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With apple-picking season upon us, pick up some fresh cider, grab your favorite high-corn bourbon, and make a cocktail that tastes like apple pie. Created by Angela Leverman, bartender at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, the Shuzu Cider combines all the delicious, layered flavors of the classic dessert. A brown sugar-cinnamon syrup enhances bourbon’s vanilla and caramel notes that pair perfectly with rich apple cider. Tart yuzu juice adds an exotic hint that balances the sweetness to round out the drink.
Both refreshing and warming, you can enjoy this cocktail all autumn, no matter if summer lingers or if temperatures cool off quickly.
Shuzu Cider

2 oz. Woodinville (or other high-corn bourbon)
1 oz. spiced brown sugar cinnamon syrup (recipe below) 
1 oz. yuzu juice
3 oz. apple cider
Cinnamon stick for garnish

Add bourbon, syrup, and yuzu juice to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour into a snifter...

Creativity and artistic expression are not typically the first things that come to mind when you think bourbon.  Then again, there’s not much typical about Brother’s Bond.  The name is fitting, because the brand was born from a friendship between Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, but that was just the beginning. Between a differentiated and sought after style, accolades that include one of the top whiskeys in the world, and intensely hands on founders, this is a brand that surprises in all the best ways.

Each expression of Brother’s Bond is driven by their unique, hand-selected mash bills creating profiles rich in aromas, textures and flavors. Richness, smooth drinkability and a luxurious finish are hallmarks of their distinctive style.
This whiskey has soul and co-founder Ian Somerhalder sees to that. As the resident Blending Master, he looks for equal sensory proportion, where complexity is achieved in layers, across each of the...

With around 50 operating whiskey distilleries and thousands of traditional pubs, the Irish drinking scene has much to offer the whiskey lover. While the island is small enough to fit into California five times over, it packs in a huge amount of distilling power and whiskey history for its size. Our suggestions will help you tailor your itinerary to ensure you take in the very best distillery tours, bars, restaurants, whiskey shops, and visitor attractions the Emerald Isle has to offer.
DISTILLERIES

Midleton Distillery Experience
County Cork
At the recently revamped Midleton Distillery Experience, visitors enter the lobby to find a wall of 1,100 whiskey bottles before being ushered into the new auditorium to watch an immersive video as the tour begins. Midleton, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, is home to all the Irish Distillers labels—including Spot Whiskeys, Redbreast, Powers, and Method & Madness. It’s worth taking the extended...

The next time you get a bounty from your vegetable garden or local farmers market, think beyond dinner. Many vegetables add vibrant color, lush texture, and sweet, earthy flavors to whisky cocktails. One you may not consider trying is bell pepper, particularly yellow, orange, or red ones.
The Yellow Rooster, created by Larry Gonzalez, Beverage Director at Hear & There in Brooklyn, New York, is the perfect way to incorporate some veggies in your drinks. It combines fresh yellow bell pepper juice, herbaceous absinthe, tart citrus, and sweet pineapple with high-corn bourbon for a smooth, silky cocktail that's easy to drink. “It's complex, yet refreshing,” Gonzalez says. Although the bourbon and demerara syrup are rich and provide a round body, the herbs and the bubbles from the grapefruit soda lift everything up. It's a true farm-to-glass masterpiece.
Yellow Rooster

2 oz. Buffalo Trace (or other high-corn bourbon)
3/4 oz. fresh yellow bell pepper...

The way that bartenders seem to flawlessly glide around the bar, repeatedly grabbing another random bottle and eyeballing how much to add, then shaking or stirring at a metronome's rhythm, and finally straining a beautiful drink into a glass, you'd think they never make mistakes. But the perfect cocktail you receive likely took at least some experimentation.
Aaron Kim, head bartender of 53 in New York City, first set out to create a tiki-style cocktail with mango puree and heavier whisky. But the texture was too thick and the sweetness overpowered the other flavors. With time and ingenuity, he discovered that using dried mango to infuse a lighter whisky produced a beautifully balanced drink, The Expat.
“The cocktail celebrates international flavors—a blend of Japanese whisky, fruits from various countries, and French-fortified wine,” he says. “The name reflects the harmony of diverse regions coming together.” With passion fruit, mango, and lime...

Much has changed for whiskey lovers in the last 25 years, from the number of brands and expressions available to the immersive experiences offered at distilleries that were once merely production facilities. Thanks to the transformation of these places into visitor-friendly destinations, the hospitality experiences are more akin to vacations than hard-hat tours. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s stops and accommodations have continued to expand—the latest extensions coming from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort and Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row in Louisville.
Dine at Buffalo Trace
The John G. Carlisle Café is under construction in the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse on Buffalo Trace’s campus. The Clubhouse is a restored 1930s cabin that currently houses an event space and wedding venue on the second floor. In spring 2026, the first floor will be home to the distillery’s first permanent dining space: A lunch spot featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, a...

Inspired by the classic summertime cocktail, the Whiskey Smash, this meringue-based dessert is a showstopper that’s simple to pull together. Like the cocktail, it highlights summer’s bounty of fresh strawberries married with a slightly dry, oaky whiskey and enhanced by mint’s brightness.
Mint and whiskey have a special affinity, likely thanks to the mint-forward compounds whiskey picks up from barrels during maturation. Hard Truth sweet mash rye is a solid addition to the recipe, thanks to a minty punch in the form of what our tasting panel found to be peppermint patties, Moroccan mint tea, and Andes chocolate. It’s the backbone of a boozy syrup, made with fresh mint, tossed with strawberries and strewn atop a free-form meringue shell alongside dollops of fresh whipped cream. 
Like the Smash, this three-part recipe is marked by a key technique: “muddling” or “smashing” so the flavors are evenly incorporated. Here it’s...

There’s a lot to consider this week, with two familiar annual releases—Parker’s Heritage from Heaven Hill and Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre—as well as new entries from Macallan, New Riff, High West, A. Smith Bowman (that very underrated whiskey from Sazerac), and Blue Note, among others. Off the beaten path are Penelope's pre-mixed Old Fashioned in a 750-ml. bottle, and a new blackberry entry from Jack Daniel's—technically not a whiskey since it’s below 40% ABV.
Heaven Hill Parker’s Heritage Collection 11 year old Kentucky Straight Whiskey (2025 Edition)
ABV: 61.25%
SRP: $180
Availability: Limited
Now in its 19th year, Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection showcases the distillery’s innovative side, as a tribute to late master distiller emeritus Parker Beam’s legacy. The latest Parker’s Heritage whiskey is a blend of three distinct whiskeys: 15 year old Kentucky straight...

Back in the ’90s, you’d be hardpressed to find a decent tequila list anywhere in town. Today it’s a completely different story. Whether you’re in the mood for blanco-based Margaritas or ready to sip some rare extra añejo, these places have what you’re looking for—and then some.

Barrio
Minneapolis
This spot prides itself on authentic scratch made Latin cuisine and bold cocktails. It offers 12 Margarita variations ($10-$15), including the Pink Elephant, made with Maestro Dobel tequila, Aperol, Cointreau, and grapefruit and lime juices; and the Diamante Pepino, featuring Maestro Dobel, Cointreau, jalapeño, cucumber, and lime juice. The backbar holds a large selection of 150-plus agave-based spirits and more than 40 flights.

Cantina Dos Segundos

Philadelphia
This Mexican restaurant has over 100 different tequilas available, with highlights including Gran Patrón Smoky ($45/1-oz. pour...

There has been a revolution of sorts over the past few decades: More and more, consumers of spirits want to know what’s in the products they purchase and enjoy—and who makes them and where they are from. Provenance and production methods have become top-of-mind considerations for discerning drinkers.
The Tequila industry has long been a leader in standards that ensure quality. It is a protected D. O. spirit (denomination of origin), meaning it can only be made in Mexico, with Blue Weber agave, under tight regulations dealing with strength, age, and geography, among other considerations.
Today, though the term is widely discussed (and widely misunderstood), “additives” have become a frequent conversation topic.
That’s not a bad thing: Many producers are taking the opportunity to discuss the intentions behind how they make their spirit, as well as the balance of traditional and modern methods of production. “Additives” have long been...

An American history museum may be the ideal place to learn more about our heritage, but it’s generally frowned upon to sip a whisky as you roam the halls. Thankfully, you can stop into some of the country’s oldest bars and instantly become immersed in history—and better yet, imbibe as you learn. From bars that are even older than the country itself to those frequented by noteworthy historical figures to the birthplaces of iconic cocktails, these bars are captivating destinations whether you’re a history buff, a whisky enthusiast, or both.

The Carousel Bar & Lounge New Orleans
Located in the historic Hotel Monteleone, this 25-seat bar—which opened in 1949, replacing the former Swan Room—is a literal carousel, completing a full rotation every 15 minutes. Enjoy the ride as you sip your whisky or, better yet, a Vieux Carré ($21) right in the spot where it was created in the 1930s by hotel bartender Walter Bergeron. This...

From Scotland, this week's releases feature a new price-friendly Kilchoman expression, while Isle of Arran Distillers is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Lochranza Distillery with a limited release of just 30 casks. Among American whiskeys, Westland is out with the second annual release of its core wine and beer cask finished whiskeys, and Minnesota single malt maker Brother Justus has announced the third release in its Reserve series. Last but not least, Jim Beam has a new release called Jim Beam Sunshine Blend, a 40% ABV expression meant for lighter occasions.
Isle of Arran 30 Year Old Scotch Single Malt Casks
Price: £7,250 (roughly $9,500)
Scotch whisky maker Isle of Arran Distillers is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Lochranza Distillery, and is marking the occasion by offering a limited commemorative release of 30 casks of Arran single malt. New make spirit with an ABV of 63.5% will be poured into first-fill palo cortado sherry...

Imagine walking through a fruit orchard at the peak of summer. As the warm sun shines down, you breathe in the soft scents of ripe fruit and fresh herbs. That's the feeling Maya Mcshan, bar director for Alma Café in New Orleans, La., aimed to create with her Perfect Orchard cocktail.
“It's lush and aromatic,” she says. “Soft wheated bourbon meets crisp pear, a whisper of thyme, and tart lime for lift. It’s juicy, herbaceous, and incredibly smooth.” Wheated whiskey’s rounded profile is perfect when you want to add depth but allow more delicate flavors, like fruit and herbs, to shine.
Don't omit the single slice of green apple. “It infuses a subtle freshness during the shake,” Mcshan explains.
Perfect Orchard

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark (or other wheated bourbon)
3/4 oz. pear nectar
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. thyme-honey syrup (recipe below)
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 thin...

Tennessee-based Chattanooga Whiskey is best known for its signature high-malt bourbon. The distillery was founded in 2011, during a time when distillation wasn’t even legal in its home base of Nelson County. Founders Tim Piersant and Joe Ledbetter found a workaround by bottling sourced whiskey while lobbying with the state legislature to legalize distilling. Their efforts paid off in 2013, and afterward, they began distilling. After some tasting trials, they ultimately landed on a mashbill of yellow corn, malted rye, caramel malted barley, and honey malted barley, which came to be known as the “Barrel 91 recipe.”
In the modern landscape, where other flavoring grains like rye and wheat get all the attention, Chattanooga’s high-malt recipe is certainly a rare bird. Though uncommon, the mashbill has been well received by fans and critics, and today it’s still the distillery’s go-to recipe for its various main-line bourbon releases. Every now...

French oak, traditionally used to age wine and cognac, is also a popular choice for finishing bourbon and scotch. Its value is due to its tighter grain, which makes it less porous than American oak and thus able to impart flavor at a slower rate, creating delicate flavors like baking spices, honey, and caramel. We’ve rounded up 10 expressions across several styles that explore the nuances of French oak finishing, whether as a sole finishing method or in combination with other casks.
94 Points - Balvenie 16 year old French Oak Pineau Cask Finished scotch single malt, 47.6%, $175
This Speyside scotch was initially matured in bourbon barrels for 16 years before being finished for several months in French oak that formerly held fortified wine from France’s Pineau des Charentes region. A complex, creamy, and smooth mouthfeel with flavors of brown sugar, chocolate, and golden raisins, all cloaked in vanilla and sprinkled with savory spice.
93 Points - Barrel 33 year...

A Gold Rush—which is a variation of a Whiskey Sour—is a straightforward cocktail, made of bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Harry Jamison, bar director at Philadelphia's a.kitchen+bar, offers a summer twist with additions of peach, tarragon, and cardamom in the Groove Thing, made in collaboration with Marc Scott, one of the bar’s service managers.
He chose a wheated whiskey since those tend to have a lighter and sweeter profile that brings out the fruitier high notes in a drink like this, he explains. “It helps to emphasize the peach, tarragon, and honey flavors.” But this cocktail isn’t overly sweet, thanks to the Cynar. “It brings up a bit of bitterness and a dry finish that keeps those sweeter flavors in check,” he adds. 
Groove Thing      

1 1/4 oz. Larceny (or other wheated bourbon)
1 oz. Cynar
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. honey syrup (recipe below)
1/4...

Three whiskies in one cocktail may seem too heavy for a summer drink, but keep the measurements small and top with soda water, and you have a light, refreshing Highball. Exhibit One: the Kumamoto Castle, created by Davey Sarantos, lead bartender at Los Angeles's Momofuku.
It features a base of blended scotch, rice whisky, and Islay scotch, which creates an intriguing harmony of floral, fruity, and smoky notes. Cocchi Americano brings out more herbal hints while adding a touch of bitterness, and apricot liqueur and honey bring sweetness to balance it all out.
The name comes from a famous landmark in the city where Kikori is distilled. Kumamoto Castle is more than 400 years old and is known for, among other things, withstanding a 50-day battle in 1877. Keep refreshing your drink, and this cocktail can help keep you cool all summer.
Kumamoto Castle

1/2 oz. Johnnie Walker Green Label (or other blended scotch)
1/2 oz. Kikori (or other rice whisky)
1/2 oz...

