Do You Folks Read Labels? On Bottles of Booze? Strange Monkey Gin, is Now at Your Favorite ABC Store!

Courtesy Silverback Distillary

Well, I confess, yes, I'm a label reader. I read them all. When I go in a grocery store,  I read the labels. And, when I go in the ABC store (In Virginia, all booze is sold by the state in Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) stores.) I read the labels.

Actually, I often pick out a new booze if I like the label. Hey, it might have a little humor or comedy to it. And, that's what happened today.

For several years when I buy gin I buy Broker's. Yes, I started buying that brand because of the label and a little tag they hang on the bottle. Today when I went in the ABC store it was going to be a gin day and I went to find the Broker's.  It was on sale, I think two bucks off, and I was going to buy three bottles. For some reason, I glanced to the left of the Broker's and there it was....Strange Monkey Gin. Well, I couldn't resist.

I picked-up a bottle and turned it around and read the label. 

Here's the label......

Charles Darwin said, "No other member in the whole class of mammals is coloured in so extraordinary a manner as the adult male mandrills." We like to think that If Darwin drank our hand crafted gin his quote would be "no other spirit in the whole class of libations tastes as extraordinary as STRANGE MONKEY GIN." There is no better hand crafted gin than STRANGE MONKEY. EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE STRANGE...now and then.

Hmmm. The needing a little strange seems a little crude...but, so be it.

Yes, I bought one bottle. Dang, can't remember how much it was but it was far-more expensive than Broker's. I guess what helped cinch the deal is that it's made in the Silverback Distillery in Virginia. Now, why should being made in Virginia matter? Well, that's a question for another time. I guess another thing is that these folks just opened this year. You know, give them a little support. I'm hoping it's a bunch of pals who got together, maxed out their credit cards, second/third mortgages on their houses, and said, Hey, we're going to make some darn good booze. Frankly, if I find that a huge multinational corporation owns them, I'll be less enthused.

They have more products coming.

So, how is the Strange Monkey Gin?

Courtesy Silverback Distillary

Do I have any special training in evaluating or testing spirits? Nope. I do drink them from time to time, though. OK, I'll give it a try.

It's not harsh. It's at least as smooth as other gins I've had.  I think the only thing unique is a taste that I can't describe other than to say it's interesting. Spicy? Hmmm... I'm getting way out of my area here.

Well, yes, just tried a couple more sips. Yep, this is stuff is pretty good, whatever that means.

Will I being buying more Strange Monkey Gin? As of this moment, yes. In fact, looking forward to them having their other products available.

You folks out there who drink, Hey, try Strange Monkey. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Edit: November 29, 2014

I asked the Strange Monkey folks permission to use these two images that are theirs. I got an immediate and pleasant response saying it would be OK. 

And, no it ain't no multinational corporation who own the distillery.

The gentleman included the following in his letter to me.

Here are the ingredients we distill with in our Strange Monkey:

Juniper Berries

Coriander

Anise

Lemon Peel

Sweet Orange Peel

Mandarin Bitter Orange Peel

Almond

He invited us all to visit his distillery, which is in one of our State's most beautiful areas.

 Silverback distillery at 9374 Rockfish Valley HWY, Afton, VA 22920

He, Denver Riggleman, also mentioned that their BERINGEI Vodka is now on the shelves at your favorite ABC store. Also, available at their distillery is their Blackback White Grain Spirit (Bourbon Mash Moonshine) and they will have a bourbon and rye whisky. 

I had forgotten to mention that their distillery is green, I believe that is the term used, as they are looking out for our environment.

Here's an article from the News Advance about the distillery.

Another article from Blue Ridge Life magazine.

OK, Folks....What Car is More Likely to Get a Ticket...Hmmm.....Actually, Drivers Who Are More Likely to Get a Ticket? What Car Are They Driving?

Folks, if you're driving a Subaru WRX you're more likely to get a ticket than if you're driving any other car. Yes, for better or worse, the Subaru WRX ranks first in the ticket getting contest. I guess the kids out there who are driving this model, now have a smile on their faces. Hey, I'm an old guy, and no I don't speed. Well, there are only two places, but never on the highway; I drive the speed limit or at the most five over and I'm getting to the point I rarely use the five over. I will admit this car can get you in trouble if you don't watch yourself.

You really need to watch this. Yes, Breakfast in your control. Dang, I was shocked to learn that someone else gets their bread like this; I thought I was the only one. It's amazing that a car company would have an ad like this. Hey, go get your Subaru. Not sure about whether the young lady will join you for breakfast? Subaru doesn't show her as an option.

Photo: Courtesy Subaru



Not for the faint of heart.  A lap around the Isle of Man in a Subaru.

Mark Higgins, again. Trying to break his lap record. A different view.

Yes, you might call this a public service announcement, of sorts.

Edit: May 16, 2015
Subaru, ties with two other car models as the most in-demand car in the US.
Here's the link with other models.

The Latest From the Religious Front...Sort Of.....Maybe I've Solved Your Christmas Card Problem???

Well folks, Christmas will be here soon. And, soon many of us are going to start a bizarre dance if you will, and head out shopping. Many of our gifts  will not be appreciated or wanted. And, we seem to do it every year. In fact, many families go in debt to buy these gifts that no one wants. However, I have found the perfect Christmas card. Well, perfect for me. Take a look.....   

