Liquor and Liqueur Connoisseur Matt Birchard

Episode 116 features Herbsaint. Bottled in 750ml at 50% ABV, or 100 proof and it retails for about $31.
Enjoy this episode with an Herbsaint Frappe, or any cocktail that calls for absinthe.
Herbsaint doesn't have it's own website, so here's the Sazerac listing: https://www.sazerac.com/our-brands/sazerac-brands/herbsaint.html
Brief Historical Timeline:
1914-18 - World War I and J. Marion Legendre 's friend Reginal P. Parker learns of pastis while stationed in Marseille, France 1920-33 - Post war, during Prohibition, Legendre and Parker make pastis in New Orleans1933 - Legendre introduces Legendre Absinthe in December, immediately following the repeal of Prohibition1934 - The Federal government forces Legendre to drop Absinthe from the name, Herbsaint is chosen as the replacement1949 - Legendre sells the brand and business to Sazerac & Company1950 - Sazerac changes the formulation, packaging and proof2009 - For the brand's 75th anniversary, Sazerac recreates the original recipe and resurrects the historical packaging, creating Legendre Herbsaint Original
Key Cocktails:
The Sazerac Cocktail is most widely cited, but it only uses Herbsaint as a rinse. Select an absinthe based cocktail as a better use for Herbsaint.
References:
Wayback Machine Archive Copy of The Virtual Absinthe Museum story of Herbsaint - This resource was invaluable in producing this episode
Wikipedia Article on Herbsaint
New Orleans Absinthe History
Imbibe Magazine Article Circa 2009
Alcademics.com Article on the 75th Anniversary Relaunch
Sazerac House Recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail, featuring Herbsaint
Barfaith.com Review
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
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Episode 115 features Tito's Handmade Vodka. Bottled in 750ml at 40% ABV, or 80 proof and it retails for about $20.
Enjoy this episode with some Tito's and soda with a lemon wedge.
Tito's Handmade Vodka official website: https://www.titosvodka.com/
Brief Historical Timeline:
1992 - Tito Beveridge begins making vodka infusions for his friends1995 - Tito applies for a distillery license1997 - First year of production yields about 1,000 9-liter equivalent cases2001 - Tito's wins a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition2013 - United Airlines begins serving Tito's on all their flights2021 - 11,070,000 9-liter equivalent cases are sold, making Tito's the most popular distilled spirit brand in the USA, and providing enough for one 750ml bottle for each third person in the country2023 - Tito's runs a Superbowl commercial named Dry January that features Martha Stewart
Key Cocktails:
Mix Tito's as you like.
References:
Eater Article on Tito's
Wikipedia Article on Tito's
Statista Sales Volumes
2022 Beverage Dynamics Ranking
Grain Volumes for Vodka Making
2022 Corn Yields Per Acre
YouTube Featuring Tito Speaking on Early Failures
YouTube Featuring Tito Telling the Origin Story
Tito's Stories YouTube Videos (All 8 are referenced)
Dry January Superbowl Ad
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
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Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 114 features Jeppson's Malört. Bottled in 750ml at 35% ABV, or 70 proof and it retails for about $22.
Enjoy this episode with a shot of Jeppson's Malört straight.
Jeppson's Malört official website: https://www.jeppsonsmalort.com/
Brief Historical Timeline:
1880s - Carl Jeppson immigrates to Chicago, Illinois, USA from Sweden1920s - Carl Jeppson begins making and selling door to door his own bask brännvin, later to be named Malört1933 - Carl Jeppson sells Malört to Bielzoff Products1945 - George Brode buys Bielzoff Products, eventually renaming the company Red Horse Liquors1953 - George Brode sells Red Horse Liquors, except for Malört1986 - Mar-Salle Distillery in Chicago, who had been making Malört since 1953, closes so production moves to Kentucky1999 - George Brode dies, leaving Jeppson's Malört to his friend and long-time secretary Patricia Gabelick2007 - The hastag #malortface catches on in Chicago with photos shared online2011 - Chicago comedian Sam Mechling begins promoting Malört on Twitter and Facebook, eventually raising the ire of Patricia Gabelick2012 - Sam Mechling officially joins the Carl Jeppson Company2018 - CH Distillery in Chicago buys the Carl Jeppson Company and Jeppson's Malört bringing production back to Chicago2020 - The brand was selling about 20,000 9-liter equivalent cases annually
Key Cocktails:
Don't mess around, you just take shots of Jeppson's Malört.