Walk the floor at Bar Convent Brooklyn, the annual convention for bar and drinks professionals held recently in Brooklyn, and you just might see the next big thing. Tasty single malt from Switzerland? Present. Japanese green chartreuse and fernet alternatives? Check. Green tea shooter whisky, espousing notes of peach and citrus? Yes, apparently that’s a thing.  
Taking in the show through the lens of the whiskey drinker, you spot trends that may represent fundamental shifts in how America approaches flavor, technique, and consumption. These aren’t predictions; they’re movements gaining traction among the industry’s influential players. Love them or hate them, here are six examples of trend-spotting at the show:
Umami Enters the Chat 
Umami has found its way from high-end kitchens into the whiskeyverse before, notably, Johnnie Walker Blue Umami. Now, the fifth taste is showing up in ways that challenge traditional flavor expectations...

Everyone who enjoys whisky likely knows how to make a proper Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sour, and other classic whisky cocktails. For one, they've stood the test of time—whereas the latest trendy drink is often only popular because it looks cool on Instagram, classics have been perfected, so you know they taste good. For another, most are easy to make yet impressive to serve to guests. 
At the same time, you can respect the classics while letting them serve as a starting point. The majority of contemporary cocktails are variations on these standards, and experimentation can lead to delicious results.
An easy place to start is by switching up the whisky you use as the base. “Swapping in different whisky styles lets you explore how [a whisky’s] grain, distillation, and aging change a cocktail’s whole character,” says Jason Hedges, director of beverage for LT Hospitality. “Just like jazz musicians state the basic theme before launching into...

Cruising the high seas and sipping fine whisky may seem like something from the movies, but nowadays it’s a reality. Led by luxury lines like Holland America, Regent Seven Seas, and Celebrity, today’s ships offer a full range of exclusive whiskies, including private barrels and allocated labels that are sometimes hard for even landlubbers to find.
Holland America recently added several single barrels to its fleet, served aboard its ships in venues like the Ocean Bar and Gallery Bar. Holland’s whisky cruising started last year with just one private barrel—Buffalo Trace bourbon—which sold out in two months. It has since expanded to include nine single barrel offerings. The current lineup includes Weller Full Proof, Weller Antique 107, two Angel’s Envy port barrel finishes and a madeira finished, plus single barrels from Uncle Nearest 1884, Woodford Reserve, WhistlePig, and Westland. In addition, Holland America features a peated single barrel from...

What ages together, goes together. Or at least that’s the case with whisky and rum. Though one starts with starch and the other with sugar, both are imparted with color and flavors from their time spent in barrels and while they’re distinctly different, they share similar flavors. So when you shake or stir whisky and rum together, the uniform flavors fade into the background, allowing their unique attributes to take the spotlight. “It creates a beautifully layered and balanced drink,” says Keena Hanson, training and development bar manager for Ida Claire and Haywire in Dallas, Texas.
To form a harmonious marriage for a tasty cocktail, note the spice levels, alcohol contents, and flavors of your spirits. Since rum tends to be sweet, it lends itself to partnering with peated scotch, spicy rye, or other bold, heavy whisky. Still, if you prefer bourbon, you may want to choose a drier rum. Or simply let the recipes below guide you to sugar and spice...

This Father’s Day, raise the bar. The 90+ Club showcases world-class whiskies that have earned 90 points or more from Whisky Advocate—each one a benchmark of its category. From richly layered single malts to smooth bourbon pours and refined blends, these bottles deliver distinction, depth, and undeniable flavor. Whether Dad is hosting friends or enjoying a quiet nightcap, these critically acclaimed selections offer something exceptional for every moment. Skip the usual gifts and give him a whisky worthy of his palate. Discover the 90+ Club collection below.
The Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Cask Selection, 90 pts
This U.S. exclusive, Glenlivet’s 14 Year Old Single Malt, is aged in first-fill American oak sherry casks and finished for at least six months in old Cognac bottles. The result is a rich, robust whisky with additional layers of lush raisin and red-fruited complexity.
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Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, 92 pts
A blend of Scottish single...

Sugar is demonized these days, yet most whisky cocktails need at least some element of sweetness to round out the spirit’s sharp edges. One way to cut back a little on the sugar and still have the same effect is to use nature’s candy. “Whenever I make a drink that calls for syrup, I like to use fresh fruit for most of the "sugar" portion of the equation,” says Beau Harris, general manager at The Continental in Naples, Florida. “This brings fruitiness to the flavor profile and helps cut down on processed sugar.”
Try it for yourself in his 75 Smash. The name is a nod to Interstate 75, which connects Naples to central Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country. “This drink marries the two, bringing together tropical pineapple with smashed blueberries and bourbon from Kentucky,” Harris says.
“This is a bourbon drink made for warm days,” he adds. “The acidity from the pineapple and the lemon lifts the bourbon out of the...

When the weather warms up and more of life’s pleasures take place outside, even enthusiastic home bartenders know that it’s not always practical to mix up cocktails to go. But nowadays, there are high-quality ready-to-drink (RTD) options that you can take almost anywhere.
In 2019, entrepreneurs Neal Cohen and Yoni Reisman were taking stock of the drinks landscape. At the time, these two ardent cocktail lovers were regularly working major outdoor festival events, and they noticed there were plenty of vodka lemonades, but no prepared drinks for cocktail aficionados. “We had such a love of cocktails and felt the accessibility was so limited,” says Cohen, noting you either had to head to a bar or make them at home. So Tip Top Proper Cocktails was born to fill the void.
Canned Classic Cocktails
Tip Top focuses on classic cocktails—Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Paper Plane, Penicillin, and Boulevardier—with recipes developed by...

Cruzan Rum is dropping its oldest aged rum and its first Island Reserve expression, a 13 year old blend. It’s a proper stunner that will appeal to any bourbon drinker, especially when you factor in the retail price: $40. Working well neat or in a cocktail, it’s a limited release from this distillery on the Caribbean island of Saint Croix, and it packs layers of flavor into each pour.
We got an early taste of Island Reserve 13 year old—and each individual component—with Cruzan manager Cole McCreary, who assembled the blend. The aim, according to McCreary, is to express the rum in the best way possible, though the Kentucky native also noted that “creating something bourbon drinkers could sip on and enjoy” was part of the consideration.
How Cruzan Blended Island Reserve 13 year old
The final blend is composed of three bourbon barrel-aged components of different ages: a 13 year old (48%), 16 year old (22%), and 20 year old (30%). This ratio...

This whisky, released by Preservation Distillery, wears its maturity well, with a musty and intense nose of caramel corn, salted toffee, and strawberry candies. There’s plenty of oak too, but it’s refined and sits nicely in the background. It’s syrupy on the palate, offering an excellent balance of sweet and spice: caramel apple, ginger syrup, chocolate-cov- ered almonds, and cocktail cherries, all atop a base of black pepper and musty oak. (Release date...

The Italian liqueur limoncello is made from lemon zest, with flavors to match. “Limoncello has a bright, zesty, and sweet profile,” says Kate Williams, bar director at Nostrana in Portland, Oregon. “More like a syrup than lemon juice, it can add another layer of citrusy depth to a cocktail while maintaining balance thanks to its alcohol content.”
Williams points out that there’s a general rule in cocktail-making that lime pairs well with clear spirits—think blanco tequila, gin, and vodka—while lemon is a good fit with dark spirits like cognac, amari, and, of course, whisky. “Bourbon, rye, and scotch all work well with limoncello—it’s a match made in boozy heaven,” Williams says.
The Whiskey Sour is perhaps the most well-known whiskey and lemon cocktail, and it makes a great starting point for experimenting with limoncello, allowing you to boost the sweet and zesty lemon flavor while also adding body and texture...

This week's new release round-up features American whiskeys, led by a port cask finished blend from Woodford Reserve and a California red wine cask finish from Rebel. Elijah Craig has dropped the second barrel proof batch of the year, while Nashville pitmaster Carey Bringle is offering a 15 year old rye. Elsewhere, Cedar Ridge has a new single malt finished in a multiplicity of casks, while other new offerings are from Frank August, Spirit Hound, Milam & Greene, and World Whiskey Society. And in a separate story, we cover two distillers who've announced releases honoring the U.S. military.
 
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Tawny Port Finish Blend
ABV: 45.2%
SRP: $65/375 ml
Availability: Limited
Master distiller Elizabeth McCall’s newest Woodford Distillery Series release first combined rye and bourbon together. From there, McCall added a tawny port-finished bourbon to the blend; once that was married, she balanced the...

Carefully rested for six months in Napa Valley Cabernet French White Oak wine barrels. The Reposado features the brightness of ripe agave with some of the warm, smoky undertones often found in whiskey, like vanilla, oak, and caramel. Complex, delightful flavors make the Código 1530 Reposado a flexible spirit. Savor on the rocks or in the indulgent cocktail of your choice

Scotch distiller Loch Lomond Group is entering the American whiskey space with the completion of a deal to acquire Brooklyn-based craft distillery New York Distilling Company. It joins a Loch Lomond portfolio that includes whisky brands Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond, and Littlemill. The Loch Lomond Group signed a new U.S. distribution agreement with Foley Family Wines & Spirits in 2024, an indication of a renewed focus on the U.S. that has significantly increased the range and availability of its whiskies in the market.
Brooklyn Brewery founder Tom Potter and distiller and mixologist Allen Katz founded New York Distilling Company in 2011. The founders will continue to work with Loch Lomond Group to grow brands including Jaywalk rye, Mister Katz Rock & Rye, Dorothy Parker gin, and Perry Tot’s Navy strength gin, all of which should benefit from wider distribution and access to new markets. New York Distilling’s original home was located beside a firehouse in...

For some people, brunch isn't brunch without a Bloody Mary. The next time you host a mid-morning meal, upgrade your standard cocktail to Shogun’s Remedy, which uses Japanese whisky. 
“Whisky adds warmth, character, and complexity that vodka can sometimes lack,” explains creator Jordan Moton, beverage manager of Indigo Road Hospitality Group’s concepts in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Japanese whisky, in particular, brings a balanced blend of malt, fruit, and oak, making the cocktail feel more sophisticated and layered.”
Inspired by the balance of Japanese cuisine, his cocktail transforms the traditional Bloody Mary into an elegant, unique drink. “It's a testament to how whisky elevates the Bloody Mary into something unexpected that bridges classic and modern,” she says. “The whisky’s delicate malt character complements the umami-packed kimchi agave, while yuzu brightens the mix with floral and citrus...

For whiskey lovers, the scorching summer sun and sultry temperatures might call for a pour that's not quite as spicy or bold. Certainly, any whisky is suitable regardless of the weather; a little water or a large cube of ice can work wonders to tame down an otherwise warming pour. But this time of year is ideal to explore wheated bourbons (aka wheaters) and wheat whiskeys. Their sweeter, softer, and less peppery profiles make them ideal sippers when the temps climb. 
 
Whether neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, wheaters or straight-up wheat whiskeys might become your summer go-tos. Here's just a sampling of options to begin your wheat journey.
Wheat Whiskey
94 points - Bernheim Original Barrel Proof (Batch A224), 62.6%, $65
At 51% wheat, this batch serves flavors of baked apple, orange peel, musty oak, chocolate fudge, and vanilla. No. 10 in our Top 20 of 2024.
92 points - Dry Fly 3 year old Cask Strength, 60%...

This tropical take on the New York Sour is perfect for pampering the whiskey-loving mom(s) in your life this Mother's Day. Created by Nicu Balan, bartender at Wolfe's Den in New York City, The Bitter Rose is creamy, foamy, and refreshing.
Bourbon lends notes of gentle spice and honey, while the tannins from the wine prevent the sweet banana and orange from overpowering the drink. The finish is smooth and crisp with hints of fresh citrus. As a bonus, you likely have most of the ingredients on hand, making it easy to whip up and enjoy with brunch or any time of day. 
The Bitter Rose

2 oz. Four Roses (or other straight bourbon)
3/4 oz. crème de banana
1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
1/2 oz. honey syrup (recipe below)
1 egg white
2 dashes orange bitters
1 dash chocolate bitters
3-4 dashes red wine (cabernet is recommended)
Orange twist and dehydrated purple rose for garnish

Combine all ingredients except...

Whether you're watching the Kentucky Derby, the PGA Championship, or simply the views from your porch, this cocktail is a perfect spring sipper. While the Mint Julep is the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby, we suggest a variation that's just as light and invigorating: the Hail Storm Julep, created by Isabel Rodriguez, bartender at Loews Kansas City Bar Stilwell.
“This drink is perfect for when you want to enjoy a refreshing drink,” Rodriguez says. “Mint and whiskey naturally complement each other because of the contrasting flavors, creating a balanced cocktail. Here, the aroma of the mint enhances the rich, pepper, oak, and toffee notes of the whiskey.”
And since the drink takes little time to shake up, it's easy to refill guests' glasses, and your own.
Hail Storm Julep

1 1/2 oz. J. Rieger Kansas City whiskey
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup
2-4 mint sprigs
Additional mint sprig and lemon wheel for...

