Those are all great picks Mikey. The Hoffman Sweet Baby James I got on vinyl awhile back sounds awesome and both Skynyrd and Heart are guilty pleasures. I saw Heart from the third row or so while they were still young and hot. That was fun.
Upping the ante is the right thing to do Jim!
My Monte Carlo was even better because it called for 2.25oz of rye! I made another with Lot B bourbon and it was even better than the High West Rye version. Hmm, I wonder if a better rye would make an been better version. To the lab!
EDIT: now I can say the Rittenhouse 25 version is super good! Wow.
Congrat on christening the bar, and a most excellent choice of cocktail. Bravo!
I am having a Monte Carlo, but I did not find it in Esquire--online mag or old timey cocktail book. I found a rye whiskey version and went with that, although a bourbon one will follow shortly.
Cleaned and reorganized my dad's garage and back yard. Put in about 7 hours and it was in awesome shape at the end.
Now sitting at the Greek Theater with Claire and Alden waiting to see the Fleet Foxes.
For science, I have made another Sazerac Cocktail with Sazerac 18 (2010). Also awesome, but with more rye bite than the elder Rittenhouse. Do I dare continue with Thos. Handy and Van Winkle Reserve Rye and maybe the Sazerac 18 (2009)? We shall see...
Too bad about colds and shitty days, but tomorrow is another day.
Although not quite cask strength, I needed some whiskey treatment when I got home too. The Sazerac Cocktail I am now enjoying with Rittenhouse 25/Gum Syrup/Peychauds/Opaline Absinthe/Large Zest of Lemon proves that life ain't all bad. Damn fine drink.
Cheers friends!