Old Bushmills Distillery, The Legend - 1608

The Bushmills 1608 Bar in the Tavern Dining Room; at a stopover with its tour, cafeteria, bar and gift shop. The Irish foods were excellent and worthy of the visit. The whiskey choices are excellent, as you could dream. Picture "leprechauns" dancing in the aisle, sampling the Bushmills. You can smell the peat and malt in the air. 

I started with a Bushmills 12YearOld,as smooth as you could wish for. Served neat, splash of water - an enjoyable method to taste a good Irish whiskey. My girlfriend on the trip tried the Bushmills Irish Honey, neat with splash of water. She liked it! Surprise! A whiskey drinker, I find, after 46 years. I plan to marry the girl!

Happy as can be, we were joined by Ann from Dublin and her friend who had journeyed up from the Irish Republic. This was only their second journey to Northern Ireland, north of Dublin.  In response to my question about why so infrequently to the North - she said she'd traveled to the United States four times, once as far as Hawaii. We talked about that, visiting places so far away and yet "the North", only twice in her lifetime. But admittedly, I am in the same situation. Two trips to Europe in a year and haven't made it to the Grand Canyon! As the lovely Ann offered me her coupon for a second drink, she said she was not a drinker. Well, except for the Mai-Tai in Hawaii. And then there were the cocktails in New York. Well, you get my drift. All that as she offered me her ticket for a complimentary drink at the pub.

Speaking to the Barman, I asked his advice on what to have that would be different from the first one.  Touching his nose, just as I had seen the young man at Trinity College in Dublin had, he said, "between you and me" as he poured the The Bushmills 16YO. Another equally as smooth, gentle down the throat. As we'd been to Scotland, I took note that in Scotland it was whisky, a uniformly measured pour from a measure. In Ireland, normally a pour with no measure. And they spell it "whiskey".

Bushmills was a very charming visit, made more so by the two Irish ladies, a knowledgeable and kind barman, and a lovely day at Bushmills in Northern Ireland sipping  Bushmills 12YO and later a 16YO.  And my sweetheart's Bushmills Irish Honey.

And of course there was the remarkable geometric rocks at the storied "Giant's Causeway".

Ann of Dublin, Sla'inte! .....

Drink - a Bushmills Whiskey
   served neat with a splash of water; or
   alternately - one large cold ice cube


Music - The Pogues, "If I Should Fall from Grace With God"
Appetizer - lamb slice, cold and accompanied by "UK brown sauce"

Le Sam Bistro Evolution, Le Château Frontenac - Québec

Frequently one's dreams are dashed by reality. So it was a delightful, a really delightful surprise when we saw Le Sam for the first time during the day. Quite charming, walking down the long promenade and seeing the handsome 1608 Bar ahead. It led to anticipation. Two elegant bars, Le Sam Bar and the 1608 Bar, views overlooking, high up, the Fleuve Saint Laurent, or Saint Lawrence River as we commonly refer to it. My date's hopes were high in preparation for our seat at the bar and dinner overlooking Saint Lauren and the nightlights of Lévis.

For "research purposes" we gravitated toward the icicled elliptical bar, and an excellent selection that move was - where we enjoyed super artisanal cocktails; then to be escorted to the table.

You are seated at the "best table of Québec" is what the hostess commented on passing by and noticing us hand-in-hand looking out at Lévis's lights and the river. As we took note we were seated at the only table, a "deuce", which is oriented on an angle permitting both a gorgeous view of the river and of your gorgeous date. For a moment  I dreamt I was under the thoughtful care of my favorite Louise Wood.

Who To See

Le Sam

It's not required, but you should make a reservation with one of the lovely young ladies at the reception or Karim Haidar, the manager extraordinaire. Both bars are busy, seating at a premium, and the views overlooking the Saint Lauren, at a premium! The dress is smart at this cool bar.

