Customers are always asking me for recommendations on bourbons, and to tell the truth, it's not an easy task. Tastes are subjective, and what turns me on, may leave you cold. However, having said all that, I can recommend the Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon without hesitation. It's aged for 10 years, and for the asking price of $29.99; it's worth every penny. I believe that it's better tasting than other bourbons that sell for more. Eagle Rare is part of the Buffalo Trace portfolio.

"The only bourbon ever to win five double gold medals, Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is Distilled by Buffalo Trace and owned by parent company Sazerac. For under $25.00, the Eagle Rare 10 Year might be the best buy on the bourbon market. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, this is possibly our favorite bourbon. Aged for 10 years in charred oak barrels, bottled at 90 proof, the Eagle Rare is exceptionally smooth and perfectly sweet. With all straight bourbons, the Eagle Rare is made by the sour mash method in which some liquid from the previous batch is used to distill the new batch." - Whiskey Goldmine.com

Brilliant amber color. Rich polished aromas of coconut crème brulee, buttery nuts, dried apples and pears, and elegant brown spices follow through round, vibrant entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with layers of chocolate, figs, and nuts. Finishes with a very long, peppery spice, grain, honeyed tea, and mineral driven fade. A vigorous and flavorful bourbon that demands attention.

NOLET'S SILVER: NOT YOUR ORDINARY LONDON DRY GIN.
As the oldest distillers in Holland, the Nolet family began making genever, the precursor to gin, in 1691. But a few decades ago, 10th-generation Carlolus H.J. Nolet broke with tradition and produced a vodka. Named Ketel One, after the distillery’s original copper-pot still, Distilleerketel #1, it has become one of the most popular vodkas in America since its introduction in 1990. Now, riding on that success, Carlolus Sr. and his two sons, Carl, Jr., and his younger brother, Bob, have returned to their roots but have created a London-style, pot-distilled dry gin unlike anything ever produced before in the Netherlands—or anywhere else for that matter.

Nolet’s Silver uses a number of botanicals that have not previously been combined in a gin. Of course, the usual suspects are there, including citrus, orrisroot, licorice, and naturally, juniper. But there are other, more unusual ingredients as well, including white peach (lends a fresh, sweet flavor), raspberry (adds a robust, slightly tart flavor), and Turkish rose (also known as Damask rose, it adds a light, refined air). The result is a velvety-textured 95.2-proof gin that is slightly sweet and thickly floral, thereby setting the stage for what may become an entirely new generation of cocktails. Stop by and check it out. $50.99

Try it in a NOLET'S DRY GIN BRAMBLE:
1oz. Nolet's Silver; .50oz. Fresh Lemon Juice; .25oz. Simple Syrup; Cassis Liqueur.
Pour the first three ingredients into an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir well. Top with a light drizzle of Cassis Liqueur; garnish with a raspberry.