Spec’sology Blog - Holidays

Mardi Gras is all about overindulgence, in fact, the name itself is French for Fat Tuesday. It takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a celebration of all the rich food and drinking excessiveness before the leaner days of Lent begin. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in America takes place in New Orleans, home to some of the richest food and an abundance of alcohol in the US. Check out some of our favorite Fat Tuesday tipples to put the party in your mardi and laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Sazerac Cocktail

A lot of time is spent crafting the perfect wine pairing for Valentine’s Day dinner, and for good reason as the right wine can take an average meal to a whole new level. But what about before the meal? A wine and cheese appetizer is an excellent way to set the mood for a classy evening. As purveyors of fine wines and gourmet cheese, we might have some ideas to help get you started! Wine & Cheese Pairings Moscato D’Asti + Gorgonzola Funkier cheeses call for a sweeter wine, and the fresh, acidic fruit of a Moscato d’Asti cleans your

There’s really no better party than celebrating the end of the year with family and friends! To ensure you get the most out of your ball dropping bash, we’ve put together some tips to make it as easy, beautiful, and delicious as possible! Decorating Sparkles over Flowers. Skip all floral arrangements and the gorgeous centerpiece, and instead fill glass hurricanes or vases with foil horns, silver balls, confetti and even NYE tiaras. Glitz and glamor are the order of the day! If you have a sequined runner now is the time to use it on your table! If you don’t

You have to make a list before you can check it twice! Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of great gifts that’ll have your recipients praising your glorious gift for gifting. All you have to do is check it twice. Homemade Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal It’s everything you love about pie with a subtle kick of everything you love about bourbon. The infusion of Crown Royal Maple Bourbon highlights the seasonal flavors in every slice of sticky sweet perfection! But you’ll want to hurry in and get yours soon as they’re only available for a limited time!

The best time of year is upon us - Holiday Season! What’s better than family, friends, and a bounty of bubbly?! Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve or even just a couple of days off work, ‘tis the season for some celebratory sparkles in your glass! Of course, with this comes the issue of finding a good bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine that’ll impress both you and your guests. Well fret no more for Spec’s has narrowed it down to 4! We’ve got two Champagnes and two sparkling wines that are sure to impress even the

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party of just flexing your festivity at home, we’ve got you covered like white on Christmas with these delicious holiday cocktails that are sure to land you on the extra nice list! Maker’s Mark Holiday Hibiscus Ingredients 2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2 tablespoon wild hibiscus syrup Garnish: Wild hibiscus flower Directions Place all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir in with a bar spoon Fill a rocks glass 3/4 full of ice and pour into your glass Garnish with a wild hibiscus flower Candy Cane Cocktail Ingredients 1 candy

If you’ve got a bourbon lover on your gift list, you’re already aware of their love for the spirit. So, now is your chance to show them you get it…and hope they’ll share some of their special stash with you. Check out some of our favorite gifts for bourbon lovers from glassware to highly rated bourbons. Stanly Matte Black Flask “Retro.” “Classic.” Iconic.” “Sexy.” It doesn’t matter what you call it, all we know is that this sturdy flask has your back and never lets you down -- unless of course, it’s empty. Perfect for camping, tailgating, or anything else

It’s the time of year that we’d like to take a moment and send our love and appreciation to some of our favorite brands and products of 2022! So, without further ado… Branson Cognac Owned by award-winning musician, entrepreneur, actor and producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Branson Cognac represents a bespoke, exclusive and unique Cognac that showcases the highest quality of Cognac being made from the best vineyards in every bottle. Maker's Mark Private Select Beginning as fully matured Maker's Mark at cask strength, Private Selection is created by adding 10 custom wood finishing staves to each barrel. It's then

We were all taught that Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts. But there’s historical evidence pointing to present-day El Paso as being the location of the first Thanksgiving and it occurred more than 20 years earlier in 1597 when at least 400 Spaniards, in an exploration led by Juan de Oñate, feasted with the Mansos tribe. While that may not qualify as the Thanksgiving we know today, it certainly means there’s no right or wrong way to celebrate turkey day! So, if you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving, we’ve got some tips to ensure smooth sailing and festive

Cinco de Mayo is all about celebrating Mexican culture and heritage. And while there is absolutely more to this day than tequila and tacos, but we’ll be focusing on tequila as well as some other fun items you’ll need to throw the perfect Cinco de Mayo party! Tequila Pitcher Perfect Rita Recipe Of course, you’ll need a margarita, but instead of having to stand there making the same drink over and over again why not just whip up and easy pitcher-sized recipe that’ll free you up to enjoy the party? Ingredients 2 cups tequila 1 cup triple sec ¾ cup

When we think of Mardi Gras we think of New Orleans. Mardi Gras began in medieval Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries and eventually made its way to the French House of the Bourbons. From there, the traditional revelry of "Boeuf Gras," or fatted calf followed France to her colonies one of which was New Orleans. The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. Texans aren’t known for passing up a good time, so eventually Mardi Gras traditions jumped

Pop the cork on a romantic Valentine’s Day evening without blowing a hole in your wallet! Check out our top 5 picks for deliciously affordable Valentine’s Day wines that’ll have you oohing and aahing all night long. Roederer Estate Brut Estate Bottled Champagne Blend $14.73 An elegant blend of approximately 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, this Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor. Sunny With A Chance Of Flowers Sauvignon Blanc Light $11.99 Sunny with a Chance of Flowers is