Photo by author

In The Well

My first impression of a bar is generally assessed from what I see being taken in the well - the location below the bar most convenient to the bar lady or bar man.  Only the freshest are the best. My date and I were seated in the middle of the bar and I was taken aback to see fresh, small leaf Rosemary, Luxardo Maraschino liquer - in its distinctive wrapping of basket, fresh juices and of course Le Sam tonique. Above the bar you are intrigued by the whimsical icicles that must make this place a must in the middle of winter!

The Cocktail

White Cosmo, with small orchids in the ice sphere, the Algonquin, Canadian rye - Canadian Club, Small Batch, Sherry Barrel are on the bar menu. You'll be delighted with the selection, preparation and the presentation. All along the way enjoying the repartee back and forth with Louis, Jonathan, Guillame, Simon, Isabel and lovely Marie Alexe. Marie Alexe had me leaving with my own bottle, autographed by the bar keepers and labeled "pour Monsier Constantine" of the Le Sam Tonique Artésinal (25$C).

The Tunes

A pleasant but not obtrusive assembly of contemporary soft music was heard in the background. Once in a while a jazzy piece or Caribbean reminder. Delighted to hear my girl "Amy" over the tunes. All in all nothing, that interferes with your imbibing of the Lobster Salad or Piglet Shank with potatoes au gratin and fresh ketchup.

à tout à l'heure, mes amis Le Sam
Constantine

1608 Bar

Cocktail - The Algonquin
Bar Le Sam du Château Frontenac

Ungava Gin (Québec)

Dolin Rouge Vermouth

green Chartreuse

Aphrodite bitters

smoked white cedar and orange peel

Music - Emilie-Claire Barlow, "T'es pao un autre".

Accompaniment - Lobster salad. 

Photos courtesy of Fairmont Hotels, unless otherwise attributed.

Part II -- Havanna Vieja

Our evening journey continues …. It’s warm and breezy here in Havanna  Vieja.

 

We leave Sloppy Joes to head one block walking on the Paseo del Prado. This reminds me of Madrid’s Paseo del Prado. Which of course, foolish me, Cuba was a Spanish Colony … along with Florida and even up close to Williamsburg we have a 17C. Spanish site. And you did not expect a history lesson!

Hotel Mercure Sevilla. Owned by the French hotel chain Accor Hotels (Sofitel, Ibis, etc.). Yes that is correct … the same hotel that Dominique Strauss-Kahn frequents. And you thought the embargo was for whom? The (spoiler alert) is when Alec Guinness shoots and kills a German agent. The lobby is an impressive old hotel lobby. While the lobby is impressive colonial, but the bar – it’s like you are at a cocktail party under the sky. The roof of bar is the sky and goes straight up from the inside of the hotel. One presumes dwellers in the rooms enjoy the look down to the bar. But tonight we have to move on to the floor show at the Nacional. This evening it will be Cuba Libres, as we enjoy the shows and steel ourselves for the Salsa dance lesson on stage, which will follow! DELIGHTFUL.

 Cabaret Parisi'en. Opens at 9! How will you know? Even as far from the Central you will hear the boom from the Moro Castle cannon. And the tuxedoed maître d' hotel, will unlock the door. Its a lively show with live music, lots of scantily clad women and tight pants'ed men. Just what you'd expect for a Latin cabaret theater show. You will not be disappointed in the music, the choreograpy and the time will harken back to the 50's - just as the cars. The drinks and food ... well its a hotel you know.

Jazz Café. Time permitting and if we have the energy for one more stop, it would be this jazzclub a short ride away from the Meli’a Spanish Hotel chain’s “Meli’a Cohiba”. You will remember the Meli’a from the posting I made of my girl and my visit to the 22^nd Lounge in Frankfurt and the visit we had with Frau Martina Muller-Frasch. Funny thing even back then we joked with Martina about a trip to Cuba someday. She too is interested and mentioned the company’s hotel resorts in Cuba. One of two shows we will catch with traditional jazz as well as with a Latin flavor. Very nice. As you leave please give my regards to Edwardo the Jazz Cafe General Manager and very nice host.  I noted that Edwardo was dressed in his Guayabera shirt. Yes this would be an appropriate wear for this evening’s venture … long sleeve Saffron colored Guayabera. You won’t find that in Hialeah or Calle Ocho.

