Improvements, New Mixes, and Why Not Use the Oxford Comma?

Not sure what the Oxford Comma is?  The Grammarly Blog post about it does a great job explaining it.

Moving on.

Improvements!

1. Less mess is best.

Spilling is our number one product complaint.  In turn, this is the number one thing we have sought to improve through the beginning of 2017. Our Leisuremann's Anti-Abuse Campaign is driven to eliminate the two main factors:  The packaging is opaque and lacks head space.

Lets break it down.

If you cannot see that Leisuremanns is a powder and/or cannot confirm that it has settled in the tin properly, you have a potential mess.  Additionally, not having ample distance between the top of the product and rim of the tin increases the chances of spilling.

Enter new packaging.  Clear bases, Screw tops, ample "necked down" head space, protective cushion seal, and scoop holding fanciness. Check it out!

2.  Ingredient Improvements.

We are currently testing some new ingredients in our Old Fashioned mix that is going to improve our products resistance to heat, oxygen, and time; not to mention bringing our flavor profile from "Man, that's good" to "Man, that is scary good".

Bonus good news - All our ingredients now are all natural and contain no artificial colors or flavors!

New Mix!

Before I reveal the flavor - I want to say thank you to all our tasters, fans, and patrons that shared their input.  We meshed our company's vision with the feedback we received form all of you.

Once again a BIG Thank you!

Nevertheless, we have a new flavor!  Fans of the Old Fashioned, meet the Classic Daiquiri.

It is simple and sweet, and that is the beauty of it.  The mild lime aromas and flavors are ready to ride shotgun with any silver rum.  This time tested combo will provide you with a refreshing and mobile classic cocktail experience. Not to our surprise, we enjoy it with one of our local brands, Sweet Crude produced by Rank Wildcat Distilleries, but any good quality silver rum would do the trick. Overall, The Classic Daiquiri mix is designed to work well with the clear liquors.  Do not hesitate to explore it with the likes of Tequila, vodka, or gin!

Hope everyone's Spring has been as pleasant as it has been here in Southwest Louisiana. Usually by this point the humidity and heat is comparable to that of The Degobah System in The Empire strikes Back. 

Oh - One more thing: If you are a Lafayette local, stop in at Genterie Supply Co.  You can find our product exclusively in this store. He has a ton of great products in a fantastic location. Make sure to stop in when you find yourself downtown.

Support local business when you can!

Thanks guys,

Matt

Know What You're Ordering?

"Don't be afraid, it's just a cocktails"... Should be what most people say to themselves before placing an order for a drink at a bar, right?

Honestly, when asked, most individuals have limited knowledge of what they are actually ordering or the terminology behind drink orders. Though cocktail history is deeply rooted, having just an general knowledge of key terms and practices can not only aid but make your overall cocktail experience that much more enjoyable.

When ordering utilize the spirit first chaser second rule unless the cocktail/drink of your choice has an official name (ex. Old Fashioned or Dark & Stormy) or you prefer a single spirit, which we will get into later. Instead of telling your bartender you would like a cranberry vodka, use your confident voice and state "I would like a vodka cranberry". Also, don't be afraid to be specific. I would like a Ketel One and cranberry or an Absolut and cranberry. This shows your bartender that you didn't get off the 21 train yesterday and affords you the grand opportunity to make the "call" on your own cocktail. Hence the term "call" brands vs "well" liquors, but thats for a different blog.

In conjunction with proper ordering, knowing how you like your spirits served, is crucial. Though terminology varies from bar to bar, city to city, spirit to spirit, and even bartender to bartender, a few cocktail serving methods hold true.

Neat - A single spirit that is unmixed as well as not chilled. This is usually reserved for spirits that by their nature are best served and enjoyed at room temperature.

On the Rocks - A single spirit that is served on or over ice. This is usually reserved for drinks or spirits that are enjoyed cold and with the addition of melting ice brings flavor profiles not achieved neat.

Up or Straight Up - A libation that is shaken or stirred with ice, strained and served sans ice. This is usually reserved for specific spirits and cocktails and is either at the discretion of the bartender or the patron.

Cocktail or Mixed Drinks - An alcoholic beverage crafted of varying ingredients and spirits not limited to flavor or amount that is uniquely its own. Most are named. Refer to them by name and trust your bartender as they usually are the experts. Let your pallet for cocktails roam free!

At Leisuremann's we want you to have an excellent cocktail experience no matter where you go. We sample our mix on the rocks, as we find the slightly cold and mellow melting of an ice cube lends subtle flavor profiles not achieved when consumed neat. With that said, enjoy how you please. The beauty of our mix, as well as most cocktails, is that you can make them your own. Try new things, new spirits, new ratios and overall have the cocktail adventure you desire.

Remember Keep Calm and Cocktail On!

Cheers.

Cliff

$50 Dolla Make You Holla!

Not all spirits are created equal.

This week we came across a very informative video from Business Insider titled "Whiskey Expert's Favorite Bottles Under $50".