The 151st annual Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 3rd, bringing all of its usual fanfare for the “most exciting two minutes in sports” as the race is famously known, and accompanying traditions of fashionable hats, dresses, and suits, special events, and the ever-present Mint Julep. Those who aren’t heading to Churchill Downs with a golden ticket can still capture the Derby spirit at celebratory events across Kentucky’s distilleries.
The Mint Julep, queen of Derby Day cocktails, is the focus for many distillery events where guests can mix, muddle, and tailor variations of the infamous Derby Day Julep at Bulleit and Angel Envy. Craft distillers such as J. Mattingly and Larrikin Bourbon Co. are hosting casual Derby Day celebrations with specialty food and the spotlight on their exclusive bottlings; no ticket required. Whether for a day of fun or a quick visit, Bourbon Country has plenty to offer.

Bulleit Bourbon: The Frontier Julep Cocktail...

Sah wah dee khap! “The White Lotus” Season 3 (HBO Max) is the water cooler show of the spring. Set in a luxury resort in Thailand, season 3 delivers bullets, Buddhists, bald guys, and body bags. From the insincerity of the staff welcome—all fake smiles and mandatory hand waves—to the watery endings of all three seasons, writer and director Mike White invites viewers to experience a new White Lotus wellness and spa destination each season through the eyes of its staff and wealthy guests.
The Season 3 opening sets the tone, with a dark collage of mythological creatures inspired by mural artworks from Thai temples, while the eclectic soundtrack has a febrile intensity that ratchets up the anxiety and tension across all eight episodes. The ensemble cast, meanwhile, navigates a plot that contains more than its fair share of misdirection and narrative cul-de-sacs. "The White Lotus" has a lot of drinks on screen, from protein shakes to Piña Coladas, so...

If you’re traveling to Kentucky as a whiskey tourist, chances are the state’s northern reaches aren’t first on your list of places to visit. That’s by no means a snub as much as a statement of fact—the vast majority of the state’s distilleries are dotted across the center of the commonwealth, in the “Amber Triangle” formed by Lexington, Louisville, and Bardstown. These days, however, there’s a hub of whiskey activity humming to the north, with Covington at the center of it all. Here's your guide to spending 48 hours in Covington.

The city of Covington (population 40,984) lies just across the river from Cincinnati, a travel hub with an airport bigger and more accessible than what you’ll find in Louisville or Lexington. Covington touts a rich, albeit lesser-known distilling history (one of its politicians, John G. Carlisle, was a co-creator of the Bottled in Bond Act, for starters) that’s resulted in a...

America’s pastime brings to mind beer, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack. It’s time to add whisky to that list. Although very few baseball stadiums have bars where you can purchase pours, most cities have a standout establishment within walking distance or a short ride away. There, you might be able to enjoy anything from pizza to prime steak with craft cocktails, curated flights, rare selections, or your favorite whisky. From sports bars to speakeasies, here’s where to get your fix before the opening pitch.

Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar

Boston
This cozy British gastropub is a block’s walk from Fenway Park, making it an ideal spot for Red Sox fans and haters alike to suck down local raw oysters, whisky-smoked mussels, and whisky before the game. Pull up a stool at the long, dark wood bar or snag a cognac leather banquette and peruse the list of 375 options, including six single-barrel selections, WhistlePig The Badönkådonk...

Mint is a multifaceted herb, with spearmint and peppermint being the best-known examples. Peppermint offers a stronger, more minty flavor, whereas spearmint is milder and more understated, seemingly closer to the plant where its flavor originates. It’s most commonly found in rye whiskey or high-rye bourbons, and once you tune into it, there’s no escaping the mintiness in a glass of either. But is it all down to just the grain?
Fermentation produces spicy mint notes from rye grain, but fresh discoveries suggest mint flavors can arise from another part of the whisky-making process, most notably the barrel. Researchers in Bordeaux demonstrated the presence of barrel-sourced volatile odorant compounds similar to those in peppermint oil as likely candidates for the mint notes in red wine. Turning to whisky, they analyzed samples of oak and whisky for terpenoid derivatives, namely the monoterpene, monoterpenol, ketone monoterpene, and C13-norisoprenoid chemical families...

Whisky and ginger is a classic pairing. “Their interplay of warmth and spice create a bold yet balanced experience,” says Ross Martin, corporate beverage and service manager at Crystal, an ultra-luxury cruise line. To bring a new element to that combination that's perfect for spring, try Martin's Hellfire.
The name is inspired by Dublin's notorious secret society Hellfire Club. Shrouded in mystery and decadence, it was infamous for its fiery rituals and indulgent feasts, Martin says. “Much like its namesake, the Hellfire cocktail carries a sense of intrigue and intensity,” he says. “The whiskey brings deep rich flavors, while the thyme-infused ginger syrup adds an herbal complexity that softens the spirit’s edge. The result is a cocktail that is both powerful and inviting—it ignites the senses with every sip.”
Hellfire

1/2 oz. The Dublin Liberties Copper Alley 10 year old (or other Irish single malt)
1 1/2...

The week's new releases are led by Wild Turkey 101 8 year old, which isn't a new release at all, but one that's been enjoyed for some time in overseas markets and is finally coming home to U.S. distribution. Elsewhere, Jefferson's has a new cask strength offering, and Indiana's Old Hamer label has a new 10 year old bourbon. Smaller releases were announced from Copperworks, Lasso Motel, and Round Barn. In scotch, Royal Salute adds to its Polo collection. Among collectibles, there's a new iteration from Macallan Distill Your World,  Glenrothes tops the age charts with a 51 year old, and The Last Drop has a three-bottle release showcasing an ultra-aged bourbon, scotch, and Japanese whisky. 

Royal Salute 21 year old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition Blended Scotch
ABV: 40%
SRP: $250
Availability: Limited; specialty retailers including  Flaviar and Caskers 
Royal Salute is releasing a new expression in its Polo Collection, its globe-trotting...

Tendrils of smoke bobbed and weaved through the air, and Glencairn glasses clinked with abandon at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida over the weekend, as avid cigar fans joined forces with whisky lovers at the annual Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest, now in its fourth year.
The night kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with a VIP hour, during which ticket holders were among the first to access the evening’s 30-plus cigars—hailing from Arturo Fuente, La Flor Dominicana, J.C. Newman, and more—and rarefied pours from the likes of Johnnie Walker, Lagavulin, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Penelope Bourbon, Redemption, and Crown Royal. Among those wandering the VIP floor was Eddie Coronado, a longtime Big Smoke attendee (this year marked his 15th), and a regular at the Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest crossover, having attended all four. Coronado was stopped over at the Redwood Empire booth, pairing a Brick House Churchill (Cigar Aficionado’s No.-10 cigar of 2024) with...

For the last three years, Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop in Louisville, has been racking up accolades and awards. Crowned one of the top bars to visit in the Bluegrass State—and also the nation—by dozens of sources (including Whisky Advocate), the venue is beloved by fans for its array of iconic dusty bottles, fanciful and creative cocktails, and whimsical decor. Now, Neat husband and wife owners Owen and Danie Powell are expanding. Neat’s second location will open in Bardstown in April.
The two bars will be located on the same road, incidentally, just 35 miles apart. “Start at our Louisville bar, keep going down the street, and you’ll eventually hit the other location,” Owen Powell laughs. “Makes getting back and forth pretty easy.” As for why Bardstown, the town is undergoing a transformation, infrastructure and tourist-centric offerings finally springing up to serve the scores of visitors to the bourbon capital of the world...

Japanese whisky tends to be associated with light, refreshing Highballs and other summery drinks. But it can also work in winter/cooler weather cocktails. The trick is “playing off of the complementary flavor notes,” says Rob Scott, head bartender at Bar Almanac in Philadelphia. “Winter in my mind is baking spice, full-bodied sweetness, and citrus to accentuate. By identifying which notes you want to highlight, Japanese whisky can be as dynamic as any other nation’s.”
While the weather decides if its bringing winter or spring temperatures, try his Kyushiki cocktail. The name translates to “old style,” a nod to the Old Fashioned that the drink is based off of. It’s a blend of American and Japanese characteristics. The base is split between bourbon and a high-corn mashbill Japanese whisky that’s aged in bourbon barrels. Rich syrup made with kokuto, an Okinawan black sugar, “gives the drink remarkable depth, grounding, and...

Ginger manifests as an earthy, pungent, and spicy influence in whisky, but it’s a flavor with the versatility to complement savory and sweet flavors too. Unquestionably, it can be hot and fiery, yet it can yield citrus, herbal, and woody notes as well. It’s one of the world’s most familiar spices and has strong associations with cooking, baking, and drinking traditions.
There’s fresh ginger, with its bulbous, gnarly rhizomes, there’s ground ginger sitting in the spice rack, and there’s the sweetness of crystalized or candied ginger. Many associate ginger with comforting treats such as gingersnap cookies, ginger cake, and gingerbread, and its close cousins lebkuchen and pfeffernüsse. For others, it’s about the fresh ginger that perks up stir-fries, broths, salads, and curries in Asian and Indian cuisine, or the slivers of pickled ginger or gari served alongside sashimi.
Ginger's Flavor in Whisky 
Ginger brings a host of...

Named for the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in a Sazerac cocktail, this aged a minimum of 6 years and was bottled uncut and unfiltered. The nose is perfumed with dainty citrus, nougat, cigar wrapper, and earthy aromas of raw grain. Zippy heat muscles its way forward on the palate, and can be allencompassing—water coaxes out citrus oil, peppery spice, leather, and black coffee. The finish darkens that coffee into inky espresso, accented by baking chocolate, spicy grain, and a hint of cherry tang. (Release date...

Amaro Nonino begins as a grape distillate aged more than 1 year in French oak barriques and small sherry casks, before being infused with a secret blend of herbs, spices, fruits, and roots. The result is a bittersweet amaro to be sipped as a digestif or— better yet—mixed with whisky in a cocktail.
“When I taste Amaro Nonino I get bitter orange and stone fruit, spices, and herbs, followed by hints of flowers like violet and lavender, all with a nice sweetness and just the right amount of bitterness,” says Dave Castillo, bar supervisor at Marlena in Long Beach, California. “It’s sweet but not too sweet; bitter but not terribly bitter, as some amari can be. In a cocktail it adds complexity without being overbearing.”
The classic Paper Plane cocktail—featuring equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice—is probably the most well-known Nonino cocktail, but the amaro is versatile, and particularly so with...

Chef David Jansen has been a leading light in the Philadelphia fine-dining scene for decades. He made his name at Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, and since 2016 has been crafting unforgettable meals at his namesake restaurant in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood.
The menu at Jansen is deeply seasonal, and when cool weather arrives and the cassoulet makes its appearance on the menu, it’s an annual highlight. “I just love cassoulet. It’s the best comfort food on a cold fall or winter evening,” explains Jansen. “I like to dip a good baguette with a healthy smear of a brie de meaux in the cassoulet. It just takes the cold from your bones. It’s one of my favorite dishes.”
And while cassoulet may be most famously paired with rich red wines—often from France—its heartiness makes it a fantastic foil for whiskey, too. Whether with a Black Manhattan or a neat pour of Woodford Reserve Double...

Even if Irish whiskey typically isn't your first choice, it'd be blasphemous not to have some on St. Patrick's Day. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Irish whiskey, though many people immediately think of Irish Coffee. This year, put an extra spin on the traditional recipe with the Flying Irish, created by Meg Nielson, mixologist, Pebble Beach Resorts in California.
“This cocktail is perfect for winter days when it’s hard to decide between the whimsy of a frothy hot chocolate or the serious punch of espresso,” Nielson says. “Rich hot chocolate and espresso are spiked with Irish whiskey plus a subtle cinnamon note for a kick that will warm you up both inside and out.” 
Flying Irish

2 oz. Jameson (or other Irish whiskey)
1 oz.  espresso
5 oz. milk
1 1/2 oz. Ghirardelli (or other chocolate sauce) 
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Whipped cream and ground cinnamon for garnish

Warm a glass cocktail coffee mug...

Whiskey and chocolate share a special synergy, similar to classic pairings like vodka and caviar, wine and cheese, and champagne and oysters. This recipe showcases the harmony achieved between whisky and chocolate in a simple bundt cake. The whiskey and coffee ingredients create a moist, slightly dense crumb with a boozy heft, enrobed in a whiskey caramel glaze, for a comforting, bittersweet flavor.
Because this recipe uses a large amount of melted chocolate, aim to use a quality brand such as Guittard, Valrhona, and Ghirardelli. A semi-sweet chocolate (60-65% cocoa solids) can work well with the mocha, coffee, and chocolate flavors associated with a stout-cask finished whiskey, like New Holland's Dragon’s Milk Beer Barrel bourbon. It has stout-like malted notes that work beautifully with the bittersweet complexity of the cake’s chocolate backbone and coffee flavors.
Though most bourbons or even a rye on the sweeter side would also be suitable, the stout...

Regardless of how or where you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, you'll need to have Irish whiskey on hand. Whether for sipping neat, with a splash of water, on ice, in a cocktail, or chased by a Guinness, we have you covered! There are four main styles to explore: Single malt, made from 100% malted Irish barley and either double or triple distilled; single pot still, known for its spiciness and distinctive oily mouthfeel, made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, and occasionally adjunct grains such as oats and rye; single grain, made from different grains in a column still; and blended, made from a combination of any two of the above styles. For the Irish diaspora scattered across the world, St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to raise a glass to the old country. When it comes to which whiskeys to pour, we’ve selected everything from neat pours to make-at-home Irish cocktails. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, whether you’re Irish or...