Parque Central. It’s been a long day and evening. So now would be the time for a Hoyo de Monterrey cigar, cafe Cubano  (as Marc would say) and a light post-midnight snack in the lobby lounge of the classy and large Iberostar Hotel chain, again from Spain! How is that embargo?  I can taste the salty Spanish Serrano and Manchego on my piquant Cuban sandwich. It’s a nice time in this air conditioned grand modern lobby. We could to  have chosen to have a bite at the Hotel Inglaterra.  Located diagonally across the square with a rooftop bar, but since we breakfast there each morning we opted for the change and elegance! Yes large white linen napkins, heavy weighted German silver wear and fine china. Tempting as it may be we forego the Iberostar’s Poinsetta Cocktail and save it for another visit. Perhaps when we come back to see the concierge to order tickets for another escapade. Or better yet, to make arrangements to see EH’s home outside of town, the Finca La Vigi’a.

So it’s another day and we call it an evening. Cool enough for a jacket, the perfume of Bougainvillea in the air still. Bidding fair well to Kostas, our guide, we won’t see him again as he leaves tomorrow from the Jose Marti’ airport for Portland. And we walk back to our host Mykael and Lourdes, “Casa de Lourdes y Mykael” quaint home with Wilton and my best friend Fay. We reminisce over the experiences, people, the witnessing of a baptism, and the videography taken by Wilton and Fay. We tell them we look forward to the video they are making. The title of which we understand will be A Beacon in Havana, 21/31 Production. So stay tuned. 

This charming little Church was the beginning of this journey! 

Here’s lookin’ at you kid.

An ode to Fay, Kostas and Wil

The Sloppy Joes Cocktail 5CUC

Brandy, Cointreau, Port and Pineapple juice

Music - Mari Wilson's "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"

Appetizer - Spanish Ham and Spanish Cheese, with Pimento Olives

• 
  

Constantine's Review of the Havanna Vieja Nightlife

"... so he looked in at Sloppy Joe's instead of the Wonder Bar. No Havana resident ever went to Sloppy Joe's because it was a rendezvous of tourists; but tourists were sadly reduced nowadays in number, for the President's regime was creaking dangerously towards its end."

OUR MAN IN HAVANA,  p. 21

Graham Greene. Penguin Books. 1979

Any preview of Havanna's nightlife should start with a read (or movie) of Our Man in Havana. Graham's classic spoof on spies and intrigue sets the scene for the old, pre-Castro Havana and its nightlife. 

Starting our tour of Havanna Vieja, geographically I would have you start at the St. Nicholas of Myra Greek Orthodox Church,  just off the Plaza de San Francisco. It's a beautiful Spanish Colonial environment. As approved by UNESCO, it's a world heritage site. Walking up and turning left onto Obispo, at the colonial Plaza de Armas you will come across --

Ambos Mundos Hotel & Bar.  A short walk up from the plaza, on Obispo Calle, is this old worldly hotel. A CIA man I spoke with said to me "is that still there?" Arriving at the hotel take note of the bonsais in the hotel lobby. Your goal should be to arrive before 9 in the evening to the roof top bar. You will see and hear the festivities across the way at the Moro Castle. And to witness and hear the traditional cannon salute promptly at 9. You'll enjoy this lovely bar and lounge, the view of the city and the Moro. Two floors below you, at a corner room, you'll fine the Hemingway room and the delightfully lovely curator Esmeralda. Hemingway stayed in this room, writing at a standup desk with a view from this corner room's windows. In the evening one can imagine EH strolling up Obispo up to his bar seat at the El Floridita.

