I like liquor that I can taste, but what I do not like are flavored spirits. Whether it be vanilla vodka or even bacon infused bourbons. In fact, I'm not a huge fan of spiced rum either. I don't know, I'm not trying to be a snob but my days of having mixed drinks like coke and vodka are behind me. They were fun days though, no doubt but if I drink whiskey or bourbon it tends to be neat or with rocks or some variation of a manhattan. Vodka is pretty tasteless for the most part and I don't think I'd enjoy vanilla vodka on the rocks. I like drinks with a few ingredients that enhance the main spirit. I love the juniper and pine-like flavors of gin. I enjoy nice tequilas and I love sipping absinthe. I have a handful of drinks I like to make and I love just experimenting, like a mad scientist. A drunken mad scientist. :)
If there's one thing in life it's not only ok, but down right dignified to be a snob about, it's good liquor. There are so many amazing spirits out there that it blows my mind anything else is even consumed. I don't even mean expensive (although that certainly helps at times). If you know what to look for there are some very reasonably priced whiskeys that are amazing. However I've yet to taste an inexpensive cognac that I enjoyed.
Sounds like a same same but different: I started in earlier days with tequila and flaming absinthe, now. Rarely touch either. Now I've become a drunken mad scientist with mixes! Lately I've also been branching into single malt whiskeys and scotches, and quickly establishing the expensive hobby it will become haha.
What is flaming absinthe? Here are two of my favorite recipes. Also, read this post by cW.
Wow. I've only ever known Absinthe to be served on its own; those sound fantastic, thanks! Flaming absinthe, where a sugarcube is soaked in the glass of absinthe, then lifted out, placed onto a slotted spoon resting over the glass, and is then lit with a match.
A lovely blue pyramid of flame should go from inside the glass, through/over the spoon, and begin melting the sugar. After half a minute or so, turf the sugar into the absinthe, throw in a heap of crushed ice, and drink!