Bourbon Vs. Rye Tasting - The Sugar House

Photo from The Sugar House facebook page

On August 6th, my husband and I attended The Sugar House's Bourbon vs. Rye tasting. The point was not to showcase the most expensive bourbons and ryes out there, but to learn the differences in taste between the two.

First I have to clarify, I am not much of a straight liquor drinker. I am more of rum and sour mix drinker, if I drink something other than wine. I have even been known to enjoy the Corktown Sours from Sugar House, which are a mix of Jameson and sour, but this summer my favorite hands down has been the Havana Sour.

So when I signed Billy and I up for this tasting, it was with trepidation on my part, but I was still curious and really did want to know the differences, and to learn about it from the people who know it best.

When we arrived about 20 minutes before it was scheduled to start, we found our seats along the end of the bar, which had been sectioned off for the tasting. We were surrounded by people who worked in the industry, which was cool because we learned a lot more by talking to them in between sips.  Our host for the event set handouts out in front of each of us, one a fact sheet about bourbon and rye and what makes them bourbon and rye, and another with four circles, big enough for a shot glass, with the name of a particular bourbon or rye next to a circle. We then received four one.five ounces of those specific liquors, and were instructed to sip, not shoot, the liquid inside.

The four we were tasting were Temptation Bourbon, Redemption High Rye Bourbon, Old Overholt Rye, and Redemption Rye, in that order. We started off with the Temptation, which is a mash of 75% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley. This is important because a difference between bourbon and rye, which I should have guessed, is that bourbon is mainly corn, while rye is mainly, well, rye. The flavor notes that were suggested for this one were caramel, sweet and sour corn, with a nose of honeysuckle, and citrus. 

Next down the list was Redemption High Rye Bourbon which is a mash of 60% corn, 38.2% rye, and 1.8% malted barley. It has notes of caramel, soft floral and nuttiness, while the taste is said to be more woody with a slightly sweet finish. Let the record show I was not able to get past the alcohol of these drinks to get these nuances, but Billy did say this one was nutty. 

After having tasted the two bourbons, we moved on to the ryes.  We began with the Old Overholt Rye, whose mash bill is 53% rye, 32% corn, and 15% malted barley. I believe they also told us that this particular rye has been around a long time. The nose was listed as pine with residual sweet corn, mint, citrus, and pepper, while the taste was listed as wood spices,, menthol with a dry finish.  Neither of us cared for this one at all. Billy did not like the menthol taste, which he said he could clearly pick up. 

The last on our list was the Redemption Rye. The mash bill is 95% rye, and 5% malted barley. The nose was listed with such things as grapefruit and buttered popcorn, with the taste being spice and pine, with a dash of nuttiness. I have to admit, I could see what they meant about the buttered popcorn! This was my second favorite of the night.

I didn't finish my glasses. Mine looked like they were barely drunk at all, but I tried! My favorites were the Temptation Bourbon and the Redemption Rye, the two most different of the night. Billy really liked the Redemption High Rye Bourbon.  We both felt it was worth the $20 each we paid for the lesson and the tasting, in fact, it was one of our least expensive nights there! 

Everyone we spoke to was happy to share their knowledge. We even got off subject and started talking about Scottish whisky. We learned that there is one out there called Ocotomore that is extremely expensive, so of course Billy wants to try it. It is $67 for one shot at the Sugar House, and they have fair pricing for what you are getting and for their extensive knowledge of what they do. I can actually go to bars in other areas and order lesser drinks which are the same price as what I would get for a much better drink at the Sugar House, so they are not fair and not overpriced, in my opinion.

I am definitely going to be watching their schedule of events now that we have attended one and loved it. I wonder if they will ever do a rum night? 

Billy's Birthday Morning Surprise!

My husband Billy's birthday was the other day, and I wanted to plan a morning around him since he always works so hard and does whatever I want and goes wherever I want to go. He usually doesn't make time for himself, so on his birthday, I felt it was time he did. I left my camera at home, so I could be more in the moment with Billy, and off we went.

It was a gorgeous day in Detroit, the sky was so blue I was convinced it was fake.

Their photo from the website gallery

Our first stop was brunch at Foran's Grand Trunk Pub. I had been researching brunch menus all week, and decided that Grand Trunk Pub had the most creative offerings on their menu, including Lobster Benedict, Lobster Omelettes, and Candied Duck Crepes. I was sure Billy would order the duck crepes, he is adventurous like that, but he didn't see it and ordered the Hillbilly Benedict. That is ok, it just gives us another reason to go back! I ordered the French Toast with Grand Marnier, and a mimosa. The food was wonderful, with the exception of the potatoes o'brien style, which were rather bland.