La Bodegita Del Medio Bar. A nice bar with roof top lounge. Anybody who is anybody signs their name on  the wall. Famously a hangout for all and the claim to be home of Mojito. If you don't bring a pen, your waiter will provide one.     

Floridita. 

This famous bar and restaurant should be your next stop here in Havanna Vieja. You likely will be welcomed by Ernesto who serves as manager, bouncer, door man and Bon Vivant. Bouncer - saw him do that one night - escort a local lady who was working the bar. Before you knew it, he was waltzing her to the door as quietly as you could not imagine. Might be nice - if you  see him at the door to say "Hola Ernesto". He's tall, you won't miss him.  

Constantino Ribalaigua Vert took over this bar and restaurant in 1918. It's  now a  tourist stopover to drink the Daiquiri - invented here at Floridita. So have a daiquiri, have your picture taken with the bronze statue of Hemingway and enjoy the fantastic music of the group "VD". The bassist is a nephew of the  legendary Cuban group "Los Zafiros". 

Moving on for a bite, we head a few blocks down the Monserrat - Avenida Be'lgica  to the new re-opened  Sloppy Joes Bar. On our right is the Art Deco Bacardi building. (Watch this building in the future!)

Sloppy Joes Bar.  Ah! If you saw Alec Guinness, in the movie version of Our Man ..., walking in to Sloppy Joes, you will revisit the same scene and long bar to your right. Walls are lined with bottles of whiskey,  just as you saw in the movie! This bar has been renovated since its closing in the 60's! A very nice stopover for a midnite snack. I recommend you try the Dimple  15YO scotch. Or, the Ron Mulato de Cuba, Añejo 15 Años, Gran Reserve.


Hasta, compañero.

Por el momento ...

Ron Cuba, Santiago Mulato con mi amigo "Wilton"

continued ..........

 



Vintage Liquor

Can liquor bottled in the 80’s go bad? No, it does not. You may experience a slight affect in taste but otherwise,  lucky you -- as you may have a friend like BC who just hands over the keys to the liquor cabinet. For me, a cache of 

                        Linie Aquavit
Vessel Wilh. Wilhemsen's "M/S ,, Tourcoing"  dates 6.3.83 -- 20.3.83
[Linea labels the bottle with the vessel and dates that the sherry barrels crossed the equator to Australia and returned to Oslo.]

                        Kirschwasser Leroux
                        and a Rare Chartreuse Liqueur 

Loving the labels and the old bottles. What a difference when I compare these bottle labels with labels of their more contemporary sisters. Linea and Chartreuse changed the labels. Linea's  new label is a more contemporary design but has less color and excludes the sailor pointing to the ship. Chartreuse is a minor change in the logo on the center of the label.

So what did I first do with these gems? A taste test was in order. Secondly – using Esquire.com as a bar tool, I made a Trident Cocktail. It was, as reported to me – an enjoyable cocktail. 

So if you are as fortunate as I, or Andy Berky   who came across an un-opened pint bottle  of  Old Overholt Rye Whiskey from the 50’s! Reflect on the history taking place at that time. And you can enjoy the bottle and label from years ago.  

Merci beaucoup, Madam BC___________________

Trident Cocktail
Esquire.com 

Linie Aquavit   1 oz.
Sherry                1 oz.
Peach bitters      2 dashes
Lemon twist

Shake well and serve in chilled martini glass 

Music – Sinatra
Accompaniment - Fondue

The "Mirror Bar" at House of Bols in Amsterdam

Wilton and I, sitting across from one another, were talking about world politics, love, spirits, the benefits of living in LA and best of all, Amsterdam. I casually mentioned "Bols" and Wilton exclaimed "yes, House of Bols, cool place". We agreed on another topic of discussion.

The Place

The "House of Bols" is an exotic, hands on museum, bar, social club and purveyor of all that is Bols' liquers and spirits.

