Today Was A Good Day

Today I:

Built lego spaceships for both my sons and played Blockus with them.

Went to the shooting range and shot 100 rounds of .45 from my SW1911, 60 out of my new Colt AR (Heavy Target Barrell) and about 20 out of my M44 Mosin Nagant Carbine

Came home to a clean house and a glass of Russells Reserve (10 year old Bourbon, 90 Proof)

Ate a large portion of Beef Wellington for dinner.

Pink Floyd

Animals.

A bit of rum.

That's all I have to say.

Tonight's Cocktail: Russell's Reserve

The bourbon for this evening is Russell's Reserve, a 90-proof 10-year old bourbon.

Its smoothness combined with what the literature strapped to the bottle calls "notes of oak and vanilla" masks a kick like a mule, and when it comes oozing out of your skin the next morning, it smells like the laundry room at a home for alcoholic lumberjacks.

Good stuff, though. Too bad Austin Nichols is owned by the insufferable Frogs at Pernod Ricard.

Bourbon

In the excitement of the election and its depressing but unsurprising result, I forgot to report on the bourbon that I got to dull the pain: Russell's Reserve. This is made by the Wild Turkey people, and is the result some kind of Special Project by Jimmy Russell, the master distiller over there. I sampled it extensively, and was very pleased. Its smooth and has a lot of complex flavors, but with considerable authority -- 90 proof. An excellent sipping whiskey.

Election Night Booze

My election night plans involve grilled steaks, some other food that my wife is responsible for, and good bourbon.

I go to the liquor store to stock up and had this conversation with the guy:

Guy: Can I help you find something?

Me: I'm looking for some bourbon.

Guy: What drinks are you making?

Me: Bourbon. Maybe with a little ice.

So I ended up with a bottle of Russell's Reserve, brought to you by the same folks who make Wild Turkey, and a bottle of Woodford Reserve. For the wife, Chimay White, Chimay Blue and some fancy looking French lager in a large bottle.

I figured an American beverage would make sense for watching the election results come in, and what's more American than bourbon?

Google reveals, however, that the Wild Turkey operation -- makers of Russell's Reserve -- is owned by Pernod Ricard, which is French. Woodford is owned by Brown Forman, which is an American operation.

Pays to look this stuff up before you buy.

The steaks, on the other hand, came from Stew Leonards in Danbury. Those will be seared at 750 degrees for a minute or so per side, then pulled off to rest for 10. They go back for a couple minutes on once I bring the temperature in the Egg down to about 400.

No matter who wins, I'll be well fed and full of excellent booze by 9pm.