Wine & Beer – Brixlife

Visit to Ron del Barrilito Factory–Puerto Rico’s Oldest Rum

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 by Melissa

4-star Puerto Rican Rum — Tasting glass full of Ron del Barrilito 4-star rum

Aging Rum — Rum Barrels Aging at Ron del Barrilito

Vintage WIndmill — Old Windmill at Ron del Barrilito in Puerto Rico

Rum-Making Equipment at Ron del Barrilito

Puerto Rican Rum Bottles — Ron del Barrilito bottling facility

About a month ago I had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Ron del Barrilito factory in Puerto Rico in the late afternoon. It was about 80 degrees and a couple of hours before sunset. A small The remnants of an old brick windmill graced the property. As we entered the bottling area to look for someone to speak with, we met Luis Planas, the master rum maker who generously spoke with us for about an hour. The beautiful aged casks were cellared just a few feet away, while Luis told us about the rum-making process and informed us that Ron de Barrilito would soon release a 4-star rum. He gave us a generous tasting which both briny and sweet, tasting of figs and raisins.

A few days after our visit to the factory, which consisted of a retail area, bottling facility and cellar, we went to a private rum tasting bar in Old San Juan. We splurged on a tasting of the 5-star Ron de Barrilito. The 5-star rum provided a deeper, richer color and flavor profile–like an amplified version of the 4-star. All of the Ron de Barrilito rums are high quality and reasonably priced for the quality, starting at about $35 in the U.S.

I give their rum 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The Bruery

April 27, 2016April 27, 2018 by Melissa

The Bruery is a boutique craft brewery located in Orange County, CA that specializes in barrel aged and experimental ales. The founder of The Bruery, Patrick Rue, named The Bruery in part after his surname as a playful pun. (I happen to be a fan of puns, an art which is certainly not lost on me). It’s arguable that The Bruery is sort of a West Coast version of Allagash. Their beers and ales are all generally very distinct and high quality. Furthermore, they make many unique beverages. A friend recently shared a Bruery barley wine style ale brewed with date sugar and granite stones. I had never tasted barely wine before, much less this particular ale called “A Stein’s Throw” (yet another pun because the ale is brewed with hot granite stones—these guys are really growing on me) that my friend bought at a library sale from The Bruery’s cellar. Initially, it had a wonderful, slightly tart apricot flavor that opened up into a heady floral richness on the finish.

I also really enjoyed this exotic beer from The Bruery called OR XATA. It’s made with rice and cinnamon like the non-alcoholic rice-base beverage that’s popular in the Latino community. The Bruery version is a blonde ale with added vanilla and lactose that gives it a creamier mouth feel. It’s delicious and pairs great with carnitas (my favorite tacos).

I will be making a trip to Placentia soon to check out the digs of The Bruery.

The Martinez Vintage Cocktail

April 27, 2016April 27, 2018 by Melissa

1/2 ounces Old Tom Gin (I recommend Hayman’s Old Tom Gin—it is smooth and has a rich mouth feel. Also, it’s not very juniper, so it will not overwhelm the other flavors.)
1 3/4 ounces sweet vermouth (I recommend Antica Carpano)
2 bar spoons maraschino liqueur, preferably Luxardo
4 dashes orange bitters (I recommend Angosturra bitters)
Ice (one large spherical cube is what I recommend)
Orange twist, for garnish (optional)

Pour all of the liquid ingredients into a rocks glass and stir with cocktail spoon. Gently deposit ice into the glass and add the orange twist. The cocktail should be a lovely, clear burnt orange honey color.

Just a little not about the history of the Martinez….. It’s known as the precursor to the Martini (which is part of the reason that I think that the only real martini is a gin martini). Some people call it “the father of the martini”. Cocktail historians believe it was first poured in the 1860’s or 1870’s, so it has a rich history. If you use the Hayman’s gin, like I recommend, it will be a smooth cocktail that women and men alike typically find pleasing.