Custom Bourbon Suitcase

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about drink, but I just had to share this very badass custom bourbon case that I spotted over at the Laughing Squid. Tumblr member, Tyler Riewer, recently posted a few photos from a gift that he received for his birthday. This is possibly the manliest Birthday gift I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a suitcase – perfectly fitted for a bottle of bourbon and a set of brass knuckles. The outside says, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Sack up.” The inside offers, “The two roads to courage.”

Even more amazing is that the friends that gave it to him custom made the case themselves. Now that’s love that has to appreciated. This deserves a 10 on the awesome scale.

Want one? Sorry, it’s not available for sale. Of course, the DIYers of the world can probably make one for themselves. If you do, be sure to send me one as well!

Keep Your Whisky Cool With Whisky Stones

There’s nothing worse than watered down whisky, especially if you like a stiff, strong tasting drink. Of course, nothing waters down whiskey faster than a few cubes of ice – this is something that Don Draper knows all too well. The solution? Whisky Stones of course.

“A few great soapstone workers in Perkinsville, Vermont have created Whiskey Stones. These little ice-imitators are specially designed to put a slight chill in your Whiskey. All you do is put them in the freezer for a few hours and then pop a couple into a glass of single malt. Once you’re done, rinse, dry and do it all over again! And no need to worry about a watery drink, because these stones don’t dilute (that’s the best part).”

Buy a set of Whisky Stones from ThinkGeek for $34.95.

Happy 160th Birthday Jack!

One of the most successful spirits and most recognizable names is, of course, Jack Daniel’s. In celebration of his 160th birthday, the famous Tennessee distillery has released a special limited edition black bottle. One thing that has got me confused, is that, according to Jack Daniel’s (the man) Wikipedia page, he was born on September 5, 1846. Based on this, Jack would have just celebrated his 164th birthday. Now, the 160 could not possibly be in reference to the founding of the brand, since Jack Daniel’s (the brand) wasn’t founded until 1875.

So are all of the blogs (Cool Material, Notcot, Vodka & Co.) that are posting about the special 160th Birthday Bottle four years too late? Or, is the brand just using the 160 because it’s a nice round number?

On closer inspection, the Jack Daniels website posts that no one really knows exactly when Jack was born:

“No one really knows exactly when Jack Daniel was born. A town fire destroyed the courthouse records, and conflicting dates on Mr. Jack’s and his mother’s headstones have left his date of birth in question. It’s customary to celebrate Mr. Jack’s birthday in September – so he gets a whole month. But for a man as unique as Jack Daniel, one day just wouldn’t seem proper, anyway.”

So there you go, there should be an asterisk next to Jack’s birthday on Wikipedia.

As for the limited edition 750ml bottle, it’s sexy as hell. Jack would be proud.

Gilpin Family Whisky: From Urine to Whisky

Whisky is the ultimate man drink, but what would you say about drinking a shot of whisky made from the urine excreted by elderly diabetic patients? I don’t care how much of a man you are, if the thought of drinking fermented sugar extracted from human urine doesn’t make you squint and gag a little – you’re not human.

And if you think this is a joke, well, it’s not. James Gilpin is doing exactly this, not to make a quick buck, but instead to bring awareness to the growing diabetes epidemic.

“Sugar heavy urine excreted by diabetic patients is now being utilized for the fermentation of high-end single malt whisky for export. The Whisky market is growing faster then any other alcoholic beverage worldwide. With a prevalent genetic weakness being exposed in the northern hemisphere leading to a sharp rise in type two diabetes, economists have found a new exportable commodity to exploit and are keento capitalize on this resource quickly.”

“Large amounts of sugar are excreted on a daily basis by type-two diabetic patients especially amongst the upper end of our aging population. As a result of this diabetic patients toilets often have unusual scale build up in the basin due and rapid mould growths as the sugar put into the system acts as nutrients for mould and bacteria growth. Is it plausible to suggest that we start utilizing our water purification systems in order to harvest the biological resources that our elderly already process in abundance?”

Though Gilpin Family Whisky is not for sale, you can get a taste and view Gilpin’s exhibit at 100% Materials, a design and architecture event in London in September, and the Abandon Normal Devices festival this October in Manchester.

Via Wired UK.

Hijos De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila

Imagine for a second taking your favorite shot of tequila from a shot glass. Now imagine someone actually shooting a shot of tequila into your mouth with a glass tequila pistol. That dream almost becomes a reality with Hijo De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila. Although it’s bottle is shaped like a pistol, it doesn’t actually shoot the tequila like a pistol. You still need to pour it into a shot glass. It’s still is a nice conversation starter and collectible for any serious tequila collector.

