My review of this years' Ethanol Picks, after careful review of recommendations by Reg, Mick, Robert, and by carefully considering what flows through my own delicate palate.

IN order of preference:

1. Geenie Weenie Martini (Tanqueray and dry as the desert sand).

2. Johnnie Walker Black Label (beat out the Red this year)...straight up (neat) with maybe some cold Green Spring water (3rd place Worldwide, based in Clear Spring MD), to wash 'er down.

3. Draft Guiness pint from..the infamous Mecklenburg Inn, Shepherdstown WV.   They seem to do it "right".

4. Mr. B's clear, white shine....Don't know where he gets it..I didn't ask, but it goes down fairly smooth as far as shine goes, and "Lawd have mercy"...what a nice disposition I have a couple minutes later!

5. Absinthe (the Emile).   Somewhat dissapointing, sorry Reg, but just wasn't for me.  It tasted awful, (I much prefer Pernod), and burned tremendously.  The intoxication is really ALL alcohol (it should be, since the thing is a wopping 70% alcohol content; that's 140 proof folks, and the Thujone effect, if there is any, was undetectable...I mean what does it do anyways?).   I don't recommend this stuff, and it was very pricy, although it arrived so quickly from the UK distributor..literally 2-3 days after I placed the order online.   Try it if you must...but I won't need to repeat.  My "quest" for Absinthe is done.

Thass all folks.  Now I do have a bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1990 (edition a Francis Bacon) awaiting me..a gift from a friend, and maybe we can share that, 'cause it's supposed to be astonishing.

Gene