My photo

Our next stop was Shinola. My husband loves bikes, and has been wanting to make one. Shinola is this awesome company that makes expensive bikes and watches in Detroit. They recognized the great manufacturing that is in Detroit, and put the motor city to work making a completely different product, but with the same level of precision and expertise.  I love that they are putting Detroit back to work and making a future in Detroit. If you are interested in their story, read more about them here, and take a Google tour of their shop here.

We walked around their store on Canfield, and Billy thought he was in heaven. The bikes are gorgeous works of art, the watches rival any made in Switzerland, and the leather goods are so buttery soft and sumptuous. I didn't take any photos in fear of being booted from the store and my iPhone taken away, especially since there is a guard posted outside at the door. (I have since learned that they are absolutely fine with photos) To a bike lover, Shinola is a wonderland.  Even I couldn't help falling in love with the Bixby model, and although I am not a bike fanatic I can recognize quality. In pink please!

We ended the birthday tour at Astoria in Greektown. Astoria is an amazing bakery, with big glass cases as tall as me (ok, a little shorter) packed full of pastries, croissants, cookies and cakes. I told Billy to go crazy, and pick out whatever he wanted for his party that night, and of course something to eat right then. He picked out a dark chocolate forest torte for the party, and a ham and cheese croissant to eat. I picked out a strawberry croissant, which is my usual order there. I of course have no photos, because I lose my head when I get in there, but I have included a few photos from Tripadvisor. Next time I will definitely take my own, even if it is just with my iPhone, it feels weird to use other people's photos, even if  they are properly credited.



This photo of Astoria Pastry Shop is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Astoria Pastry Shop is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Astoria Pastry Shop is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Billy said that he had a wonderful birthday morning in Detroit, and is still talking about our trip to Shinola. I however, am still thinking about the food!

Eastern Market Mornings

Midsummer ~ a magical time of the year in my mind. The world is lush and full of life.  Midsummer you will find me traipsing local art fairs, wearing cut off shorts and running around barefoot, swimming, and enjoying as much time as I can outside.  I also like to take advantage of all the fruit that is readily around me.


One of the best parts of summer is the abundant availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. The premier destination in Detroit and the surrounding area, in my opinion, is Eastern Market.

You may not know that Detroit is laid out hub and spoke style (like a wheel), with a main central park, or circus, with main roads shooting off like spokes.  I have heard that this was developed for farmers, that their farms would be along one of the main spokes and they could just follow it straight to the center for the market. I am not sure if this is true or not, but I like the idea of it.

Detroit's Eastern Market has been in business in its present location since 1891. It is funny to think as I walk about it, perusing the local harvests at my fingertips, that it existed 122 years ago, providing the same service. Nowadays the produce is delivered by truck, when originally it would have been horse drawn carts. But I guess it is all considered horsepower - we are the motor city after all. (excuse the bad pun!)

When my husband and I head down, we always pop in to Astoria Bakery in Greektown for a coffee and a pastry.

My favorite is the Strawberry Danish.

Full up on sugar and caffeine, we wander about the riot of color, smell, and sound. 

And when we get hungry again, there are a plethora of food choices, between the restaurants that ring the market, the food vendors under the sheds such as The People's Pierogi and Good Girls Go To Paris, to the food trucks that pull up on the sidewalk right outside.I personally always opt for the food trucks,  and the two food trucks I like best: the Mac Shack and El Guapo. El Guapo has gourmet meat and vegetarian options with cool movie inspired names, and the Mac Shack changes the face of macaroni and cheese. It's not your average box of Kraft noodles and cheese, that is for sure. ( Although, there is nothing wrong with Kraft Mac)

My suggestion: The Aloha, Mr. Hand with tofu 

Billy's suggestion: The Pork Belly Confit

My suggestion: The Papa Smurf

Billy's suggestion: Cheech's Trip

One thing is for certain, Eastern Market is good for the soul, and for the stomach. 

~Erin

A Chilly Fort Wayne Morning

About a month or so ago, I had the opportunity to visit Fort Wayne, Detroit.

For me, this was a big deal. I would drive down Jefferson by the now defunct base on my way to the city, nestled in a neighborhood of abandoned houses and truck yards. A fort that has been around since about 1860, and here it still stands, far longer than the more recently built homes around it. You can see a few barrack buildings from the road, and the rest is lost to view.  Great iron fences surround the grounds, and I always wanted to go behind the gates and see these buildings up close. It has personal meaning to me as well - when my father shipped off with the Marines to boot camp during the Vietnam War, he left from here.  I could just picture my young idealist father standing in the gym, waiting to leave his family and his home, anxious and nervous but wanting to serve his country.

The day we went it was raining, and I didn't want to take my actual camera. So it was iPhone to the rescue once again.

 

View from the hill overlooking the old barracks. I feel like this looks like it could be England!

 

My friend Hippy walking through the tunnel

 

The armory

The back of the old barrack. 

