Archive for category Wine, Spirits & Cigars
Vertikal Vodka Design: World’s First Neckless Bottle
Posted by Ken in Wine, Spirits & Cigars on April 1, 2007
Dubbed as the "World's First Neckless Bottle", Vertikal Vodka Design comes with a wide mouth screw top. Not sure how the vodka guzzlers are gonna take to this change! Specially designed to evoke emotions and push the limits further, the maker has emphasized that this new approach will elevate the consumers to the ‘next level’. But I guess that’s what any vodka is capable of doing! This patented design and brand developed by the nonobject company from California is intended to be reused after its initial role…….as an elegant vase. Don’t you think that this ‘World’s First Neckless Bottle’ is nothing unique but just an elongated beer can created out of glass?
Johnnie Walker King George V Blue Label Whisky
Posted by Contributor in Wine, Spirits & Cigars on March 31, 2007
Lovers of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label have a new way to satisfy their love of the top shelf whisky. The Johnnie Walker King George V Edition comes in a crystal decanter with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity. The whisky is made with the same techniques during the reign of King George V and features only whiskies from distilleries operating during that era. The blend includes the Port Ellen Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a distillery which no longer exists and whose preserved stock is expensive due to its scarcity . The crystal decanter comes in a silk-lined presentation box with a display holder for showing the bottle in whisky cabinets. The whisky sells for $400.
The Closet Wine Cellar
Posted by Contributor in Home Design, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on March 27, 2007
Want a wine cellar but don't have a basement or a spare room to dedicate to your love of the grape, Closet Wine Cellars specializes in putting small cellars into a variety of places. You find the room, they'll make it work whether it is a closet, wall or storage space. The systems can be customized to your design style and refrigerated units are available. Their racking system makes it easy to see the labels. The company is based in Southern California, the land of no basements, so they have their work cut out for them. At least, given recent weather, they can start with the coat closet as seems to be the case in the picture here.
Greek To Me: Anthos, New York City
Posted by Ken in Fine Dining, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on March 19, 2007
Mezes are rapidly replacing tapas and antipasto in New York with the profusion of new Greek restaurants hitting the scene. Both high-end refined, inventive Greek fare and restaurants offering more rustic, traditional cuisine are proving popular in the Big Apple.
Leading the Greek odyssey is dream team:Chef Michael Psilakis and the stylish hostess-with-the- mostess Donatella Apraia. This is their third pairing. First was Onera, where Psilakis turns Greek Classics inside out for a contemporary spin. Then they opened Dona, which offers a blend of Greek and Italian cuisine such as the lobster tail poached in a rich, velvety avgolemono, the famous Greek lemon-and-egg soup, or zucchini chocolate cake served with a scoop of walnut gelato, spiked with a hint of thyme.
Aw Shucks: Oyster Bar, Farallon Restaurant, SF
Posted by Ken in Fine Dining, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on March 8, 2007
Pat Kuleto is the God of San Francisco upscale restaurant design. I’ve always loved his Farallon Restaurant on the edge of San Francisco’s fashionable Union Square shopping district, because of its outlandish underwater theme to complement its fantastic seafood menu.
Now, his new French-style Oyster Bar, adjacent to the renowned Jelly Bar, takes that theme one step further, with a enhanced selection of raw oysters, more signature cocktails, an updated bar menu, or any choice from the restaurant’s full dinner menu –– all surrounded by bar stools shaped like sea urchins, jellyfish chandeliers, and kelp-inspired columns that are illuminated.
Wokka Saki Vodka: The Premier Grain Vodka Of Choice!
Posted by Ken in Wine, Spirits & Cigars on March 2, 2007
Aside from an unusual name, Wokka Saki has an unusual combination of flavors inspired by the frozen "Snow monsters" of the Asahi mountains in Japan. It is a smooth blend of micro-distilled grain vodka, sake and the essence of Asian fruits. The combination is light and slighting more refreshing than the average vodka, but with a hint of the exotic.
Grey Goose Teams Up With Rolls Royce
Posted by Ken in Automobiles, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on February 19, 2007
Normally, alcohol and cars just don't mix, but Grey Goose and Rolls Royce seem to have decided to use that combination to promote a message of social responsibility – as well as one of the enjoyment of luxury goods. The companies are creating two fully customized Rolls-Royce Extended Wheelbase Phantoms, which will drive around (presumably in highly visible nighttime hot spots) with fully-trained chauffeurs who will educate people about the importance of "Sipping Responsibly."
Tommy Bahama Rums: Have You Had Any Yet?
Posted by Ken in Wine, Spirits & Cigars on February 16, 2007
What spirit would the Tommy Bahama brand, famous for selling a relaxed island-style second-home chic, choose to brand with their name? Rum of course. This spring will see the introduction of two Tommy Bahama rums: Tommy Bahama White Sand and Tommy Bahama Golden Sun (otherwise known as the white one and the dark one). The rum is from Barbados and uses blackstrap molasses, water naturally filtered through coral stone and is fermented using a yeast imported from the wine-growing regions of South Africa.
Cheap Ways To Host A Chic Dinner Party
Posted by Ken in Fine Dining, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on January 26, 2007
Hosting a dinner party is a fun and rewarding experience. In addition, it’s interesting to bring different groups and types of friends together to see what kind of chemistry might develop.
But one of the dangers of playing host is that it’s all too easy to break the bank on food and décor. You shouldn’t have to take out a second mortgage; it is possible to host a dinner party on the cheap. Potluck and BYOB have their merits, but your guests should know well enough to bring a bottle or a dessert. And really, potluck and BYOB aren’t the best ways to impress.
Wine events will help cure post-holiday let-down
Posted by Contributor in Cities, Wine, Spirits & Cigars on January 16, 2007
Just when you think you have nothing left to look forward to because all the holiday festivities are over, wine country comes to New England in the form of two events.
First up is Mohegan Sun Winefest 2007 this coming weekend in Connecticut. It’s easy to get excited about the chance to try 1,000 wines during the two-day Grand Tasting or to enjoy a dinner prepared by a team of celebrity chefs. But the seminars — these are the jewels in a wine event’s crown. For anyone who wants to learn more about wine, or be in the company of leaders in the field, these are not to be missed.