In this video, Tommy Tardie, whiskey expert and owner of The Flatiron Room in NYC, breaks down the nuances of 5 whiskeys under $50. Delving into the history of each and giving a little insight as to what makes these 5 whiskeys top of their class. 

To quote Tommy, "There's no best whiskey, it's really just based on your palette." So sit back, make a Leisuremann's Old Fashioned with your favorite whiskey and enjoy this short video!

Thanks Tommy!

Cheers!

-Cliff

One hell of a year!

From its inception, we knew we had something big, not just a product but an authentically honest and no-nonsense brand that is truly experienced by its users. 

2016, in retrospect, has been one hell of a year! Filled with unique places, chance encounters, grand adventures, and even the occasional festival or 3.

To our patrons and supporters, thanks for an awesome 2016. We look forward to even greater things to come in 2017.

To those seeing us for the first time, welcome! Take a look around, let us know what you think, and maybe even order a tin or two. Shop here now!

Have a great NYE and till 2017 - Drink up, be safe and Cheers from the gents @ Leisuremann's!

Knowing Your Limits

A year or so back, I was invited to do a winter hike in one of my favorite outdoor spots, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a self proclaimed outdoorsman, I quickly accepted the invitation, thus starting the tedious process of checking my gear, packing and preparing for what would be one hell of an adventure.

The trip started with an early 4a.m. departure from Lafayette and one solid clear directive - Make it to the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee before night fall. After 12+ hours of driving, we eventually made it into town, a little past sunset, greeted by the promise of cold temperatures and delicious beer. The exact details of that night at the brewery live in legend, but can be summed up as followed: Beer - Pizza - Music! Shout out to Chad McWilliams - total Boss! 

The next morning we awoke feeling slightly hungover but ready to tackle whatever mother nature could throw at us. This year's hike started a little different, we had gathered knowledge earlier in the morning that the road leading to our usual trail, Alum Cave Trail, was closed due to a catastrophic event. Instead of turning away at this ominous sign we pressed on, taking the scenic, less hiked, Rainbow Falls Trail, instead. For those not familiar with the area, Rainbow Falls Trail is a beautiful 6.6 miles (total lie) of scenic overlooks and up hill hiking. Sort of a hikers dream, right?  

Hiking conditions that morning were sunny and calm but as the day and hike progressed temperatures started to plummet and an apocalyptic haze rolled in making the trail look more like an scene from The Bourne Identity and less like a beautiful portion of the Appalachian Trail.

With an ambient air temperature below 20° we trudged on, tackling frozen waterfalls, ice slicks, deep snow, and damn near treacherous uphill hiking for miles, breaking only to eat when we could. 

Around hours 3 of hiking, feeling somewhere between confused and out of my mind, my body started to shut down. The struggle was real, I literally hit limit.

I remember distinctly, every three or four steps I had to rest, covered in sweat, shivering, cold, breathing heavy, reaching for calories, water, literally standing in position thinking nothing but listening to the voice in my head telling me to "Sit down...take a break...close my eyes and rest."

I was experiencing what countless individuals whom have been in this situation experience, "The little voice in your head. I heard it clearer than any voice in my whole life. Those words were so real, so vivid. All I wanted to do was give in.

In that moment, if it wasn't for my mates, in front of and behind me, pushing through, encouraging, and enduring the same struggle I was enduring, I would probably would have turned into a popsicle. 

On the mountain that day, I admittedly hit my upper limit. The struggle of that accent, for me, was real but for others not so much. Unarguably, each person has their own limits and pushing oneself to those limits is the only way to discover what they truly are. 

- Cliff

Less About the Mix

Bourbon is traditionally used to make an old fashioned. Whiskey is the most common deviation from that.  

We engineered our mix to compliment these liquors in particular. Our goal was to enhance the liquor experience itself and not overshadow the beautiful subtlety that each brand presents. There is a reason people prefer "Brand A" to "Brand B, C, or D".  Particular aromas, finishes, wood and nut flavors, etc, all play into why you purchase that particular bottle. That seems obvious right?

So why make a product that removes those experiences and enjoyment?

This question played over and over in our head when we sampled various mixes on the market. Not to our surprise, these samplings all did exactly what we expected; they all destroyed the integrity of the liquor. They were not what we call, "Whiskey Forward". It was absolutely critical that our mix did not follow this example.  

As a result, we have seen more experimentation, more quickly, than we would have ever anticipated. I was just discussing recently this deviation with two or my close friends. One choose Irish Whiskey, the other, Gin. Irish whiskey, I can understand to a degree. Gin however, peaked my interest considerably.

Lets not stop there. Lets compound this a bit more.

I prefer to mix my old fashioned with aged rum.  Now we have three, non traditional old fashioneds that are receiving positive marks. The diversity of liquors already being used with Leisuremann's mix was an awesome feeling. This experimentation would have not been possible if we didn't take the "Whiskey Forward" approach to heart. Sure, our mix is going to bring sweetness, citrus, and subtle numerous flavors to your drink. Not enough, however, to compromise the most crucial element of your cocktail.

You want the truth?  You can handle the truth. You are enjoying the liquor.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

Feels good man.

- Matt