Most Christmas cards have Baby Jesus, Rudolph, wreaths, Santa Claus, snow men/women, and so on. However, few can give you a laugh. This is the postcard version of the Christmas card. The Christmas card inside, has the punch line, if you will, For the first time ever, Mary was glad she was engaged to an idiot, along with Merry Christmas. Hey, get the greeting out along with a laugh.

Here's where you can buy the Christmas Card version.

And, here is a cool website where the card originated. I tried to find how I could contact the lady who owns the website to get permission to use the card; however, couldn't find an address. I hope she doesn't mind my using it. Hey, I'm a good customer.




Can't think of a gift to give to one of your Christian buddies. How about this one. Was Jesus really married with kids?

Wish you all a good holiday season. Try not to get in a panic over buying Christmas presents. And, if you have a few drinks don't drive! Nothing will spoil your holiday season more than a DUI or worse, an accident caused by booze.

Ahhh, Another Go-No-Where Project? Or, Will This One Somehow Work Out?

Well, I'm not sure exactly how this got started. Let's see, it was two/three days ago. I'm not even sure what the catalyst was. Anyway, I started looking at bikes. Yes, fold-up bikes. In particular, the Brompton that is a well-known British bike.

Hmmm. Wow, they were sort of pricey but all the reviews were positive and folks seem to love them. In fact, a young couple sold everything they had, bought two, and yes, hit the road and are traveling around the US.

At first glance the folding bikes look somewhat toyish. But, they seemingly aren't and there seems to be few disadvantages to them. Of course one of the main selling points is their foldability. If you want to take it somewhere to ride, you don't have to put on a bike rack or take off wheels to try to jam it in your car. Just fold it up and put it in your trunk or back seat. It weighs about 25 pounds.

Anyway, I started looking at other manufacturers and after spending the better part of a day reading reviews and such, ended-up at  Bike Friday.  And, yes, I'm buying a Bike Friday bike that should be shipped about December 19th.

And, after talking to my pal Eddie who knows just about everything about bikes and with the patient and knowledgeable help of Robbie Dow at Bike Friday, man oh man, I'm going to have a terrific bike. No folks, they ain't all the same.

Another cool thing, if you will, is this baby is going to be custom made. Yep, you send them measurements, inseam, height, and so on...yeah, riding style (Since I don't have a riding style, I guess I'll have to pass on that one.). And, they make the bike for you.


It's going to have disc brakes and a Gates belt-drive; no chain to oil or mess with. Also, it's going to have a cool Shimano 11-speed gear gizmo that's sealed and requires no maintenance. You are able to specify just about any parts that you want. Yes, it's truly made for the buyer just the way he or she wants it.

Well, enough for now. When it arrives I'll take some snaps and be back.

If any of you folks have the sudden urge to buy one of these cool bikes, give Robbie a call at 1-800-777-0258. If you want it by Christmas time, you'd better call soon.

Do You Folks Hunt? I Don't, But My Neighbor Does......

I've never had the urge or desire to go hunting. 

I just always figured I couldn't shoot a deer; or a squirrel, or any animal for that matter. 

Of course, I let other people kill chickens, pigs, and hogs so I can go to the grocery store and buy what I want. I feel sure that many of us would stop buying meat if we went to a slaughter house and actually saw how these animals were killed. I doubt any of us can imagine the terror that the animals must feel.

That said, I've talked to my neighbor a little about hunting, trying to understand the allure or whatever you want to call it, to get up early in the morning, drive several hours, and then tromp around in the woods, often times with rain and cold.

While I surely don't know if my neighbor is representative of all hunters, he often times goes hunting and comes home empty handed. He usually says he didn't see anything big enough to shoot.

While I haven't quizzed him about how many shots does it take and so on, I would imagine he is a skilled marksman and the animal doesn't suffer. At least, I hope, the animal doesn't suffer.

He seems to follow all of the rules whether he is hunting or fishing. And, yes, he does both as often as possible. When asked, how often do you go hunting, he says, As often as she (yes, Mrs. Hunter) lets me.

I think most hunters would say that if they weren't out hunting that the deer population would get so large that there would be an increase in the number of deer who starve.

Mrs. Hunter and Sadie watching.........

Of course, I know nothing about that.

I'm not even sure why I'm posting this. I walked my dog and there my neighbor was cutting up his deer. Maybe it was just a photo op. I guess I would say, that after talking to my neighbor, I most likely look at hunting a little differently. It would seem that those who oppose hunting on the grounds that it is cruel to animals should be able to realize that it would seem no more cruel than how we slaughter the animals that end-up in our grocery stores. 

To give the deer a sporting chance, it would seem that you'd need to provide them with the sames weapons the hunter has or that the hunter would put aside his/her weapons and go into the woods with nothing more than what the deer has. Hmmmm.... I doubt that's going to happen.

Edit: OK, I can't resist. What's up with hanging animal heads all over your  house? Does this go back to the time of the caveman, when he'd come into his lair and make a mark on the wall to let everyone know he'd just bagged another mastodon? Or, maybe a gunfighter from the old west carving a notch on their gun. Or, maybe a pilot painting another mark on their plane for a kill. 

Seriously, you go out in the woods with a giant gun, kill a deer, whack off its head, have it mounted, and hang it on the wall of your den????? We normally only bring attention to things that we are proud of or that make a statement. 

Well, I guess a person could be proud of shooting a deer. 

But why, I might ask? 

No, this is not the same as asking should you go hunting and shoot a deer.