From the category archives:

Spirits

Friday Cocktail: “The Old Kraken”

by Gerry Jobe 03.02.2012

(Photos courtesy of Spatulamedia)
This variation on The Old Fashioned came to be from a conversation with fellow barman Micah Jensen. While creating drinks for our cocktail list we pondered what Mickey, Rocky’s Trainer would drink. We asked “What would Mickey’s cocktail be? What if Mickey and Quint from Jaws sat down at an old Sailor [...]

0 comments Click to continue…

Agave Spirits Featured at Tales of the Cocktail Vancouver

by Eric Lorenz 02.01.2012

Tales of the Cocktail on Tour Vancouver is right around the corner, taking place February 12-15. At this second annual installment of the satellite event of New Orleans’ own Tales of the Cocktail, tequila and mezcal will figure prominently. Charlotte Voisey, Iván Saldaña, and your very own agave correspondent will be presenting an entertaining and educating seminar [...]

0 comments Click to continue…

The Hanky Panky

by Shaun Layton 01.20.2012

From 1903 through to 1926, Ada Coleman, or as her regulars called her, “Coley”, worked the bar at the Savoy Hotel’s American Bar in London. She was a very talented bartender who proceeded the great, Harry Craddock, who in 1924 would come over the pond from America to manage the Savoy. Six years later he [...]

1 comment Click to continue…

B.C.’s 90 Year Hangover

by Editor 06.15.2011

June 15, 2011 is the 90th Anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in BC and the establishment of government control of the sale of liquor within the province. The BC prohibition commenced on October 1, 1917. It was soon judged a failure, resulting in law-abiding citizens becoming criminals for simply wanting to have a drink [...]

0 comments Click to continue…

Blind Tasting Cognac Review: Hennessy Black

by paulkamon 06.08.2011

I have been playing a game with restaurant bartenders across town, where I show up with a mystery bottle and ask them to review it blind. By not knowing what the product is or who represents it, hopefully, an honest-no-bs-review is achieved.
Come inside and read the review of our next contestant…

0 comments Click to continue…

Higher Canadian Profile for Wild Turkey

by Rick Green 11.01.2010

Local bourbon aficionados will be pleased to know that Canada is now on Wild Turkey’s radar since Gruppo Campari bought the brand from Pernod Ricard last year, after nearly three decades in the latter’s portfolio. Associate Distiller, Eddie Russell, was recently in Vancouver and Calgary to spread the good news and showcase five of Wild [...]

0 comments Click to continue…

Getting Reacquainted with Blended Whisky

by Jay Jones 08.02.2010

What do a Frenchman, Vancouver bartenders, and Dufftown, Scotland, have in common? Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky.

1 comment Click to continue…

Riedel Me This

by Jay Jones 06.18.2010

From the gaudiest of over-sized steins, to the daintiest cocktail crystal, Bartenders are fascinated with drinking vessels. There is something special about matching glass to beverage that can truly refine drinking experiences. The best glass isn’t bigger or taller or fancier or pricier – it’s personal, and it just has to feel right. The romance [...]

8 comments Click to continue…

A Most Refined Bourbon

by Jay Jones 02.08.2010

I can say with absolute certainty, that there is no liquid on earth which I have consumed more of than Maker’s Mark Straight Kentucky Bourbon – the sultry redhead having seduced me to the point of helpless and permanent infatuation. No other spirit has quite captured my affection or inspired my cocktail creativity as completely. [...]

6 comments Click to continue…

Mekhong: The Spirit of Thailand

by Rick Green 07.10.2009

^ Areerat Lee (left) and Patcharee Champaphan, present Rochelle Clarke of the Glowbal Group with a bottle of Mekhong.

(Photography by Brian K. Smith)
The Bacchus Group recently hosted the Western Canadian launch of Mekhong at Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge. Guests were treated to glasses of Sabai Sabai—a Mekhong signature cocktail, also known as the ‘Thai welcome [...]

2 comments Click to continue…

Elixir’s Water of Life

by Rick Green 07.08.2009

As a beer aficionado, I’ve always been curious about ale’s distilled cousin, whisky. Developing some understanding, however, takes time—something I don’t have a lot of. Fortunately, Elixir Bistro hosts a monthly tasting in the Velvet Room to help you accelerate the process. Whisky Wednesdays feature three varieties of whiskey paired with three tasting plates prepared [...]

1 comment Click to continue…

Women & Whiskey

by paulkamon 12.17.2008

Urban Diner contributor Lauren Mote makes an appearance on CBC’s Living Vancouver with whiskey connoisseur, Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength to do a segment on “Women and Whiskey” at the Shebeen in Gastown.
Strangely the show is about exploring Commercial Drive “block by block”. When did the Shebeen move to the Drive? Score!
Watch the show here.

0 comments Click to continue…