Pickles seem like a simple subject, yet a quick trip into a grocery store reveals variations up pickles that keep expanding endlessly. Such is the case when I walked into the local Lidl a few weeks ago and uncovered Farm Ridge Foods Sweet Horseradish Kosher Dill Chips. Anytime a little heat is added to something pickled, the product is going to end up here at alphageek HQ for some sort of enjoyment.

As I was getting ready to write this review, I looked more closely at the container that the pickles were in. Take a look at the picture of the cartoon character that is on the label. I am not really sure what is going on here, but that is a pickle wearing a lab coat. Wait, I also notice a shirt and tie as well, so perhaps the pickle is wearing a suit and tie and no pants. You can judge for yourself. Perhaps this is what is meant by being in a pickle. Well, that is not quite right either. The pickle is in the suit. Let me move on.

UnTyPickle inspired me to do a search online. I found out that Farm Ridge Foods is proud of their pickles. I highly recommend going over to their site if you have any questions about the company or want to find other pickles and other products they make. Hint: they make a lot of pickles.

Moving on the the pickles: these are what pickles need to be. The pickles has a great crunch upon the first bite. The flavor from the horseradish kicks in and combines with the traditional pickle flavor for a simple explosion of heat and dill. Lidl made a good call upon adding this product to the lineup.

Speaking of being in a pickle, whenever pickles are enjoyed here at the compound, we like to joke about an episode of Hoarders. The show is sort of therapy at the compound, given the alphageek’s experience with cleaning out more than one hoarded house. You really should try shoveling dog poo all day sometime. Well, maybe not because I can just tell you dog poo smells really badly and you don’t want to shovel that stuff.

One of the common tactics, as demonstrated on Hoarders, is changing the subject so the hoarder does not have to talk about the house. During one episode, a couple’s house is in such bad shape that the couple is living in a camper a local business loaned the couple while the crew is at the disaster of a house, cleaning up. The couple attempts to engage in conversation about the house, and the path forward to cleaning up. They get into an argument because life is easier when you argue rather than address hoarding, and the one person whines they are hungry and wants a pickle. To this, the other person says “we are going to be in a pickle”. I guess maybe you have to watch it.

How about we end with a nice picture of some of the great pickles I found? While I don’t want to be in a pickle, I want these pickles in me.

This is a review that was supposed to be something else. Yes, the review was supposed to be for Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye. Mrsag and I set off to drive a little in these uncertain times and simply get out of the house. Our destination was a Virginia ABC store that the web site reported to have a couple of bottles of Rare Breed Rye. Upon arrival, we found out that the web site is not always up to date. However, the kind Virginia ABC employee offered a consolation prize: a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 Rye.

I can’t remember if I have ever had the 101 variety of Wild Turkey Rye, but I jumped at the chance to try a Wild Turkey product, even if it was a repeat. Yes, some bottles don’t get a review. Don’t judge me harshly because sometimes life gets in the way. I was excited because 101 Rye is almost as hard to get as Rare Breed Rye. I checked the web site while writing this review and only a few bottles are for sale in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The whiskey craze continues to make once easy to acquire whiskeys now nearly impossible to enjoy. While looking back for the review you are reading, I found reviews of several now nearly impossible to get whiskeys. Maybe a summary of “hard to find” whiskeys on the site as an article? I filed the idea away with many of the other good ideas and maybe I will write it up. Yes, that someday list grows all of the time. Enough about the future, how about a review?

Nose I get caramel, cherry and oak. The aroma actually carried to my nose while I wrote the above introduction and reminds me that maybe something great awaits.

Pop This rye enters gently, leaving a light tingle to the lips. Perhaps my taste buds have changed, but this is a 101 rye which usually indicate harsh, but not so with this bottle.

Body Sweet caramel and gentle with an amazing amount of body. The body is almost syrup like and encourages a slow enjoyment on the palette, before beginning the trip down the throat.

Finish The smooth body completes the experience, as the mild rye grain presents as the last drop is swallowed. A gentle hint of mint is present as the rye goes down. The fine finish certainly encourages another sip to start the cycle over.

Perhaps I am becoming a rye drinker after all. I also enjoyed sipping Sazerac Rye with a similar review. Wild Turkey 101 Rye almost certainly would make an excellent Manhattan, but might be too good to dilute with anything. After all, one could not enjoy the great balance this Rye brings to the palette if one mixed it with anything. This review was written on the straight Rye at room temperature , in a rocks glass with no ice.