Whisky of the Week

How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

On 06/05/2023

How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail martini with a view
One of the cocktails that define the December holidays is an espresso martini. It is one of our festive season traditions every year during the holiday. Experimenting with cocktails. And this coffee kicker as well as the gingerbread martini always make an appearance.

A real martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive. Like the pornstar martini, pumpkin spice martini, and gingerbread martini, this is not a “proper” martini as it has a vodka base and no gin or vermouth. It feels that any cocktail served in a V-shaped martini glass automatically gets the martini added.

Also Read: Aperol Spritz Cocktail

According to some research, the espresso martini cocktail was invented by British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionising the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s. He created the drink, first called vodka espresso at Fred’s Club in London.

During the 80s, drinking vodka was all the rage, and his combination of fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar with vodka shaken until frothy was the perfect bittersweet caffeine hit.

espresso martini cocktail recipe How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

The Ingredients

Espresso: strong brewed machine espresso made with good quality coffee beans with a nice layer of crema on top. Instant coffee might be quicker, but don’t taste the same and doesn’t have the nice cream layer on top. Just make sure you made the coffee in advance to allow it time to cool down properly.

Vodka: It does not have to be the most expensive vodka, but using good quality vodka is important. There is also the option of flavoured vodka. I like using vanilla-flavoured vodka to add a sweeter note to the espresso martini.

Coffee liqueur: I always use Kalhua but that is just because I have it available. Any good quality coffee liqueur will work.

Simple syrup: made by dissolving one unit of sugar with one unit of water over slow heat. Allow the syrup to cool completely. This you can add to taste. If you are using a sweeter flavoured vodka, add the simple syrup carefully. I find that between the vodka and the coffee liqueur, there is nearly enough sweetness, and I seldom more than half the simple syrup.

Coffee beans: Traditionally decorated with three coffee beans. Using proper espresso with a nice crema will allow you to float three coffee beans perfectly. Uneven number of garnishes are more aesthetically pleasing and according to some, the three coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness.

Also Read: Manhattan Cocktail

espresso martini Cocktail

How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

An Espresso Martini is an easy cocktail to make at home.

Ingredients

60 ml vodka
30 ml coffee liqueur
30 ml espresso
10 ml simple syrup
3 coffee beans for garnish
ice

Method

Add the ice and the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it a good hard shake. You want to cool down the drink and get a nice crema on top of the cocktail.
Strain into a martini or coupe glass making sure you pour quickly to get that nice foam layer on top.
Garnish with coffee beans and enjoy.

Also Read: Bloody Mary Cocktail

Bisquit & Dubouché VS Cognac

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/29/2023

In Lifestyle

A fun change of pace today, I get to look at the Bisquit & Dubouché VS cognac from the Campari Group. I tried this cognac a few years ago when it was still part of the Distell stable. I used it in an apple cider cognac cocktail then. It was a nice enough cognac for cocktails, but I found it slightly too spicy.

Alexandre Bisquit (born 1799) came from a long line of distillers. He founded his distillery, ‘Maison Bisquit’, in 1819, and the brand has its home at the Château de Lignères by the banks of the Charente River.

Adrien Dubouché went into business with Alexandre Bisquit in 1846 after marrying his daughter. A great painter and bohemian at heart, his artistic flair perfectly matched Bisquit’s practical mind.

The company flourished and, in 1966, was acquired by Pernod Ricard. It was one of Winston Churchill and King George IV’s favourite cognacs. Distell bought it in 2009 and sold it to the Campari Group in 2017.

One of the most significant changes is the bottle design. From a round bottle with beige and gold labelling, the new bottle is rectangular with minimal labelling and a raised Griffen on the front. The Griffen is a legendary creature with the body and tail of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle and represents the strength of the Bisquit & Dubouché dynasty.

What is Cognac?

Cognac is a type of brandy named after the area of Cognac in France and includes the regions around Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires.

Cognac production falls under the French-controlled designation of origin (AOC) classification, with production methods and naming required to meet specific legal requirements. Ugni blanc grapes are the most widely used.

The brandy must be twice distilled in copper pot stills and aged in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais. The resulting spirit is called eau-de-vie, which translates to ‘water of life. Cognac matures similarly to whisky, and most cognacs spend considerably longer “on the wood” than the minimum legal requirement.

Also Read: Remy Martin XO Cognac

What Types of Cognac are there?

Cognac does not have an age statement displayed on the bottle like whisky has, but it is classified based on age and quality. There are various categories, three of which we see regularly in SA and one that is rare.

Cognac VS: means “very special”. A VS cognac is aged for a minimum of two years. This means that the youngest liquid used to create the blend was aged in French Limousin oak barrels for at least two years. A VS cognac is ideal for making cocktails and mixed drinks.

