Rabbit Hole Dareringer and DIY cocktails big winners at BLC summer tasting event in L.A.
Takeaways from our "Cask Flight Challenge" event, which included making two original BLC recipes in DTLA. Oh, and there were tacos. Yum.
What a time to be alive.
On Friday night, around 25 friends and family members of Brown Liquor Collective convened in a poolside venue in Downtown Los Angeles. Cordiality existed among all who abided within the premises, as the promise of good flights, cocktails and tacos was delivered. Putting names to faces only seen digitally in real life was a fun experience. Rekindling prior relationships and catching up on life brought smiles and laughs. The libation and good vibes had successfully lathered everyone into a great time.
And I was a nervous wreck.
Why? Three reasons.
My assistant I hired to help (HI RAVEN) canceled on me due to a “family emergency” 90 minutes before the event started.
I left 150 serving cups in my other car. So we drank flights and cocktails out of clear and red plastic cups for the evening’s festivities. (This actually became a positive)
I hadn’t hosted anything in person in nearly three years because of ‘Rona.
And you know what? My friends and family gave me grace, cracked jokes and moved forward like everything was perfectly fine. Do you know why? Because it was fine. It was great, and I was fortunate for the energy folks gave BLC and Sip Mightily.
Thank you.
The Menu
“Guess the Cask Finish” Blind Flight Tasting
Glenmorangie 13 Year Cognac Finish Barrel Select
Breckenridge PX Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey
Rabbit Hole Dareringer Sherry Cask Bourbon
Barrell Seagrass Rye Whiskey (Finished in Martinique Rhum Agricole casks, apricot brandy casks, and Madeira barrels.)
DIY Cocktails
Sundress Season
Papi’s 95
Tacos
Beef, Chicken and Veggie tacos courtesy of SupaPlates by Anthony Braithwaite (Southern California, he’s your guy for all things catering)
After plowing through the offerings, I chatted with folks in attendance to get their thoughts on the pours and drinks. Feedback was given in abundance. Here are my takeaways.
Rabbit Hole Dareringer is dangerously delicious
When I selected the four bottles for the flight tasting, I figured Barrell Seagrass would come out on top. And for the most part, I was right. A few seasoned sippers knew it was Barrell immediately during the blind tasting.
“The apricot gave it away,” said one BLC member while sniffing. “I’d recognize this anywhere.”
But the winner was Rabbit Hole’s Dareringer offering, as its lower proof (93) made it a bit easier to find the flavors throughout the tasting process.
“I get hints of an oatmeal raisin cookie!” laughed Ebony, an invited guest to the proceedings. “Is that bad?”
Heavens no. That’s excellent.
The reminder here is simple. The offerings by Barrell and Rabbit Hole are both exceptional. However, Barrell’s proof (124) and complexity can be a challenge for some. Rabbit Hole’s a bit more palatable and easier to explore. For folks in attendance, that lower barrier of entry made the difference.
My only personal gripe for Rabbit Hole Dareringer is that it’s priced higher ($79 at Total Wine) than Barrell Seagrass ($69 at Total Wine), which I could see some wondering whether the premium is worth it. Dareringer’s fantastic, I just wish it didn’t cost the same as a pair of Nike Air Force 1s.
Agave syrup + Lemon juice = Good AF cocktails
It’s the not-so-secret secret of my cocktails on this here website/newsletter. In my opinion, subbing in agave syrup for simple syrup just makes most cocktails way better.
Yes, there are some who could say that using agave instead of simple syrup is just making the drink sweeter and heavier. My retort to that is simple: I always suggest using a higher than 80-proof whiskey and I’d like my other ingredients to be able to balance out the strength. Agave can handle the extra punch in the cocktail. Plus, it makes things delicious.
I assisted and watched attendees make 50+ cocktails last Friday night as they made our now infamous Sundress Season and Papi’s 95. The consensus message after they finished crafting their drinks was profound.
“Damn, I can make this at home…right now,” said Simone after a sip.
This community we’re forming is real
My frat brother Jawan (‘06 to the good bruhs) and his wife came into Los Angeles from Oklahoma City for the weekend, and made our event a part of their travel agenda.
A BLC reader, Kelvin, told me he was excited to try out these new cocktails after he experimented and tried The Gold Rush I’d written about during my trip to Lake Tahoe.
My longtime buddy, Anndrea, who doesn’t drink whiskey, loved her cocktails and said she might have to give bourbon another shot.
Y’all really tried to make a thug cry real tears man.
This whiskey club and this newsletter have always been about bringing people and experiences together. Events like last week’s “Summertime Vibes” is just a culmination and celebration of that mission.
“Let me know when you’re doing another one of these,” yelled Chris while exiting. “I’ll be there!”
We got you, bro. Say less.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Summertime Vibes: Anndrea, Byron, Kristin, Christopher, Dontae, Ebonee, Jawan, Toye, Jelani, Jennifer, Kelvin, Brandyn, Laura, Linda, Mya, Nashaun, Saleem, Shon, Camille, Simone, Tiffany, Yong, Paola, Erika and Phillip!