Famous Death Row Last Meals
Debunking Beer Can Chicken: A Waste Of Good Beer, And Dangerous
Do not come between a Southern gent and his bourbon.
We learned this lesson at a recent NYC party when we observed a Mississippi native seize a bottle of Knob Creek, shake its last drops angrily into a cup and grab a bottle of pricey, small-batch Woodford Reserve only to be outraged to find this also nearly gone. "I knew I should have hidden the good stuff from these people!" he shouted, shaking his fist at the guests he'd invited to his home.
The cause of this maniacal outburst from a mild-mannered gent? Bourbon, and the thought of mixing it with store-bought gingerale. A wide-eyed belle from Jersey had ordered up a whiskey-and-ginger. Since only his finest was left, he delivered the bourbon abomination with a sigh, grumbling about "corn syrup on beautiful whiskey" in a thick accent en route.
Making a whiskey-n-ginger with the best bourbon in the house is where we -- who have certainly enjoyed a Jameson 'n ginger or (hic!) three -- would draw the line. But what does Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve (the official whiskey of Derby Day) think?
Slashfood: "A party guest wants to combine supermarket gingerale with your excellent bourbon. Do you flip out?
Morris: "To be quite honest, I think whisky and gingerale is a great drink. Woodford Reserve has hints of ginger and a nice little citrus note and goes well with gingerale, a classic highball. Our response to anybody who thinks it's an insult is the question, 'Well, do you enjoy it?' If the answer is 'yes,' it's perfectly all right. We want make a great first impression, so if that person is a gingerale highball drinker, what better way than with Woodford Reserve in place of your regular bourbon?"
Hmm. Very interesting. What do y'all think:
| Yes | |
|---|---|
| No |
Amy Adams' Bikini Body Isn't What You'd Expect ...
St. Louis Sports Bar Gives Man Receipt Criticizing His Child
'Sopranos' Star Dies At 51
'Undercover Boss': Top 4 Moments From Season 4 [VIDEO]
Las Vegas Court Officials Accused Of Covering Up Sex Assault [VIDEO]
What's Behind This Door Is Terrifying
Xbox One-80: Microsoft reverses Xbox One DRM features
Groomers Lose Dog, Claim Not Responsible
Men's Wearhouse Abruptly Fires Its Founder, Spokesman
Male Judge Sets Dress Code For Female Lawyers And Sparks Uproar
James Gandolfini: Friends, Family Mourn Acting 'Genius'
'Today' About To Undergo Another Overhaul
'Lone Ranger' Star Johnny Depp Opens Up About Split From Vanessa Paradis
The Story Behind Shapewear: From Girdles to Spanx
The Boob Bandages Are Off!
'Grease' Cast: Where Are They Now?
PHOTOS: Beautifully Abandoned America
WATCH: Porn Star Says My Dad's Angry I Ruined Porn For Him
Paula Deen Allegedly Makes Racist Comments
Khloe's Workout Photos Are Pretty Alarming
Michael Hastings Dead At 33
Kate Middleton's Birthing Plan: Read All The Details!
Helen Lost 82 Pounds: 'Helping Others Is What Life Is All About'
From Child Hero To Murder Suspect
WHOOPS: NSA Director Has Embarrassing Hot Mic Moment
One Of FBI's Most Wanted Nabbed In Mexico
PHOTOS: Michelle Obama's Ireland Trip Wardrobe Is Making Us Jealous
LOOK: Teen Was 'Shamed' By TSA Officer For This Outfit
5 Ways To Get A Flat Stomach -- While Standing Up
Dolce And Gabbana Found GUILTY Of Tax Evasion
7 Beautiful Actresses Who Were Told They Weren't Pretty Enough
Inside Kim Kardashian's Pregnancy Nightmare
4-14-2009 @3:13PM Will said... What do I think? I think there's bacon in that glass and is fantastic.
Reply
4-14-2009 @8:51PM kayce. said... well, i think if she's PAYING for it, she can do what she likes w/ whatever class of bourbon she prefers. since she was a guest, she should've been more respectful, though i also fully recognize that she prob didn't realize that it would be taken poorly. i mean, this is the equivalent of making sangria out of opus one: if it's your $150, do what you like, but i'd cut-a-bitch for using my expensive shiz that way, LOL.
Reply
4-14-2009 @3:40PM SaraFist said... Since she was a guest in his home, the Southern "gentleman" should have swallowed his rage and simply served her with a smile. It violates all laws of hospitality to insult a guest like that. He put the good bourbons out for his guests, and that gives them leeway to drink it as they like.
Reply
4-14-2009 @3:47PM Kat Kinsman said... I tend to designate some of my booze as sippin' whiskey, and keep the rest as well to be used as needed. The extra-special bottles (Red Hook Rye & the Pappy Van Winkle, say) get tucked away during parties (and busted out for guests who know us well enough to ask for 'em), but I'd never EVER allow a guest in my home to feel as if they'd made a culinary mistake. If it's out, it's fair game, and who am I to quash someone else's pleasure?
