On this week’s episode, we chat with two awesome gentlemen: Sebastien Derbomez, Monkey Shoulder Ambassador and Sam Ross of the newly opened Diamond Reef in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
It's Bartender Journey Podcast # 205!
Listen with the audio player on this page, or subscribe on iTunes, Android or Stitcher Radio.
Sam Ross was one of original bartenders at Milk and Honey who worked under Sasha Petraske, (Sasha’s name has been coming up so often on the show lately, and as you probably know, he left us way too early, but his inspiration lives on through the industry. )

Monkey Shoulder invited us to a press event at Diamond Reef while it was in pre-opening phase. (Official opening: March 1, 2017) Diamond Reef is a project from the Attaboy team, owners Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy and bartender Dan Greembaum and the first of three new spots scheduled to open this year.

(If you don’ t know about Attaboy..well you should know that Sasha Petraske opened its predecessor, the original Milk & Honey bar on Eldrich Street in the Lower East side neighborhood of Manhattan on December 31, 1999. It was an iconic bar that revolutionized making cocktails and and inspired an entire industry.)
Monkey Shoulder Fun Facts
  • 'Monkey Shoulder' is a reference to the condition that maltmen get from long shifts turning the barley by hand that causes one arm to hang down a bit, like a monkey.
  • It is a mix of three different Single Malts: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie
  • Aged in first fill ex-bourbon casks

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Cocktail of the Week:
Monkey Jam Sour
  • 2 oz Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whiskey
  • 1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • ½ oz Simple Syrup
  • 2 Bar Spoons
  • Jam
  • Dash Orange Bitters
Shake well with ice. Double strain into a Collins Glass filled with fresh ice. Top with a little club soda. Stir. Express oils from orange twist into glass. Add twist to glass.
Book of the Week:
This week's book and review comes to us from Hazel Alvarado (who helps out so much with Bartender Journey!)

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2017: The Facts, the People, the News, the Stories by Ingvar Ronde
The Malt Whisky Yearbook is published annually and contains current information on 400+ whisky distilleries around the world, whisky shops, whisky websites and new bottlings. Part reference guide, part Industry commentary, this 12th edition includes chapter such as “Watch Out! The Millenials Are Coming”, “Global Giant – Diageo, the First20 Years” and “Whisky Pricing – the Elephant in the Room”. Its paperback format featuring concise distillery summaries, tasting notes on choice expressions and current industry statistics makes it a perfect addition to your spirited reading library!
!Toast of the Week:
May you live all the days of your life. Cheers!

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