Devil's Cut

Well, it is a holiday weekend.  Not just any holiday, but the 4th of July.  The celebration of American Independence.  What better way to celebrate, than by enjoying something all American, like bourbon?  After all, bourbon was invented here in the USA.

Okay, I know what you are thinking.  What, no post here for months, and you just drop on in and start in like everything is normal?  Okay, so sue me.  I am literally running out of bourbon ideas.  The ones I do have seem to be food related, and are being saved for my new venture, Alphageek Talks Food.  I just have not been trying new bourbon as often, so not much has been happening here.  Sure, I could write some old stale jokes that Mrs. Alphageek is tired of hearing, but I am starting to run out of those.  I asked for ideas, but I am not getting much for the audience.

In an attempt to get right to it, I am going to start off by saying I don't know much about this bourbon, other than several people, including the helpful person at the ABC store, told me that this bourbon is made by extraction of bourbon from the barrels.  I guess I am okay with that, but at first read it sounds like an attempt to take something that was previously thrown away, and sell it as a product.  Sometime this kind of thing works, and sometimes it does not.  Pictured below is the bottle that I took a picture of, just for you.

Jim Beam Devil's Cut (click to enlarge)

First, I poured a little to try neat.  My first impression is: wow that is a strong smelling bourbon.  Not bad, but really strong, and I guess somewhat sweet too.  I take a sip, and the impression of strong continues.  I can't say it is bad, but it is like a concentration of bourbon, without the smooth element that I personally care for.  I decide to add an ice cube or two.  I let the ice melt for a minute or two, to see if some water might cut down the strong taste, and introduce some more smooth that I am always looking for in bourbon.  I take another sip, and am pretty sure I have never had a bourbon respond as dramatically as this one to a little ice.  While it cut the harshness, I am not sure I got the smooth I was looking to find.  Instead, I got something different.  Not bad, but different.  Think of it as concentrated, without the burning harsh bourbon sometimes has.

How would I recommend using this bourbon?  Use it in something that you would like to maintain the essence of bourbon in, without using large amounts.  I am pretty certain a little goes a long way.  Personally, this won't be something I buy another bottle of.  After all, not every bourbon can be the best.

Evan Williams Cherry Reserve

Evan Williams Cherry Reserve, a photo by AlphaHokie on Flickr.

This was supposed to be a quick post. Quick did not happen.

I tried a new photo program on my droidx. I was going to take the picture and write the blog all on the phone. I wanted to know if I could, in case I ever wanted to to blog from my phone somewhere.

It is a good thing I tried it at home first. The writing went smoothly, but the upload crashed the blogger app. I had to dump all of the data and start over.

In this picture, you can see that I did something unusual: I post processed it. This effect is built right into the app, Vignette, that I downloaded. I think vignette took a decent enough picture, considering the free version only does 0.8 mega pixels. As a side note, if you have an android phone and are willing to spend five bucks, vignette gives a little more control over the picture taking process on an android phone.

At any rate, on to my impressions. I opened this and it smelled like maraschino cherry juice and bourbon. I found it entirely too sweet when enjoyed over some ice in a rocks glass. I would stick with other cherry-bourbon products that are out there right now.

What do you think of the picture? Leave some feedback below and let me know. You might see some more posts, if I can get an app for the droidx that does not crash.

Jim Beam Black

It is Presidents Day here at Alpageek's Thoughts, and in honor of great Americans I decided to talk a little about a great American tradition, bourbon.  If you have been following things around here, it has not been hard to do.  The posts have dropped off as other projects are beginning to take form, and the this web site has taken a hit.  While I can't promise we will start to pump out the all original content really quickly again, I can promise a short write up about a bourbon I tried, and enjoyed.

Why did I try this bourbon?  It was actually very simple.  The first is that I have never had Jim Beam Black, Double Aged.  I don't know what Double Aged means.  Remember, all original content?  You should just google the term, and then you will know.  I am really not that interested in a term that may or may not mean something.  The second reason is almost embarrassing:  I could not find my small flask that I have for special occasions.  Mrs. Alphageek said I should buy the bourbon and try it.  Something free is always nice too.

I decided to have a little sip while I was watching Bladerunner. Bladerunner is a great movie to have a small drink while watching.  You think "I can't possibly drink as much as Deckard" and you don't feel guilty for having a sip while you contemplate, yet again, if Deckard is a human, or a replicant.  I wonder if anyone has ever used the reason Deckard drinks like a fish to support the argument that he is a replicant?  There is another original thought today!

I did not have any expectations when I poured a small drink for myself.  I took one sip and was pleasantly surprised!  I don't know if Double Aged means that the bourbon is smooth and mellow, but that would be how I would describe this unexpected find.  I get a small hint of oak to go with the mellowness.  While it is not the most complex bourbon I have ever had, the smooth character makes for an enjoyable drink.

This is yet another bourbon that I can fully recommend.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think.  I think the free flask offer is over.