Cognac VSOP: means “very superior old pale”. A VSOP cognac was aged for at least four years in French Limousin oak barrels, sometimes longer. It can be blended with older releases to create the taste the blender requires.

Cognac XO: means ‘extra old’ and describes a cognac consisting of spirits that have been aged in French Limousin oak barrels for a minimum of ten years. It used to be around six years, but in 2018 the standard was updated to ten years.

Cognac XXO: means “extra, extra old and this is a new category that was officially added to the description of cognac ages in 2018. To qualify in the category XXO, the cognac must age for at least fourteen years in French oak barrels.

If you spot a cognac with XO and Hors d’Age (meaning beyond age) on the label, the cognac in the bottle is at least thirty years old but can be even older. Some are up to a hundred years old. These are the most rare cognacs around. And the price will obviously reflect this as well.

Bisquit & Dubouche VS Cognac Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Radiant gold

NOSE: Light and elegant with notes of wood and fresh fruit. Soft oak spices and sweetness.

PALATE: New wood, vanilla, red fruits and cinnamon. Subtle, soft and accessible. Hints of pear, brown sugar and floral notes with a light peppery bite. A few drops of water open up the fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Bisquit & Dubouché VS is not the most complex cognac but it never claimed to be. A lovely entry-level introduction to cognac that is smooth and well-balanced. I rate a bottle on how long it will be in my collection, and this bottle will be finished quite quickly.

It is perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks but will work just as well in a cognac-forward cocktail. The Bisquit & Dubouché cognac collection includes a Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP and a XO cognac. The range is available in Pick n Pay, Checkers and TOPS liquor stores. The VS retails for R540.

Sample disclosure: I received this cognac from the PR company supporting the Campari Group in South Africa. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the cognac.

Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/22/2023

In Whisky Comparison

Maker's Mark bourbon vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon whiskey comparison.

It has been ages since I have done a comparison post, and they are always so much fun. The last ones I did was between rye whiskey. So let’s look at a comparison I have been avoiding, two of my favourite bourbons against each other. The Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve bourbon.

To make it fair, we did the tasting in unmarked glasses. It is much more difficult when you have to compare whiskey and are unsure of what is in your glass. But to objectively choose our favourite, we tasted it blind.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey

Maker's Mark bourbon Whisky with glass

The bourbon that made me fall in love with bourbon. I always have a bottle, it’s perfect in cocktails and in my glass. Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey is produced at the old Burk’s Distillery in Loretto. Beam Suntory owns the distillery and brand. It is bottled in very recognizable squarish bottles sealed with red wax.

The mash bill does not include rye. Instead, the Maker’s Mark mash bill uses red winter wheat (16%), along with corn (70%) and malted barley (14%).

Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey has no age statement. It is bottled when the tasters agree it is ready, roughly around 6 yo. Other expressions include the Maker’s 46 and the Maker’s Cask Strength bourbon. Occasionally this release is on special at Amazon and it is worth looking out for it.

It is an excellent introduction to bourbon for someone unfamiliar with it and an ideal base for cocktails.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon with glass b

Another bottle that I always have in my house. Woodford Reserve is a small-batch Kentucky Straight bourbon brand produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. Distilling began on the site of the current distillery in 1812.

The distillery was formerly known as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery. Brown Forman introduced the brand to the market in 1996. Other releases in the brand include the Double Oaked and Rye whiskey.

The mash bill for Woodford Reserve features a high percentage of rye. It has a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt ratio. Woodford Reserve has no age statement but matures for at least 6 years. It is easily available and I see it regularly at Amazon for around £35. This bourbon is perfect for an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue vs Black Label Whisky

Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Comparison makers mark vs woodford reserve bourbon

	Maker's Mark	Woodford Reserve
Type	Bourbon	Bourbon
Mashbill	70% corn, 16% Red winter wheat, 14% malted barley	72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt
ABV	45%	43.2%
Colour	Light golden copper	Dark copper
Nose	Cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood and vanilla spice. Adding a few drops of water brings out more spice and woody notes.	Honey sweetness with apricots and oranges. Bits of condensed milk richness mixed with vanilla, dark chocolate and hints of spices.
Palate	Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking.	Oak and sweetness perfectly balanced with apricot and cinnamon spiciness. Tangy winter fruits and vanilla mixed with toffee. Creamy and smooth with a full body and a satisfying mouthfeel.
Finish	Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel.	Long and lingering and ends in notes of sweetness and spices
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Price	$33	$40

Such a problematic comparison: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve bourbon. Both are stellar drams. Delicious, bold and drinkable. Glass 1 was the Woodford and glass 2 was the Maker’s bourbon. I did not even attempt to guess which one was which; I just tried to find my favourite.

For me, the Woodford Reserve was my favourite. I liked the fruity sweetness more. The condensed milk, vanilla, dark chocolate notes, and soft oak spices suit my palate. Woodford Reserve bourbon will suit someone who likes sweeter drinks.

