It’s hard to argue with me about what the best day of the year is. July 24 th is not only my birthday, it’s National Tequila Day! This year I received some appropriate presents in the mail and, of course, I had to give them a spin on this special day. Three bottles showed up on my door from Herradura Tequila , Reposado, Anejo, and Silver. In case you don’t know, these tequilas are classified by how long they were aged in wood casks. The Silver is not aged, the Reposado was aged 11 months and the Anejo was aged for two years. Aging tequila, as it does with wine, whiskey and other spirits, changes both the color and taste as it picks up a bit of the characteristics of the wood. In the case of Herradura, I preferred the Reposado. It didn’t have an overpowering oaky flavor, but did pick up the characteristics of vanilla and a bit of sweetness. The Herradura Silver was my next favorite – tequila in its purest form – while the Anejo was a bit more for whiskey lovers, who...

I've received samples of lots of stuff for summer. Here are some I really liked and I'd like to pass along. Sam Adams Beers of Summer… I gathered some beer lovers to test out the Sam Adams Beers of Summer variety pack and they weren’t disappointed. The variety includes six very different brews, with something guaranteed to satisfy everyone in your group so it’s the perfect addition to your summer barbecues, picnics, and other events. Sam Adams Boston Lager This light beer is a bit sweeter than bitter, making it a light drinking summer choice. Sam Adams Summer Ale You’ll find lots of citrus, from lemon to orange, in this summer ale, which also has a bit of spice. Even better than last year’s version. Sam Adams Whitewater IPA Lots of wheat and hops in this complex beer, which combines fruit and spice. Might be a bit much to have more than one on a hot summer day. Sam Adams Got to Gose            ...