Lucas Bols created the liquer company dating back to 1575 and manufacturer of 38 different liquers, plus genever (think gin) and numerous other liquors. Bols group includes Galiano, and other brands. The genever, according to my sources, the British took and made into their own English gin. At one time, genever was one of the worlds leading liquors albeit some many, many years ago.

The House of Bols is special for many as it is -
     a. a great way point, midway between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum
     b. a cool place to stop and enjoy two free drinks
     c. a social gathering place especially for brides to be, family gatherings and groups from one of the many river cruises
     d. a way to better understand (and taste) the variety of Bols' products

Who to See

As you climb the stairs from the street entrance you will be greeted by a lovely, tall blond (aren't all the Dutch girls like that?) you'll come to the check-in where you will pay 14.5 Euros for entrance. Ask for Frank, the manager, and tell him Constantine of Spiritsnob.blogspot.com sent you. He may bestow a professional courtesy discount.

In the Well

In the  "Mirror Room", well its quite a star studded, bright and glowing bar as you will ever find. With the "well"  literally consisting of 100s of bottle of Bols in front of the mirrored back wall of the bar. Up front, the bartenders have a "well" equal to the back bar. Quite a new experience.

The Cocktail.   

This is  a real experience - as Wilton would say "No! Really." After you leave the historical and olfactory hands on experience, you enter into a more contemporary section of the bar experience. At which time you will be invited to address a computer module where you' select your drink and receive coupons for your drink and cordial. Then proceeding to the Mirror  bar one of the cocktail maestros will make your drink for you. Later you return for your cordial of one of the Bols brands you select.

Tunes



The "Mirror Bar" is a lively and loud place. A veritable gathering of souls. You will enjoy standing in the mirrored room, taking in all those at that are gathered. Quite a thing it will be - a throng of lasses celebrating the upcoming marriage of the princess; or the lady Captain of nautical ladies. Likely you'll come across a gathering of souls celebrating a family reunion, or a couple or two preparing for their Viking River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. In any event it will be a fun visit - so take advantage of the it by introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you.

         

Dank U Frank _____________________

Cocktail

Orient Express

Bols barrel aged genever*  1 1/4 oz 

Bols Coconut  1 oz

fresh lime juice 1/2 oz

sugar syrup  1/4 oz 
shake all with ice and fine strain into a pre-chilled glass

Garnish with coriander leaves  - 4 to 5; half piece of Passion fruit and a 1/2 cm of Red Pepper

* while technically not accurate, you could substitute gin or Korean shoju or Japanese shochu

My favorite date and I had a great experience, so many thanks to Frank, our host at House of Bols  --  for more information consult the website -

House of Bols  http://www.houseofbols.com/

"Tot Ziens"

DIASPORA - AN UNDERSTANDING OF HERITAGE

DIASPORA

 "A diaspora from Greek Διασπορά "scattering, dispersion" is a scattered population with a common origin in a smaller geographic area."  Wikipedia. And of course Christos Boulocheris would call to my attention 'it all traces back to the Greeks'.  

Map of Greater Greece  Wikipedia

Had I not met Ellie, short for Elinida, I could not imagine myself thinking about this concept, nevertheless writing about the subject of diaspora.

The conversation traces back to the Havanna, Cuba trip and a woman I met. We spent the evening at Sloppy Joe's Bar in Havanna with our new friends and family. It was late, later than usual and well past midnight, and as Graham Greene would have, we were drinking Dimple 15 year old scotch , Mulata 15 anos ron dark , an 'umbrella cocktail' &  Knockando 15 year old scotch - over which I broached my puzzlement to a new friend regarding her statement earlier that day, insisting she is not Greek. Mind you, we were here in Havanna for the 10-year celebration of the Greek church. Her name is Ellie. Over the course of the trip, I learned, a. Ellie holds a US and Greek passport; b. She speaks Greek and goes to Greek church; c. Her parents are of Greek origin born in Turkey and Bulgaria. All this said - Ellie insists she is not Greek. I was quite surprised and remained so. Puzzled and curious ......

