If you are like me, the many restrictions brought on by the pandemic have not dampened your desire to have nice things, or the quest to keep comfort and joy in your life as much as possible. In practice, this means that if I can’t go to a bar for cocktails, I bring the bar to me in the form of keeping my favorite spirits and mixers stocked and ready to pour. Pandemic Drinking: You Are Doing it Right. Continue reading Product Review: NEFT Vodka, Because You Like to Have Nice Things
Tag Archives: liquor
Eye On Design: Engraved Whiskey Decanter Circa 1867
Richly-colored blown glass in the Bohemian taste, ornamented with cutting and engraving, attracted the American public beginning in the mid-nineteenth century. This whiskey decanter (from the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company), in a shape typical of the 1860s and 1870s, is distinguished by its brilliant faceting and detailed depiction of fruit, revealing the skill of the engraver, George Franklin Lapham . As a testament to its quality, Lapham signed and dated the work.
Photographed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
Product Review: Vodka & Italian Tomato Ketchup From Spirit & Co.
Do you like Ketchup? I sure do. Ketchup is one of my top-three favorite condiments of all time — up there with Mayonnaise, and Trader Joe’s Green Tomatillo Chili Salsa, which is just insane — and if we are talking about Specialty Ketchups, don’t even get me started. If you can’t get your head around the thought of digging into a plate of crispy French fries without a generous side of ketchup for dipping, then let me introduce you to your new favorite thing: Vodka & Italian Tomato Ketchup from Spirit & Co. Continue reading Product Review: Vodka & Italian Tomato Ketchup From Spirit & Co.
The Bob Marley Shot

Make it! (Image Source)
Directions:
- First, fill your shot glass 1/3 with strawberry syrup.
- Next, carefully add another 1/3 of creme-de-banana.
- For the top layer, mix some white overproof Jamaican rum with green creme-de-mint and fill the glass the rest of the way.
The secret to the layers is simple: progressively lighter fluids poured slowly will float nicely on top of each other. Mixing the overproof white rum with the creme-de-mint makes the green top layer the lightest and strongest part of the shot.
Enjoy, and keep Jamaica in your prayers.
Casa Noble Tequila Tasting with Carlos Santana
As someone who has literally grown up hearing Carlos Santana’s music since I was a small child, it is exciting to see him continually harvesting personal and financial success through diversification into projects that transcend the scope of music. Carlos’s latest endeavor is a partnership with the respected Tequila brand, Casa Noble, a company on whose board he now sits as a part owner.

Carlos Santana Speaks to Guests at the Casa Noble Tequila tasting at Midtown’s Core Club (Photo By Anne Raso)
Regarding the partnership, Carlos explained that he and the company share many core values. “Passion, dedication and integrity is what attached me to Casa Noble Tequila,” he said, adding, “I feel at home.” Santana also revealed that Casa Noble and his family have the same origins; with roots dating to the 1700s in Jalisco, Mexico. “When I visited the distillery,” said Santana, “I immediately felt spiritually connected to the [CEO, Jose] Hermosillo family and Casa Noble. Together we celebrate the gift of life and all of the blessings that come with it. Together we can all make a difference in the world.”
Last evening, Casa Noble and CEO Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo held a private tasting event at midtown’s Core Club to formally introduce Carlos’s alignment with and contribution to the brand, and to taste some delicious, triple distilled Tequila.
Three varieties were featured at the Core Club reception: Crystal (the Casa Noble version of the clear Silver or Blanco tequila variety), Reposada and Anejo. I must say that the deep amber Anejo variety scored as a favorite with the guests, owing to its butterscotch, vanilla and chocolate notes and an almost brandy-like essence. In a word: Smooth!
All Casa Noble Tequilas come in beautiful, hand-blown glass decanters and are certainly Tequilas that anyone would be proud to serve or give as gifts to your finest friends and guests.
Read more about the Casa Noble brand and its partnership with Carlos Santana at This Link.

Tiny Bottles of Casa Noble Tequila Were Given to Guests to Take Home






