Recent studies show that people who have strong friendships live longer than those that are isolated. Apparently, the more you laugh and interact with your friends the more likely you are to live healthily into old age.
If that is the case, my friends and I will have a life expectancy that is going to be pretty good. Especially if we enjoy a few more dinners like we did on a recent dinner outing.
Most friendships are based on a common interest and, amongst my friends and I, that interest would be good food and great beer, wine and spirits. We all enjoy cooking and are pedantic about where we eat out. We also have a fondness for exploring South Africa’s wonderful boutique brewers, distillers and wine farms.
On a recent evening, we gathered at a Hussar Grill for three very good reasons; their steaks are excellent, the service professional and they have no corkage. Hussar Grill have an excellent wine list of their own, but my mates and I like to express our personalities through our ‘bring your own’.
Our table was adorned with a crazy array of personalities, from happy bubbly to thrift chardonnay to lavish reds. The corkage only applies to wine and, but I had a bottle of rather unique (I’ve always been different) Bourbon (and risqué) from Copper Still Craft Distillery.
Knowing that the manager would very politely reprimand me for placing a bourbon on the table I had a plan (another trait).
Copper Still Craft Distillery
Psychology plays a big part in almost every decision we make. People buy cars, support teams and drink wine because they have a special connection with the maker’s mark.
Should my eye be caught the words ‘coffee’ or ‘chocolate’ on a bottle of red wine sitting on a shelf in an aisle with hundreds of labels I will invariable buy that wine.
I also have a strong affinity to spirits distilled by hobbyists who have turned professional. Copper Still Craft Distillery is owned and run by two mates, Norman Dippenaar and Freek Senekal, who have had a passion for producing interesting spirits since their university days in 1999.
When I heard that they used the age-old moonshine tradition as perfected by Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton I was impressed and enthralled. Impressed because they would be using home–made equipment and whole copper systems and enthralled because I am enchanted with Popcorn’s free and rebellious spirit – both liquid and soulful.
Norman, one of the distillers, says, “The flavours and infusion of our small batch double distilled premium spirits are unlike any other and boldly takes any spirit connoisseur on a smooth mouth-watering journey that will never be forgotten.”
This classic craft distillery produces gin, brandy, vodka and cactus too. Located in Vanderbijlpark, Norman and Freek also offer their Copperstill Barrel & Oak Mobile Bar to those wanting to host a party or event with a difference.
Bourbon Cask Spirit Apéritif
Dinner was delicious and the conversation lively and full of good humour. Replete and in good spirits (excuse the pun) it was time to sample the Copper Still Craft Distillery’s Bourbon Cask Spirit Apéritif.
I removed the bottle from the wine cooler and began pouring a snifter for each of us. I was on the last glass when the manager appeared at my elbow and, bent at the waist, politely whispered that the corkage did not apply to spirits.
Well, it so happens that I had heard that the manager enjoyed a nip of quality too and the last glass was, in fact, for him. Just as courteously I explained that this was a rare and exceptional bourbon and that I would like his opinion on its nose and palate. For professional purposes of course.
In the spirit (really) of the moment he took in the aroma and then rolled the Bourbon around his mouth. He declared that it had a rich nose and was a very smooth bourbon indeed. Tellingly, he also asked for it by name.
The rest of us concurred, it was delightfully smooth.
Norman had explained that, as a bourbon, it was produced mostly from maize as well as little sorghum and that it had been stored in oak. “In the Appalachian tradition, there is a double pot distilling and carbon filtering, and it is break-neck aged with toasted American Oak,” he added.
I found this bourbon to be velvety where most other bourbons have a rough edge to them. This is thanks to the lovely caramel and toffee tastes as well as the lower than average 40% ABV. Others at the table mentioned nuts and vanilla on the palate too.
With accolades from all of us it was obvious that that my choice of BYO was pretty darn good.
Thanks to Copper Still Craft Distillery and Freek’s hand at crafting an impeccable spirit, our night ended well and we had made a new friend with the manager of a great restaurant. I have no doubt that we’ll return to Hussar Grill soon.
Order Copper Still Craft Distillery’s Bourbon Spirit Apertif on line by clicking here. Follow them on Facebook here.
