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What Do You Know About Scotch?

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:50:58 PDT

Welcome to July 27, 2010. It's the middle of the Summer and we're in a bit of a holiday drought - not to mention it's only Tuesday. But lighten up! Here, we're always able to find an excuse to throw a bit of a party. Today is no exception: it's National Scotch Day!

"Well, between Scotch and nothin', I suppose I'd take Scotch," William Faulkner once wrote. "It's the nearest thing to good moonshine I can find." I couldn't have said it better. Is your knowledge of the beverage clear or cloudy? There's only one way to find out.

Source: Flickr User Helga's Lobster Stew

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A Little Bit of Alcohol May Help With Weight Control

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:00:57 PST

Moderation is key, especially when it comes to alcohol. The occasional glass of wine, cocktail, or beer has been shown to help the heart, and studies have indicated that moderate drinkers are less depressed and more active than non-drinkers. Here's another reason to have a glass of wine with friends: a new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine says that moderate drinkers are less likely to become overweight or obese later in life.

The study - conducted by Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital - followed 19,000 women over the course of 13 years. Of this group, 40 percent said they didn't drink at all, 33 percent had about two drinks a week, 20 percent said they had one drink a day, six percent drank one to two alcoholic beverages a day, and the remainder of the participants drank two or more a day. While all of the women in the study gained some weight, the group that gained the least were the women who drank one to two alcoholic beverages a day. On average, women who fall into this category are 30 percent less likely to become obese than non-drinkers. The women who gained the most weight were the ones who reported they drank two or more drinks per day.

To make sure that the study was accurate, researchees also factored in age, race, total calorie intake, activity level, and whether or not the participants smoked. The results still showed that moderate alcohol consumption may have positive results for the waistline. Researchers are still uncertain if there is a biological factor that makes alcohol protective in itself, or if the lifestyle of most moderate drinkers just tends to be healthier than others. Remember, the key is moderation!

Happy Hour: Canadian Club 30-Year Reserve Whiskey

partysugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:15:37 PDT

This Father's Day why not surprise dad with a premium, limited-edition bottle of whiskey by Canadian Club ($200)? In celebration of their 150th anniversary, Canadian Club has released a 30-year reserve whiskey in a special collector's bottle. I was lucky enough to get a bottle and was wonderfully surprised by the smooth, rich tasting spirit. It has a smoky nose with hints of honey, vanilla, and caramel on the tongue. Unlike other whiskeys, there is no biting aftertaste: the finish is lush and subtly spicy. This whiskey is very easy to drink and although I enjoyed it after dinner on the rocks, it would make a lovely Manhattan. Since my dad is a whiskey drinker, I plan on sharing the bottle with him. Do you drink whiskey? What's your favorite label?

Definition: Mezcal

partysugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:00:50 PDT

Mezcal or Mescal
A Mexican distilled spirit that's made from the fermented juice of the agave plant's core. The core is roasted underground over pits of hot rocks. This technique gives mezcal a characteristic smokiness. The difference between mezcal and tequila is the plant (tequila is made from the blue agave only) and the roasting method (for tequila, the agave core is cooked in an oven). Although it's produced throughout Mexico, the Oaxacan region is best known for its production and consumption of the potent liquid.

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Americans Are Drinking Less Beer - How About You?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:30:00 PDT

In a recent study conducted over a 50-year span, scientists discovered that people's drinking habits have changed in the US. According to the new study published in the American Journal of Medicine, Americans drink less beer and more wine. I guess they've realized that beer isn't chock full of beneficial antioxidants like wine. It was also reported that hard liquor use hasn't really changed, but more people said they don't drink at all. Overall, the study found that people born later in the 20th century are drinking more moderately than people born earlier.

People are beginning to see that there are horrible health issues associated with heavy alcohol consumption (such as breast cancer), and since drinking a little alcohol has actually been shown to improve cardiovascular health and may fight aging, people are adopting healthier drinking habits.

I'm ready to conduct a little study of my own now. When it comes to alcohol consumption . . .

