Spirits Weekly Webinar: A trip through Scotland

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

You can say that we saved the best for last. This is our last Webinar before Christmas and we wanted to bring you a new host on our series, someone with great experience in Scotch whisky.

Meet Dave Conroy, the East Coast Region Manager for International Beverage Company. To listen to Dave is a pleasure because when he talks about Scotch whisky he actually takes you there, to the lush countryside of Scotland, giving you a feel of the soil, the air and the peat that lends its flavor to each bottle you buy and taste.

As you listen to Dave, layers of information unfold to take you into the background of each product, the ingredients and the careful craftsmanship with which each bottle of Scotch is produced.

With Dave, the more you listen the more you learn. The most important thing I learned so far ... that more than the soil, the air or the peat, water is the key to a great tasting Scotch whisky! Imagine that!

If you are like me, you will like to know the history, the story and the details behind every gift you give this Christmas, of what you serve for your guests or even what you taste yourself. When I taste a wine or liqueur that I have researched and learned about, my enjoyment of the product doubles because I can go deeper into the taste, the nuances of the product and the experience becomes even more delicious.

Thanks to our knowledgeable pool of experts, who are always willing to spend their time with our readers and customers to make their wine and fine spirits shopping experience much more exciting and fun.

When you are ready to brave your way through Scotland, please drop by our store at 853 Route 35 N, where the clown is and walk through Aisle 3 to make your fine selections.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Drink of the Day: Cinnamon Toast

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

And so this is Christmas!

Anywhere you go these days, you are sure to hear some holiday music playing at the store. This weekend is heavy shopping and shipping weekend. The lines at the post office have already doubled. The malls....well, you know, they are crowded but that's a good sign right? The economy is supposed to be getting better.

The New York Times reported today that U.S. employers have stopped laying people off, at least during the holidays. The jobless rate is the lowest currently (10 percent) since the recession began, the report says.

While there is a nagging concern that this trend might change come January, one cannot live in fear and anxiety. After all, this is the holiday season.

Let's drink to that. Today's drink comes from Middletown Store Manager Raymond Kimble and is called Cinnamon Toast. Ray, as he is popularly known, is very knowledgeable about bartending and can answer any questions you have about wines and spirits.

To make this drink, Ray suggests mixing 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder with 1 tablespoon sugar, add to that one-and-half-ounce of your favorite spiced rum, then mix in 6 oz of hot apple cider and serve in a mug.

At Spirits Unlimited Middletown you can find over 20 varieties of spiced rums in Aisle 3. So stop by on your way home and we will help you pick one. If you have any questions, e-mail us at spiritsmiddletown@gmail.com.

We know the holidays are busy, that's why we are here for you.

Drink of the Day: Black Cherry Bourbon + coke

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

Dec. 2 and the skies get dark earlier.

The BRIGHTER side to that — Christmas lights are on.

On the way back from work, it is a pretty sight to see the neighborhood light up with holiday spirit.

Tonight we celebrate the community spirit found in one's own nook of the world during the holidays.

The drink, Black Cherry Bourbon + coke, is a contribution from our team member Greg.

To prepare this, mix 1 part Jim Beam Red Stag Bourbon with 2 parts coke or cherry coke. Then add ice and stir.

According to Greg, this drink is a great twist of the classic whiskey and coke.

While you enjoy your drink, check out more recipes at the Red Stag site.

Drink of the Day: Dunkin Dutch

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

Today is Dec. 1 and the countdown to Christmas is on.

With the holidays coming, we know that you have tons of holiday stuff to do once you get home from work. So, we thought we have to do something to keep you in good spirits.

Throughout this month, as the countdown continues, we will bring you a "Drink of the Day" recipe, just a little something to make this December special for you.

Today's recipe is "Dunkin Dutch." This is a perfect "pick-me-up" after a day's work and has been suggested to us by Spirits Unlimited Middletown team member, Ellen.

It's the simplest cocktail recipe that I have come across that tastes great. To prepare this, you need to pick up a French Vanilla Iced coffee on your way home from work and add a shot of Van Gogh's Dutch Caramel Vodka to it when you reach home. "Voila!" Your evening has now become perfect.

At Spirits Unlimited Middletown (on Highway 35 North) we carry over 14 varieties of Van Gogh Vodka and the Dutch Caramel is the first to disappear off our shelf, it's that popular. So, in case if you have not bought a bottle already, stop by our store and stock up on the good stuff. You will find it on the top shelf (left) toward the end of Aisle 3 in our store.