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Hey, Didi:

I am politically, artistically, musically, culinarily, and in most all other fashions liberal, not conservative. What am I conservative at? Hmm, financial matters, certainly including "gambling" by most any fashion including gaming, planning, and so forth. So we're likely on the same plane.

I have not been conservative at all regarding my investigation of the Martini, using any/all gins I could find, vermouths, bitters, etc. And in different proportions. Additionally I've worked my way through probably 35 or more gin cocktails in the Old Mr. Boston Platinum guide. Likewise I've worked my way through things that don't appeal to my own tastes, in order to address the tastes of my wife. After nearly a year of this we find ourselves drinking the same handful of drinks.

"Conservative", is of course a relative term (and in political terms almost meaningless). So while I find my advances in barkeeping growing, I also find my tastes becoming more focused. Now that I know so very much more about the martini, and cocktails in general, I find I have a more direct understanding of what I like. So now my endless experimentation is between slightly varying levels of vermouth, and 2 drops versus 3 drops of bitters and that kind of thing. It's not really about conservative v. liberal; I have a specific focus which is finding "my perfect martini".

And I'm about done for the immediate future. So when I go to the one or two bars I visit where the bartenders are knowledgeable and capable, I might try the odd drink. A sazerac, for instance, I found very interesting. And sometimes others.

But mostly the reason I don't try the many "new inventions" is for the simple idea that they are frequently sweet, or they are a drink which has the aim of obscuring the taste of the spirits, whether rum, gin, bourbon or others. This doesn't really interest me. I want a drink that brings as much focus to the spirit as possible, or enhances it in some interesting way. Most of the new exciting concoctions, "sex on the beach", "corpse on vacation" or "jism in your hair"--I don't have to ask what these drink tastes like--I already know. They are likely loud, taste like candy, are cloying enough for a chaser, or they are a "shooter". But I prefer to sip a tasty cocktail. And I'm doubtful these would qualify.

Instead, my liberal bent is towards brands of different gin, tequila, or bourbon. But mostly I know all the kinds I'm likely to encounter, and so there's no real exploration there. And the new brand that comes up from time to time is almost always disappointing. I'm better off just ordering the same thing--a micro-managed martini.

It's funny you should bring this up. My wife and I have been laughing about this on recent weekends. That's when we tend to sit down in the den, I make up a cocktail and she makes up a light snack and we have a nice chat at day's end. We too are struck curious that we seem "set in our ways", in a fashion that is not reflected in any other aspect of our life. But what can you do when you've really found something that's consistently satisfying?

-- Gerry