The Paper Plane cocktail is rapidly moving from a deep cut, rarely ordered imbibe to a menu mainstay. And for good reason: It’s positively delicious and has infinite riffs.
When I stumbled upon the Paper Plane a few years back, I sought a refreshing cocktail that was bourbon-forward, but not so much that it overpowered the glass, and something that I could have several rounds of without burning out my palate or overdosing on cloying sweetness. It was love at first sip. A punch of bourbon, a fair amount of tartness, and just a soupçon of sweetness; heaven in a coupe.
The fun part about this equal-parts drink? Due to the endless customization options, you can keep tweaking the recipe to suit any desired flavor profile. You’ll never get tired of trying another iteration, seeing how those new additions move the overall flavor of the cocktail.
I’ve spent the last few years trying Paper Planes at every bar I visit, across seven countries and more...

Mardi Gras is a time of celebration, with music, parades, and, traditionally, eating lots of rich foods. All of this makes it a great time to raise a festive cocktail, like the King's Cup, created by Brett Moore, assistant manager at Tujague's in New Orleans.
“At Tujague’s, there are so many bourbon drinkers that we wanted to come up with a way to use bourbon in our carnival-inspired cocktails,” he explains. His play on a Blackberry Bramble swaps out gin for the brown spirit. “It’s a perfectly balanced cocktail with sweetness from the blackberries, tart and tangy flavor from the lemon, and a smooth and comforting warmth from the bourbon,” he says.
As a bonus, it's excellent whether you live in New Orleans or a town where snow continues to pile up. “The bourbon is perfect for comfort if it's chilly outside, while the freshness of the fruit keeps you refreshed, especially if it's a warmer carnival season,” Moore says. It also...

Chicago has a long-standing reputation for being a great place to eat and drink. While that used to mean highly acclaimed dining at one place and expert mixologists slinging cocktails at another, today the line between fine dining and fine drinking has been blurred. Now there are venues that combine elevated cuisine alongside curated spirits selections and creative cocktails. And with its thriving craft distillery scene, Chicago makes a great destination for a whisky weekend.
The city is big but compact, so use the train system (known to Chicagoans as the “L”) and rideshares to see all of it.
Day 1

In the Windy City there are plenty of hotels with good bars, so you might as well stay where there’s a whisky focus. Hotel Zachary, across from Wrigley Field, provides views of the iconic baseball stadium and easy access to Mordecai, where creative takes on American classics like wagyu tartare and crackerjack beignets accompany an impressive whiskey...

The Old Fashioned is one of the best cocktails to build your confidence as a home bartender. First off, it’s easy to make. Secondly, playing with different whiskies, sweeteners, bitters, and even garnishes can bring out new flavors. Lastly, if you experiment with one thing at a time, the odds are high that the final drink will be pretty good.
Consider maple syrup. If you use the real stuff—not the kind that's corn syrup in disguise—in place of sugar, it brings out the bourbon's caramel flavors and adds depth to the drink.
And walnut bitters offer a more robust flavor, says Ashley Redfern, bartender at 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails in Franklin, Tennessee. “They’re also slightly sweeter, while Angostura bitters typically have more spice to them and lean heavier into the clove and cinnamon flavors,” she says.
Combine both swaps, and you have Redfern’s Winter Old Fashioned. “This cocktail takes the classic Old Fashioned and warms...

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has revealed its first bottled in bond bourbon that was distilled and matured at Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, Kentucky. It was distilled in Spring 2017, the year the distillery opened, aged 7 years, and bottled at 50%. Bulleit Bottled in Bond maintains the brand’s signature high-rye mashbill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. The first bottling is available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $55, with further batches to be released annually, differentiated by the distilling seasons on the label.

Lead whiskey blender Delicia “Dee” James is the woman behind Bulleit’s latest expression. The bottled in bond release is positioned between the classic 90-proof Bulleit bourbon and Bulleit Barrel Strength. James studied chemistry and joined Bulleit Distilling Company 12 years ago, following the liquid from her initial position as a quality control specialist to her present role as lead whiskey blender...

Whether you abstain during Dry January, Sober October, or for any other reason, you have a rising number of no-alcohol options in spirits, beers, and wines at your disposal. The no-alcohol space has grown significantly over the past decade or so, but the question on everyone’s mind is whether they taste as good as the real thing.
According to bartenders, the answer is yes—but the caliber and how best to use it varies widely from brand to brand. Here’s what you need to know about zero-proof whisky.
It's Not a One-for-One Swap
As of now, the flavor of some no-alcohol whiskies is close to the real thing, though the experience isn’t exactly the same if you take your whisky neat.
Keena Hanson, training and development manager for Haywire restaurant in Plano, Texas, says Lyre’s Traditional Reserve is a solid stand-in. “It was designed to be sipped neat,” she says. “While it won’t deliver that same heat you get from...

Garnishes aren’t only for visual appeal. Most also add a hint of flavor and aroma, engaging more of your senses and, in turn, enhancing the overall experience of the cocktail. Although traditional citrus peels, fresh herbs, fruit on a cocktail pick, and edible flowers should be part of your repertoire, you can also have fun with your drink’s flair.
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to try chocolate as a garnish. The sweet cuts through any harsh notes in whisky, allowing the full medley of flavors to come through, and the spirit can do the same thing in return, making the chocolate’s taste multidimensional. Place your favorite candy or a classic chocolate-covered fruit on the rim, drizzle syrup on top, or shave a high-quality bar over your drink. However you garnish, it’s a match made in heaven.

P.S. I Love You
Created by Lindsay Pawson, bartender, Bank & Bourbon, Philadelphia
“Relive your childhood with a peanut butter...

Warming a whisky cocktail is the equivalent of sitting in front of the fireplace or wrapping up in your favorite blanket on a frigid day. The heat tempers the spirit’s alcohol bite, leading to a more comforting quality. “It almost feels more like medicine than a beverage,” says Timothy Goolsby, bar manager of Post Oak Barbecue in Denver.
Warmth also releases more aromatics, which in turn set free the full spectrum of flavors. The result? A harmonious, integrated drink featuring a different side of whisky than you may be used to. Combined with tea, coffee, cocoa, or cider, it’s a relaxing way to take the chill off and get better acquainted with your favorite spirit.

Royal Robes
Created by George Reilly, owner and mixologist, The Twisted Tail, Philadelphia
Queen Elizabeth preferred Earl Grey tea. Spike yours with rich honey syrup and rye whiskey for a complex, soothing sip that leaves you feeling like royalty, Reilly says.

1½...

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, it's easy to fall on reliable standbys like a dozen roses and a candlelit dinner, or for the whisky lover, a favorite bottle. While all are fitting, this year, go the extra mile for that special someone who enjoys a dram with one of these whisky-centric gifts. Step out of the hours-long florist line and opt for a flower-adorned bourbon cocktail kit, or treat the whiskey lover in your life to a customized bottle with a special message on the label. Single malt scotch lovers will be head over heels with a truffle assortment infused with their favorite whiskies. 
J. Mattingly 1845 Custom Bourbon Experience 
Kentucky-based J. Mattingly 1845 is offering a choice of their signature double staved bourbon or rye in a customized 750ml bottle for $99.00. Send a sweet message with a fully customized label, followed by a selection from three different bottle shape options...

Elderflower liqueur, with a base of macerated elderflower blossoms, smells very similar to the shrub itself, whose flowers bloom in late spring and become berries in summer, notes Jonathan Adler, beverage director at Shinji’s in New York City. “It has a very sweet, honeyed, grassy nose and it works beautifully in a cocktail as a modifier,” he says. “I really like elderflower liqueur’s versatility in different cocktails. And it works very well in whisky cocktails because the sweetness of the grains and barrel flavors are complemented by the liqueur’s floral notes.”
The best-known elderflower liqueur is St-Germain, which Adler says is often called “bartender’s ketchup” for its approachability and usefulness in cocktails. “Even a quarter-ounce can bring a level of depth and complexity,” he says, adding that he also enjoys Giffard’s version, which has a very pronounced floral note and lower sugar content...

With all of the quality syrups and liqueurs available today—made from quality ingredients—you don't need much to create a complex drink at home. Adding two or three ingredients to your pick of whiskey can lead to a harmonious cocktail bursting with flavors. A great example of this is the Goldfinch, created by Krissy Harris, owner and beverage director at New York City's Shy Shy.
“This is both a complicated sipper and a warm inviting hug,” she says. There's sweet caramel and vanilla from the bourbon, subtle bittersweet from the persimmon liqueur, spice from the saffron liqueur, and a lightly salty nuttiness from the sherry. “The combination of whiskey, fruit, wood, and spice is like walking through an orchard on a Northern California winter’s day,” says Harris, who grew up hunting her grandfather's garden and orchards in that area looking for persimmons and other winter fruits.
Don't be surprised if you reach the bottom of your...

It’s not only Japanese whisky that’s exploding in popularity. Tourism to Japan is too, thanks to a vibrant culture, unparalleled hospitality, and a historically weak yen. With $20 cocktails quickly becoming the norm in the U.S., the favorable exchange rate also means some of the best whisky bar deals on the planet are happening right now in Japan.
A couple of things to bear in mind: Bars can be hard to find and located in the basements of buildings, table charges are normal (this is Japan, and space is at a premium) but usually include little snacks, one dram typically measures 30 ml (around one ounce), and bars can’t sell bottles because they usually aren’t licensed for it. The bar spaces are often smaller than you might imagine. While Japan has cracked down on indoor smoking, lighting up is still permitted at some bars, whether cigars or cigarettes. But at others, like Aloha Whisky in Tokyo and One Shot Bar Keith in Osaka, smoking is a no-no.
Whether...

Jim Beam has unveiled a new campaign aimed at football fans, which is a humorous take on the woes of post-game defeat. It’s a partnership with comedian, writer, and producer Keegan-Michael Key, who’s best known as a co-star in the comedy series “Key & Peele.” His involvement isn’t a straightforward name-on-a-bottle partnership, but is centered around a humorous play on the seven stages of grief dubbed the “7 Stages of Defeat.”
Key, a longtime Detroit Lions fan, summons his comedic talents to address each of those stages through a series of sketch comedy skits. The aim is to turn the bitterness of defeat into an opportunity to laugh it off and enjoy a dram. The biggest draw is a tangible Jim Beam branded “care package,” a sleek all-black box, which when opened reveals items directly tied to each of the seven stages of defeat defined as: Shock, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Woe, Rebuilding, and Acceptance.
Missing from the...

Laws Whiskey House opened its doors in Denver, Colorado’s South Broadway neighborhood back in 2011. Since then, the distillery has gradually built its presence not just in the Centennial State, but around the country, thanks to a wide range of terroir-driven, pot distilled whiskeys that feature strong relationships with local farmers and are made with open-air fermentation and Eldorado Springs water. Now, Laws is taking its game up another notch, with the debut of what it’s calling a “Whiskey Sanctuary.” 
Word of founder and president Al Laws’ intent on building a dramatic whiskey gathering site first came in 2022. While construction was slated to wrap up later that year, the space’s grand opening was delayed until last December due to construction complications. But it appears that the Whiskey Sanctuary was well worth the wait—the building is a feat of brutalist architecture, made with steel, glass, stone, and exposed concrete, and...

For the kid in all of us, pairing whisky with cookies can be a delicious combination that highlights the best flavors of each. Or you can enjoy a liquid version of a dessert with the Tough Cookie, created by San Francisco-based mixologist Heather Hoffman. This playful, buttery, spiced cocktail is something only those with mature tastes can truly savor. It blends caramel shortbread cookies with a hint of coffee and a whisper of gentle peat smoke.
The cocktail is a tribute to Hoffman's visits to her grandparents in the Midwest. “They were truly the epitome of cool—a couple whose warmth and charm left a lasting impression,” she says. “I find myself reflecting on cherished memories of hopping on a plane back home to gather with them by the crackling fire.”
No matter your relationship with your elders, this cozy cocktail may at least take you back to simpler times.
The Tough Cookie

1 1/2 oz. Highland Park 12 year old (or other lightly...

Tucked away in a secluded glen on the banks of the Turret River in Scotland’s southern Highlands lies Glenturret Distillery. Like many scotch whisky makers, it’s a place with a rich but troubled history. It’s often touted as the oldest working distillery in Scotland, first established in 1763—and for nearly 50 years prior to that, the site had been used as a haven for bootleggers and smugglers, with the surrounding hills as lookout points. Over the next century and a half, the distillery, formally named Glenturret in 1875, would be sold several times before closing down twice by the 1920s. It eventually reopened in 1959, but then underwent another series of sales—passing through the hands of Rémy Cointreau, Highland Distillers, William Grant & Sons, and finally Edrington over the ensuing 40 years.

In 2018, Edrington put Glenturret up for sale, seeking to offload this relatively small distillery in order to focus on more important...

Explore the flavors of Japan with this selection of delicious whiskies across the key styles—blends, single malt, and single grain. We recommend getting to know the whisky through neat pours at first, then over ice, but why not also embrace Japanese drinking culture and revisit the same whisky in a cocktail or a Highball? New to Japanese whisky or want to learn more about it? Get all of the details here. 
92 points - Hibiki Japanese Harmony Blend, 43%, $100
Vanilla, peach, lemon meringue, cherry tart, blackberry jam, orange, chocolate, and oak
92 points - Kanosuke 2023 Limited Edition Single Malt, 59%, $175
Peat smoke, rolling tobacco, white grape, pear, star fruit, and vanilla essence
92 points - Mars Whisky Asagi Madara 8 year old Blend, 48%, $106
Cotton candy, rose Turkish delight, fresh linen, ripe orchard fruit, cherry sherbet, and vanilla custard
92 points - Nikka Coffey Grain, 45%, $65
Nutty oak, toffee fudge...

