Pineapple Tamboo

Spiced rum – you either love it or hate it. And when it's a good one, I absolutely love it. Angostura is famous for its aromatic bitters, used in lots of classic cocktail recipes. But did you know they also make excellent quality rum? Their latest creation is Angostura Tamboo, a golden spiced rum infused with Caribbean spices. I always start with a straight sip to savor all the flavors, and let me tell you, I fell head over heels for this bottle.

Tamboo takes its name from the bamboo drum that's been setting the beat for Trinidad and Tobago's street carnivals since 1884. You don't need much to make a spiced rum shine – just a touch of sweetness and a squeeze of lime, and you've got yourself a fantastic drink. Personally, I kicked it up a notch to kickstart my summer.

On the side, I've got a little bowl of 'Happy Hippo' roasted nuts by The Nutty Farmer, Frederik Bostyn. These fairtrade cashew nuts come all the way from Burkina Faso, roasted to perfection in the oven, and seasoned with a delicious blend of oriental spices and pomegranate. Trust me, it's the perfect accompaniment to enjoy with your spiced rum.

Pineapple Tamboo

Ingredients

50ml Angostura Tamboo Spiced Rum

40ml Pineapple juice

20ml Lime juice

10ml Sugarcane syrup

Method

Add all ingredients to a shaker with lots of ice. Give it a good shake and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with orange and a cocktail cherry. Cheers.

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

The Forbidden Sour

During the exciting 'Roaring 20s' era, hidden bars called speakeasies became very popular. Bartenders would add juices to illegally made moonshine to hide its poor quality. This clever trick made mixed drinks more enjoyable and led to the creation of many classic cocktails that are still popular today. Now, let's focus on a refreshing fruity drink that is best enjoyed on a hot day.

The Forbidden Sour

Ingredients

30ml Larceny Bourbon

30ml Pama Pomegranate Liqueur

15ml Simple syrup

15ml Lime juice

Method

To create this drink, simply add all ingredients to a shaker filled generously with ice. Give it a vigorous shake until the shaker reaches a frosty chill. Then, strain the mixture into an Old Fashioned glass that boasts a large, crystal-clear ice cube. Finally, add a touch of visual appeal by garnishing the drink with cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Cheers!

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Bourbon, Rye and Tacos in Bruges

Was I interested in joining the boss of Brown-Forman Belgium (the company that owns brands like Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s) for some drinks and bites in Bruges? You bet I was. 

This weekend I jumped on the train to the other side of the country to visit Bar Ran (cocktailbar) and MAS (restaurant), both owned by Ran Van Ongevalle, member of the well-known ex-Pharmacy family from Knokke. 

For this special event, Bruno, the chef of Bistro Bruut took over the MAS-kitchen for a delicious range of tacos. Ran and his wife Janah, both behind the bar, mixed up delicious drinks based on Woodford Reserve whiskey. 

But first things first. Together with my blogger-buddy Mickael - The Campfire Dram - we met up with the Brown-Forman team at Bar Ran for a quick aperitif. We decided to order several Woodford-based cocktails from the menu, so we could share sips and taste all of them. 

• Vieux Carré (Woodford Rye, Remy Martin Cognac, Martini Rubino, Benedictine, bitters)
• Heartbreaker (Woodford Rye, Martini Rubino, Lemon, Cherry Soda)
• Blinker (Woodford Rye, Grapefruit juice, pomegranate)
• St. Lawrence (Woodford Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Lemon)

I wonder if the Heartbreaker is linked to Ran’s sister Hannah, who is also known as “Hannah Heartbreaker” in the world of bartending…

After a few great sips, we walked over to MAS. Have you ever seen those long queues outside bars and restaurants in Hollywood movies? Last night this was actually happening at MAS. When the doors opened at 6 pm, people entered the restaurant like a Tsunami-wave. In just a few seconds all seats were taken. Never seen this before in Belgium. 

For this special event, there were three Woodford cocktails on the menu, to accompany the tacos. 

• Woodford Bourbon, Eucalyptus, Lillet, frozen.
• Woodford Rye, Roasted Coconut, Cold Brew Milky Oolong, draft.
• Woodford Bourbon, Jalapeño, Pickle Juice, Ginger-Ale.

But they also had a special range of picklebacks, which we (of course!) also tasted. In case you never had a pickleback, it’s a shot of whiskey together with a shot of brine. In this case, the brines were Jalapeño, red cabbage, lemongrass and chilli or magnolia. Very interesting combinations. 

After this great experience, we returned to Bar Ran, where I discovered one more Woodford drink on the menu… and it was one of my all-time favourites.

• Sazerac (Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, Woodford Rye, Sugar, Bitters, Absinthe)

Big thank you to Brown-Forman Belgium, to Vincent for the invitation and to Mickael for the great company. This “tacover” was a one-time thing, but I’m sure Ran and his team will offer much more of these special nights. Keep an eye on their socials. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.