We're going to make another go at applejack and Calvados for the autumn and winter, starting with a sober discussion of applejack cocktails in the upcoming podcast. Applejack, perhaps more than bourbon or rye, is the quintessential American spirit. (Rum might make a run for the title, but that's a different season...) There is only one U.S. applejack distiller left, and that's Laird's in New Jersey.

To adequately prepare for the Autumn (and Winter) of Apple 2.0, I would make the following three recommendations:

1. Run out to your nearest BevMo or decent liquor store and buy a bottle of Laird's Applejack.
2. Read (or re-read) the Winter of Apple posts. Don't worry, it won't take long. (If you only read one, read this one.)
3. Read this excellent post at Matt's Miscellany about applejack and apple brandy. It has some excellent recipes that you can try with that bottle of applejack you're going to pick up from the liquor store a little bit later.