A Taste Of Patron

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Last week, I was invited to attend another event at the wonderful tasting room of
Savi Provisions, the latest venture from the owners of Savi Urban Markets.  This time, the subject was Patron.

Continue reading "A Taste Of Patron"

---

Cakebread Cellars Tasting

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

The wines to be tasted

Recently, I was invited to Marietta Wine Market for a tasting of Cakebread Cellars wines.  Located just a block off the square in downtown Marietta, the Wine Market has a very nice selection of wines, along with local beers, a variety of cheeses, and more.  They do wine tours, and in fact the owners had just gotten back from conducting a port tour in Portugal.  Their tasting events are also built around having the participants make a donation to go to a local charity. 

Continue reading "Cakebread Cellars Tasting"

---

A Partnership with Lock-N-Load Java

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

It has been a true pleasure in doing my recent product reviews to point out that Lock-n-Load Java not only seeks to provide good coffee to the troops, but that it also donates $1 on every order to a military charity.  To help get good coffee out to the troops, they also make it easy for you to buy and ship coffee to the troops. 

For many companies, just one part of that would be enough, but not Lock-n-Load Java.  I am pleased to announce that any unit I embed with for more than two weeks will be getting coffee sent to them by Lock-n-Load.  It's a way of supporting the embeds and giving a reward to a unit that is willing to have me embed with them. 

Good coffee, with a company doing good things for good people -- our troops.  You can't ask for more.  Check them out.

LW

---

A Different Tasting

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Recently, I had the chance to attend a Whisky tasting hosted by the new Savi Provisions in Atlanta.  Savi Provisions is the latest venture from the owners of Savi Urban Markets, and the new venue is off to a great start with a very nice tasting room and a well-stocked wine and spirit store, which will soon be joined by a gourmet market.

Continue reading "A Different Tasting"

---

Lock-N-Load Java A Pureed Review

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

If you get a variety of sample packets (a great and cost-effective way to explore without having to buy whole bags) of Lock-N-Load Java, and the measure for the coffee maker you are using is more than half but less than all, what do you get?  For me, it was a chance to play coffee blender on my own. 

I will start with my favorite, which was about 90 percent New Guinea and 10 percent Ethiopian.  My hosts favorite was (I think) a blend of Double Barrel and Smooth Operator, though we both very much enjoyed a blend of Double Tap and Charlie Don't Surf. 

Me, Monday I am placing an order, and just waiting to see how large an order I place.  Good coffee from good people, and the troops benefit.  Not bad. 

LW

---

Lock-N-Load Java A Blended Review

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Life can never be all bad when there is good coffee to be had.  And, thanks to the fine folks at Lock-N-Load Java there has been good coffee in my life.  My hosts and I just have hated having to sample so much good coffee, and I fear we are getting a bit spoiled. 

This week's review is of a sampler pack of their blended coffees (you can read the review of single-source coffees here).  Coffee has gone the way of whisky and whiskey, in that blends get a very bad shake.  As with a good blend of whiskey/whisky, the goal is to create the best of several worlds, bringing together flavors so that a rich and complext taste is obtained without negatives.  In terms of coffee, the flavor should be rich and complex without excessive bitterness, acid, and other things that would detract.  As with whisky/whiskey, there are indeed some bad blends out there, that are not pure product and/or are not quality product. 

Such is not the case here.  The blends they have are pure and high quality, and show it.

First up was the Warrior Select medium roast. The body is nice, and it has a good flavor.  There was enough richness to be satisfying, and the finish was smooth and pleasant. 

Second, we tried the Double Barrel Black dark roast.  I really liked the full body and solid flavors a lot. Good body, great balance, slight bit of bite on a solid finish. For those who like it dark, a good choice. 

Finally, we tried the Smooth Operator light roast.  To be honest (and polite), I'm not usually a fan of light roast coffee.  This, however, was full of flavor and showed some nice complexity with fruit and nut notes. To be very honest, I am impressed with it and I'm going to have to rethink some of my coffee snobbery about light roast. 

As before, I want to mention that the company is veteran owned, has an option for you to ship coffee to the troops, and does other good work.  There is more coming on some of those good works.  Stay tuned. 

Now, to see if the troll (competitor?) shows up to misquote prices and disparage things again...

LW

You can catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and at LaughingWolf. 

 

---

A Special Tasting

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

The Bourbon Bar

Monday night, a friend and I had the delightful treat of a bourbon tasting at The Bourbon Bar/Southern Art Restaurant at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead.  It was a reunion of sorts for me, because the tasting -- put on by the Metro Atlanta Scotch Club -- was done by Hunter Chavenne of Willett Distilleries.

Continue reading "A Special Tasting"

---

Lock-N-Load Java A Single Source Review

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Working at Blackfive does have benefits.  Right after getting to meet good and interesting people, the best benefit is finding good things.  Those who have met me know I like good food and drink, possibly a little more than I should.  Good coffee is something I appreciate, and I know others do too -- particularly out in the field.  I made friends on embed by bringing good coffee with me.