Buy the Hijos De Villa Pistol Reposado Tequila from Napa Cabs for $28.95.

Crystal Head Vodka

Crystal Head Vodka was first introduced a little over a year ago by comedian extraordinaire, Dan Aykroyd. The human skull packaging was designed by Long Island based designer, John Alexander. The Crystal Head is an obvious tribute to the 13 Crystal Skulls that are thought to be found in various locations around the world.

“This Pure Spirit, vodka triple filtered through polished crystals known as Herkimer diamonds, free of additives, is exquisite any time of the year but perhaps ideal for October. Brought to us by Dan Aykroyd, known for his fascination with the invisible world, Crystal Head Vodka ties in with the story of the 13 Crystal Heads that have been unearthed at various times on our planet… from the Yucatan to Tibet. The Heads are believed to emit positive energy, good will and prosperity. Crystal Head Vodka is perfect as a lone shot, chilled or served in signature cocktails. Unlike most vodkas in today’s marketplace that use additives, glycol, citrus and sugar to improve smoothness and flavor, Crystal Head Vodka is a pure spirit with no additives. It is quadrupled distilled and filtered three times through charcoal followed by triple filtration over Herkimer crystals from one of the planets rarest deposits of close concentrated semi-precious stones.”

Buy Crystal Head Vodka from Napa Cabs for $44.95.

Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey

The unique packaging for this bottle of whiskey makes it look as if it is coming to you straight from the period of prohibition. This whiskey is pot distilled from rye grain and features 46% alcohol. Live in New York? Do me a favor and visit Tuthilltown Spirits and ship me a bottle.

“Until Prohibition New York was known for its rye whiskey. This feisty spirit was the basis for the legendary Manhattan cocktail, made famous by Jenny Churchill (Winston’s Mum). Rye had not been produced in New York for over 80 years, but Tuthilltown Spirits’ Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey signals the return of the quintessential New York Whiskey. Our rye is made from whole grain rye one batch at a time. It is not the blended rye whiskey your parents used to mix with soda. This is honest rye whiskey. Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey is bottled at 92 proof. It is fruity, floral and smooth, with a recognizable rye edge that leaves no doubt the origin of the spirit. Each bottle is hand filled, capped, waxed and numbered. Enjoy the return of this classic American spirit.”

Karlsson’s Vodka

The bottles for the Karlsson’s Vodka line is a thing of beauty and it should be since Karlsson’s collaborated with the man behind the svelte Absolut bottle.

“To ensure this new and unique concept for vodkas was presented in a relevant and appropriate way, Peter Ekelund contacted another old partner from the Absolut launch: Hans Brindfors, the key person behind the Absolut bottle. Mr Brindfors created a new unique package for the Karlsson’s vodka, based on a standard laboratory bottle. This unique design drives the focus to what is inside the bottle rather than to the bottle itself (a bold move for a designer).”

The packaging alone begs me to have a taste of of this vodka made of potatoes and cultivated at the Bjäre peninsula in Skåne, Sweden. Sexy.

Buy Karlsson’s Gold Vodka from K&L for $27.99.

Pipe Wrench

The Pipe Wrench adds a lot of kick to your IPA of choice. The cocktail was first introduced by New Jersey based Triumph Brewing Company and they suggest using a Triumph Bengal Gold IPA along with either either Bombay Sapphire or OId Raj Gin.

1 bottle Indian Pale Ale (IPA) of your choice

3 oz. Gin

Pour IPA into a pint glass. Add gin. Drink and enjoy!

Bakon Vodka

I’m used to seeing fruity flavored Vodka on the supermarket shelf, but I’ve never seen a vodka flavored with bacon. You heard me right, bacon! That savory food item that usually goes well with over easy eggs now can be found bottled in liquid form as vodka! This potato vodka from Seattle based Black Rock Spirits is sure to be a conversation starter at your next cocktail party. Bakon Vodka is available only in a limited number of states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and New York) but you can purchase it online (see below).

“Bakon Vodka is a superior quality potato vodka with a savory bacon flavor. It’s clean, crisp, and delicious. This is the only vodka you’ll ever want to use to make a Bloody Mary, and it’s a complementary element of both sweet and savory drinks. We start with superior quality Idaho potatoes instead of the random mixed grains that make up most vodkas. Our vodka is column-distilled using a single heating process that doesn’t “bruise” the alcohol like the multiple heating cycles needed to make a typical pot-still vodka. No tinge or burn on the tongue, no obnoxious smoky or chemical flavors, just a clean refreshing potato vodka with delicious savory bacon flavor.”

Buy Bakon Vodka from DrinkUpNY for $29.99 (back in stock around November 20).