Anejo Rum

Rum is a liqour that originated in the West indies and is made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate is usually a clear liquid and is then aged in oak barrels.

Most Rums are produced in the Caribbeans and American countries, but are now produced in other sugar producing countries like PHilippines and Taiwan.

The first recorded mention of Rum comes from Barbados, in about 1650. They were originally called "kill-devil" or "rumbullion" and later on, simply Rum.

Bourbon Whiskey

American's don't need to be lectured on Bourbon, but still, let's put it in record like all other spirits. A Bourbon in American spirit is a barrel-aged distilled liquor made primarily from corn. The name might have been derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, or from Bourbon County in Kentucky, or Bourbon Street in New Orleans, both named after the French Dynasty.

Technically, most whiskey made in America are legally classified as Bourbon, although Bourbon is in spirit a Southern Whiskey with special connection to Kentucky. Note than although Tennessee Whiskey is classified as Bourbon, Tennessee distilleries do not prefer their whiskey to be unique and referred to as Tennessee Whiskey only.

Distilling came to Kentucky in the late 18rth Century with the Scots, Scot-Irish and other settlers including English, Welsh, German and French, and they brought with them their distilling techniques and ageing processes in charred oak barrels. The charring is what gives the Bourbon the brownish colour and distinctive taste.

To be a legal Bourbon, a whiskey has to meet the following criteria

Produced in the United States and Territories (Puerto Rico) and the District of Columbia
Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
Aged in new, charred oak containers
Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume)
Entered into the container for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume)
Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume)

Dark Creme De Cacao

Creme de Cacao is a chocolate liqueur that has probably been produced and sold in France since as early as 1666. In America a Chocolate wine was popular in the 18th Century, it's ingredients included sherry, port, chocolate and sugar.

A modern recipe for chocolate liqueur at home lists the ingredients as chocolate extract, vanilla extract and simple syrup and in purest form, chocolate liqueur is clear and colours may be added.

Creme de Cacao can be consumed straight and as an apertif, in cocktails and in desserts, in dessert sauces, cakes and truffles.

Drambuie Scotch Whisky

Scotch Whisky or simply Scotch is one of the most famous traditional whisky, the other being Irish Whiskey, Canadian Whisky, American Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey, Japanese Whisky and Australian Whisky.

Just like in Ireland ( Uisce Beatha ), the Scottish word for Whisky is a derivative of the Scottish Gaelic word Uisge Beatha, meaning the Water of Life.

Scotch Whiskey is a Geographically Identified Product and there are regulations that has to be met for a Whisky to be labeled a Scotch Whisky.

Traditionally Scotch Whisky is made from malted barley, but there had been deviation and variations too. A distinctive characteristic of a Scotch Whisky is drying of the malted barley over a peat fire, that attributes a smoky aroma to the Whisky. post distillation, maturation or aging is done in oak barrels previously used for bourbon whiskey, Sherry, Wine, Fortified Wine, Rum and other Spirits. This Aging process that spans years is the largest contributing factor that impact the flavour of the Whisky.

To be labeled a Scotch, a Whisky has to be pass several guidelines and production standards designed by the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009.

• 1. Comprises a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40% (80 US proof)
• 2. Contains no added substances, other than water and plain (E150A) caramel colouring
• 3. Is produced at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been:
  • 3.1 Converted at that distillery to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems
  • 3.2 Distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8% (190 US proof)
  • 3.3 Fermented at that distillery only by adding yeast
  • 3.4 Processed at that distillery into a mash
• 4. Is wholly matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres (185 US gal; 154 imp gal) for at least three years
• 5. Retains the colour, aroma, and taste of the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation

Hot Coffee

Coffee or roasted coffee beans brewed in hot water, is the most popular drink that probably competes only with tea in the non-alocholic beverages category. Coffee being a rich source of caffeine it can help the human body overcome fatigue and improve physical performance and also lower risks of several conditions like Type II Diabetes, Cancer and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Coffee liqueur is a popular and brands like Kahlua and Tia Maria are regulars in cocktails, but often brewed non alcoholic coffee is used in cocktails too, hot black coffee with Rum and whipped cream is what makes a Troical Coffee Cocktail for you, and being a caffeine rich liquid, it is a strange combination with alcohol since it tends to interact with the body and do just the opposite of what alcohol does, that it, tries to keep you alert and awake.

Heavy Cream

Cream can be used to make a creamy cocktail, but when you make a cream cocktail make sure you whip and make your own version. You can also go for a heavy whipped cream which is thicker than regular cream and milk fat can be between 30%-40%.
For a rich and creamy cocktail recipe, combine heavy cream with one shot of alcohol and powdered sugar, then whip it until soft peaks form for a fluffy consistency or you can use it as a loose cream.