This strange duck showed up on the shelves at Kokoman Sat & I knew I had to try it. Us strange ducks all hang together:
1. VioletFreres Byrrh Grand Quinquina Recette Originale Apertif Elabore a Partiv de Vins (18%; Haus Alpenz/Edina/MN) Cave Byrrh/Thuir NV: Dark garnet color w/ no bricking; somewhat strong quinine quite herbal/earthy/dusty slight alcoholic bit Buckley's cough syrup slight barky/woody very fragrant/perfumedrather floral/violets/hollyhocks slight pungent licorice beautiful very exotic complex nose; slightly sweet some quinine/bitter/medicinal/Buckley's cough syrup very strong floral/violets/hollyhocks beautiful exotic flavor w/ light tannic/medicinal character; very long/lingering strong quinine/slightly bitter slightly sweet very intense floral/violets/hollyhocks beautiful complex finish w/ light bit bitter tannins; much like a Barolo Chinato but not as sweet/hot/harsh/alcoholic; better than any BaroloChinato I've tried; a beautiful very exotic drink and everything you want in an after-dinner digistiv; super great price. $13.50/hlf (KK)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. HausAlpenz: Over the last few yrs, I noticed a number of (aromatized) wines here in NM from Haus Alpenz: HausAlpenz
When I saw this wine on the shelf, I noticed it was from HausAlpenz, so I knew I must try it. I had previously tried their Pasubio from SudTirol and was blown away by it. You can find the rest of the story here: Byrrh
It is made in the French Catalan region from Roussillon wine, SW of Perpignan, w/ a shot of quinine and aromatized herbs of a secret recipe. This is amazing stuff. I'm going back for more.
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2. Buckley's: My Mom was from a very old-time Kansas background. Her Mother (Grandma Nina) would always give her a dose of Buckley'sMixture Cough Syrup when she had a sore throat and a cough. ( Buckley's) When I would come down sick, out would come the Buckley's. It was without doubt the foulest tasting stuff I ever put in my mouth. Invariably, it tasted so foul that I would barf it all back up on my Mom & my bed, absolutely infuriating her. Finally, my Dad, when I was sick, would offer to do the onorous chore of giving me a spoonful of Buckley's to placate my Mom. Good ole Dad, he would pour that dreadful spoonful, swallow it himself, and save me from certain death by Buckley's.
I see they still sell Buckley's. I must get a btl & see if it's still as bad as I remember.
Tom