Old New Orleans visits 50 Plates and More

Tomorrow, I am lucky enough to be doing a special event for the Distillers Trail at 50 Plates, a lead up to the GADF. I can't believe our luck as Ben Gersh from Old New Orleans Rum is coming to hang out and talk about his products while JP and I get to pour some great drinks featuring their rum. I've got a batch of Hazelnut Orgeat that I'm bringing in to make a "Port Orleans", essentially a classic Mai Tai with an Oregon twist (one of the very few tiki drinks that I care for), a Bienville Tea, Old New Orleans rum, Grand Marnier and iced tea, and, of course, JP's Rum Julep plus a few other surprises. Its going to be a blast, and it runs from 5-8 tomorrow, so make sure you get down to 50 Plates in plenty of time.

Last night, I was up to an ungodly hour stuffing the swag bags for the competitors and judges for this weekend's cocktail competition. Honestly, it kind of sucked. Apparently, I'm much better at other things, as stuffing bags is clearly not my forte. The gift bags are cool this year, Imbibe Magazine, our co-presenter of the competition helped immensely in this task. I'd like to let the bags be a surprise, so I won't reveal the contents yet, but they are pretty cool this year.

I've also had the worst case of writers block in my life over the last 2 weeks. Anyone have any advice?

Other news-

- I rately get envious, but I just read Jeff Morgenthaler's post on Old Forester Repeal Bourbon today and I'm lusting after some Old Forester right now. Perhaps a trip to Eugene is in order soon. Damn I like bourbon.

-Shoshanna Cohen, former writer for Imbibe Magazine, avid sock lover and all around cool Portlander has a newish blog going. Its www.socktails.blogspot.com Head on over and check it out. You might learn a thing or two about drinks, or perhaps tube socks. I just added her to my reader.

- In the mail, samples of Veev acai liquor and Sagatiba Pura Cachaca. With my recent interest in all things cachaca, well, color me very interested, and I have yet to taste Veev acai, but I'm open to the experience.

- Sobieski vodka is amazing. Easily worth double the money. I have to get this stuff into the State of Oregon. Imagine something that I can afford to pour as my well giving my top shelf vodkas a run for their money and you've got Sobieski.

- On the shelves, 10 Cane Rum has a mojito kit on the shelves right now retailing for $35. I really like 10 Cane, but I haven't tried the Stirrings Mojito mix. Still, at the price, the mix is basically free.

- Tonight, I'm escorting Ms. Emma Davis of Martin Miller’s gin, one of the great gins of the world, to show her the level of expertise and sophistication in our great cocktail scene here. I figure TearDrop, 50 Plates, Ten01 and Clyde Common make a great start, any thoughts on other destinations? Victory?

Thursday Update

Ughh, stuck at the day job this morning, really not wanting to be here. I really need to find a way to get out of corporate America. Tonight, its First Thursday, a big art event in the Pearl, so 50 Plates should be really busy tonight. I hope so, as we need a good rush to see how the cocktail list performs and how the bar operates under a good solid rush.

Some other updates for you;

I'm still working on a review of Leblon cachaca , but it probably won't happen until Sunday. I'm turning into a huge Leblon fan, last night I was tired, so I just made some Leblon and 7s which worked perfectly in the 95 degree heat with no a/c. Look also for some more traditional Brazilian cachaca drinks as I get time.

I'm also working on a review of Bacardi 8, yet another sipping rum that I'm really getting into. I'm starting to be convinced that the rum/cachaca category offers far more value for dollar spent than any other spirits category.

I've been debating doing a review of New Amsterdam gin, a new gin on the market from Gallo, but I don't think I have time. Its not a flavor profile that I particularly care for (its sweet, with a very pronounced orange flavor), but just because its not for me doesn't mean that it can't play an important role in the marketplace. This should be an easy gin for bartenders to convert their mandarin and soda drinkers over to. In other words, this might be the gateway gin I've been waiting for. I'll be keeping my eye on New Amsterdam to see how they do, I think there is a real opportunity for them to market this to young vodka drinkers.

I received a bottle of Sobieski vodka yesterday. You all probably know that I'm not a huge vodka fan, but say "Polish" and "rye" when we are talking vodka and you are likely to grab my attention. I've go the bottle stashed at my desk so that I can bring it in tonight so that I can play with it along with Suzanne Allard, a self described "vodka girl". The price point on this stuff is amazing, if its quality product we're going to need to get it into Oregon asap.

I'm also busy with finalizing things for the Oregon Bartenders Guild's upcoming cocktail competition as part of the Great American Distillers Festival. Its really going to be a great competition and there is still room available to compete. For more info, go to www.distillersfestival.com

Lastly, I've got a new drink to foist upon an unsuspecting public. Its really tasty and I've got to get it up soon. But I doubt that it will happen tonight.