Party_Taco

A year ago was the last time I was there and I doubt their policy has changed. They supposedly don’t drop random bottles… everything allocated is announced and folks like up, first-come first-served. A Smith days are supposed to be wild… glad I got to drink a bunch before I left the DMV!

Yeah I don’t understand how anyone disliked this beauty. It’s complex, unique and goes down easy. To me it seemed like the argument against came from a purist’s perspective. There’s a broad range of brown water that pleases my palette.

… and a happy NBD to you both!

Mushroom ravioli with shrimp and pesto, roasted taters and barley salad

Almost feel bad posting this basic bitch after South Austin’s goodness, but here’s some plank Sockeye…

I’m eager for the DOJ to push her shit in… should be spicy

Hmm… Sadly I’d put this Frey wheat in the Elmer T Lee category: Nice. Simple. Unremarkable. It does have a surprising burn at the back for 100 proof, but nothing else that leaves a lasting impression. A shame, really… should have grabbed their Barrel SB pick instead, but I’ll be back in a few weeks.

Gonna crack it this weekend and will let you know - Seems like a VERY limited allocation, which can be good or bad, but I like wheaters on the whole.

So… the play is to pop one of these and then binge the loko for a similar experience?

Twice, is there any way for the prosecution to remove Cannon from the process, or swiftly move through her various stalling tactics by appealing to a higher court? Her bias seems quite clear at this point, so it stuns that DOJ can’t somehow push for her recusal.

Cali trip was a success: Catch and release bottles: - Purple top Willett ($1000) - 2023 Parker’s Heritage ($1150) - Elijah Craig 18 ($275)

Structurally the right move… strategically, we’ll see…

Ok, this Nulu DO is fascinating… it has very little in common with any other Double Oaked product I’ve had to date. It’s more like a Double Toasted, which obviously doesn’t exist, but damned if that doesn’t shine through. Gonna give this some run, but the nose is full of hickory smoke and I’m compelled to return to this glass.

Had some mahi that was begging for a taco treatment…

Delivery day… this should be a fun one!

Some days are better than others…

Just go tomorrow… it’s phenomenal

Finally made it to Interstellar today and GOOD GOD MAN this is some next level smoke! Got to speak with Hector for a bit and you can just FEEL the passion flowing through this place. Line: Got there at 11 and joined some friends who had been waiting since 10:30 and we’re 6th in line. Were in and eating by 11:20, out the door 12:15 where the line had really died down (but nothing was sold out) Ribs: Probably the best I’ve ever had. Just perfect, slide off the bone goodness with complex flavor throughout. Brisket: Damn solid, expertly smoked and super tender. Top 5 for me but hard to place within that sphere. Lamb Shoulder: Outstandingly moist and fragrant… a clear standout Sausage: Solid with great flavor but no snap… casing was a little chewy Burnt Ends: Some of the best I’ve had… consistent flavor with the slices and very juicy with a hearty crust Sides: All of them were delicious, but the grits were a clear standout. 9.5/10

What’s the point to dollar value right now with that deal?

After sleeping on it, I still don’t love Shiv’s decision, but agree it was likely her best option. This is a more measured take along those lines from Reddit: “One idea -- she might have been thinking about the last conversation she had with her dad: Logan wanted his company to be sold, for each of the children to have their own pile of money, and to "reset the family dynamic". When the vote rolled around to Shiv, she realized she could actually fulfill her father's final wish. Set everyone free of the corporate drama and also of Logan's shadow. If they kept the company and Kendall were the CEO, the family dynamic would be exactly the same. Perhaps worse, since Kendall would now go into full "CEO beast mode", and Roman/Shiv would feel resentful that they didn't have the throne. But, if the company were sold and they each had their own pile of money, there was the possibility, at least, that they could have family relationships outside of the corporate power struggle. They can finally seek meaning elsewhere. I think Roman's smile at the end of the episode is a hint that this might be the start of Roman repairing himself, at least. The symbolism of Kendall sitting at edge of the water at sunset also suggests this: that perhaps Kendall is now free to be reborn as his own man, rather than his father's son. Why vote "yes" to the deal? Well, the cherry on top for Shiv is that, with Tom as CEO, she upgrades her striver husband to a "bonafide corporate hotshot", which was always a low-key dream of hers going back to Season 1. Even if Matsson fires Tom in short order, there is no denying that, from an optics and PR standpoint, Tom is now "CEO material" for Fortune 500 companies. This was an act of kindness toward Tom, since he really wanted the CEO position -- it completes his personal "self-made corporate titan" narrative. What's more, it gives Shiv one last shot -- long shot though it might be -- to repair her marriage. That's a lot of thoughts to have in the split second of the corporate board room vote. I believe that's why she walked out to take a beat. It suddenly dawned on her that this vote was more complex than she realized. At first, she was voting "no" as a block with her brothers out of anger toward Matsson's betrayal. But, it dawned on her that voting "no" to the deal was perpetuating the family dysfunction, while voting "yes" to the deal elegantly fulfilled her father's wishes. What's more, voting "yes" freed her brothers and herself of Logan's shadow and supported her husband, to boot.”

Correct… who knows. What we’re left with is speculation based on the established traits of the players. You catch Tom’s initial response to Greg after the vote? It was 100% Logan in its equal recognition/dismissal. Tom is evolving while Shiv is cowing. Sure, you could say that her decision was just another move on the chess board, but I would argue that play was akin to snatching a bishop out of spite only to leave her King exposed. My conclusion is that Shiv all too easily became her mother.

FUCK that… she’s now beholden to two men who see her as broken and ineffectual. Kendal would have at least given her a seat at the table… she’ll be nothing now beyond inheriting the legacy of her mother… another child bearer set to abide the indiscretions of her powerful husband. Rich, but relatively powerless, watching from the balcony as history is made by the men around her.

Agreed - Having him ascend only to be torn down by his path to ascension once seated just makes too much sense. As a statement towards how shallow the connection is between the siblings, and how their own jealousy and need for acceptance/respect (even from their father’s ghost) trumps all, I think it works. But I just can’t buy the back-forth for Shiv… she had what she needed to kill Tom, and that was her firm determination mere seconds before. What is she holding onto that overcame those seemingly powerful emotions? Simply the need to have anyone other than her brothers win? Shiv sucks.

Tonight’s selections from the vault:

Excellent - Since they’re in Dallas it will likely be a few weeks before we inventory, but I’ll absolutely be in touch when the time comes. Thanks!