The fort now hosts many different events, including war reenactments and ghost hunts led by Metro Paranormal Investigations. This sounds terrifying, but I might just have to do it.  Restoration work has also been happening on the grounds, which is evident by the differences between a few of the buildings. Some are fallen in like the ones you see pictured here, while others are fully restored, and either open to visitors or being used as offices by those who work at the fort.

For more information, visit Fort Wayne's website. Or better yet, visit the fort itself! It is an amazing place to visit, and you will be glad you did. 

Detroit Institute of Arts-Impressions from my recent visit

The DIA caught in a cultural crossfire of politics and budget deficits? Possibly. The future of her artwork remains to be seen as Detroit enters emergency management as years of chronic corruption, spending, and mismanagement has finally caught up. Reading all the articles recently about selling off artwork of the DIA has given me pause to reflect on my most recent visit in March.

I wanted to spend the day with my little sister and expose her to the world beyond the mall and movies. Our day started at the DIA, walking and talking amongst some of the masters, exposing her beyond the perfunctory group school field trip.
 

We walked the museum, pausing to reflect on certain paintings or sculptures that caught our eye for whatever reason.  Explaining to her the difference between certain periods of artwork, showing her how art evolved over the centuries. Walking through modern art and the dogged question of "Is that really art?" when looking at simplistic solid  lines of color drawn across a canvas.

One that both struck us was by Jean Dubuffet, "Shot in the Wing". It appears to be a brick in the foundation of modern street graffiti. Edgy and colorful, evoking you to stand and be entranced by the seemingly organized chaos of the haphazard shapes.


A more traditional and famous portrait is Henri Matisse's "The Window." 
Matisse blurs the lines, mixing abstraction and depth. It shows the tree and reflection of the light through the window yet you can't discern where the floor ends and the wall begins. It's minimalist with richness of color. Stunning.


I left the DIA that day, with the feeling that the DIA is like "The Little Engine that Could." Yes, it may not be The Louvre or the Met or Musee d'Orsay but dammit, it's not bad at all. Quite respectable if you ask me.
Selling off her treasures won't solve Detroit's fiscal woes. It would be like putting a bandaid on a broken arm. Let's hope a bankruptcy court addresses the real issues.

In the esteemed words of George Washington, “The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind." 

Long live the DIA!

Sugar House ~ Corktown

We spent last night at the Sugar House.

One of our favorite places to imbibe right now, we headed down there after watching The Great Gatsby. Cocktails were definitely called for.

The ambiance at the Sugar House is low key, all dark wood and taxidermied animals, bringing to mind Teddy Roosevelt or an English lord's trophy room. Perhaps the room of a big game safari hunter. Music streams out in hushed tones, and in the late spring and summer the room is hot.  I feel transported to New Orleans almost, but this is Detroit. Detroit at its finest, with craft cocktails and local ingredients when possible. I could while away hours there every weekend, if I could afford it every weekend. The drinks however are well worth their price tag, and sometimes I even feel like I am not paying enough.

We had a super nice bartender named Nick. (please excuse my iPhone pics, it was all I had with me) He was imbued with knowledge about the large array of options and ingredients, and could perfectly describe  a flavor and recommend a drink.

I started off with a Moscow Mule. (terrible photo I know)

After my first sip, I pronounced this drink to be breathtaking.  Jill and Chrissy found this amusing until they too, tasted it and said it was the perfect description. And they actually still thought it was funny. A Moscow Mule has a few different ingredients, one of them being ginger. Yum.

Next, I moved on to the Vieux Carre.

There is a reason you shouldn't pick something based on the name alone.   I chose this because I love New Orleans and the actual Vieux Carre - however, this drink was a bit too manly for me. Nick said that this drink is a commitment, and it was a commitment I wasn't ready for. I passed this drink on to Billy, and ordered a new one.

Nick then suggested a Havana Sour. I had told him I am a fan of Whiskey Sours, and the Corktown Sour, so I took his advice.

 

Always listen to the experts!  This drink was amazing. Perfect for me in every way. I adored it. Tart and pink, I liked it so much I ordered a second. The Havana Sour is a definite winner.

Chrissy and Jill enjoyed their drinks - they both found two new drinks they fancied as well. Chrissy would not let go of her Whiskey Smash, and Jill found the Aviation to be fabulous.

Going to the Sugar House is an experience - one that allows you to appreciate all that goes into the making of a drink, the quality of the ingredients, the knowledge not only of how to make them, but sometimes how that drink came to exist in the first place.

 It is a place for savoring. To not just guzzle down your cocktail, to throw it back like you would a shot, but to truly enjoy it. They proclaim themselves to be a place for the discerning drunk, and while I am not that well informed about what they do, I certainly see the value, and I learn a little something every time.