Ever since I began drinking whisky, I’ve searched for something that truly stands out. I stumbled onto Laphroaig by accident a few years ago and we’ve been good friends ever since.

Laphroaig is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky produced by the Laphroaig distillery, which is located in Port Ellen and is owned by Fortune Brands. The distillery was founded in 1815 and over the years it has passed from family to family, finally coming to its current owners in 2005.

“Laphroaig 10 year” has won more than twenty awards over the past twelve years. It’s no wonder, then, that the brand would have its own club. Dubbed “Friends of Laphroaig,” the club invites whisky enthusiasts to share stories, attend events and participate in charity auctions for items such as special blends of Laphroaig.

Laphroaig can be enjoyed in many ways, though it is suggested on the casing to “take it neat like a stalwart, or with a splash of soft water.” I prefer to drink it on the rocks, with a small splash of water to bring out the flavor. For this review I am having it neat, along with some slices of gouda and The Beatles on vinyl.

The first thing you’ll notice about Laphroaig is its strong smell and rich, golden color. At 43 percent alcohol by volume, “Laphroaig 10 year” hugs you warmly and invites you to talk to it about your work week. Upon first sip, you’ll experience the immediate medicinal taste that the scotch offers. Full bodied and surprisingly smooth, Laphroaig also offers a slight sweetness that is pleasant and stays with you on the finish, along with the hints of peat and smoke.

“Hey Jude, would you like some Laphroaig?”

“Of course I would. Did I ever mention to you that you’re the greatest friend I have?”

“No, never.”

“Well now you know. You can thank Laphroaig for that!”

Not as smooth as some of its senior counterparts (the Laphroaig distillery offers six older varieties up to 40 years old), this is still a scotch that is sure to please. It may take a few outings to develop a taste for it, but there is nothing quite like smoking a nice cigar and enjoying a glass of Laphroaig.

This is a scotch that should find a home in the liquor cabinet of every self-respecting man (or woman) and is one that should be shared with good friends whenever possible.

Personally, I am a fan of flavored vodka.  However, I am not a purist when it comes to cocktail making.  I like to mix and match, using different spirits and mixers.  I don’t believe any drink has to made as a classic, unless that is the way you prefer your drink.

For me, there are many benefits to flavored vodkas, but my favorite is the ability to make a low calorie, yet tasty cocktail.  Most flavored vodkas contain about 100 calories in one shot.  If you mix that vodka with seltzer or diet soda, you add no calories and get a refreshing 100 calories cocktail.  If you choose to use a liqueur, some juice, or simple syrup to add flavor, you are adding far more calories.

Of course, besides making a tasty, low calorie cocktail, flavored vodkas also add extra flavor to a drink.  Even if you aren’t concerned with the number of calories in your glass, using flavored vodka can give an element of diversity or intensity to your cocktail.  Use raspberry vodka with lemonade, and you have a terrific raspberry lemonade with a kick.  Add some sweet tea vodka to your iced tea, and you have an incredible glass of iced tea.

With all of the infused vodkas available, your options seem almost limitless.  Take for example, Burnett’s Flavored Vodka.  They now produce twenty (20!) different flavored vodkas:

Since the introduction of its first flavor, Burnett’s Flavored Vodkas have grown to be one of the largest portfolios in the entire industry.  The franchise now includes 20 flavors – Blueberry, Cherry, Citrus, Coconut, Cranberry, Espresso, Grape, Lime, Mango, Orange, Peach, Pink Lemonade, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Sour Apple, Strawberry, Sweet Tea, Vanilla, Watermelon and now Fruit Punch.

“We have taken advantage of the great success and superior quality of Burnett’s Vodka and developed twenty unique flavors,” said Reid Hafer, Senior Brand Manager.  “With the addition of Fruit Punch to the flavored vodka line, consumers can now enjoy the great taste of Burnett’s Vodka in a new and innovative way.”

Pick a vodka flavor or two, add your mixer of choice, and see what you can create!

I have tried sake several times.  With full apologies to Dr. Seuss and Green Eggs and Ham:

I have tried it cold,
I have tried it hot,
I have sipped it in pretty glasses,
I bravely tried it as a shot.
I would not drink it again,
I would not take any more sips,
I firmly refused to try it
I announced with hands on my hips.

