Dave, the brandy infusionary

Dave made three brandies because his genius cannot be contained in just one or two infusions.

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Dave,

I scrawled these notes last weekend while tasting with you. I'm reprinting them here, but with some added commentary for posterity's sake.

Let's break it down, infusion-by-infusion.

Infusion #1

Not sure what the detritus is, and I don't care. 

I didn't try to guess this one since it was the bonus infusion. But it is lovely: pear & clove.

I like how the light shines through it, like an illuminated honey. 

Infusion #2

Someone is quite fond of this infusion

Look: murky, but not unpleasant

Scent: Really intense and (appropriately) intoxicating. There's an exotic earthiness to it.

I was really excited about this. "Maple cinnamon!" I cooed at you. But you arched your eyebrows and shook your head.

Taste: Whoa. What magic is this? I can taste the really strong flavor. It's triggering really vivid memories, but I can't quite place them. I think of snowy days, winter personified. Heaven. Absolute heaven.

My guess: Maple apple

Actually: Cinnamon prune

As you can see from the photo, I'm about a serving away from this ingenious concoction disappearing. I wonder how long it will keep...

Infusion #3

Molasses?

Look: Motor oil. Plain and simple. 

Scent: Raisins! Raisin bran! Raisins and honey! 

I think I shouted these at you while smelling. 

This concoction has a heady, luxurious scent... but there's also something slightly off about it: a heavy ripeness. You can almost see fruit swelled with flavor. My salivary glands go into overdrive, and this is not something that raisins do. 

But I still smell raisins. 

Taste: Whoa. WHOA. Blackberries? Blackberry & vanilla! There's an underbite to it, a cross between something sweet and spicy, but the sweetness wins out. I'm still getting a big hit of raisin. Really big. 

My guess: Raisin & vanilla

Actually: Fig & vanilla

We have decided to dedicate four months of the year to infusions for this blog: February, April, August, and October. 

And dearest, I need to up my game. 

Seriously.

Joe