Reply
4-14-2009 @3:54PM Alex Van Buren said... In defense of the gent in question, I am fairly certain he did not criticize his guest within earshot, was perhaps being slightly tongue-in-cheek when he saw the "good stuff" had vanished, and really only grumbled en route to the lady. I clarified this last bit in my post, but keep the comments comin'! How do you handle the good stuff at parties?
Reply
4-14-2009 @4:02PM Jarod said... I think that with the cost of a good Pappy Van Winkle (you said Woodford but I'm using my bar as an example), if I saw someone mixing it with ginger, I may casually replace it with a bottle of Makers. This is not a slur against Makers mind you - but a cheaper alternative leaving me to enjoy the higher end straight.
Reply
4-14-2009 @4:03PM DJ said... if i was in the business of selling whiskey, id totally agree. but im in the business of drinking whiskey and think it is downright insulting. bacon however, thats a good move right there.
Reply
4-14-2009 @5:50PM Jessica said... I can understand feeling secretly scornful of someone using your favorite top shelf beverage as a mix drink...but if you are offering it as a refreshment to your guests, what difference is it to you if they sip an ounce or 2 straight/over ice versus with gingerale etc? If you don't want to share or run out, hide the bottle. Otherwise be a gracious host and bite your tongue.
Reply
4-14-2009 @4:38PM Astin said... I always hide the good stuff, be it bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin, or anything else. The mediocre stuff goes out for mixed drinks, and my friends know I have better in a cabinet. I'm happy to share it on request, but leaving it out is a quick way to tears when your friend has a pint glass full of scotch.
Besides, if they want something with ginger ale, pull out some rye whiskey.
Reply
4-14-2009 @4:49PM Kat Kinsman said... Darn you, Astin - I'm suddenly hankering hard for a Wild Turkey Rye & ginger, and there are still a few work hours left to go.
Reply
4-14-2009 @5:43PM BraH said... The host shouldn't have left his good stuff out on a table with mixers.
When you host a mingling party like this, you generally know everyone who's going to be there and you can point the refined palate sippers to a cabinet in another room for the good stuff. Or, you can keep long tablecloths on the alcohol table and put it under there.
That said, you also have to realize just how dumb "average" is. Average people don't really care about the difference in Ten High, Maker's Mark or Woodford WHEN IT'S FREE. The ignorant guests were at least partially at fault for squandering high-dollar liquor.
Moral of the Story: Don't set expensive liquor out unless you want it drank!
Reply
4-14-2009 @5:45PM Glenn said... I was fortunate enough to talk my way into co-authoring/being a research assistant for a whisk(e)y book almost 2 years ago, and I have to say I agree with the master distiller. I
I think much of the snobbery around whiskey has been translated from single malt Scotch whisky traditions. But as the distiller pointed out, it's what tastes right. The sweeter flavors of bourbon (younger casks, made from sour mash) and rye whisky lend themselves to drinking with colas and ginger ales more readily. I think a bartender would rightfully stand aghast when someone mistakenly thinks they're ordering the "good stuff" in asking for a glass of Ardbeg single malt with cola, the result is a horrible tasting mess to me. On the other hand, single malts taste strangely fantastic with other mixers such as green tea.
Sharing a drink with friends is meant to be about spreading enjoyment, if you're begrudgingly departing with the odd glass I think you've missed the point.
Reply
4-14-2009 @6:52PM Monika said... An easy way to send me into a seething, post-party rant: Use my good booze as run-of-the-mill mixers, or bring a ton of crappy beer like Coors, not drink it, and then wipe out my good stuff.
I can see adding one mixer to the equation, esp if you like the flavor but are a lightweight. However..
1- Price should come into account. I think my Zacapa would make a sinful rum and coke, but it's a bit pricier and hard to find, so I just sip it. Same goes for other pricey and delicious booze.
2- Don't put someone else's great booze into your drunken concoction. It's just not cool to pick the Belvedere over the Polar Ice or Smirnoff when you're throwing random booze in a glass.
Reply
4-15-2009 @11:51AM Bryan Price said... Will, thank you. I thought it was bacon as well.
Reply
4-15-2009 @3:08PM Ron said... Don't use the bad ginger ale -- go to Blenheim's (also Southern) just for the kick!
Reply
4-18-2009 @12:32PM Brad said... I agree with the majority on this one. If it's a mixing party put out the regular, but let those who appreciate what you like know where to look for the good stuff. There is one key piece of the puzzle that is missing. Was the wide-eyed belle from Jersey hot?
Reply
4-20-2009 @7:48AM Bkhuna said... Just keep some cheap stuff on hand for those who want to mix and save the good stuff for those who want to drink.
You can't force your guests to have good taste.
Reply