I will spare the reader further discourse on Magna Gracea, Asia Minor, the city states of Athens and Sparta that colonized Sicily. The exodus of the Greek population from Western Turkey to Greece. And who won the Peloponnesian War.

While I remained perplexed that Ellie does not believe she is Greek, it only serves to broaden the inquiry into diaspora. Reflecting on family and friends, we all harbor a yearning for the homeland; or, we are part of the diaspora. For my cousin in Greece, she is a Cretan before being an Athenian. Another family member is from Alsace-Lorraine and Bavaria; when speaking with someone from Germany, and speaks of her heritage - there is a bit of pride I detect in her voice when proudly acknowledging her ethnicity. 

Another friend's father is from Mexico and he reaches back to his Mexican roots. For me, I am now in search of my McGinnis and O'Hare family in County Down of Ulster. And I look forward to the visit with my family in Athens this Spring.

As it seems all over the world, we tie back to our geographic roots. In so many cases that also links us to religion and ethnicity. So once we get beyond the political discourse and learn more of the background on an issue, it becomes increasingly clearer that disputes have a deep underlying diaspora. That brings greater meaning and understanding of the division going on in the Ukraine between geographic areas that were assembled for one reason or another. Or in China as the threat of ethnic rivalry becomes more prominent. Or between India and Pakistan, the Republic of Ireland and the North, Cyprus, Sudan ... it goes on and on.

June of 2014 will be the Centennial recognition of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. This act was a result of - yes you guessed it correctly - the desire of a people to unite its ethnicity and to have it recognized as one country. Coincidently, this was in the Balkans of southern Europe!  Does this knowledge assist the world's political leadership of the consequences of "sleepwalking" [1]   the world into another Great War?

Sobering thoughts worthy of a Guinness and more reflection ...

The names of the innocent have been changed, this is a fictional story and any similarity or persons or names are ...

[1] The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914. Chris Clark. 2012.

Drink

Guinness and a Jameson on the side

       alternatively Ouzo on the Rocks, or Pernod

Music - any Chieftains album, Xaris Alexiou or Carla Bruni-en Français

Appetizer - Irish Soda Bread and Corned Beef, or  tomatoes and olives, or a baguette and brie

Valentine's Day - the Other Major Holiday

My friend, Rest Assured, if you have not begun the planning for this holiday, you are going to sadly dissapointe a special lady or gentleman. Jack Rose?


Planning for this day begins with what flowers will you obtain, what is the cocktail you plan to serve and what jacket are you donning over that long sleeve T? Or the lady, with an above the knee black silk skirt. From there it gets easier. But rest assured that the attention to these details will mark you as a person of great interest and deserving of Jack Rose? love and attention. And what more could one ask for  ........   WHAT MORE?
Alternatively, son-in-law Jeff has declared the day following Valentine's Day as the holiday "Esther Day" and is able to throw a hell of a party with less crowds and to his credit, less costly.


Here is a primer to start you on your way. But I know many of you and I believe you need no lesson or primer from me!


FLOWER
I'd go for the Gardenia. Make it special and have the florist prepare it to allow her  to carry the flower in her hand, or if she's a fashionista, like my best girl, ... on her wrist.


CANDY
Only one kind in my book, Jack Rose? -- See's Dark Chocolate of any variety. Backup - Valrhona French dark chocolate.


APPETIZER
Chilled shrimp, cooked in a broth, served on a pick. If necessary a splash of lime topping it off.


MUSIC
Here we need something that makes the heart race. I'd go for some salsa and create a play list with the watchword - "mi Corazon".


DINNER a la Jack Rose?
I'd want a small cozy place, maybe Italian, booked later in the evening so the rush is over. Go see the maîtres' d prior to that day; pre-arrange a first order to be served when you are seated. Order a special dessert for the end. And don't forget to top it off with some Italian amaro.


