Some of you may be aware of who Stuart Ramsey is (http://ramsaysdram.com/). He recently held a nice scotch and cigar tasting at my local herf shack, so I got on his mail list. He sent out a nice letter that is directed at people in the Portland, OR area, as indicated by the prices that he lists. He also has a "where to get it" listing, but I'm leaving that out due to it be very local. Anyway, here is his annual Hogmanay Awards letter

RAMSAY’S DRAM HOGMANAY AWARDS, 2008 (THE HOGGIES!)

Season’s Greetings:

It’s a tradition in Scotland to go “First-Footing” and visit friends and neighbors with a bottle of spirits and a small gift (handsel) after the Hogmanay celebration of New Year. The visitor offers a wee dram and a toast to the host, and the drink is reciprocated in the home or office. In Scotland, this tradition of first footing can take several weeks.

With this in mind, please consider the following recommendations for First-Footing. These are spirits that I have reviewed and re-visited (and re-visited) over the past year. Many are from independent, family-owned and local distillers.

I’ve listed my favorite bars in the Portland area and Oregon liquor stores (that carry the spirits) at the end of the list.

Wishing you all a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Stuart
www.RamsaysDram.com


“Let mirth abound, let social cheer
Invest the dawning of the year;
Let blithesome innocence appear
To crown our joy,
Nor envy wi’ sarcastic sneer
Our bliss destroy.”

From ‘The Daft Days’ by Robert Fergusson (1750-74)


SCOTCH WHISKY:
Aberlour a’bunadh ($63.95) Cask strength, Spanish oak, Speyside
Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist 16 YO ($120) Heavily-peated Islay
Ardmore Traditional ($46) Medium-peated Speyside
Benromach Traditional ($50) Medium-peated Speyside
Highland Park 12 Year Old ($40.95) Medium-peated Island
Glenfarclas 17 YO ($92) Spanish oak, Speyside
Glenlivet Nadurra 16 YO ($54.95) Cask strength, Speyside
Glenrothes Select Reserve ($44.95) Spanish oak, Speyside

AMERICAN WHISKEY:
Buffalo Trace Oregon 150 ($21.95)
Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 YO ($25.95)
Elijah Craig 12 YO ($19.95)
Evan Williams Single Barrel 1998 ($26.95)
Old Forester Signature ($21.95)
WL Weller 7 YO 107 ($19.95)
Sazerac Rye Whiskey 6 YO ($27.95)

IRISH:
Connemara Peated Single Malt ($51)
Redbreast 12 YO ($49.95) Pure Pot Still
The Tyrconnell Single Malt ($29.95)

CANADIAN:
Forty Creek Barrel Select ($19.95)

TEQUILA:
Corazon Reposado ($42.95)
El Tesoro Anejo ($46.95)
Siete Leguas Blanco ($41.95)

RUM:
Rhum Barbancourt 15 YO ($43.95)
Ron Zacapa 23 YO ($44.95)

COGNAC/BRANDY:
Germain Robain Brandy (CA) ($38.95)
Pierre Ferrand Amere ($46.10)

GIN:
Aviation (OR) ($24.95)
Hendrick’s ($27.95)

VODKA:
Hangar 1 Fraser River Raspberry (CA) ($44.95)
Hangar 1 Mandarin Blossom (CA) ($33.95)
Medoyeff (OR) ($29.95)
Subrosa Saffron (OR) ($29.95)

LIQUEURS, ETC:
Amarula Cream ($19.95)
Krogstad Aquavit (OR) ($21.95)
Pama Pomegranite ($24.95)
Ransom Muscat Grappa (OR) ($23.70)
St George Absinthe Verte (CA) ($81.95)
Worker Bee Honey Spirits (OR) ($19.40)

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