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A bowling alley debrief turns into a full‑on flavor expedition as we line up four grappas—two store‑bought and two homemade, barrel‑aged bottles from an Italian cousin—and see what happens when whiskey palates meet pomace brandy. We set the scene with Detroit’s spring drinking season (Pączki Day, St. Patrick’s parades, and Opening Day) and then dive into what grappa really is, why it can smell volatile, and how a good barrel can turn rough edges into something honeyed, floral, and unexpectedly smooth.

We start with two clear bottles at 80 proof and get our first lesson fast: nose isn’t destiny. One shows a minty finish and light texture; the other wafts acetone but drinks like white grape juice with more charm than you’d guess. Then the homemade, barrel‑aged pair arrives, and everything changes. The aroma softens, the heat recedes, and we find notes that drift toward mead and stone fruit, though not everyone is convinced. That disagreement is the point. Palate is part memory and part map—shaped by bad scotch holidays, beloved bourbons, and the drinks your grandparents swore by.

Between sips, we chase Olympic obsessions (curling scuffles, Super‑G chaos, judged sports drama) and take stock of Detroit bar news, including a beloved tiki spot closing and what that says about glassware costs, flaming garnishes, and $23 cocktails in a post‑covidian world. If you’re Italy‑bound, we share practical moves: try grappa as an ammazzacaffè after espresso, consider caffè corretto if you like a spike, and don’t be shocked if a small family bottle outperforms the label you know.

By the final toast, we’ve built a compact guide to tasting grappa like a pro: understand the pomace origin, respect the heads‑and‑tails reality, taste past the first whiff, and appreciate how cask time can coax out rounder flavors. Not every sip will be your forever pour, but curiosity pays off when a glass carries a place, a family, and a story. If you’re a whiskey fan eyeing new terrain—or just grappa‑curious—this ride is for you.

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Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

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A brewery table, a fresh blueberry wheat, and a glass of crystal-clear history—this session brings together live tasting and cocktail alchemy in the best way. We kick off with Blue Mitten, a wheat beer bursting with blueberry aroma and crisp grain, then pivot to the star of the night: a clarified milk punch that looks like water but drinks like velvet. Built on bourbon, black tea, fresh lemon, and a heavy simple syrup, the punch goes full science mode as citrus hits milk, curds form, and rough edges drop out. What’s left is satin-smooth, shelf-stable, and far too easy to sip.

We trace the lineage back to 17th‑century England and Benjamin Franklin’s own notes, then test how the method holds up today—on ice, with a lime squeeze, and under brewery lights. An accidental double dose of bourbon turns from panic to proof-of-concept as the tea’s tannin, lemon’s lift, and syrup’s body pull everything into balance. Along the way, we compare filtration tricks, from fine-mesh pre-strains to paper stages, and explain why Brita filters can strip flavor. If you’ve ever wondered how curds and whey can lead to clarity, this is your backstage pass.

Curiosity drives the rest. We map out spirit swaps—dark rum for molasses depth, brandy for orchard fruit, spiced rum for warmth—and tea and citrus riffs that change the nose without losing structure. The goal is a template you can take home: precise acid-to-milk ratios, patient settling, clean filtering, and a bottle that pours like a bartender’s secret menu. Stick around for the banter, brewery love, and a teaser for our upcoming Grand Rapids bourbon guest. If you’re into craft beer, classic cocktails, home infusions, or the satisfying click of a good process, you’ll leave ready to make your own batch.

If this gave you ideas, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves a project, and drop a review with your dream milk punch combo—we might build it next time.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

Send us a text

Looking for the kind of whiskey bar that changes your mind—and your order? We compare notes with Whiskey Advocate’s Top 150 and hold our local favorites to the same standard, asking what truly earns the title: deep selection, thoughtful flights, smart glassware, and staff who can teach without preaching. From The Last Word’s legit shelves in Ann Arbor to Sugar House’s cocktail mastery in Corktown, and the neighborhood comfort of Butter Run Saloon, we map how atmosphere and curation work together to make a pour unforgettable.

https://whiskybars.whiskyadvocate.com/

We also rewind to a Detroit classic: the Last Word cocktail, equal parts charm and balance, now tougher to find thanks to Chartreuse’s monk-guarded scarcity. That story becomes a mirror for the whiskey hunt itself—allocation games, store picks, and the quiet thrill of a speakeasy where you can taste before you buy. Along the way, we trade recommendations across New York, Seattle, DC, and Colorado, debating whether we chase hype lists or the room that makes us slow down.

Then the night flips from talk to taste. We run a four-glass blind flight with a few surprises: a coffee-infused Bib & Tucker that divides the table but begs for an espresso-martini riff; a Michigan blend finished across American oak, cognac, and toasted oak that proves local juice has matured into itself; and a high-proof curveball that drinks bigger than its burn. When the envelopes open, an Old Soul single barrel takes the crown, with Four Roses reminding us that “easy” doesn’t mean “boring.” The takeaway is simple: the best whiskey bars don’t just collect bottles—they guide you to the pour you didn’t know you needed.

If you love whiskey lists, blind tastings, and the hunt for rooms with soul, hit follow, share this with a friend who needs a new favorite bar, and drop a comment with the best whiskey spot in your city. Cheers.

Support the show

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com