July 24, 2010

4 La Verdad: Ron Cooper

With all the depraved Tales madness erupting, as evidenced by erratic, incomprehensible text messages streaming in from New Orleans, around the clock—I wanted to address something.  As has been the case for the past few years, now—particularly...

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Filed Under: Spirits

May 4, 2010

0 Leave it to the Experts

Last night, I saw the best thing ever aired on the Food Network—something I've lost nearly all taste for. It was from Season 7, Episode 01 – “Sturgeon” was the secret ingredient. Iron Chef Michael Symon Vs. Chef David Adjey Judges: Andre...

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Filed Under: Food

April 1, 2010

1 Experts: Ad Infinitum

Recently, a long-time friend and contentious collaborator stopped me mid-sentence—amid the fervor of one of my rants—and said: “Are you ever going to stop talking about ‘empowering experts’?” When I first started thinking about this wh...

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Filed Under: Random

March 12, 2010

2 Ron Cooper, Founder of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal

This great photograph was taken by Tobin Sharp at Hi-Time Wine Cellars when Ron was visiting last February....

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Filed Under: Spirits

March 11, 2010

0 Asado Prieto

Asado Prieto 2 oz        Del Maguey Santo Domingo Albarradas ½ oz     Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth ½ oz    Fresh squeezed lemon juice ½ oz    Fresh squeezed lime juice ½ oz    Agave Nectar 1    Luxardo Marasche Ch...

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Spirits

March 3, 2010

0 Manzanita de Chimayo

Tonight’s drink was directly stolen from Arturo Jaramillo, owner of the Rancho de Chimayó restaurant in Chimayó, New Mexico (which happens to be close to Ron Cooper’s—founder of Del Maguey and architect of Mezcal’s resurrection—home in Ta...

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Spirits

February 28, 2010

0 Wine: Breathing Time

2005 Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc “La Crau” Every once in a while something remarkable happens along one’s journey of endless discovery in the world of libations.  I have learned that, unless you spend a great deal of tim...

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Filed Under: Wine

February 20, 2010

1 Mezcal Free Spirit

You find yourself tearing down a seemingly endless dirt road in Ron Cooper’s Jeep—a rooster tail of dust marking a path as your body jolts in the backseat. The radio signal renders faint traces of a Mexican narco-ballad on the blown-out speak...

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Filed Under: Spirits