Japanese whisky’s reputation has come a long way over the arc of 25 years. Once an unglamorous local tipple, today it’s a globally revered spirit—with supply straining to meet demand. Along this path to glory, Japanese whisky has inspired some of the world’s great cocktail bars, created liquid magic with its use of mizunara oak, and achieved mastery in the art of blending. On the global auction market, Japan has produced some of the most coveted collectibles ever released. In short, the allure is undeniable.
Despite centuries-old traditions in sake and shochu, Japan’s history of whisky distilling is not a lengthy one. The country’s two most famous malt whisky distilleries are Yamazaki (owned by Suntory), which opened in 1923, and Yoichi (owned by Nikka), which began distilling in 1936. The seminal figure for whisky in Japan was Masataka Taketsuru, a scion of a sake brewing family who journeyed to Scotland from 1918-20 to study whisky making and...

We’d wager that for most people, it’s only natural to think first of Kentucky, and then perhaps Tennessee, when thinking of American whiskey. After all, the two southern states possess rich distilling histories that stretch back hundreds of years, and today Kentucky makes about 95% of all bourbon on the market. But there’s another state right next door with a rich whiskey history of its own: Indiana.
The Hoosier State is home to the city of Lawrenceburg, once known as Whiskey City, USA thanks to its prolific rye production from the mid-19th century up to Prohibition. The city, which lies just west of Cincinnati, and under 2 hours northeast of Louisville, built its first distillery in 1847. Originally called Rossville, it has gone through a series of name changes over the years—from Rossville to Jos. E. Seagram Lawrenceburg, then Lawrenceburg Distillers, more recently MGP, and currently Ross & Squibb. It’s a distillery that has supplied whiskey for...

Popular theory often commits only the older set to be admirers of rum-raisin, but in reality, it's a classic for a reason and is the unsung spiced up hero for everyone, not just your grandmother. Every classic needs a twist, and this one is for whiskey lovers. 
Swap out the chill of ice cream for the warmth of a cookie, and whiskey for rum and you’ll be rewarded with vanilla and spice notes that feel comforting but sophisticated. This recipe taps into the art of cask-finishing, specifically with a rum cask-finished whiskey—which offers all the robust whiskey flavor with a subtle kiss of tropical fruit notes. The raisins are soaked in whiskey anywhere from 24 hours up to a week before baking, becoming plump and hydrated. The alcohol evaporates, leaving a chewy (and boozy) flavor in every bite.
Though there is no shortage of delectable rum-finished whiskies on the market, some shine through in this recipe. Moderately priced at around $30, Teeling Small Batch is...

“America’s Finest City” is a nickname San Diego earned in large part for its famously good weather and beaches. But for whiskey lovers, its downtown, especially the Gaslamp neighborhood, is a hotbed of standout bars. The city is also famous for its locally beloved happy hours, so ingrained that virtually every watering hole joins in the fun. Establishments have specials from late afternoon and/or early evening on weekdays and in some cases weekends.
San Diego’s airport is less than 10 minutes, without traffic, from downtown where parking is scarce. Readily available rideshare services are your best bet.
Make Aero Club Bar the first stop on your way to the Gaslamp or the last stop before you depart; there are over 1,000 whiskies to choose from.
Day One
The Horton Grand Hotel opened in the Gaslamp District in 1886, and catered to celebrities from Wyatt Earp to Babe Ruth to President Benjamin Harrison. Today it’s a reasonably priced...

As long as cocktails have been around, so have bitters—the very definition of a cocktail, according to Jerry Thomas’s 1862 book “Bar-Tenders Guide: How to Mix Drinks,” includes bitters, plus spirit, sugar, and water. These potent little bottles typically contain neutral alcohol—though alcohol-free brands do exist today—that’s been infused with any number of herbs, spices, botanicals, and roots, adding instant complexity to a cocktail. After all, an Old Fashioned without a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters just isn’t the same drink, no matter how delicious the whisky is you’ve chosen to mix with.
“Think of bitters as the spice cabinet of your home bar,” says Laura Unterberg, former head bartender at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club in Nashville. “Adding richness and depth of flavor, bitters are an indispensable part of your cocktail, especially for mixing with spirits like whisky that have no added...

Oregon has played a key role in making whiskey since the dawn of America’s craft distilling movement—one of its major contributions being the birthplace of American malt with McCarthy’s Oregon single malt, which debuted in 1996. The city of Portland is best known for its craft breweries, lively food scene, and whimsical reputation for weirdness. But it’s also a whiskey city, with a distilling culture that dovetails nicely with Oregon’s wine and beer background. This culture stretches far beyond Portland, spilling across the rest of the state, too. Here’s a sampling of prominent distilleries that have helped put Oregon on the whiskey map.
PORTLAND DISTILLERIES
Westward Whiskey
FOUNDED 2004
westwardwhiskey.com
Westward Whiskey wasn’t the first to brew an ale and then distill it, but the Portland distiller has certainly perfected the craft. “We have a rich brewing history in the Northwest, and a lot of us at Westward...

If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, there’s one often overlooked food that can double as an excellent cocktail ingredient: chutney. “Chutneys pack so much flavor into one spoonful and are so versatile,” says Linda Douglas, bartender at Donna’s in Los Angeles. For example, in addition to complementing your cheese plate, they’re an easy way to pack loads of flavor into a drink.
No need to experiment in your kitchen and risk a cocktail catastrophe. Douglas created the Mango Glow using homemade chutney that only takes about 15 minutes to make. “The spices in it remind me of all the yummy baked goods we have during the holidays,” she says. The spices also contrast with the smoky scotch, while mango brightens this Whiskey Sour variation. “It’s sweet and tangy, something I’m always looking for to get the palate ready for a holiday feast,” Douglas adds. Try the chutney with spiced nuts and lamb skewer appetizers...

When shopping for the whisky lover(s) in your life, it might be tempting to get them a bottle of whisky and call it a day. A beloved bottling is a thoughtful gift, to be sure (and our Top 20 list is a great place to look when going that route), but there are plenty of whisky-centric presents that are more personalized to certain interests, hobbies, or livelihoods. From whisky-themed jewelry and apparel to whisky-infused chocolates, whisky-scented candles, and even whisky-branded golf putters, there are a number of more distinctive gifts for all the pals and loved ones in your life who appreciate whisky.
Stuff Those Stockings
Tasting Note Notebook ($15)

Great for either the blossoming whisky taster in your life or the seasoned pro, this 48-page memo book from Field Notes is a fantastic way to log a whisky journey, and the notes tasted along the way. As a bonus, it's waterproof, so there's no need to cry over spilled whisky (unless it's more than a splash, of...

With Thanksgiving falling so late this year, everyone is feeling the crunch to prep for December holiday gatherings and New Year's Eve. Unsurprisingly, we cherish an evening at home and long for a simple comforting cocktail. Say hello to On Time, created by Alex Mauropoulos, bar manager at MOMENTO by Ikaro in Miami.
The inspiration for this cozy, festive drink came in a moment of rush, Mauropoulos says. “I was juggling multiple things and wanted to create a drink that captured the warmth and essence of some of the most notable moments in my life. The blend of smooth bourbon, aromatic vermouth, and refreshing orange zest came together effortlessly, just like those memories. Sometimes, the best things come together when you least expect them.”
Although On Time is incredibly easy to make—you only need four ingredients—it's not a cocktail to rush through. “It’s the ideal cocktail to enjoy while unwinding at home after a busy...

It’s certainly exciting to visit a bar displaying hundreds of whisky bottles on its shelves, and such venues can be found in many—if not most—American cities. But what about those with a thousand, or several thousand whiskies on the menu? They’re more like your favorite allocated dram: Harder to come by, but oh-so rewarding when you get to experience them. With their encyclopedic menus of 1,000-plus whiskies, these 10 bars from around the country should definitely be on your bucket list.
Aero Club Bar
San Diego, California
This spot originally opened in 1947 as a place where owner and pilot Marianne Profit could enjoy a drink with her fellow pilots, and was later purchased by Bill Lutzius, who turned the space into a whisky bar. The establishment is currently owned by a group of friends intent on keeping its history alive, including original décor reflective of Profit’s love of flying and a menu of over 1,000 whiskies, including such...

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is offering some holiday bells and whistles this year with a new Carols & Barrels trail of themed stops at distilleries and bars in Middle Tennessee. Running through January 5, the Carols & Barrels trail highlights whiskeys and festive winter cocktails at each stop and allows visitors to earn stamps on a digital passport by checking in at each location. When the passport is filled there’s a commemorative prize—a Tennessee Whisky Trail cocktail set that includes a shaker tin, bar tools, and an ice mold.
Whiskey fans can sign up for a digital passport on this website by entering their email and cell phone number, which will be used to receive the passport. When visiting a participating distillery or bar, guests can check with their phone to stamp the location. Both distilleries and bars are participating, and there are 12 stops along the Carols & Barrels trail. All of the locations have been transformed into Christmas and...

There’s a wintry feel in this latest round of new releases, led by New Riff’s latest Winter Whisky offering, as well as two new stout cask finished expressions—one from Nelson’s Green Brier in Nashville and the other from distiller-brewer Town Branch in Lexington, Kentucky. Then we have a honey barrel-finished bourbon from North Carolina distiller Southern Star, inaugural releases from Distillery of Modern Art, based in Chamblee, Georgia, another shot to get your hands on World Whiskey Society's 13 year old Wyatt Earp Hazmat Edition, and whiskey-based liqueurs. Plenty to add to your Black Friday shopping list!
New Riff Winter Whiskey Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV: 50%
SRP: $55
Availability: Limited
A seasonal release first introduced in 2020, New Riff Winter Wheat is made from a mashbill of 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel-cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt. As with many of New Riff’s whiskeys...

These days, what constitutes a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner could stir up as big of an argument as when your aunt inevitably brings up the election. Some people even forgo roasting a huge turkey and only serve sides. So there's no reason you need to serve pumpkin pie for dessert if you don't want to. And the perfect replacement (for adults, at least) is a whisky cocktail like Scotch and Spice.
The deep, warm amber hue of the drink, topped with silky white foam and dotted with red pomegranate seeds is a festive visual that appeals to the eyes, but of course, it's the flavor that will most impress your guests.
“The blend of smoky scotch and herbal amaro complements the tart pomegranate and warm, spiced persimmon, making it a great way to end a Thanksgiving meal. Its beautiful presentation and delicious flavor will make it a memorable part of the evening,” says creator Sayora Khamidova, general manager of New York City's Jimmy Soho.
Scotch and...

Oysters are most famously savored alongside champagne or vodka, but they aren’t the only accompaniments for those marvelous mollusks. “Oysters and whisky are an uncommon pairing that won’t disappoint,” says owner and chef Elliot Bell of Charlie’s Napa Valley. This combination is made even more delightful when the oysters are complemented by a unique strawberry mignonette sauce like the one he prepares at the St. Helena restaurant.
“The flavor profile of the charred strawberries in this mignonette would work with bourbon, rye, Irish, and scotch,” says Bell. “We love this mignonette with Tomales Bay oysters paired with either our Bombo #2, a higher-proof cocktail combining rye and rum with sweet and spicy cinnamon, or the Long House, a lighter, citrus-forward rye-based cocktail.”
These two cocktails are terrific on their own, but also serve as successful partners for the oysters. “The Bombo 2 matches the acidity and...

The return of Michter’s 20 year old bourbon after being away for two years was certainly the highlight of the week, although getting hold of a bottle of this limited release will prove to be a challenge as always. The 20 year old's arrival came just in time for WhiskyFest New York on Wednesday night, where it was in high demand. Elsewhere among the new  American whiskey releases, Tattersall has two limited edition bottled in bond expressions, while Colorado’s Laws offers two cask-finished bourbons. Other new announcements feature Pendleton, Hidden Barn, and Wyoming Whiskey.
In scotch, Johnnie Walker Blue is out with its Lunar New Year release to commemorate the Year of the Snake, while Macallan has two new whiskies in the fourth edition of its Harmony Series, which this year celebrates Macallan’s use of oak. And finally, from Ireland, Teeling has released another of its aged whiskeys, this one a 24 year old.
Michter’s 20 year old...

Sometimes the ingredients in a cocktail don't seem to belong together. On its face, flowers and herbs may appear too light to hold up against whisky and too grassy to complement notes of vanilla and baking spices. But when you mix them together and take a sip, you realize the ingredients find an appealing harmony.
That's the thinking behind The Gentlemen, a floral Old Fashioned riff created by Quinn Gallagher, bartender at Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen, Colorado. Dolin Genepi 1821 lends bright, fresh, herbal flavors, and Lillet Blanc is not only floral but also citrusy. All of this helps soften the sweetness of the bourbon, while the whisky rounds out the other flavors, Gallagher says.
The drink is named after the movie. “The ingredients remind me of the characters,” Gallagher says. “Some can be harsh by themselves, but when you put them all together, you have the perfect cocktail...and the perfect movie.”
The Gentlemen

1 1/2 oz...

