I used to make it to all the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY. It was a great way to start and to continue the weekend. These days I am not so consistent, but when a great local producer like DikinDurt Distillery is tasting, I am there!
I arrived early and stood chatting with the guys behind the counter, hastening to get out of the way when I noticed someone wanted to make a purchase. This is my problem with living alone: I go all day with only myself to talk to. This is not easy for an incurably social person such as myself. I went on to some good conversation with Kayla, who was pouring.
She was really nice.
For hard liquor they are allowed to give you three regular tastes or six itty bitty tastes. I went for three regular tastes, starting with the bourbon. I have never been fond of bourbon, but lately at tastings, I have found a few I liked. I really liked the DikinDurt stuff. I suppose my tastes are changing in my old age. That should keep things interesting. I went on to the Toasted Maple Moonshine, which I have previously liked quite a bit. This time it tasted sweet to me. Kayla pointed out that it doesn’t taste so sweet after the berry-infused flavors. Quite true, of course.
I ended with Mohawk Valley Fire, and my tasting note is, “Oh yeah!” I am constantly recommending this to people drinking Fireball. Kayla recommended mixing it with apple cider and a splash of apple juice for an Apple Pie drink. I know some people who would love something like that. For myself, I will probably use it to flavor some iced coffee one afternoon. I love a glass of iced coffee on a summer afternoon!
Kayla also suggested I visit DikinDurt’s tasting room in Newport, which is open Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 9 p.m.. I have been meaning to do this, especially as there are a few other places in Newport that are worth a stop. I just do so little adventuring on my own these days. Perhaps it is time to change that.
Mohawk Valley Girl 