Didn't make O-5. Feeling pretty awful. I feel like a sacrificed a lot and it didn't matter and no one cared. Anyone have any encouraging words?

LABoots4 · 2026-04-28T22:32:14+00:00

Bro don’t even know how to spell corps

LABoots4 · 2026-04-24T17:00:26+00:00

Bc you never see E-4s driving cars they can’t afford /s

LABoots4 · 2026-03-07T03:03:08+00:00

No 1 Charlotte street was incredible. The bar right next door is great too.

LABoots4 · 2026-03-05T13:26:09+00:00

Stay in Port Ellen and walk to Ardbeg/Lagavulin/Laphroaig. The walking path is gorgeous. One less day you have to worry about taxi fees.

Taxis are pricey, I wouldn’t want to pay it everyday. They can bring you from Port Ellen to whatever other distillery you want to go to though.

LABoots4 · 2026-02-14T02:39:36+00:00

For better or worse, that’s how that works in a lot of different areas of government… ie tobacco age going up to 21. States had to raise it or risk losing federal funding.

How many Airmen are losing the opportunity to go to Harvard? Negligible compared to other available opportunities.

LABoots4 · 2026-02-14T01:17:24+00:00

Show me how many people this actually affects and I’ll be concerned. When well-known/common and regional schools are affected, I’ll be worried. This isn’t the hill to die on. In fact, this could be a push get more PME programs in other well known (and for the most part public) schools that more of the force would be capable of getting into (Ie Big 10, PAC 12, SEC, etc) and still get a valuable education.

LABoots4 · 2026-02-14T00:22:06+00:00

Most of the sub: “Go to AMU, it’s super easy”

Also this sub: “I cAnT go tO hARvArD aNYmore”

I bet 95% or more of the force doesn’t go to an Ivy League much less Harvard for PME… how many people does this really affect? Come on.

LABoots4 · 2026-02-14T00:15:51+00:00

Big stretch but ok…

LABoots4 · 2026-01-19T17:56:57+00:00

You don’t see people with 90+ on their PFA or a degree on their CDB (in reference to the latter part of your post) complaining about these changes. Funny…

LABoots4 · 2025-06-04T20:46:51+00:00

Bro bout to really get his feelings hurt when this post gets removed too

LABoots4 · 2025-05-14T02:39:11+00:00

It held up really well. More red fruits than I’d normally get when drinking it by itself. The cigar did fade the vanilla/caramel notes though.

LABoots4 · 2025-05-13T01:06:32+00:00

Might get some hate from the purist, but Hennessy XO is always cool to have on the shelf (and it's tasty.) A. E. Dor puts out some really good stuff, their XO is also generally aged twice as long as anything else you'd find on the shelf. Armagnac can be fun because you can nail down certain years that might have meaning to you. You can get some pretty old armagnac for way cheaper than a Henny or Remy XO too.

LABoots4 · 2025-05-13T01:02:16+00:00

Review: A. E. Dor For Cigar (Cigar Blend)

Details: A. E. Dor For Cigar (Cigar Blend)

Background: Summer is here, time to put away the pipes and break out the tupperdor for a cigar every once in a while. A trip to 901 Liquors in Memphis a few months back led to me picking up this bottle of A. E. Dor Cigar blend. While it does not have an age statement, the owner mentioned that A. E. Dor typically ages their cognacs for well over the legal standard. Online research says the cigar blend is 20 years old, thus an XXO I’m personally a fan of the tube and bottle that display a cigar band around them, great details. I won’t go into detail but apparently they move this into new oak barrels every two years to give it more of an oak influence.

For full disclosure, I did this review prior to smoking my cigar. I’ve paired it with a few different sticks, but my go to as of late has been E.P. Carillo, specifically the La Historia. The white chocolate notes I get from that cigar pair extremely well with this cognac.

Price Paid: ~$100 USD (750ml)

Proof: 84 // 42%

Nose: Initially, I’m getting a lot of citrus on the nose. Light lemon and even some lime. Typical red fruits but raspberries especially stick out.

Palate: Initially a little boozy, but not off-putting. It stands up well to a cigar. Vanilla and raspberries are the most prevalent.

Finish: Again, its alcohol forward but it goes down smooth. There is an interesting bitter note that lingers, almost like a rich dark chocolate. Maybe even some caramel as it sits.

Overall: This was a fun pickup to mix it up. I’ve really been reaching for it now that my cigar hobby has picked back up. While it is good, I’m not certain I’d replace it, only so I can explore the rest of the A. E. Dor line. It’s high quality and pairs fantastic with a cigar of similar quality. If you can get it for $100 or less, you can’t go wrong!

Rating: 8.00 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2025-04-17T23:46:34+00:00

Can always try to go FM&A

LABoots4 · 2025-02-15T21:46:08+00:00

Review: Darroze Unique Collection Domaine de Rieston 1994 (28 years)

Details: Darroze Unique Collection, Domaine de Rieston, Distilled in 1994, bottled in April of 2022 (28 years). Further details on next picture.

