Drinking Vinegars, Meet Daiquiri.

Drinking vinegars are where it's at this fall—they're the perfect way to get dead-of-summer fruit tastes when the dead-of-summer is long gone.

Someone sent RPM's executive chef Doug Psaltis some samples of Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegars, and he passed them on to me suggesting I give them a whirl behind the bar. I liked the pomegranate and pineapple so much that I ordered two full-sized bottles. At almost $19 a whack, they're pretty expensive, but because I'm only using a quarter of an ounce at a time, I feel like I'm really getting my money's worth.

I added some of Pok Pok Som's Full Strength Pineapple Drinking Vinegar to my daiquiri recipe, and the result was awesome. It's almost like adding salt to chocolate chip cookies; the vinegar just opens up all the subtle flavors of the cocktail. The aroma in intensified, you taste a level of pineapple acidity that isn't possible even with the freshest pineapple juice, and the finish is a pleasant, lingering one.

These vinegars will also make great 'mocktails': just add one part drinking vinegar to four parts soda.

Prichards' Distillery

After visiting Jack Daniel's, we drove to nearby Kelso, Tennessee, so I could pick up a bottle of Prichards' Private Stock rum (which is only available at the distillery's gift shop). The distillery itself is really special—it's in an old school (complete with gymnasium-turned-booze warehouse), and, as you can see in the photos, a true mom and pop operation.

Click 'read more' for all the photos...

Jack Daniel Distillery

Paid a quick visit the Jack Daniel Distillery on Wednesday morning, where I picked up a barrel of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select for Bub City. The tasting experience there differed wildly from the three I'd experienced earlier this week, as I'm sure you can tell from these photos. There wasn't a whiskey thief in sight, but I think the folks who normally won't touch Jack Daniel's are going to be pleasantly surprised by this particular barrel. 

Click 'read more' for photos...

Buffalo Trace

Headed to Buffalo Trace in the afternoon, and picked out a barrel of seven-year old Old Weller 107, also for Bub City. Click through for photos of their beautiful property...

Four Roses

Bought an 11-year old barrel-strength Four Roses barrel for Bub City today. Click through for photos of the distillery and bottling facility...

Heaven Hill Distillery

Spent the afternoon at Heaven Hill touring the property and tasting ten-year-old Evan Williams. Click through for more...

A little bit country, a little bit...?

Is this what a tiki bar in the basement of a country & western bar is supposed to look like? Whoa.

Thanks for the heads up on this one, Ben Poster.