By
George Brozowski
Big
Bottom, oh please, don't get me started!!
As I gazed upon this bottle, my mind went berserk with ideas
for this column when I saw this hooch was named Big
Bottom. As I sat down and started to write, I began
to discard theme after theme when I read the words I had written.
You see, in my mind, all these ideas seemed hilarious, but
when they took form on paper, they looked rather offensive,
chauvinistic, sexist, moronic, insensitive, prejudiced and
racist. More than not wanting to offend scores of people,
I wanted to keep my job and the booze flowing.
At
first, I thought I might write about certain Italian women,
but I really didn't want the mafia putting out a contract
on me and ending up wearing cement galoshes at the bottom
of a river somewhere.
Then,
I thought about a piece on particular African American women
but I just knew that the Reverend Jesse Jackson would be coming
after me waving his Bible and condemning me to the farthest
reaches of hell. Having spent several sorrowful years in Oklahoma
(don't ask why), I knew they had a few women who might fit
the bill, but they are all married to very skinny guys who
are all rabid hunters and armed to the teeth and the prospect
of a backside full of buckshot made me think twice. Then,
I considered Russian women, but I really like my vodka way
too much to offend them. Besides they have spies everywhere
and disappearing from the face of the earth was not something
I wanted to happen to me. That's when I pondered offensive
linemen in the NFL, but those guys are big brutes and would
probably beat the crap out of me.
Santa
Claus seemed like a good idea for a moment, but we're getting
close to Christmas, and I don't want to jeopardize my wish
list. It was at that point that I flashed on some funny fat
dead people, but that would probably make God mad at me, and
I certainly don't want to risk that. So I won't write any
of it and just get into the review. By the way, the Big Bottom
in Big Bottom Whiskey refers to 17,000 acres of land around
Mt. Hood so nobody should get mad at them for that either.
Big
Bottom Whiskey is an independent bottler. They work
with multiple distilleries for their base product and finish
them using various methods to perfect the final product. They
sent me their 3 year old straight bourbon whiskey that was
aged in new white oak and then finished in port casks. This
stuff is oddly proofed at 91 proof by Ted Pappas, the founder
for the not so odd reason that he wanted to acknowledge his
classmates of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
and his Class of 1991 and all the military sectors and those
who have passed but are not forgotten.
The
nose is rich in caramel and leather and chocolate covered
cherries and has decidedly sweet overtones derived from the
port finish. It is quite smooth straight up, with just enough
of a spice note to make it interesting but not distracting.
The caramel continues on the palate along with the cherries
and now the oak appears and balances the previous two out
in a very complimentary manner. All of this is backed by the
subtle sweetness of the port, which gives it a full mouth
feel. The finish is tangy and full and personable leaving
behind hints of oak and port. I would even drink this after
a wonderful meal or with a cigar.
All
in all an excellent straight bourbon whiskey that is definitely
a keeper for my bar. For just around $35.00 per bottle, it
compares very favorably with bourbon costing much more.
Check out these cocktails recipes from Big Bottom,
too:
The
Lion's Tale & SeelBach.
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
http://bigbottomwhiskey.com