Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Dorothy Parker Gin


"I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most,
After three I'm under the table,
After four I'm under my host."

-Dorothy Parker, The Collected Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker American Gin, a creation by the New York Distilling Company, has arrived at Bottles! This gin is a homage to Dorothy Parker, an American writer, critic, and satirist, known for "her sharp, biting humor and widely quoted quips." (nydistilling.com).


This small batch gin is well-balanced and full of flavor. Juniper, coriander, elderberries and the inclusion of cinnamon gives a little spicy kick on the finish. Great for gin and tonics or sipping, but especially perfect for a neat martini, Ms. Parker's favorite.

You can read more about Dorothy Parker, New York Distilling Company, and Dorothy Parker Gin at the Dorothy Parker Society website: www.dorothyparker.com




Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Dalmore


Currently at Bottles in Providence, we are featuring The Dalmore Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky. Bottles staff were lucky enough to taste through each expression with Ralph Rooke, brand ambassador for The Dalmore. Some favorites were King Alexander III, Cigar Malt Reserve, and the Shackleton reproduction of Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt. Watch the video to learn a little about The Dalmore's long history and the different expressions available here at Bottles.



The 12
Matured for an initial nine years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being carefully divided. One half continues its maturation in bourbon barrels, the other half is transferred to 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry casks. Complex, yet balanced, The Dalmore 12 year old is the epitome of the Dalmore house style.

The 15
Twelve years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then a three year finish in three different sherry woods - Amoroso, Apostoles and Matusalem oloroso. A robust, yet elegant spirit.

Cigar Malt Reserve
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve benefits from a judicious selection of aged stocks drawn from casks of three types: American white oak ex-bourbon casks, 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry butts and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. Bottled at 44% alcohol by volume, the body, structure and character of this extraordinary expression is the perfect complement to a fine cigar.

King Alexander III
Crafted to honour the act of saving Scotland’s King in 1263, this expression unites six specially selected casks housing spirit of perfect maturity. Whiskies matured in ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem oloroso sherry wood, Madeira barrels, Marsala casks, port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques are brought together in perfect harmony. Each cask gives its own flavour notes, delivering a unique complex single malt whisky revered by connoisseurs.

Castle Leod
This limited edition bottling celebrates the ancient and historic seat of Clan Mackenzie and is the second in a series crafted by Master Distiller Richard Paterson in homage to Clan Mackenzie.
Castle Leod has been home to the Caberfeidh, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, since 1606 and is located just 14 miles from the The Dalmore Distillery. This classic Vintage 1995 expression was matured initially in American white oak and Spanish sherry wood, before being transferred for a final 18 months to barriques from a legendary 1st cru classe Bordeaux chateau.

Shackleton

In 1908, explorer Ernest Shackleton led his famed Nimrod expedition to the South Pole. Among his essential provisions was twenty-five cases of 1907 Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt. While the men failed to reach the South Pole, they did manage to make it back to base camp and safely home. Sadly the three cases of whiskey were left to fend for themselves. In 2007, New Zealand's Antarctic Heritage Trust discovered the three cases and a long process respecting scientific protocols began. In 2010 a team of scientists opened the crates to discover eleven bottles, ten still in the wrapping! The pristine, untouched bottles were the first chance for scientists and distillers to study whiskey prior to the Industrial Revolution. The whiskey has been replicated with malts from Glen Mhor, Glenfarclas, Mannochmore, Tamnavulin, Glen Rothes, Pulteney, Ben Nevis and Jura - varying from eight to thirty years aged in the finest sherry barrels.  Apple, pineapple with hints of smoke and creamy caramel are just a few of the multitude of flavors in every sip.


www.thedalmore.com

Monday, January 21, 2013

Super Bowl Drink Ideas & Printable Cocktail Sign

Our beloved Pats haven't reached the Super Bowl, but you and your friends can still gather to watch the game. Serving cocktails during the football game or any party doesn't have to be stressful - a self serve bar is a great idea where guests make their own drinks. What's better than a DIY bar for a party, complete with drink ideas? Learn how to set one up, and use these free printable cocktail recipe signs. This download has 6 easy cocktails; all you have to do is set them at the bar! This is a great way to entertain for not only the game, but for birthday parties, bachelor & bachelorette parties, graduation, summer bbq's, family reunions, and almost any celebration.

super bowl cocktails how to set up a self serve bar


What to serve with your jalapeno poppers, buffalo wings and famous spinach dip? Beer of course, but cocktails are great too! You can serve cocktails and not miss any crucial moments of the game. Drink mixing should be limited to time-outs or commercials, so you need something quick, classic and with as few ingredients as possible.  Greet your guests with a cocktail, but also set up a self serve bar in your home arena so as not to lose a minute of action.