Cocktail
Jack Rose Cocktail -1 oz of lime juice, 1/2 oz of grenadine and 3 oz of apple jack, apple brandy or substitute brandy.
Music - Frank Sinatra
Appetizer - Grilled leeks with grated Fontina.

affectionner

Ernest Hemingway's Havanna Vieja - Old Havanna

Constantine's Journey to Havanna Cuba



Seated here in Havanna, Cuba in the old part of the city, I look out on the plaza and see a '57 Chevy BelAir with Cuban flag on the antenna. It's a  luxury being  at the little Pasteleri'a Francesca en la plaza de Central. Its early Saturday morning - so much quieter than last week. I won't even address the difference from the throngs and volume from last night.

Such tarnished beauty here in Havanna Vieja, the old town. But a beauty it remains from the lush tropical plants to the night clubs dating to the 40's and 50's. This tropical climate is so ideal for bonsais and I see them everywhere. From the fancy Ambos Mundos hotel to the plain and simple barber shop. I am curious how did that evolve in Cuba and carried on in such poverished time.

Hemingway is everywhere. The man was an insatiable drinker, if all the bars that make claim he drank there and invented this or that drink at their bar, exclusively for him. Much for the tourists sake his name is kept alive, but I am advised he is much revered in Cuba. And by Fidel Castro as well.

Ah the bars and the drinks. The most notable bars and night scenes are the El Floridita, the Sloppy Joe's Bar and the Bodeguita de Media. On the more restrained side are the roof top lounges of the Hotel Inglaterra and the Ambos Mundos, followed by the Hotel Seville (Biltmore) lounge with an open sky for a ceiling. Further out from the old town is the Hotel Nacional and the Tropicana Night Club. Regrettably the old Hilton, opened only days before the fall of the Bastista regime and the advancing Che Gueverra and Fidel ... the claim seems to be that on the first days Che and Fidel came and resided in the hotel to discuss ... "well now that we have won the war, what the hell do we do?".  A testament to these legends are such books and movies as Graham Greene's Our Man In Havanna, The Godfather movie and other novels.

Photo by SGH

The drinks as one might expect - but is still a little bit of a surprise is "ron", rum. With the El Floridita staking claim to the Daiquiri (they pronounce each letter). The Bodegita claims the Mojito. Sloppy Joe's, from the movie, is acclaimed for its vast inventory of whiskey. Which today the newly reopened Sloppy Joe's displays hundreds of bottles for some 30+ brands. Being historically accurate, they even have and serve "Dimple 15 year old Scotch" whiskey. Which I advised my travelling companion to try and she did, enjoying it.

Cuba is going thru a major transition. It remains a poor country but with  wealth of beauty of music, people, art and buildings. It currently  is very much Europeanized, due to the fact that significant investments are being made by Canadian, English and Spanish companies. Witness the grand Melia hotels in Havanna, the Iberra Hotel chain's Parque Central and the Sofitel chain's "Seville (Biltmore)". Tour buses abound - manufacturer Volvo. Need  a Mercedes limousine, just call for one. Want to drink a Jim Beam & Coke? It's there on the top shelf. Tobasco with your meal? Just ask.

The Cuban people were enthralled we were from the United States, the affinity to the US remains. One which in the future can expect will grow with the 50 minutes ride from "wheels up" in Miami to "wheels down" at Jose Marti Airport in Havanna.

Photo by SGH
Exclusive to Spiritsnob

Viva Hemingway!________________________

El Floridita's Daiquiri (pronounced da e' ki ri)
  created by Constantino Ribalagua Vert, Owner and Cantinero

Rum, lime, sugar and ice, in a blender till smooth
     serve with a straw. On the side - quarter slice of pineapple.

Music - DV the  Salsa and traditional Cuban Music singing group at El Floridita

Appetizer, cold shrimp on pick.