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January/February 2020
Editor's Notes
We're back!! February is officially the one year anniversary of Bros, Books, and Brews. So in celebratory fashion we are doubling up on those shots all month long!! With me being the H.N.I.C. of course the first selection was going to be my favorite type of liquor, whisky. Kentucky Bourbon to be exact. And with it being BHM I wanted to support the cause, so the second selection is coming to you straight from the Motherland!! But enough chit chat, let's pop these bottles.
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I had been eyeing Angel's Envy for a few months now and I knew that I would soon do a review on it. Well last month I finally got my hands on a bottle. It comes in a Port Finish, Rum Finish, and Cask Strength. I purchased the Port Wine Barrell Finish for around $50. The bottle is truly a work of art and will stand out in your bar amongst other liquors. It's tall, clear and slender with a corked top; and it even has angel wings "tattooed" on the backside. It's gold in color with amber hues. When you open it the maple syrup and vanilla tones instantly hit your nose. The taste is sweet and although the spices are certainly there it doesn't bite. The finish is clean and silky smooth; with or without ice. Because of this bourbon's great taste and drinkability it will definitely get added to the collection.
Last year I knew way in advance exactly what liquor I wanted for BHM. This year it literally jumped out at me while casually strolling thru the neighborhood adult beverage store. I can't recall whether the shiny red bottle or the gold emblazoned outline of Africa caught my attention first, but I was definitely drawn to it. The top is corked like most rums and when I popped it no aromas hit my nose at all. However when I poured it into the glass I smelled cherries, which is unusual for rums. Upon tasting clear concoction I noticed vanilla notes along with the cherry. And when it hit the back of my throat there was definitely a burn. Tried it on ice with the same result. So to this day I've yet to find a rum smoother than Bumbu. I didn't want to just completely dismiss this rum so I tried it with Coke, Sprite, and cranberry juice. It paired well with all three. Final Verdict: Because I prefer to drink my rum straight I likely won't buy many bottles of this version of Starr but I'll recommend it as a mixer for parties. It costs around $30 and I found it on sale for $20. I will give Starr 7 Year Oak Aged Rum a try at a later date though as I prefer darker rums anyway. Well folks that's a wrap for this month. Whether you choose Angel's Envy Bourbon Whisky or Starr African Rum always remember to Drink Responsibly!
~ R.L. Keitt
March 2020
Editor's Notes
March is here, so that means the first quarter of the year is almost over! Along with signifying the coming of spring, March also brings leprechauns, green beer, and lots of Jameson. So I would've been justified in choosing an Irish whisky for this month's brew, but decided to go a different direction. In fact I went in two different directions. Although there is a green label on one of our selections. *shrug
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Anyway, let's get away from the Warwick Davis (Leprechaun) soliloquy and start with our first selection; Hendrick's Midsummer Solstice. It comes in a purple version of the iconic Hendrick's pill bottle shape, with lilac labels. The front label has a circle of Scottish bagpipers playing around a floral arrangement. I get where they were going but it's still weird. Not surprising because Hendrick's is quite unorthodox, as you can see in the video above or if you tasted their original gin. Midsummer Solstice is no different. As soon as you pop the cork those floral notes instantly hit you along with citrus cents. Taken neat or on the rocks you can distinctly taste the orange and lemon. The juniper berries are there and you pick up the spice when it hits your throat as well. Overall the gin is smooth and mixes well with tonic water, but I'm going to give you my Cheat Code. Mix it with Blackberry Ginger Ale. Thank me later.
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Now onto Hendrick's Orbium. It comes in a dark blue version of the familiar Hendrick's pill bottle shape with green labels. The front label has the all knowing eye centered on it. Upon opening this one the floral scents didn't hit me but I picked up the juniper berries and cucumber. Upon tasting you immediately get hit with the floral notes from the blue lotus blossom and rose petals. You get a significant citrus character as well. Then the quinine (what gives tonic water it's taste) and wormwood (ingredient in Absinthe) kicks in. This gin goes down extremely smooth!! And when I say smooth, I mean SMOOTH!! Then it hits your chest and you feel the heat; good ole black pepper.
Midsummer Solstice and Orbium can both be found for $35 in your favorite local beverage store. However, they are both Limited Releases so stock up while you can. Both are good selections but Orbium is my new all time favorite gin and will be in heavy rotation at my residence; until supplies run out. #SadFace. Well folks that's a wrap for this month. Whether you choose Hendrick's Midsummer Solstice Gin or Hendrick's Orbium Gin, always remember to Drink Responsibly!
~ R.L. Keitt
April 2020
Editor's Notes
April showers have always supposedly brought May flowers. Well hopefully this year April brings the end of this COVID-19 pandemic and we can get back to some normalcy. One bright spot for a lot of you is that somehow adult beverage stores have made it onto the essential business lists. I can't explain that for the life of me but I won't complain. With that being said, you may not have toilet paper but at least your liquor cabinets are stocked. Unfortunately for a lot of urban individuals I fear that they are stocked with Hennessy; which is highly OVERRATED in my opinion. So I decided to choose a Cognac this month to expand your options.
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My selection comes from le maison de Martell; the oldest of the Big 4 Cognac houses. Martell Blue Swift is a V.S.O.P. but not just any. At the end of the regular VSOP process Blue Swift is then finished in Bourbon casks straight from Kentucky. With me being a bourbon drinker I definitely had to try this concoction. The bottle is elegant and refined with the iconic swift bird embossed in the glass. The top is made from cork set into wood. It appears to be a slighter darker copper color than other VSOPs but that's probably because of the Bourbon barrels. When you pop the cork there is a lot going on. You get the traditional plum notes of brandy but then there's the oaky notes like whiskey. Upon tasting you get the fruity oak taste as well vanilla and some spices. The taste is clean and ultra smooth but it's not too sweet. The heat from the bourbon keeps the sweetness of the cognac in check. Taken both neat and on the rocks I experienced the same results.
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If Cognacs had royal families, The House Martell would definitely be one. In this Martell royal family there are 10 Cognacs, and 1 bastard Brandy; the Martell Blue Swift. If Martell Cognac is House Stark, Blue Swift is Jon Snow. It is 100% Martell V.S.O.P. aged in French oak and finished in a Kentucky Bourbon American oak cask. Blue Swift can be found around an average price of $50 in your favorite local beverage store. D' Usse is still my current favorite VSOP but Blue Swift is right up there with it and may dethrone the reigning champ in my house. Well fellas that's a wrap for this month but more importantly Stay Home if you can and Stay Safe. Enjoy Martell Blue Swift and always remember to Drink Responsibly!
~ R.L. Keitt
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