The Mysteries and Secrets of Distilling in Cognac, the Cellar Master’s Essential Work and Classic Cognac

Michael Dietsch is a bartender between gigs, a writer with an attitude, and an editor with a fast red pen. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and blogs about spirits and cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
This one’s quite a mouthful… Sunday morning, bleary-eyed and unhappy to be awake, I stumbled to the Royal Sonesta [...]

Botanical Garden

Michael Dietsch is a bartender between gigs, a writer with an attitude, and an editor with a fast red pen. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and blogs about spirits and cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
Thursday morning, I had the pleasure of sitting in on the Botanical Garden seminar, presented by Charlotte Voisey and [...]

Dropping in on NOLA

Michael Dietsch is a bartender between gigs, a writer with an attitude, and an editor with a fast red pen. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and blogs about spirits and cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
First day in New Orleans! Sazerac, chicken and jambalaya at Coop’s Place, and a group tasting panel at d.b.a.! [...]

Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Rookies

Michael Dietsch is a bartender between gigs, a writer with an attitude, and an editor with a fast red pen. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, writes the cocktail column for Edible Rhody magazine, and blogs about spirits and cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
Rookie. Newbie. Freshman. Dare I say, virgin? Cocktail enthusiasm continues to [...]

Overheard in the French Quarter*

A tour guide to his charges: “So, the first thing we’ll do is stop off for old-man drinks–Sazeracs, Manhattans, and so on.”
*Outside Irene’s.

Mud Puddle Books

Michael Dietsch is a freelance editor in Providence, Rhode Island. He blogs about his interest in good cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
Just a quick note to let you know that Mud Puddle Books is set up in the Cocktail Market in the Queen Anne Ballroom. In my opinion, it’s the only booth worth visiting, [...]

For Whom the Bell Bols*

Michael Dietsch is a freelance editor in Providence, Rhode Island. He blogs about his interest in good cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
My first panel of Tales 2k8 was also among the discussions I most eagerly awaited. I am not what you might call a dedicated Hemingway fan, but I’ve read many of his books [...]

Hausgemacht, part 3

Michael Dietsch is a freelance editor in Providence, Rhode Island. He blogs about his interest in good cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
And now, the end of my Leviathan conversation with Mike McCaw, Matthew Rowley, and Ian Smiley. Part 1 is available here, and Part 2 can be found here. I had a great time [...]

Hausgemacht, part 2

Michael Dietsch is a freelance editor in Providence, Rhode Island. He blogs about his interest in good cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
Welcome back to the epic Hausgemacht interview. In part 2, I ask Ian Smiley and Mike McCaw how they got their start building, selling, and reselling distilling equipment. Ian’s up first, so enjoy:
Ian [...]

Hausgemacht, part 1

This is the first post from Michael Dietsch, a freelance editor in Providence, Rhode Island. He blogs about his interest in good cocktails at A Dash of Bitters.
On May 17, I had the pleasure of participating in a Skype conference call with Matthew Rowley, Mike McCaw, and Ian Smiley, who will present the Hausgemacht panel [...]