TS: brown liquor vs. clear liquor

totally agree w/you about allspice dram--it's a great flavor but it tends to sort of blow up your drinks.

benedictine is much sweeter than fernet and certainly doesn't have that menthol thing going, in fact it's not really bitter at all. its sweetness is kind of like honey and then there's a lot of herbal flavors in it as well.

benedictine, maraschino, allspice dram, etc. they all really jump out and you have to be careful. exception is green chartreuse--can never get enough of that stuff.

thinking there should be a cocktail thread (prob already is since i don't really read ile) and there it is, and there u are. i should read through that thing
Your favorite cocktails - a reference thread for the newish bartender

but speaking of rum again, i had a sip of the best rum i've ever had in my life last night (not too hard since i haven't had too many). ron zacapa. total sipper w/ice. straight caramel flavors. pretty amazing.

hey i did this last year but still bumping it for discoveries and commentary and shit:

in the 2k10 i am learning to make cocktails. this is my mixology thread

good thread. when i finally read all the way through it (give me a few months prob, ha), i'll add a few of my own faves.

also, this is hella funny
http://www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/products/age-your-own-whiskey-kit/

I inadvertently went through my twenties crossing clear liquors off a list of things I'd never be able to drink again, but there's got to be one that's different from the gins and vodkas and moonshines and clear tequilas that I could actually order. What is Ouzo? Is it good? Also, I've only ever had spiced/dark rum as far as I know. What's white rum like?

white rum is wonderful

Vodka + soda + lime = summertime

I know the more expensive vodkas have less odor than the cheaper stuff, but I can't even whiff it anymore with feeling queasy.

ouzo is gross imo. i prefer dark rum to white - but maybe i just havent had good white rum

Ouzo is similar to arak and many other rather raw near-eastern anise-flavored liquors. It is not mellow stuff. It is traditionally drunk with water added, which turns it a milky color. I can't say it is worth a special trip just to drink some, but if you are in Greece and some is offered to you, try it. You might like it.

yea if you like anise you will like ouzo

Oh, I just looked up what anise is. Can't imagine I'd be into it.

If you have ever had Pastis, it is pretty similar. Ouzo is really refreshing with ice and water. It has a bad rep because tourists tend to pound shots of it.

Or sambucca i guess.

sambuca + espresso = deliciousness