The Gentleman Caller

Sunday afternoon. Rainy, cold. Toasty inside, though. An aroma of curry stew filling the apartment as it cooks slowly in a clay pot in the oven; candle flames emitting halos of soft, cozy light; and the pleasant company of a southern gentleman.

And, oh what a gentleman. So warm, so smooth and sweet, like caramel, but earthy too, and strong... like an oak. His kiss leaves the most lovely warmth on the tongue and lips, making one completely oblivious to the cold rain outside.

Or to the company of others.

Sigh.

Oh, pardon me, readers.

Well, okay.

So, the southern gentleman is not actually here physically, but he is here in spirit. And what a wonderful spirit he left on this Earth.

In case you haven't already guessed his name, I am consorting with Pappy Van Winkle. Remember Pappy? I sang his praises back in March after enjoying the last of the one remaining bottle at Louis 649, the great bar on East 9th Street with a host of great liquors available.

After my first dance with that old character, I wanted more (more I tell you!). But alas, Pappy Van Winkle is a hard southern gentleman to find in this great northern metropolis. Small batch is small batch.

I checked several liquor stores, without scoring a bottle. When I called Crush Wine & Spirits on 57th Street, they informed me they did not have any in stock and that there was a long waiting list for the next batch, but would I like to add my name?

Of course I would!

And so it was, that almost nine months later, I received a call from a very polite woman at Crush informing me that a new batch was in. She kindly took my request for three bottles of the 20-year, one of 15 and one of 23, but let me know that most likely I would only be "allocated" one bottle. (One was meant to be a birthday present for my brother and the others were for Mia who introduced me to Pappy.) I did only receive one, and I kept it. And then I laughed at myself today when I called a few other places only to find they have it in stock, free for the taking with no allocations! (A word to the wise, shop competitively because there is a range of prices!)

For the price, I wondered whether this second rendezvous would be as wonderful as the first. Would it be as sweet, as hot, as intoxicating?

Now that I am nearly finished with the pour I "allocated" myself this evening, I can say fairly, yes, it was. That Pappy knows how to warm my lushly heart. And, although the web site says it makes a fine after dinner drink, I think it makes a fine pre-dinner drink as well.

The web site also indicates that it's the only bourbon in which a bit of wheat is added to the mash. The bottle tag notes the Kentucky climate causes a "breathing motion" in the barrels "which passes the whiskey through the thin caramel layers of resinous oak." Another reminder that whiskey is as complicated as wine.

The bottle, my friends, layers of resinous oak and all, will be here for your next visit to my place. For what good is fine liquor without fine company with which to share it!?

Well, the stew is ready. And with it, I plan to enjoy a Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout made by the Kiuchi Brewery. Stay tuned! And until then. Cheers to Pappy!

P.S. The curry stew came out so well, I had to come back and add the "recipe:"

1 small or medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 small butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped
A cup or two of baby bella mushrooms, sliced thickly
1 can of black beans
2 cups mushroom or vegetable broth plus two or more cups water
1 teaspoon madras (or other) curry powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt

Throw it all in a pot and cook it!