Thursday, October 9, 2008

Belgian Trappiste Ales















I have been drinking lots of various Belgian and Belgian style ales lately especially trappiste . These beers are strong and bold and are really what beer drinking should be about.  The 2 that I am really fond of are the Rochefort Trappiste 10 and the St Bernardus Abt 12.  Both are excellent.  I plan on doing a trappiste Belgian ale article soon to delve into the elitist side of beer.


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Absinthe

Absinthe IS now legal in the United States and the next 'Top  Shelf' feature will expound on this hot topic.

Top Shelf: Blended Scotch Whisky


This is the lastest Top Shelf article.  We featured Blended Scotch whisky.  What defines a "blended scotch whisky" is a blend between single malt scotch whisky and grain scotch whisky.  

Here is the direct link to the article on-line.
http://www.app.com/4074/sept2008/topshelf/topshelf.html

Here is also a chart to help out with definitions since it does get very confusing.  

Single Malt Scotch Whisky - made in Scotland from malted barley from ONLY one distillery.  In my opinion the finest example of Scotch Whisky. 
i.e.  Macallan 12, Glenlivet 12, Glenfiddich 12, Balvenie 10, etc.

Blended Scotch Whisky - made in Scotland from a blend of grain scotch whisky and single malt scotch whisky from various idstilleries.  
i.e.  Johnnie Walker Red/Black/Gold/Blue

Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky (soon to be called Blended Malt Scotch Whisky) - made in Scotland and a mixture of various single malt scotch whiskies from various distilleries.  
i.e. Johnnie Walker Green

Grain Scotch Whisky - made in Scotland and a grain only (no barley) Scotch Whisky.  Very few of these exist although they seem to be popping up a little bit more.


Wine and Spirits Writer

y name is Evangelos Mihelis and I am a wine and spirits writer for the 40 Degrees and 74 Degrees magazine (formerly the GoodLife at the Jersey Shore).

The two columns are below with links:

TOP SHELF
A quaterly column about ultra-premium spirit categories.  I have been co-authoring this column  since the Fall of 2005.


THE VINE
A monthly column that highlights a category of wine and locak wine experts offer their picks in each category.