The changing seasons are always something I look forward to, autumn especially so. We'll bring loved ones together, celebrating the survival of another fun filled summer, and prepare the incredible feast that will become Thanksgiving dinner.

Dia De Los Muertos is on Sunday and so it's important to take a look back at those of our ancestors who have passed and remember them. Along with just remembering them it's important to share stories about the great moments in their lives and how they have inspired us with their passion. While Don Julio is certainly not one of my ancestors, I feel that it's always good to extend this to a broader community as well. As someone who is passionate about tequila, there's a bunch I didn't quite appreciate about Tequila Don Julio until I watched their new video about his life and how he got started.

Right now is a great time to be a fan of cocktails and spirits. It seems like virtually every day I hear about something new that piques my interest but only a handful have I had a chance to actually sit down and create cocktails for. Recently I was invited to test out TUACA, a fantastic vanilla citrus liqueur that is said to trace its roots all the way back to Lorenzo de Medici and later became popular in the United States after servicemen brought it home from Italy during WII. In the classic pattern we've seen with cocktails in general, TUACA is starting to become popular again with a whole new generation. 

Columbia Crest winery has been in operation for just over 30 years and in that time it has helped transform the Columbia River area of Washington State into one of the top wine producers in the world. It's a little strange maybe that when you think of the West Coast and wine, it's typically California and specifically Napa, Sonoma, or even Santa Barbara area. No one told these guys though, but through scientific research winemakers here discovered that the soils and environmental conditions had world class potential.

Sure, I love my bourbon, rum and tequila but sometimes it's fun to step out a bit and try something new. I can't count the number of times I've browsed the aisles of the liquor store wondering about a bottle and I am sure you've done the same. Honestly spending $20-$30 to try something new is a small investment compared to the enjoyment you may receive by discovering a new favorite or event sharing the experience of trying something new with friends.

Recently I was hosted by Crown Royal to attend a weekend of fun at the Jeff Kyle Brickyard 400.  During the weekend we were educated by Master of Whiskey (MOW) Stephen Wilson on the Crown Royal distilling process and how they come up with the blends they use in their whiskeys. 

Men's fashion is in vogue these days and top brands are looking to associate themselves more and more with this emerging market. The folks over at BACARDI and Grey Goose even created some recipes inspired by what they saw on the runways and we think they sound delicious! These are two of the cocktails that were served earlier this month at the Men's New York Fashion Week.

Last year, Columbia Crest opened it's doors and invite the community to help create their new vintage, the 2014 Crowdsourced Cabernet. This year, they are taking it to the next level with a contest to hire a "Crowdsourced Cabernet E.C.O.". Honestly, this is pretty big thing for what otherwise is an extremely conservative industry.

Now there is no excuse that you cant find the "perfect wine" since with this opportunity you'll be serving as the ambassador for the online crowdsourcing community as we all work together to create the 2015 Crowdsourced Cabernet!

When planning a guys weekend in Milwaukee, one thing that is likely at the top of your list is to visit a brewery. While most people will assume that means a stop at Miller, there are some incredible craft breweries here in town as well. The one we picked to visit during our Kia TurboCharged Weekend, was Lakefront Brewery and it happens to be one of the older craft breweries in the country.

Happy 4th of July guys! If you haven't already stocked up the bar for the weekend, then now is the time to do it and the great folks at Brown Forman have sent over some tips and recipes to make sure that no one goes thirsty!

These are probably the easiest cocktail recipes you could possibly imagine, so just make sure you have the right supplies and you'll be the Independence Day Hero...

Memorial Day weekend is here and that probably means grilling burgers in the backyard and passing around cans of beer while sitting at a picnic table. While that's all fun and good, we think that a holiday weekend deserves something a bit classier, so here are two recipes that are easy to make but will impress your friends.

Juan Martinez, the renowned mixologist from LA's newest hotspot restaurant and lounge Toca Madera and formerly of Cecconi's, has fashioned a signature margarita cocktail featuring DELEÓN® Tequila that enhances every aspect of the classic construction with farm-fresh local ingredients to create a flavor profile for the celebrated holiday that's a unique representation of the city of Los Angeles.

The star of the "Amante Picante Margarita" – and the leader of the complete DeLeón Tequila line-up – is the new Platinum. Un-aged and unrivaled in finish, DeLeón Platinum Tequila ($60 MSRP per 750ml), made from 100% Highland agave, is a provocative Blanco with a rich, complex agave honey that is slow-fermented and twice-distilled. Locally-sourced serrano pepper and cilantro add some Mexican spice to this cocktail as a not to LA's significant Mexican population and influence.

Shopping for our wives and mothers is tough and if you are like me, it is often super easy to transpose what "you want" with what "she wants". 

Tequila in the United States has come a LONG way from the days when it was a rough, cheap spirit that gave you wicked hangovers. Today, there are some spectacular brands out there that are truly world class spirits that are are as good to sip as they are to mix into a cocktail. I've been blessed to have assembled a collection of bottles from press samples that now includes almost a dozen tequilas. Partida though is one of the few that I truly enjoy to share with friends as it is equally good to sip slowly as it is in a margarita. 

To learn more about this amazing spirit, we had a chance to chat with Partida's bartender ambassador Jacques Bezuidenhout.

With the Kentucky Derby almost upon us, it's time to break out our julep cups, crush some ice and mix up some awesome cocktails so we forget how silly those women look wearing their derby hats!

Summer is right around the corner, and with the change in the season comes the need for a new, refreshing cocktail. The Sawgrass Splash, the signature cocktail of THE PLAYERS Championship (May 5-10, 2015), takes summertime refreshment to the next level. Perfect for golf fans and cocktail enthusiasts alike, this vodka-based cocktail is made with GREY GOOSE® L’Orange and a tasty blend of simple syrup, lemonade, orange and lime juice. Whether you’re celebrating the 19th hole or tanning by the pool, THE PLAYERS Championship’s Sawgrass Splash is a go-to summer cocktail. It’s even better in person.

Visitors to the Cayman Islands usually focus on sites like "Hell" or "Stingray City" but last fall when I visited this amazing little island we did things a bit different. Instead of the normal tourist spots, we went to a distillery, made new friends, drank some world class spirits, and then almost missed the last tender back to our ship. Luckily we didn't miss our ship, but if we had - this would have been TOTALLY worth it!

Cayman Spirits has been distilling spirits since 2008 from a tiny shack in Georgetown Grand Cayman but in 2013, they moved into a fantastic new facility just outside of town with 5,000 square feet of space to offer tours, a tasting room, and production capacity to meet worldwide demand.

Dig out those flip flops and the sunscreen - summer is coming!

As the weather starts to heat up, step up your day drinking with an icy treat made with Amarula Cream, a South African treat made using the fruit of the indigenous marula tree. A decadent tipple, Amarula Cream is light brown in color, creamy on the palate and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks and in an array of drinks - including boozy shakes! 

A couple months ago, Heather and I visited The Headquarters in San Diego for a fantastic date-night. A couple weeks ago though, we had the chance to spend some more time there at a Chocolate and Beer tastings held at Dallmann Fine Chocolates.  This is just one of the fun ways to spend time at The Headquarters, which is located right downtown next to Seaport Village on Harbor Drive.

Ok guys, I've shared some easy recipes here in the past and there's something to be said for a cocktail recipe that can be shared in 3-4 lines. However, sometimes it's good to try something a little more advanced and that's what I have to share with you today from our friends at Basil Hayden's, part of the Beam Small Batch Collection.