John preferred the Maker’s Mark bourbon. It is slightly spicier than the Woodford Reserve, with more vanilla, wood and cherry notes. This bourbon will suit someone who likes a bit of a spicy kick mixed with a red fruit sweetness.

John ventured a guess as to which is which, and he was correct. If you look out for the cherry notes in the Maker’s Mark, you can identify it.

Both have a long finish, with the Woodford ending slightly sweeter and the Maker’s ending in vanilla and caramel. I am not going to complain about either bourbon in my glass. They are both delicious.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve Rye vs Bulleit Rye whiskey

Ballantine’s Limited Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/15/2023

In Blended whisky

One of the bottles that made it to the island with me is the Ballantine’s Limited Edition blended Scotch whisky. It is no secret that we are huge Ballantine’s whisky fans. This is the second bottle from the Ballantine’s range I am writing about this year. The first one was the Ballantine’s 7 year old Bourbon finish whisky.

I have several Ballantine’s releases in my collection and have written about some of the flavoursome releases I have tasted. The Ballantine’s Limited Edition whisky is a blend of Ballantine’s most exclusive Scotch whiskies. It has no age statement, and little information is available on the this Limited Edition.

John picked up this bottle in one of the whisky auctions, and we have had it in our collection for at least 5 years.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Whisky

The bottle comes in a beautiful blue box with wood insides, and the bottle is a striking blue colour. When the bottle is empty, I am keeping the empty bottle just because it is pretty. My Ballantine’s Limited Edition is release no: G25095.

The inside of the box states that “it carries the name Limited because only the best whiskies are used in its making, including the company’s own aged single malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie.”

One of the reasons we enjoy Ballantine’s so much is the bold, memorable flavours from their releases. The Ballantine’s 17 year old and 17 year old Scapa Edition is on my list of best drams ever. The Limited Edition was quite expensive, and I have seen prices in excess of $150 online.

Ballantine’s Limited Edition Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden amber

NOSE: Subtle and elegant with rich red fruits, bits of oak, vanilla, and notes of honey sweetness. Dried cherries with soft spices and soft green notes. Really lovely.

PALATE: Smooth and rich with toffee notes and overripe pears and hints of black pepper and cinnamon. All notes are put together very elegantly. Bits of drying oak and vanilla with hints of lemon. Adding water releases notes of dark chocolate and leather and softens the pepper.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of drying oak, soft honey sweetness, and light pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It’s a lovely dram. Easy drinking and well-balanced. The bottle will not last very long. However, it is not the bold and complex dram I expected from Ballantine’s. At the price point, I was hoping for something more memorable. Something special that holds our attention. However, at this price point there are more impressive blends and single malts out there.

For the serious Ballantine’s collector, it’s an interesting bottle to have to complete the collection. But rather buy the Ballantine’s 17 year old if you want to spoil yourself with something spectacular.

Also Read: GlenDronach Peated Whisky

How to make a Negroni Cocktail

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/08/2023

In Cocktails

Negroni Cocktail header
My friend Bernard loves a well-made negroni cocktail. I first learn about this pre-dinner cocktail from watching his social media. And as I am looking at all kinds of cocktails, I decided to investigate this intriguing drink and how to make a negroni cocktail.

According to some research, this cocktail was invented in 1919 by a bartender in Florence for Italian Count Camillo Negroni. While at Bar Casoni, the Count demanded that the bartender fortify his favorite cocktail, the Americano.

An Americano combines equal parts of Campari and sweet vermouth topped with sparkling water. As requested, the bartender replaced the sparking water with gin. He also employed an orange peel rather than the typical lemon peel.

This replacement resulted in one of the most popular drinks, and a negroni has become a classic cocktail. Similar to the Aperol, the negroni is an aperitive.

The classic Negroni ratio is one part gin, one part vermouth, and one part Campari, garnished with an orange peel. However, you can play around with the ratios to suit your palate.

If you up the gin and vermouth volume a bit, it can balance out the bitter elements of the Campari. You can also play around with juniper-forward gin or a more herbaceous gin to change the taste profile.

Also Read: Manhattan Cocktail

negroni cocktail in a bar

Variations on the Negroni Cocktail

Taking the ratio and replacing the gin has led to many delicious variations. You can also play around with the vermouth but the Campari remains the key ingredient.

Boulevardier: a bourbon whiskey is used in place of gin
Cardinale: uses dry vermouth in place of sweet vermouth
Dutch negroni: uses jenever for the gin
Negroni sbagliato: uses Prosecco in place of gin

negroni cocktail recipe

The Negroni Recipe

Ingredients

30 ml gin
30 ml Campari
30 ml sweet vermouth
orange peel for garnish
ice

Method

Add the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with an orange peel.

Also Read: Don Pedro Cocktail