The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating riffs on the Paper Plane cocktail. Created around 2008 by bartender and owner of Attaboy and Diamond Reef Sam Ross, this complex-tasting cocktail is surprisingly easy to make: Shake equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice together and strain into a coupe. “The simplicity in preparation doesn’t sacrifice the sophistication of the drink, showcasing how elegant flavors can be achieved with a minimalistic approach,” says Stephanie De Luna, bar supervisor at JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida.
To make it your own, you don’t need to add infusions or special syrups (though you can, if you wish). Instead, simply think about flavors—sweet, bitter, savory, and sour—and play around.
Changing any one ingredient will produce a different harmonious cocktail. Check out these recipes for inspiration to take your cocktail repertoire to new...

Although you'd likely never prepare two different cocktails and shake them together into one, applying the core tenets of one drink to another is a go-to trick bartenders use to create delightful, all-new libations. Just ask Darrick Bourgeois, lead bartender at Nashville's Luogo and Pelato, who took inspiration from the Paper Plane and Old Fashioned to create the Aereo Di Carta Old Fashioned.
A classic Paper Plane is equal parts bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, and Amaro Nonino. Bourgeois played with the ratios and the amaro. His Old Fashioned starts with a slightly sweeter, slightly over-proof bourbon base, which “cuts through the other bold flavors without creating an overbearing burn,” he says. Then, rather than amaro, he uses amaretto for a touch more sweetness. Aperol and lemon juice provide a solid bitter backbone to balance the other ingredients.
“This cocktail is great for sitting next to a firepit on crisp fall days or evenings,” Bourgeois adds...

Barrell is back with two releases in its ultra-aged Grey Label series, a bourbon and a rye, the latter being a blend of two whiskies with 100% rye mashbills from an undisclosed Canadian distiller (most likely Alberta Distillers, which is known for its high rye mashbills.) That Canadian entry is the only non-U.S. whiskey on today’s list, which also includes a new 7 year old, high-rye expression from Baker’s—a welcome new addition for Baker's fans, who always want more from this somewhat sparsely available label. Louisville distiller Rabbit Hole, meanwhile, has a limited edition 8 year old rye from its Boxergrail label.
Elsewhere, Blue Note is offering a new honey barrel expression, while Log Still Distillery has a new rye, and Lost Lantern is out with a new collection of 10 year old single cask whiskeys.  Although Halloween and Thanksgiving still await, some whiskey makers are already unveiling their holiday whiskeys. Old Potrero...

While the kids trick-or-treat this Halloween, you can shake and stir adult delicacies. The confection-inspired cocktails below combine the flavors of candy corn, peanut butter cups, caramel apples, and other favorite goodies with whisky for a festive blend of whimsy and nostalgia. And don't worry—these drinks aren't sugar bombs. Other classic fall flavors, like corn and pumpkin, balance everything to satisfy your inner child yet offer the complexity only adults can appreciate. 
Candy Corn Old Fashioned
Created by Owen Sears, bartender, Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Everyone may love to hate candy corn, but who doesn’t love an Old Fashioned? Here, corn liqueur balances sweet marshmallow syrup, creating a cozy, rich, well-rounded cocktail.

2 1/2 oz. Elijah Craig straight rye (or other rye)
1/2 oz. DaVinci toasted marshmallow syrup
1/4 oz. Nixta Licor de Elote
1 dash orange bitters  
Orange twist for garnish

Add...

Texas does a lot of things bigger; this sheet cake is no exception. Classically, a one-bowl cake baked in a sheet tray, this mellow but morish cake comes together easily. This sweet corn-based sponge has a texture akin to a moist chocolate cake with a hint of fudginess that’s reminiscent of a blondie. It’s underscored with caramelized vanilla flavors thanks to a technique of slow-roasting white chocolate—a pastry chef’s trick, that lends a luxuriant note reminiscent of dulce de leche, perfect for pairing with a honey and whiskey glaze.
Any quality bourbon on the sweeter side will work well with this recipe, like Knob Creek 9 year old, but in keeping with the Lone Star State theme, a Texas whiskey is fitting. Go one step further and highlight the cake’s corn base with a bourbon that showcases some out-of-the-ordinary corn strains.
Still Austin’s Blue Corn bourbon is a stellar option. It’s made from Texas-grown blue and white corn and...

Love them or hate them, pumpkin spice lattes are a fall staple. And no matter which camp you fall into, you know that cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice play exceptionally well with whisky's baking spice notes. So embrace the pumpkin spice fervor but give it a spin with the PSL Martini, created by Alan Dean, concept beverage manager for Whiskey Cake in Plano, Texas.
“This glammed-up espresso martini is your ultimate winter drink,” he says. Rather than vodka, the base is a warming blend split between bourbon and rum, making each sip burst with flavor. Cold brew coffee helps balance the sweet vanilla and caramel flavors of the spirits, so the cocktail is neither too sweet nor too bitter. The pièce de résistance—the foam on top—seals the deal to deliver the pumpkin spice latte fix people crave, Dean adds.
PSL Martini

1 oz. Green River 1885 (or any straight bourbon)
1 oz. Gosling's Black Seal (or other black rum)
1/2 oz...

Blended scotch giant Johnnie Walker has unveiled a new, limited edition collaborative whisky package with the popular Netflix show “Squid Games” in celebration of the series' upcoming second season.  Johnnie Walker, a sponsor of the 76th Emmy Awards last month, is increasingly seeking so-called "branded sponsorship" content like many big players, but Squid Games is certainly a new and different departure.
This “Squid Games” involvement for Johnnie Walker isn’t about a new whisky, as the brand in focus is the classic Black Label but with some special packaging. The slanted label features the familiar Johnnie Walker Striding Man logo, but here he’s had a slight change of attire—into something closely akin to the green tracksuit worn by the show’s characters. The effort also includes an expansive launch event list, that began with a “takeover” in Times Square to mark its launch on October 1st and extends to...

Over the past 25 years, Japan’s whisky reputation has risen from unglamorous local tipple to globally revered spirit. The country’s two oldest and most famous malt whisky distilleries—Yamazaki and Yoichi—are now joined by many more names, highlighting the remarkable complexity and intricacy of Japanese whisky, and the artistry of the blenders who make it. Read all about Japanese whisky’s path to glory, as well as the auction markets and cocktail bars where it has made its mark in our Fall 2024 issue.
Elsewhere in the issue, we take you on a whisky tour of sunny San Diego, find bars across America with over 1,000 different whiskies on their lists, explore Oregon’s flourishing distilling scene, and plenty more. Last but not least, our Buying Guide is packed with reviews of whiskies from all over the...

On the evening of September 25th, some of the biggest names in scotch whisky gathered at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC). The occasion? The U.S. chapter of the Keepers of the Quaich—a Scotland-based group founded in 1988 that honors and recognizes the workers, writers, and evangelists of the scotch whisky industry—hosted its third banquet. What followed was a night of songs, scotch, and camaraderie.
The proceedings kicked off with a cocktail hour in the NYAC card room and lounge on the 9th floor, with a who’s who of scotch ambassadors, executives, actors, and writers—most of whom were “Keepers” (members of the group), along with journalists and other invited guests.
The Keepers of the Quaich inducts new members at ceremonies held twice a year at Blair Castle in Scotland. Those who become members must have worked in scotch whisky for at least 7 years, and must be recommended by at least two existing members. Marvin R. Shanken, editor and...

Grating whole spices on top of a cocktail adds aroma and enhances the warming flavors of whatever whisky you use as the base. To take things to a new level, try infusing your whiskey. Though it takes more time and planning, it's an excellent way to amp up your drink—and, if you combine it with the right ingredients, it can be perfect for fall, as showcased in the Brownstoner.
Created by Tyrease Rice, general manager of Miami's Red Rooster Overtown, this lighter Manhattan features fruity undertones associated with this time of year. 
Rice chose “Brownstoner” as a nod to the buildings found in New York and other major cities and the beautiful brown shade of the drink. Though the cocktail requires minimal ingredients, they're carefully curated to create nuanced flavors when combined.
“The nutmeg-infused bourbon provides a warmth reminiscent of autumn spices complemented by a delicate floral sweetness provided by St. Germaine,” Rice explains...

Thanks to its spicy nature, rye whiskey can warm your bones on the coldest winter nights. But that doesn't mean you need to avoid it during the milder months. Aside from rye's baking spice flavors, it can have notes of tropical fruit that offer a great flavor transition from summer to fall.
For example, in the Star Gazer, created by Leanne Favre, consulting beverage director at Winona's in Brooklyn, New York, lemon juice adds brightness and rhubarb liqueur's tartness balances the rye's sweet stone fruit flavors. “Contratto adds notes of bitter orange that support the rhubarb liqueur, and the absinthe enhances the herbal qualities of the bitter while contributing cooling spice notes, subtly enriching the cocktail without overpowering it with anise,” Favre says. The result? A rich drink that remains refreshing and bright.
Inspired by warm summer nights spent watching the stars with a drink in hand, this cocktail gives you another excuse to stay up late and soak in...

You might not expect a brand founded in 1872 to continue innovating some 150 years later, but Yellowstone Bourbon aspires to “keep things fresh” with new and exciting explorations of its iconic bourbon. That has led to the Special Finishes Collection, first launched in November of 2023, and spearheaded by Toasted Oak Stave.
If bourbon must inherently be aged in an oak, the Special Finishes Collections is an expedition and examination of different, secondary maturation vessels. With Toasted Oak Stave, the classic, heritage four-year-old Yellowstone Bourbon is mixed with an exciting blend of High Toast, American Oak, Double Toast, Rickhouse, High Vanilla and Spicerack staves—meaning each has been uniquely toasted and charred to elicit such aromas and flavor characteristics from the wood. 
Yellowstone’s seventh-generation master distiller, Stephen Beam, of the historic Beam family, began experimenting with toasted barrels in 2016, just a year...

Take advantage of the last warm days of summer to make a few more refreshing whisky cocktails before all you want are heavier drinks to thaw your cold bones. The Jewel Box is a twist on both the Mint Julep and the Champagne Julep.
“Whisky and champagne are great together for a few reasons,” says Lindsay Matteson, general manager and beverage director of Hell or High Water in Louisville. “First, adding something with a higher ABV like whisky to a low-ABV wine like champagne can add structure, complexity, and depth to a cocktail. Second, if you choose the right whisky and sparkling wine, you can either match dryness levels or choose one drier and one more fruit-forward to balance. The exact whisky and sparkling wine will change the drink drastically, so it's a great combination to play with and have fun.”
Jewel Box is a “fuller-bodied twist that's a little more whimsical and fun than a classic Mint Julep,” Matteson explains. In addition to...

Port and scotch have a long history, as distillers know using barrels left over from aging wine will impart the perfect level of sweetness and fruity notes. But most of the time, red port or tawny port is used. Head bartender Robyn Marfurt and owner Matt Parkinson of The Monkey’s Paw in Chicago, Illinois, decided to play around with white port and whisky. The result, Partly Cloudy Skye, is a beach vacation in a glass.
Knowing acidity and sweetness would play well in a Whisky Sour, Parkinson chose Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry port, a bright white port. “Its minerality called for a complimentary scotch,” he says, so he selected one with plenty of sea salt: Torabhaig Allt Gleann single malt. “The light smoke is an added bonus, giving more complexity to the cocktail,” he says.
Aquafaba adds mouthfeel and also a visual play on seafoam, which both accentuates the whisky's maritime character and gave way to the name.
Whether you want to celebrate the...

A unique 3-D map experience showcasing how the world’s finest tequila is made.



Patron Expressions to Try
Patrón Silver
Patrón Silver is the standard-bearer for the category, whether elevating a classic cocktail or served with soda. Made from just three simple ingredients, agave, water, and yeast, it is a pure expression of the Jalisco highlands.
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Patrón Reposado
Patrón takes its perfect Patrón Silver tequila and ages it for at least 4 months in American whiskey barrels to make the smooth, ultra-premium Patrón Reposado; Patrón added nothing but time. It brings structure and character to Palomas, Margaritas, or simply mixed with soda.
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Patrón El Alto
Patrón El Alto marries the sweetest agaves from the highest parts of Jalisco with expert aging in 11 types of barrels, yielding a smooth, luxurious taste. Served neat or on the rocks, its bold...

How do you ensure that El Tesoro Tequila remains true to its heritage while appealing to modern consumers?
It’s very important to me to continue the vision and spirit of my father, my grandfather Don Felipe and my brother Carlos in our work with El Tesoro, which is to do things the right way, even if it is not the easy way. I’ve grown in a family full of creative and stubborn innovators, from my grandfather to my brothers, if they had a new crazy idea to make something unique, they would find the way to make it work because they were sure of what they were doing and how they wanted to do it. For example, my father created the first Extra Añejo even before it was an official category, he called it “Muy Añejo” (very aged) and he was roughly criticized for that. Then he and my brother Carlos Camarena wanted to go a step further and start aging it in ex-Cognac barrels, again hardly criticized and called crazy for bringing together these two...

The Hot Brown is as classically Kentuckian as the Derby itself. This rib-sticking open-face sandwich—layered with turkey, mornay sauce, bacon, and tomato—was created in the 1920s by chef Fred Schmidt of The Brown Hotel in Louisville, and since then has become as deeply intertwined with the Bluegrass State as its most famous tipple.
With the Kentucky Derby upon us, we reached out to executive chef Kendall Linhart of Louisville’s The Galt House Hotel for his riff on the classic. “The marriage of truffle-infused mornay, roasted turkey, and prosciutto crisps creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the palates of those fortunate enough to savor this elevated classic,” he explains. “Enjoy this indulgent variation as a testament to the evolving nature of gastronomy and the timeless appeal of reinventing culinary classics.”
Southern Charm Hot Brown
Serves 4

1 lb. turkey...

