“Drinking is an emotional thing. It joggles you out of the standardism of everyday life, out of everything being the same. It yanks you out of your body and your mind and throws you against the wall.” –Charles Bukowski In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson gives advice on how to host a rum tasting. This … Read more

"The light music of whiskey falling into a glass – an agreeable interlude." –James Joyce In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson examines the explosion in the market for orange curacao liqueurs. More from Jason Wilson: in the Philadelphia Daily News: a guide to bar-hopping in Atlantic City. In the New York Times, Robert Simonson writes … Read more

“When you stop drinking, you have to deal with this marvelous personality that started you drinking in the first place.” –Jimmy Breslin In the New York Times, Robert Simonson takes a Tiki tour around the greater New York area. More from Robert Simonson, also in the Times: some classic cocktails don't deserve to be rediscovered, … Read more

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough.” –-Mark Twain In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson writes about Buffalo Trace Distillery's Single Oak Project. As I mentioned before, I find this fascinating. Also in the Washington Post, more from Jason Wilson: the James Hotel (New York and Chicago) … Read more

"Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third is routine. After that you take the girl's clothes off." –Philip Marlowe (Raymond Chandler) Get ready for Derby Day — Kyle Ford mixes up Mint Juleps for CNN, including 5 different variations. And don't forget Cinco de Mayo! In the … Read more

I had so many links this week, I decided to do a special edition. In the Wall Street Journal, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan discusses how to pair cocktails with food. In the Baltimore Sun, Eric Maza reveals that the trend of beer cocktails has made its way to Charm City. In Esquire Magazine, bartender Jay Porter (from … Read more

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink, because when they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're gonna feel all day." –Frank Sinatra In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson shares his affection for grapefruit juice, along with his recipe for The 866 — another aquavit cocktail. Also in the Post, Daniel … Read more

I need a collection of pithy comments that I can use to kick off the weekly links round-up. Please send in your suggestions. In The Daily, Wayne Curtis investigates the drinking habits of our Founding Fathers. Those guys loved their booze. In the New York Times, Andy Isaacson visits Peru in search of pisco. I think … Read more

 If it's Wednesday, we must have links. Enjoy! In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson tries his hand at blending cognac in the cellars of Remy Martin. In the Philadelphia Daily News, Jason Wilson (the guy is everywhere!) visits the Hop Sing Laundromat — a laundry that serves booze! In the San Francisco Chronicle, Gary Regan … Read more

 The Professor is ill this week, so I'll be dismissing class a little early today. News from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is starting to trickle out, and one of the big winners was Knob Creek. The brand, owned by Jim Beam, was the category winner for Best Rye Whiskey (with Knob Creek Rye, … Read more