Spirit Tasting
The tasting was a lot of fun - though the weather did not cooperate.  Way too nice out!!!  That has been the year's theme - good weather when we need bad, and bad weather when we need good.  We'll need to be nicer to Mother Nature. Anyway, some of the highlights.  Really enjoyed the Koval Ginger Liqueur and Rose Hip Liqueur, which are made locally in Chicago.  Nice spices and I found a little pepper in the Rose Hip.  Their Rye Chicago White unaged Spirit I also found to be excellent.  Pig's Nose and Sheep Dip Scotch provide a nice alternative to some of the Johnnie Walker products.  Time to have something different.  I also liked the Is

Pumpkin Ale
Halloween was a lot of fun.  First, most of us at the store dressed for the holiday.  You can check out our photos on our facebook page - search for Antioch Fine Wine & Liquors and then become a Fan of the store and you will receive updates. Second, after taking off my makeup and dress - yes, dress - I took my son trick or treating with friends.  Of course, I brought along some Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale.  This is like drinking a slice of pumpkin pie.  It hits you on the nose, with the first sip, and lasts a long time.  Really, this is what a pumpkin ale should be - not a hint of pumpkin, or whiff of pumpkin, this is all about the pumpkin.  I

Vampire Wine
Halloween is upon us - how quickly the year is passing.  I figured that I might as well be seasonal and review Vampire Wines, specifically the Pinot Grigio and Cabernet.  We tasted these out last Saturday.  I guess every review can not be positive.  In a word - Ughh!!!  The Pinot Grigio was devoid of flavor.  There was some initially, but it quickly dissipated into a watery, tasteless finish.  I am not sure how you can screw up Pinot Grigio, as most are serviceable, but there you have it.  Obviously, I did not approach the Cabernet with much expectation.  I was not disappointed, as this was a sister to the Pinot Grigio.  Weak, no tannins, an

The Prisoner
This blog is slightly delayed because I spent the last 2 days home sick.  Fortunately, I did not have either strep or the dreaded swine flu - though I did have the pleasure of having a stick shoved down my throat and a q-tip shoved up my nose.  Anyway, this has nothing to do with this post, so I'll move on. This past weekend my oldest daughter went to her high school's homecoming dance.  She was very excited, her date was a nice boy (though I don't trust any of them, having been one), and the weekend was full of festivities.  First, let me say that I have almost no experience with this sort of thing.  I was a late-bloomer and had no interest in dances in h