kproche: (Default)
kproche ([personal profile] kproche) wrote2007-12-22 10:25 am

TAC Squad makes the Chicago Tribune...

ETA: The article has been updated with a lead-in photo of all three of us, and we're mentioned by name in the caption!

No photos alas, but I'm mentioned by name in this story about the release event yesterdy at St. George Spirits.

No diluting absinthe's lure

[identity profile] britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Damn! I was hoping for pix. ;)

Absent for Absinthe

[identity profile] dinogrl.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations! We'll have to send the link to Dave's brother, Pat (who lives in those parts now).

Sure wish I could have gone, but y'know, it's that work thang.
Sigh. I should have told you to procure a bottle for me /n/ Dave.

Re: Absent for Absinthe

[identity profile] kproche.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
What do you think we'd be bringing to the House of Spike next weekend? ;-)

HAPPY DANCE!!!!

[identity profile] dinogrl.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
YAY!

(and thanks!!)

[identity profile] mikeysmilinguy.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Sweet, mentioned by name :)

[identity profile] gurdymonkey.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
You have uniforms????

Silly me, look who I'm asking.

[identity profile] kproche.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
http://kproche.livejournal.com/118591.html

Badges? We don' need no steenkeen badges!

[identity profile] gurdymonkey.livejournal.com 2007-12-22 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Giggle]

Re: Badges? We don' need no steenkeen badges!

[identity profile] kproche.livejournal.com 2007-12-23 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
Did you find the images of the original ID cards?

http://kproche.livejournal.com/117790.html#cutid1

(they've been modified slightly and reissued since then; there is now a fourth branch insignia featuring a collins glass with 3 ice cubes in it for [livejournal.com profile] ladycelia's French 75s)

[identity profile] baronlaw.livejournal.com 2007-12-23 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
Applause

[identity profile] holczer13.livejournal.com 2007-12-23 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
At this point, when I click on the link, there is actually a picture, and you, sir, are indeed in it. So, please to describe what it tasted like? Also, why did they not go with the traditional sugar cube method?

[identity profile] kproche.livejournal.com 2007-12-24 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
Well, dripping water through a sugar cube is only traditional if one wishes to sweeten the absinthe; I like the balance of Lance's Absinthe Verte without any additional sweetness.

For the release tasting, they were doing several things. Reservoir glasses are quite expensive (and they wanted to pour small tastes) so they were using the grappa glasses instead.

They were also having fun with the fact that when a piece of ice is dropped into 120 proof spirits, it sinks rather than floats. As the ice melts, it will rise up on top of the meltwater, staying at the bottom of the liquor. The louche forms in the meltwater. It was a really cool effect.

It also meant you could easily get a small taste of the pure spirit (STRONG anise flavor) before it mixed into the water. I added more icewater after the party trick finished to get the full balance of the herbal blend in the absinthe. I really liked it, with a slightly but not overly bitter finish, in part from the stinging nettles in the recipe.