Voltron

Have tons of fun with the MBP Lloyd!

Intentional or not, that is so accurate!

Avast that grog and fax it on over here! Tonight I've had a Vesper and a Sidecar but no pics. I like drinks.

Thanks for the tips Mike, here are quick shots of the results. More to follow.

Way to trade up Dinny!

Congrat Shelly and big congrat Bryan!

I had to pass the tongs to Claire and give her your instructions because I am preparing an expert to testify on Monday. I am hoping to be there to enjoy them later and will ask Claire to takes picks in progress. Enjoy your brief bachelorhood!

Nice spot Dusty!

It was the one in the middle with twice as much booze in it! Now:

Salmon with Cape Cod rub on the Traeger and asparagus with Persian lime olive oil and sea salt on the grill.

Cheers to Karen and drinking on Friday! Can you guess which Little Italy is mine?

Well, at least you won't get arrested this weekend for taking pictures.

Nate, the NHT pair posted by Faust are being sold by a guy in Milford, MA in case that would be driveable.

This: Then this: Now this: The Antlers -- Burst Apart

I poured you a cake! Have a good one Younger than Young Justin, Justin. Cheers!

Lagunitas IPA then Sierra Nevada and now I was just handed a Sam Adams all at the ball game.

Shark Choke Syndrome is back in effect. I hope they can find the cure again tomorrow.

I got one Abacus, also, so let me know how you like it!

Todd really highly recommends different tubes from the basic stock Tung Sol he sells, and I have numerous 6SN7s if you want to try some out...

Happy birthday fellas! Cheers

Just add R10s! Have a great one and get down with your bad self. Cheers!

That is awesome Ric! Looks great and plenty of options for listening. I hope you just keep it all, but what are the front-runners at the moment?

Ok, I lied. After seeing that Marc already tried the HV I reverted to my original plan and made a top shelf Saratoga. i had been meaning to find a reason to open the Cocchi vermouth and wow is this good! I will sample the vermouth solo later but this is an excellent manhattan variation. The Saratoga 1 fl. oz. Rye Whiskey (Van Winkle Family Reserve) 1 fl. oz. VSOP Cognac (G-R XO brandy) 1 fl. oz. Sweet Vermouth (Cocchi Di Torino) 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters (1 Angostura and 1 cherry) Stir all ingredients over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Oops, didn't realize the pic was awful. Sorry.

Funny you should mention a substitute, Marc, because the Cocktailian article where I found the recipe specifically says "There's no real substitute for Bonal, I'm afraid, but it can be found at good wine stores." The taste is hard to describe but the quinine blends with herbs and makes a really interesting flavor. Here is a comment from some that is helpful: "For those unfamiliar with Bonal, it's a true Quinquina - quinine is the principal botanical and bittering agent. The base is Mistelle, a fortified unfermented grape must - think Pineau des Charentes or just brandy fortified grape juice. In the home region this is served with a squeze of lemon and on the rocks, maybe some soda. Given the mistelle base it's also nice for stretching out the wood on brown spirits. A simple demonstration is a 1:1 with rye and a dash or two of orange bitters." I really enjoy the Bonal & Rye (2 ounces rye whiskey, 1 ounce Bonal Gentiane-Quina, 1/2 ounce Cointreau, 2 dashes orange bitters, 1 dash Angostura bitters, Orange twist, for garnish) and I'm glad to find more options for drinking it. Jim, I quite liked the Cortez and should have been rocking the Neil Young, but I actually did that yesterday. The flavor is smokey, chocolately and herbal all at the same time, and the tequila bite shines through. Try it, you may like it. Next up, In Harvard We Trust! (good cassis is a must for this one!)