PL: Nitrous and dope, coke and mushrooms, acid and two gallons of Natural Light, two packs of Camel Lights and a pair of Taco Bell seven layer burritos… You can mix a lot of shit in this life.

But you cannot mix vodka and bourbon in the same glass. However excellent the brands.

PL: Yep. Best bargain going.

Long story short, it’s been at least two and a half years since Grey Goose scared me away from vodka. This piece, combined with the fact that following your Bourbon and Gin recommendations ended very well, (if vomit splattered) has brought me back to Vodka’s sweet embrace. Thanks again.

PL: You’re more than welcome. It heartens me to hear about people re-embracing booze they’d shunned. Nothing good comes of shutting any liquor out of one’s life.

PL: When I ran my house’s social fund I had to buy cases of it. They made me sign twelve separate wavers saying I would not hold the state responsible for selling me the liquor in the event anyone died from it or was blinded.

I first heard of Ciroc about 6 years ago, bought a bottle, loved it, and told all my friends. Then Puff Daddy/P Diddy/Diddy started endorsing it and I had to go underground. Nearly died of shame. I still buy it, though. Ketel, at about $20 a fifth out here in California (Alameda, coincidentally – still haven’t tried Hangar One) is my go-to vodka, and I’ve refused to drink Grey Goose since discovering that it tastes like rubbing alcohol.

I do have a friend from the Pittsburgh area, recently transplanted to Chicago, who’s doing his best to get me some B&B.

Looking forward to your Scotch list as it’s one of those liquors I know very little about. Thanks again.

PL: B&B’s great. Just saw a new stock of it in the liquor store yesterday, so the company must be holding its own. Be a shame to see it fail. It’s really a great spirit.

Ciroc’s also a great gift vodka. People say “Grapes?” And then they taste it.

PL: Well, you may have to wait. My “backlog” of pieces is deep right now.

PL: Close the laptop and don’t think of emailing or texting anyone for the next 3 hours.

PL: Step away from the keyboard.

Out here in California, we have a grape vodka called Roth, and for a while you could find it at a chain grocery called Trader Joe”s for like, 10 bucks. I bought a case, Twice. Distilled 5 times, for what it’s worth. I can’t vouch for the flavor because I’ve never drank vodka with that in mind (shoot it, straight out of the freezer), but I will say this: vodkas made from grapes..are..fucking…awesome. Hard liquor made from grapes is it’s own category of narcotic altogether (Black folks are an excellent barometers for the quality of a buzz, if they’re using it en masse, you better believe it’s top notch!) And it is like brandy, but without all those nasty cogeners. That Ozzy-pissing-on-the-Alamo, Cask of Amontillado, abandon all hope ye who enter here drunk, but without the debilitating blitzkrieg hangover, because, unlike Hennessey, it isn’t aged in dirty old whiskey casks. Ciroc is like that too, but ever since Diddy started mumbling ads for Ciroc, it’s gone prohibitively up to the top price tier.

PL: I’ve had Roth. It’s decent. A bit harsh, but good. Not $10. More like $30 out here.

Cognac is one thing I could never develop a taste for. Don’t know why. I’ve had the crazy Louis XIII stuff and it was a terrible waste on my palate. There’s a certain sweetness I need lacking in the stuff.

(even if he was a compulsive liar, and I never personally tried the mix, I have a feeling it was the truth)

PL: A light punishment. If you can get Ketel and order GG, you ought to be served something with a urinal puck in it.