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Happy Hour: Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:15:25 PDT

Though I enjoy the occasional Manhattan, I'm not usually a drinker of straight bourbon. Like scotch, the Kentucky libation always seemed more like a sippin' drink for old dudes. But lately, I've been acquainting myself with these potent brown liquors, and I have to say that neither scotch nor bourbon is anything to be afraid of. (That is, as long as you don't drink too much.)

Case in point: Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, distilled in Frankfort, KY, has taught me that truly excellent bourbons go down easy - almost too easy - even without a mixer. I recently picked up a bottle of a batch made especially for a San Francisco spirits shop, but you can buy it online for about $50. From the waxed-sealed racehorse-adorned top to the hand-scrawled date, Blanton's is clearly a special-occasion bottle of hooch.

One sip and you'll understand what separates high-end bourbon from everyday booze like Jim Beam. The rich, caramel liquid has the decadent taste of toffee with a hint of woodsy, almost fiery flavor. It's best served over ice or just "neat" in a glass, but if you simply must dilute it, I recommend a bit of water. Have you gotten into high-end bourbons? If so, tell me your opinions below.

The Alcohol and Breast Cancer Connection

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought you'd like to know that drinking any type of alcohol adds to the risk of developing breast cancer. We're talking, wine (even red), beer, and liquor. It has nothing to do with the kind of beverage you choose, it's the amount of alcohol you consume that could pose a problem.

Previous studies made a connection to alcohol and breast cancer risk, but there were conflicting views about what kinds of alcohol had this effect.

This new study analyzed 70,033 women of different races, from 1978 to 1985. By 2004, 2,829 of the participants were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers discovered that it didn't matter what kind of alcoholic drinks these women consumed, but the women that drank one to two servings of alcohol a day increased their risk of developing the disease by 10%. Women kicking back more than three drinks a day increased their risk by 30%.

I know that we've all been drilled to think that having a glass of red wine a day is healthy for our heart, but when it comes to breast cancer the same is not true. It's not clear why alcohol increases breast cancer risk, but some experts think it raises hormone levels in the blood, which could potentially cause cancer.

Fit's Tips: As with everything, moderation is the key. Enjoying an occasional drink is fine, but know that pounding a 6-pack every night may increase your risk for developing breast cancer.

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Pocket Shots: Love It Or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:18:31 PDT

I'm all about portable alcohol. I've been known to fill bottles of water with vodka, and slide a flask full of whiskey into my purse. But I'm not to sure about Pocket Shots, the "brand new way to enjoy your favorite hard liquor." These little babies are unbreakable, flexible, squishy packets that fit comfortably into a pocket allowing you to have a shot of alcohol anytime, anywhere. Do we really need a shot of liquor anytime, anywhere??? And are they really unbreakable? What if you drunkenly sit on the Pocket Shot in your back pocket?? I'm pretty skeptical about these, what do you guys think? Pocket shots, do you love them or hate them?

Source: Gizmodo

The Ultimate Bar: Vodka

partysugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:29:31 PDT

No matter how stocked a bar may be, if it doesn't have alcohol it's not really a bar. What's the use of a cocktail shaker, martini glass, and toothpick if there's no vodka? Having one bottle is a must, but if your budget allows for more purchase a variety of types. Select one high-end bottle for sipping on the rocks, one for mixing vodka heavy cocktails like martinis and cosmopolitans, and one lower- end for Bloody Marys and Red Bull Vodkas. Supplement the collection with flavored vodkas - vanilla, citrus, and berry are my faves - that are popular in mixology. Lastly, a nice bottle of organic vodka is a special way to treat eco-conscious guests. Take a look at some of my selections below.

Disaronno: I Don't Like You in That Way

BuzzSugar — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 13:11:58 PDT

I guess I'm in their target demographic or something, because it seems like I can't turn on the TV without seeing a commercial for Disaronno liqueur. I've always found these ads rather annoying and ridiculous; I mean, every inch of shelf space at this bar is stocked with Disaronno? People are licking it off their ice cubes?

But this latest TV spot really vexes me, because no matter how many times I watch the it, it sounds like the narrator is saying "Disaronno's warm and SEXUAL taste makes you wish it would never end." I know, I know: It's probably "sensual," but it sounds so much like sexual it makes me feel dirty. Watch the video and tell me what you think when you