Tag: Yolo

Seasons – The Review

Taste (5/10) – Real sour. There is some sweet in here but it is overshadowed by the sour. Everything is. Tart and fresh.

Presentation (4/5) – Looks lovely. Light straw color. Bright pop of the maraschino cherry. Not much foam.

Balance (3/5) – Sour is the dominant note on this one. Lots of ice also subdues everything.

Correctness (4/5) – Almost there! Only thing missing is the orange peel. Lemon slice is close but not quite there.

Delivery (2/x) – Simple and friendly. Asked if I wanted the egg white.

Total (18/25) – This was a good Whiskey Sour, and I’m not going to disparage that. It wasn’t a great or amazing one. But, it was an ACTUAL Whiskey Sour and that appears to be something of a rarity here in Yolo County so I’m going to recognize it. Not the best I’ve had so, far from the worst though.

Links

Seasons
The Project
The Criteria
The Bars

Broderick Roadhouse – The Review

Taste (6/10) – Good. Sweet, nice sour component. A subtle smokiness. Jim Bean is always nice.

Presentation (3/5) – Correct glassware. Nice cloudy lemonade color, garnished.

Balance (4/5) – Nice tasting cocktail. Sweet with a smoky, sour finish.

Correctness (3/5) – No egg white. Good house made sour mix. Two garnishes. Lemon peel instead of orange. Splash of smoked bitters instead of normal. Bartender asked if I wanted to try that.

Delivery (3/x) – Very friendly. Talked with me about the drink and the bar.

Total (19/25) – This wasn’t an absolutely correct Whiskey Sour, but unlike many of the other incorrect sours I’ve had since starting this project this one tasted good. And, that’s always the most important part of your cocktail, Does it taste good? If it doesn’t you need to go back and start over. This was a nice stop and a nice drink.

Preserve – The Review

Taste (9/10) – This is good. Sour on top with a smooth, sweet finish. Tastes great. The mouthfeel is there.

Presentation (4/5) – In the correct glassware, asked if I wanted it on ice. Had the garnish (mostly.)

Balance (4/5) – Good balance. Everything works together to make an enjoyable drink.

Correctness (4/5) – Correct! Whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, with a protein binder! The bartender asked if I wanted an egg white or their vegan alternative – aquafaba (chickpea water.) Only thing missing was the orange peel.

Delivery (3/x) – Spoke with me about the drink. How he was making it, if I wanted to it with aquafaba or egg white, what aquafaba was. Had a taster straw and tasted the drink throughout.

Total (24/25) – Finally, an actual Whiskey Sour. Finally, a drink I’d order again! This was the perfect drink for a hot late summer day. Cool and refreshing with a nice sour tang. The score might be inflated, but that is only because this is the first actual Whiskey Sour I’ve ordered since starting this!

Preserve is a great restaurant in Winters, CA right on the western edge of Yolo County. Their menu always has something delicious on it and you can’t order anything until after you have the fresh bread and jalapeno jelly. Their bar is well stocked and staffed by knowledgeable tenders. Which must be why when I ordered my Whiskey Sour they knew how to make it and how to alter it. I already like Preserve but now, after this cocktail, I love it.

Links

Preserve
The Project
The Criteria
The Bars

Green River Brewing & Taproom – The Review

Taste (3/10) – Could smell some whiskey but that was about it. The drink tastes like sour mix.

Presentation (1/5) – A cloudy, strawish yellow. Sort of looks like grapefruit juice. Lots of ice.

Balance (1/5) – Lemon juice with a hint of sugar. A real lip-pucker!

Correctness (1/5) – No egg, no garnishes, not shaken. Can’t tell if using pre-mix or made their own sour syrup.

Delivery (1/x) – Nothing.

Total (7/25) – Another disappointing cocktail from a really cool place.

Green River has an excellent space right next to Putah Creek outside of Winters. The whole thing is clearly a labor of love. There is music space, a park with seating, cornhole, and horseshoes. Even outdoor grills and taps!? The food is simple but delicious. But this cocktail, it is so bad! This cocktail is supposed to taste good! When you make it according to the recipe it tastes great! But no, all we got was some whiskey splashed with bad sour mix.

Good thing they had plenty of great beer on tap.

Links

Green River Brewery & Taproom
The Project
The Criteria
The Bars