Guess I'm not a drinker

Salem

So, I tried the Remy Martin VSOP Cognac Champagne. I tried one partially filled (you know, the way you just put a little in the bottom) snifter glass, and tried it one day. ugh. I drank it anyway. Then on another day, I tried 2 glasses like that. It didn't taste as bad, but I really didn't enjoy it. It didn't give me the taste I thought it would. So, been there, done that, out of system. Have a bottle of unopened VS Cognac that I bought before the VSOP that I'll have to get rid of. I've never cooked with brandy though, so probably won't do that either. Cigars.....another story. I like them!

stephen_hannibal

Dude try youtubing a few videos on how to enjoy cognac.
Some of the tips you find might vastly change your experience.

Salem

stephen_hannibal:

Dude try youtubing a few videos on how to enjoy cognac.
Some of the tips you find might vastly change your experience.

I watched lots of videos on youtube and other places about how to drink it, smell it, look at it, sip it, roll it around in your mouth, and what kind of glass to drink it out of, what kind is the best, 2nd, and 3rd best, the different brands and everything way before I took my first sip. LOL! That's ok though. from....dudette!

stephen_hannibal

Salem:

stephen_hannibal:

Dude try youtubing a few videos on how to enjoy cognac.
Some of the tips you find might vastly change your experience.

I watched lots of videos on youtube and other places about how to drink it, smell it, look at it, sip it, roll it around in your mouth, and what kind of glass to drink it out of, what kind is the best, 2nd, and 3rd best, the different brands and everything way before I took my first sip. LOL! That's ok though. from....dudette!

uppppp sorry Dudette... Lol.
What drinks do you enjoy?

Direwolf

You will notice that the drinks folks here enjoy with their sticks run the gamut from plain ice water to chocolate milk lol. I usually drink coffee or iced tea. Alcohol wise I like a good triple distilled vodka , or a nice tequila

wwhwang

I don't know how long it's been since you last tried hard liquor, but try to give it time. When I first started on whisky, I hated all of it. But as my palate developed and adapted, whisky went from intolerable to bearable, and is now something I really enjoy.

The next few times you pour a glass, only pour a little bit and really get to know it. It takes some time to start enjoying rum, whisky, and cognac, but it's really worth it. That or you can just start mixing the cognac with something else. If you go that route, try making a nice French Connection and mix the cognac with some amaretto. It's a nice sweet drink with a bit of a kick to it. Cheers.

dowjr1

For me alchohol of most types were something I liked over a period of time. Beer is a good example...thought it was horrible first trying some of my dad's Bud. Now I love a good beer like most...but it took some time.

james40

If you drink water with your cigars starting out, it will help you taste just the cigars. Then you can start pairing it up with drinks. I like coffee, soda, and stout beers with maduros/habanos. Cognac I just can't sip, same with whiskey. Don't feel you have to pair up expensive alchohol with cigars. The key is keeping it fun and simple and just enjoying yourself.

Ken Light

The way I started with whiskey was by taking a shot or two of Everclear first and then move to it. But I was 16 lol, I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Rob1110

Cognac may just not be for you but remember, you're drinking the younger cognacs more suitable to mixing than sipping. I'm not recommending you go out and spend $100+ on a good XO but there's a big difference between a VSOP level cognac and an XO. Here are a few recipes you can try if you have the other ingredients to dilute your cognac a bit while still keeping it the star of the drink:

Sazerac
2.5oz Cognac
0.5oz simple syrup
2-3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Absinthe rinse (swirl in the glass and dump excess)
Lemon Peel

Poop Deck
2oz Cognac
0.5oz Blackberry Brandy
1.5oz Port

French Manhattan
2oz Cognac
1oz Sloe Gin
1oz Sweet Vermouth
tsp Maraschino Cherry Juice
2-3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Maraschino Cherry

Sidecar
1.5oz Cognac
0.75oz Cointreau
0.75oz Lemon Juice (Fresh squeezed)

When shaking cocktails, be sure to shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker until the shaker starts to hurt your hands from the cold - shake a few more times and it's ready. You want to wake the cocktail up and allow enough ice to melt and get some water into the drink, while chilling sufficiently at the same time. None of this wimpy, one shake crap.

Peels can be as simple as cutting a slice of lemon or orange peel with a bit of the pith. Squeeze the peel over the drink to get the oils to release on the surface of your cocktail, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass and drop the peel into the drink.

laker1963

I'm not a drinker either Salem. I find that I enjoy pairing my sticks with coffee, hot chocolate, or water. For some BOTL the two just go together, but like all aspects of this hobby, you make the rules for you, so... enjoy them however you like... that's the right way... for you.

JZ

I wasnt a drinker til a few years ago. Now, dont get me wrong, Im not a raging drunk!! LOL! But back to the topic at hand, I partially credit cigars and las vegas for developing my palate. Im sure all of us in the initial stage of smoking cigars were not tasting all of the flavors that are often associated with the experience. I could not pick out the flavors for quite sometime and one day it all started coming together. I was able to pick the different flavors which sometimes changes during the course of one cigar. With that said, I use to hate sushi and all alcohol. I tried sushi again awhile after I started being able to identifying the notes of a cigar and now I love sushi. As for alcohol, while in Vegas I started trying all kinds of liquor since it was free in the casino. I discovered that I began liking different liqours and was able to taste the specific notes. I especially like Long Island IceT! I really believe that my love for cigars have really developed my palate. It may sound crazy but I cant tie the change in taste to anything else. Long story short, theres still hope for you and alcohol!!!

pbchevo

am not a drinker myself, hell with 3 coronas am tipsy already lol. Alcohol and I dont really mix