travel and spirits - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T09:06:36Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/travel+and+spiritsThe Search for the Best Margarita in Southern Californiahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-search-for-the-best-margarita-in-southern-california2012-09-25T12:31:53.000Z2012-09-25T12:31:53.000ZDarryl Musickhttps://tripatini.com/members/DarrylMusick<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731888,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731888,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008731888?profile=original" /></a>Preparing the first chapter of our new e-book, Golden State Eating, we did much first hand research. It's a tough job...I know...hitting bars from Sacramento to San Diego, searching for the perfect margarita, but someone's got to do it.</p><p>Along the way, we've had some pretty unspectacular versions. I swear, the one we had at a nationally famous rib joint had to have been poured from a bottle of pre-made Jose Cuervo Margarita bought at the local supermarket. Another one, a high-end restaurant overlooking the bluff that many writers...myself included...laud for their gourmet food and atmosphere, served a $15 version in a tall glass that turned out to be as drinkable as the first one above.</p><p>In Old Town San Diego, a "can't miss" margarita...according to the locals...just turned out to be flavored ice. Serve it as a sno-cone for a buck and then we'll talk.</p><p>No, the three we chose we're drinks like you never find. Hand crafted with special recipes and personal flourishes. Taste that goes a mile deep along with a kick from the blue agave on the way down. We found these magnificent, hand-made, versions and have gone back again and again...we've got to make sure...to taste the holy grail of margaritadom.</p><p>When putting our book together, we knew this is where we'd have to start. Luckily, I got the bartenders to agree to appear on camera and give us their secrets and their stories. One is a real easy modification to a basic recipe, another is a militarily specific measuring of particular ingredients, and the last a version free-poured like an artist doing an abstract canvas.</p><p>Here, for Tripatini readers, is an overview of those three spectacular house margaritas (that was another rule...had to be just a normal house version, nothing fancy) in the land of the bland along with a link to the video.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6W1mVTSrZok?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>You can watch the entire video here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W1mVTSrZok">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W1mVTSrZok</a></p><p><em>It’s a hot, dusty street. There’s the adult day care center, an immigration attorney’s office, couple of rehab centers, The United Farm Workers office, massage parlor, and a security firm.</em></p><p>We step into the lobby and then through another door into the bar. “My God,” the thought hits, “it’s dark in here.” I'm so glad the manager showed me the secret dimmer switch so I could get some more light for the camera - traveling light, I didn't have an extra source of light with me. Chalk up another one to experience.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732676,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732676,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008732676?profile=original" /></a>It’ll take you a few minutes to adjust your eyes to the extreme darkness after stepping in from Bakersfield’s bright, washed out sunlight. When they do, you see a few small tables, the bar, dozens of tequila bottles lining the wall, and the bartender ready to do your bidding.</p><p>A real old-school version of the margarita, there’s no sour mix here. Each bartender pours from memory…no jiggers allowed. Lemon juice, Montezuma tequila, triple sec, and a squeeze of lime over ice in a lowball glass rimmed with every day table salt.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733064,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733064,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008733064?profile=original" /></a>Take a sip…suddenly you can’t believe the nectar flowing down your throat. Locals have known for a while…they continually vote the house margarita at Mexicali as the best in town. Out-of-towners have no idea, until now.</p><p><em>Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant in Monrovia is run by Rudy Castrellon and his family. Expanding their tiny little café over the years, the restaurant has added a cantina and is up to 200 seats.</em></p><p>Explaining to us that he got the secret recipe from Ray Marshall, the founder of the Acapulco restaurant chain, he pours his bright yellow house margarita with military precision in 16 ounce glasses. 2 exact ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Dekuyper 48 proof triple sec, topped off with sour mix.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733086,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733086,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008733086?profile=original" /></a>The last ingredient is his secret…Rudy buys the concentrated base, Tavern Brand only, and then dilutes it until it has just the right blend of sweet and sour to top off this deceptively strong margarita.</p><p><em>Not too far away in the canyon city of Azusa, Max Arteaga is the newcomer to this bunch but he's the king of attitude.