I wish that I could have had Lock-N-Load Java with me for those embeds.  The kind folks at Lock-N-Load have sent me some of their products to try, and I (and my hosts) are very much enjoying the opportunity.This isn't a company that just does your standard blend and roast, but one that is dedicated to providing the finest coffees for all range of uses. 

This week's review is of the sampler pack of their Task Force Zulu premium single origin coffees. As a coffee snob appreciator, I like single-origin coffee.  In fact, I had a favorite for making in a french press on those days that called for a really good start to the day.  Any of these coffees will give you that.

Our tour started with the amazing Papua New Guinea.  Amazing is not too strong a word, as this medium roast coffee has a good body, wonderful flavor(s), clean finish, and absolutely no bitterness.  The write-up talks about dried fruits and other notes, and they are indeed there.  If you like complex coffees that are balanced and with no bitterness, this is a great coffee to try.  My host likes cold coffee, as in iced, and not every coffee holds up to that -- and this one did with even more notes and flavors coming out. 

Next up was the light roast Rwandan.  As I noted on Facebook, it has a good body and flavor, with hints of plum and fruit.  The body is a bit lighter, but not weak.  The finish was good, and the overall flavor truly is unique.  If you like a lighter roast and coffee, without loss of flavor or complexity, you should try this one.

Then we tried their Ethiopian coffee.  Let me preface this by saying that a particular Ethiopian coffee is my favorite mentioned above, and I benchmark other coffees against it.  Despite not being made in a french press, and being a medium light roast instead of a darker roast, the Lock-N-Load Java Ethiopian more than held its own.  This is a solid coffee with rich complex flavor, hints of fruit and herbs (to me), and a clean finish.  I really want to try this in a french press and compare to what I normally get/got. 

Finally, we tried the Costa Rican.  I put it off because my host has not had good luck with Costa Rican coffees before, but this one may have changed that for him.  It has a solid body, with the hints of sweetness for which Costa Rican coffee is known.  A light roast, it is flavorful and presents the best qualities of Costa Rican coffees. 

Now, I know I've talked about a french press a few times here, and for more than one reason.  To me, it is about the best way to make coffee there is.  Sadly, my glass french press is not able to travel with me because, well, it's glass.  For those in the field, that is a drawback.  Well, not anymore as thanks to Lock-N-Load Java you can get a stainless steel french press to go into the field with you.  And, yes, this is now on my Amazon Wish List. 

Oh, did I forget to mention that the company is veteran owned, has an option for you to ship coffee to the troops, and does other good work?  Well, here you go and more is coming on some of those good works.  Stay tuned. 

It's also not just me that likes them.  Check out this review at TAH. 

LW

You can catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and at LaughingWolf.

---

A Visit To Willett

Posted By Laughing_Wolf
There are special behind-the-scene tours, and then there are very special behind-the-scene tours.  Last week, I was graced to get a very special tour of Willett Distillery at Bardstown, Kentucky.  This family-owned and run distillery has a unique history, and the former distinction of being the only distillery that didn't distill -- at least on site.  Now, however, after extensive renovations the family is once again distilling using a column still and a beautiful copper pot still. 

The distillery house

When I arrived, I was told that a group was coming in for a tour, and asked if I would mind waiting for them.  I agreed, and it was one of the best decisions I've made.  The group coming in was from Longman & Eagle, a most interesting bar/restaurant/more in Chicago that takes great pride in not just selection, but a knowledgeable staff.  They had arranged the very special tour, and I got to go along. This is going to be a bit long, with lots of photos, so more is below the fold.

Master Distiller Drew Kulsveen talks grain and process

Continue reading "A Visit To Willett"

---

Battle Mug!

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Joe Lundberg and his Battle Mug

Suppose one day you and some friends (most/all veterans) were sitting around talking, and trying to figure out what you were going to do with a number of spare M4 carry handles.  What would you do? 

The Original, The Polymer, The Battle Shot

Would you think of making what has to be the most bad-ass mug of them all, and using the handles on them?  Would you think of using it to make a point (or three?)?  Would you take it to the next step and using the idea to save/create jobs here in the U.S.?  And, take that a step beyond?  Well, that's what Joe Lundberg, the founder of Battle Mug did, but let's hear it from him. 

 

I really do need to introduce Joe to the Ranger Up folks, and want to thank him again for an amazing time.  If you live within two to three hours of Monteagle, TN, you want to go check out Dave's Modern Tavern. Food from scratch, and the bar fare beats some more "upscale" I've had to pieces. 

 

Oink-Moo Burger: hamburger topped with Gorgonzola and home-made pulled pork

Oh, and so you know:  each mug has a serial number.  It starts life as a 14-pound chunk of aluminum that is machined down, and includes three rails.  This is then hard anodized, and is ready to ship.  You have to provide your own handle, and other gear with which you deck it out.  It is not inexpensive (or cheap).  Nor is the polymer version that is now out.  Like the original, it too is made in America.  So are their shirts and hats.  The products are all a statement, about craftsmanship, pride, self-reliance, exceptionalism. 

Battle Mug:  It's not for everyone.  Do you measure up? 

LW

As always, thanks to my sponsors:  MilitaryLuggage.com and B.N. Shape Clothing! You can catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and at LaughingWolf.

---