Tag Archives: booze

Another Taste, Please!

Posted on May 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I wasn’t going to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Spirits in Herkimer, NY yesterday, because when I get a free taste I like to make a purchase and I have enough wine and booze on hand for my next party which is not yet scheduled (I think that is a run-on sentence, but it is so seldom that I have one, I shall not apologize). Where was I? Oh yes, showing up to say hello to my friends of DikinDurt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Nice lady, nice booze!

I seem to have mislaid the adventure book where I took my tasting notes, but I remember what I tasted and think I remember what I thought about it. I actually think I left the book at the liquor store, because now that I think about it, I seem to remember putting it on some boxes of canned drinks under the tasting counter when I went to take the picture. I can only hope it is still there, or that one of the workers saw it and said, “This has to be Cindy’s.” I am known for going to tastings and taking tasting notes.

The bottle Kayla is holding is the Bourbon, which I liked. It is funny how one’s tastes change, because I used to not care for bourbon. Now I like the really good ones. Next I tasted the clear Moonshine, which I purchased the last time I tasted DikinDurt. I thought it might be good to serve at a party or perhaps to donate to a Basket of Cheer. It was pretty strong all by itself. 90 proof, I think she said.

“That’ll clear your sinuses!” I said. I liked it, but these things can be dangerous if taken to excess.

Next I tried the Raspberry, just to try a sweet one, which I rarely do. It was quite tasty, very fruity and sweet. I am not big on the sweet stuff, but I can see where others might like this, mixed with pink lemonade or ginger ale, or even over ice.

I greatly enjoyed my tastes and my conversation. DikinDurt Distillery has a tasting room at 7447 Main St., Newport, NY, which is open Fridays by reservation, 315-868-1563. Their products are available at Valley Wine and Wine and Liquor as well as many local bars and restaurants. You can follow them on Facebook.

I Didn’t Can It

Posted on February 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did not mean to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY on Friday (yesterday). However, I was taking a walk for my mental and physical health, remembered I was short on cash so stopped by the ATM, realized the ATM was right across the street from the liquid store (OK, that is why I chose that ATM), and decided to stop in.

He was a cool guy.

They were sampling Cutwater canned cocktails. I am not a huge cocktail drinker myself, but I thought it was worth a taste. I said they would be good for parties, especially outdoor parties in the summer. I’m sure many people would like to sip out of a can poolside. I guess that is looking a few months ahead. Eddie, the young man pouring, said they would also be good for bars. I agreed, noting how bartenders maybe be too busy to make fancy drinks, and two bartenders may make the same drink differently.

There were three martinis: Espresso, Chocolate Espresso, and Lemon Drop. Oh, were they yummy! And dangerous! The Lemon Drop tasted just like lemonade, and I could see myself sucking down the Chocolate Espresso as if it was chocolate milk (my recovery beverage after a work-out). Personally, I prefer my booze to taste like booze, and I sip it slowly. Still, to have one at a party…

I also liked the Lime Margarita. It was as good as any blender Margarita I have had. The Spicy Bloody Mary was also good. I actually liked it better than the ones I make myself, because it was not too thick, which is the effect the tomato juice sometimes has (you may suggest I add more vodka, but I will refrain from doing so).

Last was the Long Island Iced Tea. Of course I told the story of how that was one of the first cocktails I ever had, at JJ’s in Rome, NY, age 18 (which was the drinking age at the time). It tasted just like iced tea, and I got into a little bit of trouble that way. I never had an iced tea that tasted as good since, even in Long Island. This one tasted just like iced tea. I was not really surprised, after the Lemon Drop Martini that tasted like lemonade.

I had a nice time sampling, and made tasting notes. I will keep Cutwater in mind if I have any parties this summer. I will inquire of my guests what they might like. I personally will probably stick with wine. Well, maybe one Cutwater can. But not of each!

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Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, booze, canned cocktails, Cutwater, herkimer ny, Mohawk Valley adventures, parties, tasting, Valley Wine and Liquor, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Throwback and Shout-out

Posted on January 28, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Time for another Throwback Thursday post. Full disclosure: It is early Friday morning. I had a rather frantic time after work yesterday, trying to get a few things done before rehearsal. Fuller disclosure: I did not get many things done; I sat and watched a rerun of Mom to relax myself. It’s called Self Care.

*They are nice, and their product is good.*

This is a shout-out to a local business, but the picture is from 2017. That counts, right? It is DikinDurt Distillery of Herkimer. I am more into wine than booze, but their product is yummy, and comes in several flavors: something for everyone. Almost everyone. I know not everyone drinks.

I might as well go ahead and give them a thorough shout-out. You can sometimes find their product in local bars and liquor stores. They also attend many area vendor fairs. Or you can visit the distillery at 115 Smith Rd. in Herkimer. You can see the distilling equipment through a window and hear all about the business.

I visited the tasting room once with my friend Kim. We have been meaning to go again. In the meantime, I hope this counts as my Throwback Thursday post.

I thought it would be a good idea to include the picture of the beautiful blonde.

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Posted in humor, local business, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged blog post, blogging, booze, DikinDurt Distillery, friend Kim, herkimer ny, late post, moonshine. Bookmark the permalink.

Choosing a W(h)ine

Posted on January 16, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

My dry January continues. I call it that for lack of a catchier title. In fact, it is 30 days which began December 27. That means it’s been 20 days.

I must say I was hoping for a bigger impact on my life. So far the only effect has been that I would really like a glass of wine, and that was pretty much the case when I started the project. I’m not sleeping any better, the headaches are about the same, I haven’t lost vast amounts of weight… what else is giving up booze supposed to do for you?

My main concern is when I start thinking, “Oh crap, X more days till I can have a glass of wine!” Then I think, “Am I obsessing over this? Maybe I DO have a problem!” Then I don’t want to write a blog post about it, because I worry all my friends and family will decide I must be an alcoholic and have one of those interventions. I wouldn’t care for that.

I confess to feeling a little sad today (Friday) as I drove home from work and realized I would not stop by a liquor store that might be having a wine tasting. Please note: I said “wouldn’t” not “couldn’t.” To not drink wine this month is a choice I make. And here’s the fun part: when I remind myself that it is a choice I made and that I choose to continue, suddenly the whole thing becomes not a problem.

It’s kind of like how I feel about running. When I think, “I SHOULD go running,” I want to whine and cry and NOT run. However, if I say, “It would be a good idea if I went running,” the next thing I know, I’m lacing up the sneakers and taking off.

Having talked myself right out of my little crisis, I’m going to call this a Lame Friday Post, hit Publish, and go back to sipping my wine glass of seltzer water and lemon. Happy Friday, everyone.

Mohawk Valley Girl