Tag Archives: whiskey

Maybe a Trip to Cooperstown…

Posted on May 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

People (even ones who are not named Shirley) must understand that Mohawk Valley Girl had to attend a tasting of Cooperstown Distillery’s wares at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Friday. Cooperstown, NY is a most delightful destination in easy driving distance from Herkimer (where I live), and the distillery is just one for the many attractions. I do not drink a lot of booze, being more of an oenophile (that’s a fancy word for wino; regular readers know I like to be fancy), but I do love to taste it.

Cooperstown Select!

Sasha is one of the regular pourers at Valley, and she pretty much expects to see me. Regular readers may remember that I left my adventure book at the liquor store on Thursday (I believe I mentioned it in my blog post). Sasha was holding it up as I walked in. Phew! Someday I may want to compile my tasting notes into an irreverent wine and booze guide.

I started with the American Blend, which I declared nice. I move on to the Straight Bourbon at 100 proof. My note is “I like that!” I must stay away from the really strong stuff. Still, a little at a time is perfectly acceptable. I can also purchase some to share. The Straight Rye was very smooth. Of course I had to bring up the song about “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie” (I can’t just say “American Pie,” because it might get mixed up with the vulgar movie).

When I tried the Single Malt Whiskey, I tried to explain single malt as referenced in Malice, a guilty pleasure movie of Steve’s and mine featuring Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, Bill Pullman (whose name escaped me at the time) and Ann Bancroft in a wonderful cameo. I don’t think I explained it very well, but now I want to watch the movie again.

I enjoyed the tasting but do not plan to switch from wine to bourbon at the present time. To find out about tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor, you can visit their website at shop valleywine.com.

Whiskey and Rye

Posted on September 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I made my way down to Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer, NY for a tasting with Cooperstown Distillery. I went to Cooperstown Distillery some years ago with my late, dearly missed husband Steve, and knew they had good stuff. And of course I am always up for checking out a local or area business. I was very glad I went.

He was great.

The pourer was a nice young man named MacGuire Benton. I told him having a last name for a first name was sexy. I thought I could get away with a remark like that at my age. At least he didn’t seem to mind. By that time I had sampled all his wares and we had established something of a rapport. He gave me lots of good information about the distillery, and encouraged me to return for another visit.

“They’ll take good care of you,” he said.

He said they get their grains locally from Crowe family farm in Canajoharie. More local! Spent grains are placed in an underground tank, and farmer’s take them for their cattle. MacGuire said it was circle of life when he eventually ate a steak from a cow that ate some of their grains. I speculated that whiskey grains made the cows happy, but I suppose that is just a bit of fantasy on my part.

I tasted a blended whisky, a rye (making reference to “good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye”), bourbon, and some single malt. I like them all! I am not much of a booze hound these days, being more of a winer (and and regular readers know, something of a whiner), but I got a bottle of the blended whiskey. It will make for some good hot toddies if I get hit with a cold. Or if I just feel like having a hot toddy. Maybe a shot in a cup of coffee. Or just on the rocks. Oh dear, maybe I will become a booze hound after all! Don’t worry: I won’t drink and drive!

I may, however, take a drive to Cooperstown Distillery (preview of coming attractions). There are a few other things in Cooperstown I could check out.

Late, Lame, But at Least Local

Posted on September 23, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m not even that late but thought I would throw that in, in the interests of alliteration (“In the Interests of Alliteration” would make a good title for a future blog post; I wonder if I will remember it).

It’s Friday, and I’m kind of glad it is, not that I expect the weekend to be any great shakes. That’s OK, though, because I have been moving and shaking a bit too much on the weekends these days (see what I did there?). However, I did a couple of things tonight to get my weekend started right.

First we went to a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor. I thought they were tasting 19 Crimes wine, one of my favorites, but it turned out to be High West Whiskey. So we tried a little whiskey. We had apple cider with Campfire Whiskey, lemonade with Double Rye, and American Prairie Bourbon all on its own. I liked the last one best, but that may be because I prefer my whiskey straight, on the rocks or in a cup of coffee.

Next Steven and I went to dinner at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant. I had a Mediterranean Panini with eggplant, roasted red pepper, spinach, provolone, and pesto mayo. Steven had a fried fish sandwich with fries. Yum! While we ate, we enjoyed watching the workers behind the counter making pizzas. They were very busy yet so cool and competent.

I guess this is not a proper shout-out to either business. Still, if I put in links, I think it’ll do. What do you want from me on lame Post Friday? Happy weekend, everyone.

Mohawk Valley Girl

Tag Archives: whiskey

Maybe a Trip to Cooperstown…

Whiskey and Rye

Late, Lame, But at Least Local

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