I held this position on sake for quite some time.  Although I had tried a variety of sakes, none were enjoyable or tasty.  However, last weekend at the Boston Wine Expo, I finally found sake that was enjoyable. 

While wandering the aisles and aisles of wines, I found the TY KU booth, which was sampling some wonderful cocktails.  Being hesitant to try sake, I started with a tasty drink, Naughty Lemonade.  This concoction was made using 1 part TY KU Asian Citrus Liqueur and 1 part good lemonade (such as Newman’s Virgin Lemonade).  Not only did it taste great but it also was a lower calorie drink.  Their liqueurs have about half the calories of a typical liqueur, which is a wonderful benefit to choosing this liqueur.

After sampling the drink and speaking with Jeff, the regional manager for TY KU, I was persuaded to try a sample of TY KU White, which is ultra premium Japanese sake.  Imagine my surprise when I found this sake to be delicious.  It was smooth, slightly sweet, and had hints of banana and chocolate in its flavor.  I could envision enjoying this sake as an after-dinner drink.  Designated as a Junmai Daiginjo grade sake, which requires rice that has been polished down to fifty percent or less of the original size, it is in an elite class.  Less than five percent of sakes meet this standard.

All of TY KU’s beverages have features that make them unique and worthy of trying.  Their soju (a distilled beverage) is all natural and has forty percent fewer calories than vodka.  Their sake also is all natural and made from only four ingredients:  rice, water, yeast, and koji.  Finally, their liqueur is made with a base of soju and the addition of superfruits, such as mangosteens, goji berries, and yuzu.

So, I guess like Sam I Am, I have to admit that I may like sake.  Well, at least if it is made by TY KU.

Over on Idea Offer, a request was put out for the best ideas for cocktails that have ice cream as an ingredient.  And the winning idea came from Navakanth Kanapala for his Strawberry Margarita Fizz.  Here it is as described by Navakanth:

Strawberry Margarita Fizz

Sugar for coating rims of glasses
1-1/2 cups softened strawberry ice cream
1/2 cup chopped strawberries, plus whole strawberries for garnish
1 ounce tequila, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/3 cup chilled club soda
Garnish: lime slices

Rim edges of two highball glasses with sugar, and set aside.  Place ice cream, chopped strawberries, tequila, and lime juice in a blender.  Mix until all ingredients are combined and smooth.  Divide strawberry mixture between the two glasses, and top each with half of the club soda.  Stir gently to combine.  Garnish with limes and strawberries, if desired.

Makes me want to get some ice cream and umbrellas and head to the beach!

It may not always be sunny in Philadelphia, but Saturday the 19^th there was plenty of sun in Nashua.  With his own line of limoncello to promote, Danny DeVito spent some time at the New Hampshire State Liquor Store in Nashua to sign autographs and take pictures for fans.

I may be the resident ‘beer guy’, but seeing how I am Italian, limoncello is within my jurisdiction.  Limoncello is a lemon-flavored liqueur hailing from Sorrento, Italy.  All limoncello, including Danny’s, is made in Sorrento, so you know it isn’t a knock off made in a bathtub.  Served ice cold, this thick looking shot goes down like candy.  It is the perfect after dinner drink and can calm your stomach if you feel kind of queasy.

Danny was scheduled to be there from 12-3, so we got there around 10:30 to ensure our place in line.  Remembering how it went down for Dan Aykroyd, we wanted to beat the crowd.  We waited and waited, then finally Danny showed up and began talking and signing autographs.  Samples of limocello were being handed out, and I had to partake.

He signed our bottles and a few DVD sleeves I had brought and then he signed my t-shirt.  The shirt was for a performance he had been in earlier in the week “The Nightman Cometh” which is an offshoot of the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  A friend bought the shirt for me, since I couldn’t make the show, and Danny offered to sign it.  I was happy he signed my shirt, but I also wanted to get it off quickly so I wouldn’t smudge the signature.  Trust me, I didn’t smudge a thing.

Once again Nashua scores big with another celebrity swinging by.  Keep your eyes open; you never know who will stop by next.