Portland, Maine is home to some of America's best summer vacationing. Nestled on Casco Bay in Southern Maine, this city's access to beaches, coastal islands, charming lighthouses, and gorgeous hikes make the city a New England destination. Portland is full of exciting restaurants, excellent cafes and bakeries—including James Beard Award winners—and bars with solid whisky lists and cocktails.
Portland's cuisine includes classic coastal fare—oysters, scallops, fish and chips, lobster rolls, you name it, but the city also boasts an international cuisine with plenty of Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, and Mexican restaurants that pair whisky cocktails beautifully with their dishes. For whisky lovers visiting Portland, exploring the bottles on offer means sampling neat or diving into the regional cuisine and creative cocktails at a local restaurant.
Bar Futo

Whisky Highballs are the name of the game at Bar Futo, a Japanese restaurant highlighting...

Balmy languid summer days aren’t ideal for slaving away in the kitchen. Surrendering to summer’s bounty, these three informal and oven-free recipes are the perfect coda to a long day in the sun. From a gentle kiss to a punchy blast, the recipes utilize whiskey in different ways to propel juicy seasonal fruit to its full dessert potential. And for ultimate summer refreshment, there’s a recipe for a frozen treat that harnesses whiskey’s rich toffee and chocolaty notes against a backdrop of abundant coffee and coconut.
Poached Whiskey Peaches With Vanilla and Pink Peppercorn
Sweet, sappy peaches become summer’s elegant post-dinner darling when gently poached in liquid gold composed of vanilla, peppercorns, and whiskey. A modestly priced rye whiskey such as Rittenhouse or a rye-heavy bourbon, like Old Forester 100 or Wild Turkey 101 add a pleasant spice to fragrant fruit-leaning pink peppercorns. Leftover peaches stored in the poaching liquid can be...

The sweet-spicy-smoky-sour quartet of a Penicillin cocktail can cure any ailment. And while that may make you think of winter, there's no reason to swear off the drink in warmer weather—especially if you give it a summery twist by adding seasonal fruit.
The Smokey Apothecary, created by food and beverage director for Virgin Hotels New Orleans Jesse Carr, replaces the traditional honey syrup with strawberry syrup to lend a bright, sweet-tart note. The drink is a bit of a tiki play on a Penicillin, Carr says, with fun, vibrant garnishes and a strong New Orleans vibe.
Carr chose to add strawberries because farmers have grown the fruit in Louisiana since the 1800s. Strawberries also pair well with ginger, citrus, and smoke, “other flavors you see quite a bit in New Orleans,” he says. Lastly, the cocktail's name is a nod to the history of apothecaries in the city. The first licensed pharmacist in the U.S. opened his shop in New Orleans in 1823.
History aside...

Just in time for this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Buffalo Trace Distillery is unveiling a pop-up retail shop in the City of Light, complete with an on-site lounge for whiskey tastings. The upscale store, which opens on Friday, July 19 for a five-week stint that coincides with the 2024 Olympics, offers a variety of Buffalo Trace whiskeys and custom merchandise.
The shop is located at 36 Rue Etienne Marcel in Paris’ Les Halles District. Its whiskey selection includes Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and W.L. Weller 12 year old bourbons, as well as Sazerac rye (prices range from €36-€49/$39-$53 a bottle). These are the only labels that can be purchased in Paris because they’re currently the only Buffalo Trace products available in France.
Behind the retail store in the same space, the bespoke lounge 12 Gold boasts a Weller-focused menu, allowing guests to sample a variety of the brand’s whiskeys. The tasting selection includes pours of...

We're whisky devotees, of course, but sometimes a drink of a different kind is just the thing. Here are a few newly released products from outside the whisky world. From a hot pepper-infused rum and a cucumber-lemon gin that might be fun whipping up a refreshingly cold summer cocktail, to a variety of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails perfect for sipping poolside, at the beach, or by the lake. Whatever your fancy, there's plenty to explore here.
 
 
Kirk & Sweeney Burning Mast rum, 40%, $49
This Dominican rum is first aged in a combination of American and French oak before it’s infused with hot peppers. It's named for the St. Elmo’s Fire phenomenon, which causes ships’ masts to look like they’re on fire during thunderstorms. Burning Mast is rolling out now across the U.S. kirkandsweeneyrum.com
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon gin, 42.5%, $40
A gin made with eight botanicals including juniper berries, lemon...

As the weather heats up, you may find yourself craving something a bit more refreshing than your usual Manhattan. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with a good ol’ Whisky Soda, summer is the perfect time to head to the farmers market and stock up on some cocktail-friendly produce to up your summer whisky cocktail game. There’s an abundance of fresh fruits, from stone fruits to melons, but don’t forget all the other great produce at the peak of freshness in the summer months—herbs like basil, mint, and thyme, vegetables like cucumbers and beets, and spicy chile peppers; even corn can be a great addition to your whisky cocktail.
Fruity and Refreshing Whisky Cocktails
“I enjoy making summertime whisky cocktails because it’s an opportunity to think outside the box,” says Maddie Kaye, retail and spirits assistant for Tampa, Florida-based hospitality group Bern’s Co. “Whether I’m pairing a spicy American rye...

You probably have an idea of what kind of wine complements most meals, but pairing cocktails with food is more daunting. Mixed drinks are complex, as are many dishes, and too many flavors can literally leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Enter culinary cocktails. “Culinary cocktails are really important to a restaurant bar from a food pairing and flavor perspective and also a sustainability and waste reduction standpoint,” says Hendrik Riemens, service manager of New York City's Loring Place. “It just makes sense to incorporate the herbs and spices we use in our kitchen behind the bar and play with some of the flavor combinations we see working.”
Rye and Thyme was created by bartender Victoria Sowyer with these angles in mind. This fresh, fragrant cocktail is “tangy with a touch of sweetness and spice and a delightful frothy texture,” Riemens says. Give it a shot on its own or with your dinner. “The inclusion of thyme means it will work...

Wine and whisky find common ground in the use of wine barrels for finishing whiskies. Barrel finishing has long been a practice in Scotland and Ireland, particularly with port and sherry casks and also with still wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, and elsewhere. In the U.S. the practice was mostly unheard of until about 15 years ago, when pioneers like Angel’s Envy got things rolling. Here are 5 red wine cask-finished whiskies—from Ireland, Scotland, and New York state—reviewed in our Summer issue Buying Guide.
The Bushmills Bordeaux barrel-finished whiskey was initially aged 6 years in oloroso sherry and bourbon casks and then transferred into Bordeaux red wine casks. Virginia Distillery Co.’s cabernet cask-finished expression was aged in a variety of cabernet casks from France and California, while Aberfeldy’s 21 year old malbec cask-finished whisky was a collaboration with Argentine winemaker Finca Ambrosiana, representing...

This is the season for crisp salads and refreshing cocktails. Despite whisky’s reputation for pairing brilliantly with heavier, heartier foods, it works wonders at a summertime table as well. To make the most of the fruits and vegetables of this time of year, we reached out to chef Brett Uniss of Humble Spirit in McMinnville, Oregon, right in the heart of wine country.
Uniss takes inspiration from the incredible seasonal produce bounty of the Pacific Northwest. “It’s exciting when tree fruits come into season in late spring,” he says. “Cherry is one of the first, and they are spectacular in Oregon. Some of my favorite bourbons are chock full of cherry and spice notes—think Old Forester.” Which is why the dish and cocktails here are so perfect together. “This quick-to-prepare salad celebrates the start of stone fruit season,” he continues, “and echoes some of my favorite bourbon aroma [and] flavor...

In the early 2000s, Juan Domingo Beckmann, founder of Maestro Dobel Tequila and eleventh-generation member of the Cuervo family, made a giant leap forward in reshaping the future of tequila. As tastes shifted to white spirits, a new generation of tequila drinkers longed for a more accessible, premium, and modern expression of tequila that they could mix in cocktails. Inspired by this shift, Beckmann aimed to create the smoothest expression of tequila, capturing both the complexity of an aged tequila with the crisp vibrancy of a blanco. This vision led to the creation of Maestro Dobel Diamante in 2008, the world’s first Cristalino tequila, and the birth of an entirely new tequila category.
To produce this groundbreaking innovation, Beckmann employed filtration techniques borrowed from other spirits categories, such as rum, whisk(e)y, and vodka. By filtering aged tequila through charcoal, the process removed imperfections and impurities from the oak barrel. This process...

When you fire up the grill to celebrate the Fourth, break out the whiskey. We have a list of whiskeys that capture the American spirit, but if it's a cocktail you're yearning for, we have you covered too. The smoky notes found in many whiskies are a perfect match for charred or smoked chicken, sausage, steaks, hot dogs, you name it. Plus, rich, full-bodied whisky can stand up against heavier options such as ribs and burgers.
Since it's July, keep things from getting too heavy by shaking up The Happy Herbie. Created by John Maraffi, a bartender at The Hideaway in Beverly Hills, this Whiskey Sour spin is bold yet balanced. Tart lemon juice and delicate jasmine ensure the bourbon doesn't overpower, while apple pie bitters highlight the spirit's baking spices.
Even better, “The cherry notes of the high-rye bourbon pair excellently with burgers,” Maraffi says. “But The Happy Herbie also has bright acidity from the citrus notes and apple pie bitters, bringing this...

Historic Kentucky bourbon brand Chicken Cock dates back more than 160 years and was resurrected in 2012. Now it’s set to put down roots in the heart of Bourbon Country with this week’s opening of its new home in Bardstown. Chicken Cock has unveiled an immersive experience called Circa 1856 at the historic Harrison-Smith House in downtown Bardstown that will serve as its public face. Circa 1856 is named for the year Chicken Cock’s original distillery was built in Paris, Kentucky, and it's officially open starting June 27, housing a bar, retail shop, barrel pick experience, and a microdistillery.
Circa 1856 exudes the home-like feel of its space. The house features a lounge area in front with merchandise and whiskey for sale and a bar toward the back. The bar serves the Chicken Cock whiskey lineup, of course, but also a variety of specialty and classic cocktails and whiskey flights. Circa 1856’s bar menu spans from an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan to...

Home to grand Gilded Age mansions and a historic yachting culture, Newport is the epitome of a centuries-old New England resort town. Beyond the opulent estates and shipyards lies a city begging to be explored for its arts, history, and culinary and drinks scene. Rhode Island’s first distillery since the 19th century, Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co., is based here, and the city has evolved from old-world tradition to a wide range of new dining, drinking, shopping, and entertainment options.
One of the benefits of vacationing in a state this small is that so many of its attractions are within walking distance or a short drive away. And at just three hours from New York City and about an hour south of Boston, Newport is a destination that everyone who loves to eat and drink should put on their must-visit list.
Day One

Newport offers many lodging options, from quaint bed & breakfasts to luxury resorts and everything in between. If you’re...

Washington State’s Copperworks Distilling has been putting a unique spin on whiskey production since 2013, using a malted beer base to produce a full range of American single malts, as well as gin and vodka. Now, the company has announced plans to acquire a 30-barrel brewhouse from Pike Brewing, complete with brewing equipment, which means Copperworks will own a brewing facility for the first time. The move is a full-circle moment for Copperworks co-founder and president Jason Parker, who got his start in the beverage industry as a craft brewer for Pike Brewing in 1989.
Pike Brewing relocated its production last October, which created the opening for Copperworks to purchase the brewer’s former space on Post Alley next to Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market. The space spans 12,000 square feet and, along with serving as Copperworks' primary brewing center, will also become its new whiskey barrel storage warehouse. It complements the company’s existing...

This summer, for the 10th time in its history, Royal Troon golf club on Scotland’s windswept west coast will host the British Open, formally known as the Open Championship. The surrounding area is one that can be described as a golfer’s dream: Prestwick Golf Club, where the Open Championship was first contested in 1860, is just five miles up the road, and a half-dozen other prominent courses lie within a 45-minute radius. Less well-known is the fact that this region is also a great corner of Scotland for whisky lovers to explore.

There are so many fun whisky experiences nearby this part of Scotland’s western shore that you could construct a multi-day whisky itinerary from Troon. Your main base of operations should be the Marine Troon Hotel, where Curtis McConnell, manager of the hotel’s The Seal Bar, likes to mix and shake with scotch. McConnell and his team will often research the origins of a scotch whisky, delving into the distillery’s...

It’s Father’s Day weekend, and earlier in the week we posted a piece that covered a wide range of Father's Day gift choices to suit nearly every dad. We follow here with an array of new whiskeys, many of which could also be in the running—notably a just-released Father’s Day Bourbon Collection from Woodford Reserve. Among other noteworthy new items, Old Forester is offering a new batch of its President’s Choice single barrel bourbon, while Blue Run is back with Flight Series II, featuring six micro-batch whiskeys. Texas whiskey maker Still Austin has a summer release of its Bottled in Bond red corn, and the Penelope Cooper Series has a new release of its bourbon finished in grenache rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône.
For scotch lovers, the U.S. Open golf championship is in full swing this weekend, and Dewar’s is out with this year’s release of its 19 year old Champion’s Edition...

For many people, bourbon is the standard for warming up with Old Fashioneds and Manhattans during the cold weather months. But it can also star in lighter summer drinks, like fruity or herbal Sours, Bucks, and tiki cocktails.
And don't forget about Mint Juleps. They’ve always been a staple of Kentucky Derby celebrations in early May, but the sipping shouldn’t stop there.
Though the bourbon and mint combination was originally used as a medicinal elixir, everyone loved the refreshing combination so much it became a classic. The Julep is a perfect vehicle for playing with fruit flavors, as showcased by the Peach Bourbon cocktail created by Dani Felton, bar manager of BLVD Steak in Sherman Oaks, California. This drink tastes like summer, Felton says. “You get the brightness from the peach and mint mixed with the vanilla caramel flavors from the bourbon.” But the fruit doesn't overpower the spirit, making it a perfect summer cocktail.
Peach...

