MySideOfTheBar

As you know I do not write all that many Cigar reviews, a habit I hope to break in the coming months here at MySideOfTheBar. However I have for the last couple of years along with one of the Usual Suspects been in search of the illusive three or four dollar stick. A search I have failed at until recently. I discovered and took a chance on the Reposado ’96 I found in perusing the pages of Cigar International . Again, the main reason for the purchase was the price and also the size of the Cigar, a big 7.1 x 58.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of such an expensive stick (about 2.50 USD per stick in a box of 40) A Nicaragua Stick, made from rich, Cuban-seed tobaccos. These Cigars have a creamy bouquet with notes of coffee and nut that complement the rich tobacco core perfectly, while a long, somewhat sweet/spicy finish.  There are three varieties of Reposado ’96 available, Maduro, Habano, and Connecticut. I have only samp...

You will recall in Part 1 of The Challenge of Stocking a Bar I covered Vodka. In the second part of this series I will take a look at Gin. When stocking Gin for your bar you will consider the same two points as you do when choosing Vodka. 1. Gin for mixed drinks 2. Gin for Martini's There is a slight difference as Gin does have a distinct taste as opposed to Vodka. Most individuals that enjoy Gin Cocktails like the different botanical flavors you get from Gin. There are two main schools of Gin, London Gin and Holland Gin. The differences between between the two are very distinctive so you will want to know these differences before making Gin cocktails. Learn the differences here: Gin So here are a few choices to get you started stocking your bar with Gin. For Mixing Cocktails: Burnett's: Burnett's is a true London Distilled Dry Gin, produced according to the original recipe perfected by Sir Robert Burnett in 1770. Boasting exceptional British character,...

If you are like me you are always looking for ways to increase your knowledge of all things related to mixology. I have added several books, software and apps to my rolling stock and I am including a few here for you. Books The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks – I generally Tweet this during the holiday season as part of the 25 Days of Christmas @mysideofthebar. To me this is the Bartenders Bible and a must have for every bar. While some of the references are outdated, overall this is a great read and contains many great cocktail references and recipes. To Have and Have Another – Not only an excellent read and a must have for all Hemingway enthusiast, but also a great source of cocktail knowledge. Apps Mr. Bartender App – For either Android or IPhone/IPad this is a great app loaded with thousands of recipes and is free. You can also add your own drinks to the list (assuming you have one that is not included). One neat feature that is fun, especi...