Tom Kreitzberg

TFW you find out at 5:30 you’re on your own for dinner and the local barbecue joint’s Whiskey Wednesday features Barrel 21 yo finished in apricot brandy barrels.

Another weekend like this, and come January Harbaugh will be the longest-tenured head coach in the NFC East. #GoBirds

Singularity #17, Blackberry & Rye liqueur, 30% abv, from @baltspiritsco. Sweet blackberry on a bed of rye spice. Delicious on its own, perfect for improving sparkling wine or vanilla ice cream.

Bartenders took a few minutes to find the Private Selection I ordered among the many @4RosesBourbon bottles they have. “There are just so many Four Roses,” one said. “More like Fourteen Roses, amirite?” I did *not* say, so I’m already winning the weekend.

Just ran through a @torabhaig tasting. Cnoc Na Moine, finished in Oloroso and PX casks, makes me look forward to their 10 year olds. Taigh is a remarkably remarkable drink — in a good way, if not a keep-it-on-your-shelf way.

How do you say, “Don’t take your foot off the gas,” in German, French, Italian, and Romansh?

Hopp Schwiiz and all, but something about a penalty goal against a freshly concussed goalie seems not quite the thing to cheer.

It took me just under 59 minutes to go from, “Wait, which color are we?” to, “Dest is doing well creating space, but he needs to be more decisive when the opportunity is there.”

Should’ve tasted @KingsCoWhiskey Empire Rye before starting on the smoked pig shots (kielbasa, bacon, smoked jalapeño cream cheese). But it’s got a nice young-ish rye nose, and from what I can tell kind of a sharp spice cake on the palate. Probably doesn’t get lost in cocktails.

Maker’s Mark Heart Release 2024. Astonishingly dynamic finish, with the oak actively shoving the suble sweet notes from the palate out of the way. Glad I tasted it, don’t need a bottle. A “Try this” for bourbon drinkers, a “Try something else” for others.

.@baltspiritsco Peated Bourbon. 17.5% Bairds Heavily Peated Malt, 24% Bono Rye, 58.5% Boone County White Corn. Complex and fun, with the interest coming from the mashbill instead of the finishing. A little noisy on the palate, finishes with corn.

It’s hard to fathom the number of people who had to say, “Yes,” at every step along the way.

The Ward Heeler: 2 oz rye, 1 oz mandarin orange juice, 1/2 oz Cherry Heering, 2 dashes Peychaud’s. (Two of these and you’ll vote for anyone.)

Feeling ready for the Preakness. @baltspiritsco single barrel bourbon is particularly delightful this year, sweet and warm with just a touch of oaky tanins.

When today is 40 degrees colder than yesterday, the New York New York helps make up the difference.

Clyde May’s Special Reserve: Simple sweet oak on the palate at a warm 110 proof, the highlight is a pleasantly viscous mouthfeel.