References:
Chicago Tribune Article on the History of Jeppson's
Thrillist Facts List
Food and Wine Article
Serious Eats Article
YouTube Video Featuring Production at CH Distillery
YouTube Video Featuring an Interview with Sam Mechling
YouTube Video: "Chicago's Grossest Drink, Explained"
YouTube Video: "The Worst Liquor Ever"
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
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Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 113 features John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum. Bottled in 750ml at 11% ABV, or 22 proof and it retails for about $22.
Enjoy this episode with a pour of John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum mixed in a tiki cocktail if you like.
John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum doesn't have a website I can find, so here's the US Importer's website: https://alpenz.com/product-falernum.html
Brief Historical Timeline:
Pre-1800s - Falernum is likely being made in Barbados on sugar estates alongside rum1821 - The first printed reference to Falernum is found1890 - John D. Taylor is said to have refined the Falernum recipe into this award-winning liqueur1934 - Falernum is used in tiki cocktails by Donn Beach at Don's Beachcomber1970s - Falernum is gone from the US market and global sales decline along with tiki1993 - R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd. purchases blender Alleyne Arthur who had previously purchased John D. Taylor, bring this version of Velvet Falernum under R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd.'s ownership2009 - Haus Alpenz begins importing John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum into the US
Key Cocktails:
Try the Corn 'N Oil listed on the back label.
Corn 'N Oil
½ oz. John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum2 oz. Aged Barbados Rum
Stir in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.
References:
Presentation by Richard Seal of R. L. Seale & Co. Ltd. on the history of Falernum
Wikipedia Article on Falernum
Difford's Guide listing for John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum Instagram Account
Teakwood Tavern Article on John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
Punch Article on Rediscovering John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
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Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 112 features Cacique Guaro. Bottled in 365ml at 30% ABV, or 60 proof and it retails for about $3.
Enjoy this episode with a pour of Cacique Guaro if you can find it.
Cacique Guaro's official website: https://fanal.co.cr/
Brief Historical Timeline:
1850 - Beverage alcohol production is nationalized in Costa Rica1853 - Fábrica Nacional De Licores, aka FANAL, is established and begins producing guaro1980 - FANAL brands Cacique Guaro and begins bottling it2015 - Cacique Guaro sells 1 million 9-liter equivalent cases
Key Cocktails:
Most Cacique Guaro is consumed mixed with fruit juice, or consumed neat. But, you can try this "fancy" version of a popular shot featuring Cacique Guaro.
Chiliguaro (makes a batch to share)
2 cups tomato juice⅔ cups Guaro - or as much as you want½ cup lime juice1 tbsp chopped onion1 tbsp chopped red pepper1 tbsp chopped cilantro½ tsp lizano sauce¼ tsp tabasco1 tsp sugar½ tsp salt½ tsp pepper
Blend all the ingredients, strain and store in a glass bottle in the fridge. Serve very cold in shot glasses.
References:
Wikipedia Article on Cacique Guaro
Article on What is Cacique Guaro from the Tico Times
Article on Giving Guaro a Second Sip from the Tico Times
The National Drink of Cost Rica
YouTube Video on the History of Guaro - In Spanish
YouTube Factory Tour
Canadian Distributor's Website
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
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Twitter: @LLConnoisseur

Episode 111 features Tia Maria. Bottled in 750ml at 26.5% ABV, or 53 proof and it retails for about $31.
Enjoy this episode with a pour of Tia Maria on ice or in an Espresso Martini.
Tia Maria's official website: https://www.tiamaria.com/
Brief Historical Timeline:
1947 - Tia Maria is created with Dr. Kenneth Evans as the named founder 1980s - Hiram Walker acquires the brand2005 - Pernod Ricard ends up with Tia Maria through acquisitions2009 - Pernod Ricard sells Tia Maria to Illva Saronno
Key Cocktails:
Tia Maria is claimed to be the first coffee liqueur used in an Espresso Martini, so try it that way.
Tia Espresso Martini
25ml Tia Maria25ml VodkaSingle or Double Shot of Espresso3 coffee beans for garnish
Shake all ingredients with ice, double strain into a chilled Martini glass, garnish with three coffee beans.
References:
Wikipedia Article on Tia Maria
Diffords Guide on Tia Maria
Press Release on Pernod Ricard sale to Illva Saronno
Press Release on new bottle design
Cocktail-Society.com Article on Tia Maria
Trade Focused Sales Sheet PDF, circa 2020
Tia Maria's first TV Ad on YouTube
Product Listing for Vanilla Beans Defining Bourbon Vanilla
Contact Information:
Official show website is: www.liquorandliqueurconnoisseur.com
Join my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hfyhHf
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Twitter: @LLConnoisseur