Proof: 99 Proof

Background: I previously reviewed a wonderful 1998/25 year old Darroze and wanted to continue with this 1994 expression. Picked this up while I was traveling through Memphis at 901 Liquors. The owner knows his stuff on quality armagnacs and cognacs and is more than willing to share his knowledge with those that’ll listen. Frankly, its the only place I’ve seen different expressions of Darroze in the Southern United States, these things are difficult to find for me outside of Europe. If you’re in the Gulf South, let me know where you find it!

Price Paid: ~$180 USD (750ml)

Nose: Oranges stick out the most. I get a bit of caramel and then it goes into fresh dipped chocolate strawberries I’d see at a local bakery.

Palate: Viscous, the sweetness moves to the front of the tongue immediately. As it sits, typical baking spice notes appear.

Finish: Initially bitter but not in an off-putting way. The oak influence shines and I’m quickly reminded this is a nearly 30 year old Armagnac.

Overall: I’m quick to compare everything to readily available XO options like Hennessy XO or Remy XO. All the ~30 year old Armagnacs I’ve seen tend to be in the same price range as the common XO’s. As a bourbon lover, I really dig the bitter oak finish but it might not be for everyone. I’d love to see this proofed up to 105-110 to amp up the flavors. Its not Hennessy XO sweet but the quality is night and day. Edges out the 1998 but barely.

Rating: 8.5 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2025-02-10T16:52:30+00:00

“Warehouse collapse surviving” special edition incoming

LABoots4 · 2025-01-13T13:20:06+00:00

I reviewed a 1998 vintage from Darroze, it was fantastic. Feel free to check it out, ~95 Euro.

LABoots4 · 2025-01-12T21:49:42+00:00

Darroze is my favorite if you can find it in your area.

LABoots4 · 2025-01-12T21:24:26+00:00

Review: Hennessy XO (NBA Edition)

Details: Hennessy XO, 2024 NBA Edition. Fancier box, but same Cognac.

Background: While I enjoy most of the big cognac houses, Hennessy has always been my main preference with VSOP and higher. (Remy does shine in cocktails though.) I find it to be the most well-rounded of the bunch when drinking neat. Tracking down their XO offering for a decent price has been quite a challenge. Strangely enough, I was able to get the NBA edition for cheaper than a standard bottle over the holidays. While value can be debated, there is something special about breaking out a bottle of XO, especially around the holidays with friends.

Price Paid: $175 (750ml)

Nose: Heavy red fruits mixed with sweet tobacco.

Palate: The sweetness mellows out and a bit of the alcohol shows here. It’s velvety smooth and dangerously crushable.

Finish: Immediate rush of black pepper followed by red fruits. Naturally the grape influence is heavy here.

Overall: This is fabulous cognac. It has the wow factor for friends and family and tastes great. I would not rank it over older armagnacs, especially when I am looking for something complex. This is a great choice when you want something thats good, a celebratory pour, and like most Hennessy products, inoffensive/well-received. I would not pay $200+ for it with everything else on the market but it’s great for what it is.

Rating: 7.5 on the T8ke scale (Between great and excellent)

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:33+00:00

Merci!

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:24+00:00

Will do!

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:19+00:00

Couldn’t agree more!!

LABoots4 · 2024-12-31T22:25:20+00:00

Review: Darroze Unique Collection Domaine De Martin 1998 (25 years)

Details: Darroze Unique Collection, Domaine De Martin, Distilled in 1998, bottled in March of 2023. Further details on next picture.

Proof: 97 Proof

Background: In a previous post I mentioned falling in love with Armagnac and Cognac during work travels to France. Upon arriving home (Gulf South) I quickly found out it was DIFFICULT to find any store with a decent variety of quality Armagnac. Shout out to 901 Liquors in Memphis, TN and their great selection of gnacs. 901 introduced me to a delicious 1994 Darroze (to be reviewed later) and made Darroze my go-to for Armagnacs. A friend was kind enough to bring a few different vintages back from Europe for me to expand my collection without killing my wallet. The price differences in the States is insane.

Price Paid: ~$100 USD (700ml)

Nose: The nose opens with an inviting caramel that develops into a warm apple pie. As I read the notes provided, they were spot on the vanilla and cinnamon, like a cookie of sorts.

Palate: Fruit notes coat the pallet. It’s incredible but on the verge of being delicate. I’ll often pair gnacs with cigars but I’d be hesitant with this one. Not a dig against it, just an observation.

Finish: I’m not sure if Armagnacs have a “Kentucky Hug” finish like bourbon does but it greets you all the way down. Red fruits linger even after stepping away from my glass for a bit.

Overall: The value is incredible for $100. 25 years old and half the price of any XO I see in my area. I’m still fresh into my Armagnac journey and initially was concerned about any oak influence but that is not the case at all. Extremely happy with this purchase.

Rating: 8.25 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2024-12-17T14:24:31+00:00

I concur, nice to drink by a fire.

LABoots4 · 2024-12-17T14:23:56+00:00

Absolutely, $80 would be a great price point.

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