</em></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733658,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733658,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008733658?profile=original" /></a>Max’s Mexican Cuisine has only been at it for around 5 years, serving great food and drinks just south of Route 66. Customers are all greeted with a “been a long time…where you been?” catching many off guard as does the farewell, “see you tomorrow” and the “why not!?!” when you look puzzled.</p><p>It’s all part of the show at Max’s and longtime customers know that it’s done in friendship and would feel abandoned if Max’s suddenly lost its attitude.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733281,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008733281,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008733281?profile=original" /></a>Watching the bartender mix our drinks, we don’t see anything special. In fact, it seems like it contains a substantial amount less alcohol than the margarita Rudy makes. Why do they taste so strong?</p><p>Augustin, Max’s bartender, gives it away at the end. After the drink is made, I catch him pouring another shot of tequila on top. “We do it for every margarita,” he explains when I ask him. It explains the strong kick when you take your first sip of a house margarita at Max’s.</p><p>If you'd like to try one of these heavenly libations, here is where you need to go:</p><p>Mexicali<br /> 631 18th Street<br /> Bakersfield, California 93301</p><p>Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant<br /> 602 S. Myrtle Avenue<br /> Monrovia, California 9016</p><p>Max’s Mexican Cuisine<br /> 635 N. Azusa Avenue<br /> Azusa, California 91702</p><p>For the entire margarita story, plus eight more tales of outstanding California cuisine, check out the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009CJ63WO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009CJ63WO&linkCode=as2&tag=theworonwhe-20" target="_blank">Golden State Eating: Nine Tales of California Food Destinations</a> at Amazon.com .</p><p>The World on Wheels can be found at <a href="http://wheelstraveler.blogspot.com">http://wheelstraveler.blogspot.com</a></p></div>Dark Rum Tasting at Arizona's Desert Diamond Distilleryhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/desert-diamond-distillery-dark-rum-tasting2012-02-06T15:03:38.000Z2012-02-06T15:03:38.000ZJoshua Noblehttps://tripatini.com/members/JoshuaNoble<div><div><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7553127454593778"><span>Last weekend, we found a unique something to celebrate my wife’s birthday - a tasting of the opening of the first aged dark rum barrel at Desert Diamond Distillery, a little run factory off of Route 66 near Kingman.</span> <br /> <span>Of course, this was not an ordinary stand around the counter tasting, but an event catered in by a local Italian chef and limited seating - very limited! So if you think this is for you, wait until next year when they have another set of pristine, aged barrels. The drink, aged in former Jack Daniels barrels, had the characteristic bourbon oaky flavors with unmistakable molasses finish of a true rum.</span><br /> <span>But if you don’t mind the ordinary tasting at a bar with history, one salvaged from a bar in Las Vegas known to have bestowed non other than the Rat Pack, then drop by any day and sit back to sip in a tasting of their Agave Rum or the Gold Miner Dark Rum, a Platinum at the 2011 SIP (International Spirits Competition Awards,</span> <a href="http://sipawards.com/"><span>www.sipawards.com</span></a><span>.</span><br /> <span>Desert Diamond Distillery offers tastings and tours six days a week:</span> <span><a href="http://www.desertdiamonddistillery.com/">www.desertdiamonddistillery.com</a>.</span></b></div><div><b>Photo: Father & Son owners, Peter and John Patt (right to left).</b></div><div><b><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008682293,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008682293,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" alt="9008682293?profile=original" /></a></span></b></div></div>Riding The Whiskey Trail in Scotland's Speyside at the Macallan Distilleryhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/riding-the-whiskey-trail-on-the-speyside-at-the-macallan2014-05-19T14:08:03.000Z2014-05-19T14:08:03.000ZNicholas Kontishttps://tripatini.com/members/NicholasKontis<div><p><img alt="" src="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/40854839.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></p><p><br />Growing up and living in the cultural mecca of San Francisco, and having a wife who makes palatable, refined wine as a hobby. I'm drawn to the travel destination that also produce a delectable spirit.</p><p>In early November I embarked on the one hour Easy Jet flight from London Gatwick to Edinburgh to make my first visit to Scotland, and finally live the dream of my first sojourn to the Whiskey Trail, and taste the amber "nectar of the gods," in its native land, the destination that had eluded me in a life of travel.</p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Distillery-Barrels1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6907" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Distillery-Barrels1.