Spec’sology Blog

Best Cocktails of 2022 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Cocktails of 2022

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Every year we offer up dozens and dozens of cocktails for you to try and every year you have your favorites. And, after compiling all the data and utilizing a couple of highly classified quantum calculations that analyze the gravitational pull of smiles per sip, we’re proud to announce this year’s top four cocktails! So, grab a glass and enjoy a round of our 2022 Cocktail Roundup!   Melted Witch Ingredients 1 ½ oz Hendrick’s Lunar Gin ¾ oz Blue Curacao Liqueur 1 ½ oz pineapple jui... Read More
Last Minute Gift Ideas - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Last Minute Gifting Guide

Spec’sology Blog, Gifts, Holidays
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 wa... Read More
Best Holiday Champagnes & Sparkling Wines - Spec's

Best Holiday Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Wine
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! W... Read More
Party Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Holidays
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... Read More
Gifts for Bourbon Lovers - Holiday Gifts at Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Gift Ideas for the Bourbon Lover

Spec’sology Blog, Gifts, Holidays, Spirits
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... Read More
Spec's Is Thankful For - Thanksgiving 2022

Spec’s Is Thankful For…

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Finer Foods, Holidays, Spirits, Wine
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 ... Read More
Thanksgiving Hosting 101 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Thanksgiving Hosting 101

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Holidays
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... Read More
Best Pinot Noirs Under $30 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Pinot Noirs Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wines. It’s made from black-skinned grapes that thrive in a narrow spectrum of cooler climates. It’s also notoriously difficult to grow. When done right, it produces lighter-bodied wines of elegance, complexity and longevity. They also pair wonderfully with almost everything you’ll have on your Thanksgiving table! Now let’s get to raising the bar on raising a glass with a collection of excellent Pinot Noirs that won’t b... Read More
Best Scotches Under $100 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Scotches Under $100

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
It’s Scotch Month at Spec’s and we’re celebrating in style! But first, a quick summary of what scotch is and a couple of different types. What Is Scotch? So, what needs to be in a Scotch in order to be able to call it Scotch? It must be produced, bottled, and distilled in Scotland. Must be based on barley and water and must be aged in casks for at least three years. Whole grains and other cereal can be added to the malted barley mash in order to produce different flavor varieties. ... Read More
Must-Try Halloween Cocktails of 2022

Must-Try Halloween Cocktails of 2022

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain

For some people, Halloween brings out their inner decorating monster, others get super creative with costumes, and then there are the creepy cocktail connoisseurs! These mixologists of mayhem are the ones who fuel the fun for all their fellow ghouls, and without them we’d just be adults dressed like children standing around someone’s yard.

So, in order to get the most out of your Halloween hootenanny, check out this list of devilishly delicious cocktail recipes sure to keep your spirits r... Read More

Best Sakes Under $30 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Saké Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits

When you think about saké you probably think about Japan and rice, and you’d be correct on both counts. Saké, the oldest known spirit in the world, is often incorrectly referred to as rice wine. Rice wine, like Western wine with grapes, is made from the fermentation of rice. While saké is indeed made from rice, it goes through a brewing process where starch is converted to alcohol much like how beer is brewed, although the ABV is substantially higher than either beer or wine. Wine typically... Read More

The Best Texas Wineries - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Texas Wineries

Spec’sology Blog, Wine

In case you needed another excuse to visit the Texas Hill Country, there are now even more award-winning Texas wineries to visit!

There are more than 400 wineries in Texas which makes us the 5th largest wine producing state in the nation. The Lone Star State is home to eight American Viticultural Areas ranging from the North-Central Region, to the South-Eastern Region, and the Trans-Pecos Region.

Below you’ll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas that’ll have you raising a glass ... Read More