42pm
Brand

Pinky vodka. Currently owned by Vijay Mallaya's United Spirits. The vodka was created by wine tasters of Sweden in 2008.

What is it?

Pinky vodka is a new and fashionable vodka with an ultra chic perfume bottle and blush pink colour. Technically it is hand-blended botanical and naturally flavoured vodka.

How does it get the colour and flavour?

It is distilled five times from pure glacial water and slightly sweet winter wheat, Pinky is hand blended with violets, rose petals, and ten other botanicals.