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /></a></p><p>Barrels of Liquid Gold</p><p>Everyone has a favorite food, wine, or spirit. Mine just happens to be a fine single malt whiskey, and one of my favorites is The Macallan. Having only 6 days in Scotland forced me to get my priorities straight. I clearly could not see the whole of Scotland in a few days, and knowing that Scotland consists of four scotch whiskey producing regions: The Lowlands, Islay, the Highlands, and Speyside, I could only travel to one area. I chose to visit the Speyside region as here I would experience many of the flavors I enjoy in a refined single malt which can be found in the terrain in the Speyside region. I wanted to experience first-hand the scents and flavors of the region, and learn more about the whiskey's citrus, vanilla, dried fruits, apple, spices and what makes Macallen's so flavorful. The greatest concentration of Single Malt Scotch Whiskey distilleries can be found in the Speyside region of Scotland.</p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Distillery-Tour1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6909" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Distillery-Tour1.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /></a></p><p>Macallan Distillery Tour</p><p>High on a hill overlooking the river Spey in Craigellachie, just outside of Abelour, with magnificent views of Ben Rinnes, lies my main reason for my Scotland sojourn, ‘The Macallan.’ Yes, this trip was about Scotch whiskey , the essence of life, a fine single malt. The area, between the cities of Inverness and Aberdeen, sweeps from granite mountains down to fertile countryside and is universally acknowledged as the heartland of malt whiskey distillation. Speyside Single Malts are noted in general for their elegance and complexity, and often a refined smokiness. The question would be, would I get to visit any whiskey houses, after all, I was arriving at the Whiskey Trail after October and many of the distilleries are closed for the winter months. As good fortune would prevail, The Macallan is open all year long.</p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-House.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6900" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-House.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /></a></p><p>The Macallan House, Easter Elchies</p><p>I learned that the Macallen Estate and Easter Elchies House was built in 1700. Today, the Macallan Estate covers 370 acres, compromising of land to grow their own barely. The Macallan and pasture is also home to sheep and cattle , and the mown grassland attracts many species of birds. The river Spey, one of Scotland's most famous salmon rivers, borders the Estate to the south and south-east. The scale and diversity of the Estate is unique among distilleries and is managed in harmony with the beautiful landscape. The Macallan Estate lies in an area of great natural beauty and is farmed sensitively in harmony with the environment. 95 acres are sown in March with The Macallan Estate’s Minstrel barley (a variety exclusive to The Macallan is harvested in late August / early September for malting. The Estate farmland is very fertile, with light, alluvial soils, ideal for barley growing. A single acre will produce nearly two and a half tons of Minstrel barley, which will yield about 1,800 bottles of The Macallan.</p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Grounds.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6901" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Grounds.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /></a></p><p>Manicured Grass on the grounds of The Macallan Distillery</p><p>Macallan’s was not bottled as a single malt until the late 1970’s and is now recognized worldwide as one of the finest and most sought after whiskies in the world. Much of this liquid gold is matured in sherry casks from Jerez, Spain, although more recently The Macallan also uses other casks as well. Macallan uses the smallest spirit stills on the Speyside. Today Macallan is the third largest selling Scotch single malt whiskey only behind Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Macallen can be found primarily in 12 and 18 year old bottles, but also can be found in 10 years, and the rare and most expensive 25 year old, and even a 30 year old.</p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Proudly-Displayed-Bottles.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6905" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Macallan-Proudly-Displayed-Bottles.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /></a></p><p>The Final Product Proudly Displayed</p><p>The commitment and craftsmanship of the Macallan Masters has been a labor of love producing whiskey perfection for two centuries. So, it would be on an overcast November day that I would visit “liquid heaven.”</p><p></p><p></p><p><em>About the Author: Nick Kontis - Travel Expert and Founder of the World Travel List</em></p><p><em>Nick Kontis started out as a world traveler at an early age traveling back and forth between California and Greece every summer. But it was a backpacking trip around the world at age 24 that proved to be a life changing experience. After traveling by car, train, , plane, bike and, boat around the world, it would be this trip of a lifetime that would lead to a life as a travel entrepreneur and world traveler. Nick has been on both radio and television. Featured on Arthur Frommer’s television show, and referred by Lonely Planet writers. Frequently mentioned as the “father of around the world airfares.” Arthur Frommer once said, “If Jules Verne were alive today he would use Nick to go around the world in 80 days.” Nick and his various travel companies have sent over 10,000 people taking their dream trip through airfare discounts of as much as 50% off the airlines published fares. Now Nick promotes travel through his World Travel List and ‘Trip Rambler’ by World Travel List. Having traveled to over 80 countries Nick hopes to inspire others to travel the world</em></p></div>