Bourbon from Virginia?

This site has undergone a move.  We are here on our new web address and getting things going.  Perhaps a little catching up is in order. 

​Google has started to shut down some of their services, such as the rss reader.  This has caused the alphageek to become concerned that google could shut down something like blogger, which the alphageek has been using to host this and other blogs for years. Do a search on google graveyard if you doubt your alphageek. This concern made now the right time to just go and grab a new web site, that is actually under control of the alphageek.  You might notice that there are multiple tabs up top there for multiple blogs.  Guess what?  There will be even more changes to come.  After all, you can't use omnigeek with only two blogs.

Some things will remain the same.  The import function was not perfect, and there are still some problems with this site.  We have decided to just live with the quirks and move on.  You can always find the old content on the old web site, if you feel so inclined.  Having trouble finding something?  Go ahead and leave a comment anywhere, and someone will get back to you right away.​

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​Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit​ (Click for entire image)

The hardest thing to get right is the title of this stuff.  Rather than try and make another mistake, how about you just click on the image and see for yourself?  Really, you should click and see the cool background on the label too.​

​Maybe the alphageek has a bias against Bowman products because  Bowmans makes Virginia Gentleman as well.  The alphageek hears that wahoos drink Virginia Gentleman, and that might be reason enough to avoid these guys.  However, the alphageek also lives just a few miles away, and feels he should not deny himself the rare opportunity to sample and enjoy a local product.  After all, almost all bourbon is made in Kentucky, and not the fine Commonwealth of Virginia.  After a trip to ABC store, the alphageek holds the bottle that you see in the picture, and the bottle is really cool.

​So, I started with a little pour.  The aroma is pretty good, dare I say excellent?  While mrs. ag felt it smelled like any bourbon, the hint of oak was intriguing.  I quickly found that the aroma of this bourbon is simply intoxicating.  I took a little sip, and decided right away that the bias against Bowmans would have to end right away.  The bourbon is very smooth with a hint of oak.  While some people may not like that oak hint, the alphageek finds it nearly intoxicating.  The usual sampling method of one ice cube, yields flavors that are more subtle than usual for bourbon.  A little of everything that makes bourbon great is in there.  Sure, I could say things like vanilla and so forth, but if you don't know your basic bourbon, you probably stopped reading after the third sentence.  

alphageek's bottom line:  although the wahoo bias may continue, any bias against Bownans has to end now.  Run out and get some of this great bourbon today.​

Midnight Moon Moonshine, Apple Pie Flavor

I have to admit it.  I have been watching the television show Moonshiners, since it started.  I don't know if it is "real" or not.  At this point, since some of the folks on it make me laugh, I decided that I don't need to know how real, or scripted, the show is.  I have already been to the location that distills Virginia Lightning, and I enjoyed their product.  I have to admit that they did not think this web site worth their time to post on their web site, but neglect sometimes hits the alphageek.  Do you suppose the good folks at Virginia Lightning mentioned me when they were on Moonshiners ?  I suppose that part got edited out.

Sometimes Moonshiners shows the distribution end of the business.  While I cannot believe a guy would let himself be filmed while running moonshine, I guess I cannot be certain.  As a part of the running the hooch, the guy takes the moonshine and mixes up a drink called Apple Pie.  Basically, he takes some moonshine, adds some apple juice and some cinnamon sticks.  He passed it around for people to sample before making a purchase.  This business model appeals to the alphageek, enough to perhaps give this unusual combination a try.  I have to admit, even though I am a bourbon guy, that drink looks pretty good.  Besides, living in Virginia almost my entire life means I need to try some moonshine.

Midnight Moon, Apple Pie Moonshine (click to enlarge)

So, I take a look at my purchase after I get home.  The drink is attractively packaged in a jar shaped like a mason jar, complete with a lid.  Think old school mayonnaise jar. The jar and labels are actually attractive in a simple sort of way.  There is another picture at the end of the article, but I liked the jar so much, I took a series of about ten picture that you can see at this link .

I will say I did not research this product before buying.  Edit:Piedmont Distillers makes this fine product. (Since they actually contacted me via Facebook, I thought I could at least let you know.)  If you want to know about the background, I suggest you go to google and type moonshine Junior johnson apple pie, or some other such attempt.  I do not just take other posts from other sites, and put them on here.  I promise all original content and nothing more.  If you want a site that recycles other people's work, they are out there.  After all some really big bourbon sites have stolen my pictures.  You know who you are!  Buy a camera!

I sat down to take a sample.  When I opened the bottle, I decided to sample the aroma.  While the moonshine did not smell bad, it smelled sort of medicinal and made me a little hesitant to sip a little.  After a minute or so, I gave in and tried it. I could not have been more wrong, this is a great flavor!  No wonder the runner was giving a sample away,  the stuff sells itself.  The apple juice and cinnamon work together, giving a taste somewhat like apple pie with a kick.  I tried a little more, and decided that this drink was going to get a place on the shelf, along with my bourbon.  The flavors taste anything but medicinal.  I had a flashback to some "grain punch" I sampled once or twice.  In both cases, the flavors cover up the bite of the alcohol and allow for a smooth and pleasant drinking experience.  Just be careful not to over enjoy because I suspect these flavors could sneak up on you.

It really is Apple Pie (click to enlarge)

Now that I am enlightened  I am tempted to try to make my own apple pie.  Of course, I will have to use the legal moonshine, and leave the running to someone else.  Don't ask me how to make apple pie.  Try that new thing on the internet, google, and see if you can find a recipe.

Other Red Stag Flavors

I received some Red Stag mini bottles as part of a holiday set in October.  Yes, I know it is no longer October, but I am posting this review anyway.  Don't like the rules?  Go start your own site.

Before I decided to enjoy the Red Stag Cherry, I decided to try out the two varieties  that were in the mini bottles.

I decided to try the Honey Tea. I was not really sure what to expect, but try it I will. I have to admit, Honey Tea just sounds like something to pass on.  Honey Tea and bourbon makes me think of cough syrup, which is not really what I am looking to sip while I am watching football on tv.

Red Stag Honey Tea (click to enlarge)

I take a sip of the honey tea, and I am honestly not certain what the difference is between this, and the Red Stag Cherry. There is a little more of a bitter aftertaste, but not much else. I did not care for the bitter aftertaste, but you might be into that sort of thing.  There is that good Jim Beam taste, and a little hint of flavor, but not much more. Stick with the Cherry one so far.

Red Stag Spiced with Cinnamon (click to enlarge)

Red Stag Spiced with Cinnamon is a little more interesting. It hits with that classic Jim Beam bourbon taste, and then finishes with some cinnamon, making for an interesting taste.  Since I like cinnamon, this one went down pretty well, especially in comparison to the Honey Tea.

I recommend the Spiced with Cinnamon, but I have to say stay away from the Honey Tea.  That funny aftertaste really just was not very good.  While the Cinnamon variety is a good drink, I am not sure I can recommend it over the Red Stag with Cherry.

Do you like what you see?  Don't forget to check out more great information on food from the alphageek at alphageek Talks Food

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