SELF SERVE BAR SET-UP
 - Have an ice bucket with tongs, a cocktail shaker, bottle opener, bar spoon, and rocks glasses.
 - For mixers, have Angostura bitters, simple syrup, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water, and ginger beer.
 - Include handles of a few staple liquors like Bourbon, Vodka, and Rum.
 - Pre-slice a bowl of limes. (Don't forget the orange wedges for Old-Fashioned's!)

It's time to let your guests to play bartender! Everyone has variations on how they like their drink mixed. A self serve bar with helpful cocktail recipe signs lets them make the perfect drink to their own taste.

COCKTAIL RECIPE SIGNS
Offering simple drink recipes gives your guests ideas for what they can make. Follow the directions below to make each these 6 quick & colorful "Help Yourself!" signs. They each have an easy drink idea with a basic recipe to get them started.


Directions:
 1. Download PDF file.
 2. Print out both pages on your home printer.
 3. With scissors, cut out each of the 6 cocktail recipe signs.
 4. Fold each in half, so that it forms a standing sign with the recipe on both sides.
 5. Place at your bar!

You need a PDF reader to open this download, click HERE if you need to download a PDF reader.

Now that you have assembled the tools and given your guests a quick playbook, all there is left to do is enjoy the game!

Things to do during a time-out:
- Check your ice situation. Good cocktails are chilled cocktails.
- Take out the trash (or just tie the bag and throw it on the back porch to be properly disposed later) 
- Make yourself a drink!


moscow mule cocktail recipe printable sign

Moscow Mule
1-2 parts Vodka
1 part Lime Juice
2-3 parts Ginger Beer

Moscow Mules were first popular in the 1950s, and are so easy to make, smooth, & refreshing, that there's no way they aren't making a comeback! Add 2 or 3 ice cubes to Prairie Vodka, fresh Lime Juice, and Gosling's Ginger Beer, and then stir.

free printable download cocktail recipe signs

Old Fashioned
2 oz. Bourbon
Dash of Angostura Bitters
1 tsp. Simple Syrup
Orange Wedge

There are many variations on The Old Fashioned; here's our easy version that's simple enough for parties that uses Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Angostura Bitters. Add an ice cube or two and stir.

bourbon ginger ale cocktail idea recipe

Bourbon & Ginger Ale
1 part Bourbon
2 parts Ginger Ale

Bourbon and ginger ale go together like peas 'n carrots! We are using Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey. Use your favorite ginger ale and serve this bubbly, refreshing drink over ice.

vodka tonic cocktail recipe idea

Vodka Tonic
1 part Vodka
2 parts Tonic Water
Lime Wedge

Almost everyone knows a Vodka Tonic. Combine Praire Vodka with Fentiman's Tonic Water over ice, and add a lime wedge.

printable cocktail drink signs

Daiquiri
3 parts Rum
2 parts Lime Juice
1 part Simple Syrup

A rum-based cocktail, Daiquiris have many variations; this is a basic version. Fill a shaker with ice & all ingredients. Shake and strain into glass.


how to set up a self serve bar cocktails recipe

Dark and Stormy
1 part Gosling's Rum
2 parts Gosling's Ginger Beer
Lime Wedge

A type of highball, a Dark & Stormy is a popular cocktail in the Rhode Island area. Use Gosling's Rum and Gosling's Ginger Beer. Serve over ice.


What we recommend for liquors & mixers:
Prairie Vodka 
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum
Gosling's Rum
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Fentiman's Tonic Water
Angostura Bitters
Gosling's Ginger Beer

*All available at Bottles Fine Wine in Providence. www.bottlesfinewine.com

CHEERS!
from the folks at Bottles



Friday, January 18, 2013

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

This past spring, Bottles (we're an inquisitive liquor store in Providence, RI, full of local beer enthusiasts) was fortunate enough to pay a visit to Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project. Dann and Martha Paquette run Pretty Things, which is based in Somerville, Massachusetts, but brewed in Westport, MA. Pretty Things beers are known for being delicious, quirky interpretations and twists on classic beer styles. Watch the video to take a quick craft beer journey with Liam, the Bottles Beer Manager.


