getting me through the "arctic fronts"

The buzz word in Maine right now is "Arctic Front"...so much in fact, I think the weatherman last night got tired of repeating himself and resorted to simply...really really cold.  To assist in carrying me through these long cold days I have been looking forward to cocktail hour and lately we have been exploring some very fun alternatives!  

First off, I have come to really enjoy whisky.  For Christmas, from the man I love so much, I received a whisky sampler.  In it there was 200mL of pure exploration/heaven in four small bottles including:  Bookers, Baker's, KNOB creek, and Basil Hayden's.  Drank in that order.  Being a sucker for labels and saving my favorite for last, I chose Booker's to be my first sample.  Now, at 127 proof (should have read the label before I took my first swig), if there were any spark nearby, there would have been flames and we would have been in trouble...we turned it into a Manhattan immediately (extra cherry juice to reduce the amount damage done to my esophagus).  This cocktail was so powerful, I was accused of "drunk dialing" my younger brother by 6p.m. (now this is really something if you knew my brother).  *note*  steer clear of 127 proof whisky.  The middle two went off without a hitch.  Tasty, warm in my belly, with a bit of a bite.  

The real love affair started when I finally opened the most charming little bottle that I had saved for a rainy (in this case snowy) day.  Not only did I find the name charming, the design of this little gem is quite captivating and when I took my first sip I knew there would be no going back.  The dear Basil Hayden Sr. began distilling in 1796 and God love 'em, his Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky has survived Civil Wars, Witch Trials, and Bush for all of us to sip and enjoy!

Recently, Dave and I had also stumbled upon a new beer/whisky, which, for me, could life get much better?!  This little masterpiece, called Ola Dubh Ale (meaning Black Oil) is the product of Harviestoun Brewery who aged this brew in "selected Oak Casks formerly used to mature the award-winning Highland Park 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky."  This, my friend, is pure brilliance.  When drunk at room temperature and shared with a fellow foodie (or "drinkie" I guess) it is a first rate, top notch experience.  

In closing, I want to give a little shout out to a new (to me) brewer in Belfast, Maine...Marshall Wharf.  Dave Mac and I went out on a limb and tried their Pemaquid Oyster Stout, brewed with "10 briny Pemaquid Oysters" for real.  Thinking it might be fishy, we were pleasantly surprised at it's chocolatey smooth finish.  No taste of the sea at all!  Check 'em out, they have some fun brews not to be missed.