The visit happened to coincide with the 4-year anniversary of the first batch of Jack D'Or. You can read the full description of Jack D'Or and the emblematic, mournful grain of barley named Jack, HERE.

Please enjoy this video and more Local Bottles visits to breweries in New England and the Northeast. Click HERE for the full list. Local wineries are coming soon!

pretty things beer ale project jack d'or
Jack D'Or

Pretty Things Beer Rhode Island
Bottled Jack D'Or ready to go.

Pretty Things Beer Ale Project Massachusetts
The resident gnome with a few Pretty Things Beers and hop vines.

Martha Pretty Things
Martha at work!

Dann Pretty Things
Dann chatting with Liam, Bottles Beer Manager.

Bottles Fine WIne Providence
Westport, Massachusetts.



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Bottles for the Cause: Red White & Blues 2

This past weekend, right here in Providence, Rhode Island, Bottles Fine Wine was honored to be a part of Red White & Blues 2, an event to benefit Trinity Repertory Company. Attendees enjoyed a tasting of wines from around the world, tasty food by local restaurants, and dancing to the The Silks, a popular local blues band. The casual evening at the Pell Chafee Performance Center was a great success, with proceeds benefiting one of the most respected regional theaters in the country. Red White & Blues 2 was co-chaired by Gil MacLean and his wife Michelle Collie, and sponsored by Bottles Fine Wine.



"Trinity Rep reinvents the 'public square' with dramatic art that stimulates, educates and engages our community in a continuing dialogue. In 1963, this professional theatre was born in Providence, Rhode Island. The rest is history: The Tony Award, 58 world premieres, education programs, films, and tours. Laughter, insight, magic, tears, and passion, for three generations of audiences." www.trinityrep.com



"The Silks were formed in the summer of 2010, and have burst onto the country blues scene in New England with ferocity and enthusiasm. Front-man and songwriter Tyler-James Kelly has assembled musicians with resumes consisting of the Midnight Creeps (Jona Parmelee) and Electric Service (Matt Donnelly), blending it into a sound that is all their own. With compliments that vary from drawing comparisons to The Rolling Stones in style, and songwriting to a soundman shouting "that's the most fun I've ever had!" after a show, The Silks have garnered a reputation as a band that everyone found themselves wanting to see overnight." www.myspace.com/thesilksmusic



Red White & Blues 2 also featured several local restaurants, including Nicks on Broadway, Local 121 and The Roi. Guests enjoyed beautiful pastries, mini-burgers, and much more throughout the night.



"Test your Palate, Taste to Win" was a fun game where contestants blind-tasted 6 wines, and had to correctly guess which wine was which. Those with the most correct entered a drawing to win 2 nights at a luxury hotel on Martha's Vineyard.

Thank-you to these generous supporters for Red White & Blues 2
Nicks on Broadway
Local 121
The Roi
Russell Morin Fine Catering
Sin Bakery
Narragansett Brewing Company
Walrus & Carpenter Oysters
Allen Farms & The March Hare CSA
Wine Distributors: Bordeaux Traditions, M.S. Walker, Wine Wizards, & Best Beverage.



Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Dinner

Bottles Fine Wine and Farmstead are excited to present A Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Dinner with Julian Van Winkle III and Chef Matt Jennings. Sold Out!

Tickets sold out very fast for this evening of spectacular bourbons and dining with special guest Julian Van Winkle III.

Lucky attendees will be lead by Julian through a tasting of four Van Winkle expressions: the twelve, fifteen, twenty, and twenty-three year old bourbons. The evening begins with a cocktail reception, delectable treats and a chance to chat with Julian before sitting down to a four-course dinner and tasting. Julian and Matt will present each bourbon and course of the evening. We will also have a few additional surprises throughout the evening.


Julian Van Winkle III is a third generation producer of premium bourbon at Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. He is the winner of the 2011 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional.

Matt Jennings of Farmstead is a two-time finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef Northeast" award, has been named one of America's "Most Sustainable Chefs" and was selected as one of Food & Wine Magazine's "Big thinkers, changing the way Americans eat."

Visit our website for full details about this event.