Seasoned bartenders make it look easy. Of course, they know how to add just a splash of amaro or a drop of saline to turn an average drink into one you can’t forget. But remember, they also have first-hand experience at Mac-Gyvering a broken cork out, using everyday kitchen utensils in place of bar tools you really shouldn’t waste your money on, and simply turning lemons into garnishes that double as works of art.
We polled 20 professional bartenders on their tips and tricks to identify the best intel for home bartenders. The next time a missing wax tab, complex cocktail recipe, or big party throws you into a panic, one (or more) of these are sure to help. After all, whisky and cocktails are meant to help relieve stress, not cause it. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and have fun,” counsels Bob Peters, beverage director of Built on Hospitality in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cocktail Chemistry

Double The Pleasure
Make a split-base...

For American whiskey lovers, there’s no place quite like Louisville, Kentucky. A true whiskey playground, it offers distilleries and tasting rooms galore along Whiskey Row, a historic 12-block stretch in the heart of the city that has been revived over recent years and has come to symbolize Louisville’s whiskey-led renaissance.
The area’s past is rooted in the 1840s, when distilleries, warehouses, distributors, and sales agents all operated right on Main Street until Prohibition fractured the area’s economy. By the mid-20th century all the distillers were gone, and the area was just a shell of its former self. In 2013, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience opened its doors and sparked the revival of Whiskey Row. Today the area has exploded with whiskey makers, and is back bigger than it ever was in terms of brand representation. At last count, some 11 whiskey makers are in residence on Whiskey Row.
Modern-day Whiskey Row is more vibrant than ever, and it...

Coming by way of Mexico, Ancho Reyes is a liqueur made from chiles grown in the volcanic soil of the Puebla region. For the Verde expression, the chiles are picked when they are green; for Original, the chiles are picked after they turn red. The chiles used for Original are sun-dried for 15-20 days, while chiles for Verde are fire-roasted, then macerated and soaked in small vats of neutral cane spirits for up to 6 months. After resting it’s bottled at 40% ABV—higher than many other liqueurs—and packs quite a kick in both flavor and proof.
It’s smoky, sweet, and spicy—similar to many whiskies. This makes the two perfect partners for cocktails. “The spice in Ancho Reyes makes it a wonderful modifier for almost any spirit,” says Natalie Bovis, mixologist and founder of beverage consulting company The Liquid Muse. “Rye naturally has a bit of spice already, so that like-with-like pairing works easily. I also like to play with higher-proof...

Back in 19th-century Scotland and Ireland, whisky merchants also sold wine, bringing in popular fortified wines like port and sherry. Casks filled with wine were shipped across the sea from Spain and Portugal, and once they were emptied, the merchants would often refill them with whisky from a nearby distillery rather than discard them and pay for new casks. Eventually, people came to see that a whisky’s maturation in wine casks contributed some very nice flavors. Ireland’s whiskey merchants, famously Dublin’s J.A. Mitchell & Son with its Spot whiskeys, were particularly renowned.
But those days were more about cost expedience, and generally involved full maturation rather than finishing per se. It was in Scotland during the early 1980s that cask finishing as a modern art form was born. In 1982, David Stewart, former malt master at Speyside distillery Balvenie, decided to see what would happen when a whisky aged in American oak casks was transferred to a...

On its face, sage may not seem like a cocktail-friendly herb. After all, it's used in holiday dishes like stuffing and to season sausage. But it also adds a lightness and, thanks to its oils, silky mouthfeel to drinks like Six Paths.
This cocktail is a variation of the Perfect Manhattan. “The normally bold and boozy cocktail is mellowed out with fresh sage and celery bitters, almost making it light and fresh,” says creator Carson Bush, lead bartender at Idol Wolf at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.
The name is a reference to the six paths of yin and yang—and the balance the drink achieves.
“My goal was to appeal to more people with a cocktail that bridges different types of drinkers,” Bush explains. “It's something that maybe gets you out of your comfort zone a little bit but is still simple and elegant. It appeases someone who likes a classic Manhattan or a booze-forward libation and also someone who wants something light and easy to...

Bars with outdoor seating are in high demand when the weather starts to warm; bars that are on the water even more so. And while most waterfront watering holes will reliably have the classic summertime cocktails—think Margarita and Gin and Tonic—on offer, the 10 listed here are actually whisky destinations. After all, true enthusiasts know that whisky has no season. So sit back, relax, and raise a toast to summer as you enjoy your whisky by the water.
Bourbon Prime
Morgantown, West Virginia
With a dining room featuring indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the Monongahela, the mother river of rye whiskey, this bourbon-focused restaurant offers a casual take on upscale chophouse fare, complemented by a whisky list of more than 80 labels. It claims to be the first establishment in West Virginia to develop its own private selection bourbon from Woodford Reserve, which it calls the Country Roads Blend. The current batch is No. 29 and can be enjoyed by the 1...

After being established more than 150 years ago, Yellowstone Bourbon continues to keep things fresh. Founded in 1872, created to honor America’s first national park, the brand is, for the first time, offering twists to its world-class historic formula. 
The Special Finishes Collection launched in October of 2023 with bourbons that have seen secondary maturation in other types of casks and wood staves. 
First, came Toasted, a 100 proof, four-year-old bourbon, which recently received a Double Gold award at the 2024 San Francisco Wine Spirits Competition. Crafted using the same, heritage Yellowstone Bourbon mashbill, a flavorful blend of High Toast, American Oak, Double Toast, Rickhouse, High Vanilla and Spicerack staves were mixed with the Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey for added complexity. The result is a bourbon that explodes with toasted caramel, vanilla, and fall spices on the nose, before ushering in a palate of walnut, toffee, black tea, and white...

Whether you're on a quest for a new pour, buying a gift, or searching for a unique bottle to share with friends, shopping for a whisky can be overwhelming with the abundance of choices available today. Our Summer issue serves up a list of 95 high-scoring whiskies priced at $100 or less. Consider this list when seeking a whisky to mix up in a refreshing summer cocktail; we've curated a list of 10 whisky-based drinks to beat the summer heat. Plus, bartenders shared their tips and tricks to elevate your at-home mixing. Prefer to leave it to the professionals? Visit any or all of the 10 waterfront whisky bars featured in this issue. And that's not all. This issue also covers the nitty-gritty of bottled in bond, a whisky lover's travel guide to Newport, Rhode Island, and a plethora of reviews of recently released whiskies. Happy shopping and...

We recently published our Editor's Choice selections for scotch whisky from the Summer issue's Buying Guide, and here we present the Editor's Choices for rye—along with a few others that scored 90 points and higher. Some are new and others are not, but even the returnees are worth another visit.  Whether sipping neat alongside s'mores, mixing them with a cocktail by the lake, or with a cold rock after a day at the beach, there's plenty to love about rye whiskey. Most ryes are spicy, but there's a lot more variance than some people may think. Those with 95% rye in the mashbill are lip-smacking, spicy favorites, but the ones with more corn or malt in the mix can be sweeter. Across the spectrum, you'll find flavors ranging from fruity, earthy, bakery-like, creamy caramel, and even coffee-laden. Sample some of these high-scoring ryes to find your sweet and spicy spot.
93 Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve Chocolate Malt...

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us: in addition to honoring our fallen veterans, it's also the unofficial kick-off of summer, when weekends are made for cookouts. While it's perfectly fine to set out a cooler of beers and hard seltzers, this year pull out your bar cart too. Whisky cocktails can enhance the flavors of smoked ribs, juicy burgers, charred steak, and anything else you grill. “You can use a smoky whisky to complement smoked or char-grilled meats and veggies, or something peppery like a rye to bring out the rubs and seasoning commonly used in summer cookouts,” says Rebecca Mullis, bar administrator at Husk Savannah in Georgia. Add classic warm-weather flavors like iced tea, lemonade, and seasonal fruit, and friends will be grilling you for these recipes.
Peachy Quien
Created by Ziv Scherman, food and beverage director, Blue Jay Bistro, Littleton, North Carolina
This bright, lively drink starts with sweet peach, then the heat starts to...

Like making a good cocktail, creating whisky-infused ice cream is both science and art. You can't add too much alcohol, or it won't freeze well, and you also want the flavors to balance each other out: Rather than whisky hitting you over the head, it should complement the ice cream's overall profile. 
This can be easier than you think. “The sweet, nutty, caramel notes often identified in whisky and the buttery, vanilla notes in bourbon make them perfect for inclusion in desserts,” says Rachel Chitwood, vice president of marketing for Tipsy Scoop.
Even better, “whisky heightens the flavor of the ice cream without compromising its taste,” says Ashley Kendrick, owner of Malachi's Ice Cream Bar in Jacksonville, Florida. “Ice cream masks the bitterness of alcohol, so you can get more of the flavor profile rather than the harshness that some may perceive when drinking it.”
No wonder Chitwood and Kendrick say their ice cream can...

Wild Turkey has unveiled the latest expression in its Master’s Keep series. Master’s Keep Triumph is a 10 year old rye, making it the oldest age-stated rye the distillery has ever released. This one is priced at $275, the same as last year’s Master’s Keep Voyage expression. As usual, it’s a limited release: it will be available in select markets across the U.S. at retail, and via online presale in early June.
Triumph is the 10th Master’s Keep release since the series began in 2015, and only the second rye. The other Master’s Keep rye expression was Cornerstone, which was released in 2019 and comprised 9 and 11 year old ryes, but was not age-stated. Most Wild Turkey rye is normally aged about 4-6 years.
Since its first year in 2015, Master’s Keep has continued to showcase its luxury side. Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell has never been a fan of ultra-aged whiskeys, preferring the top age to be 8-10 years—older than...

Drinkable Doritos? In hard liquor form? An interesting concept from the folks at Empirical Spirits, one that raises additional questions. How does nacho cheese-flavored liquor taste? Is it worth $65 per bottle? And, of course, how the hell did they make it?
We’ll get into all that in a second, but first, a little primer on Empirical Spirits, the company behind the Doritos liquor. Founded in 2017 by Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, Empirical Spirits focuses on flavor first, and spirit categorization second. Using custom-built machinery and equipment, as well as bespoke fermentation and distillation techniques, the team—comprised of staff who’ve toiled in the world’s best kitchens, pushing the boundaries of food—brings a self-described “maniacal approach” to bring new flavors to liquor shelves.
There’s a heavy emphasis on uncategorized spirits. Empirical isn’t trying to compete with existing categories, deemed too...

In the 1960s and ‘70s, with vodka ascendant and whisky sales tumbling, many brands started trying to make their whiskies more vodka-like, raising the proof off the still and lowering the proof in the bottle to make it lighter, less flavorful and “easier” or “smoother.” Today, with whisky riding a long growth curve, the situation is reversed: spirits that are typically unaged are being barrel-aged. Gins, mezcals, sojus—and yes, even vodkas—are acquiring a brown hue from time spent in a barrel, with an emphasis on new American oak and whisky barrels that impart flavors familiar to whisky drinkers.
Barrel-aged spirits of all sorts are, of course, nothing new. In the 18th and 19th centuries, any spirits that had to be transported were carried in wooden barrels, so some degree of barrel aging was virtually universal even if inadvertent. In the 20th century, Seagram’s Extra Dry gin was “rested” for a month in whiskey barrels as...

As we take off the heavy layers of clothing in the transition from winter to spring, many people also swap strong, whisky-heavy drinks for lighter ones you can sip all day. Hard seltzers and clear spirit-based Highballs aren’t your only options, though. Whisky cocktails can also be low in alcohol by volume (ABV)—and still be satisfyingly complex. The trick is to use whisky as an accent, rather than a base.
“With lower-ABV cocktails, you have even more room to play with different ingredients you wouldn’t normally use,” says Sophie Snyder, corporate beverage director for Whiskey Neat in Fort Lauderdale. Think vermouth, sherry, fortified wine, amari, liqueurs, and aperitifs. Add about half the whisky you typically would use, and top it off with refreshing bubbles, like club soda, ginger beer, or sparkling wine. But don’t throw your entire liquor cabinet into a shaker. “Ensure the flavors are mingling with one another, creating another thing...

A quarter of British people don’t do anything spontaneously, and 40 percent of Brits won’t pick up unexpected calls from unknown numbers. Buffalo Trace Distillery wants to see if this data (pulled from a survey it commissioned) is accurate, so it installed a rebranded British phone booth in the Covent Garden neighborhood of London, steps from its Buffalo Trace Distillery London, a new brand center and "immersive experience" where visitors can, taste, buy, and learn all about Buffalo Trace's whiskeys. This weekend only, May 4th and May 5th, passersby who hear the phone ring and pick up the call will be rewarded with a very rare and VIP tasting flight, which will include some of the most coveted Buffalo Trace products. 
Buffalo Trace Distillery London officially opens Monday, May 6th, 2024, but anyone who picks up the call (and a friend) will immediately be whisked inside the place, ahead of the public opening. There, these lucky...

Although Margaritas are the go-to on Cinco de Mayo, you don't have to wash down your guac and tacos with tequila. You can also celebrate Latino history and culture with whisky.
Corn (a common ingredient in the spirit) is believed to have originated in Mexico. And according to Mayan culture, the gods made the first humans out of the grain.
The Maestro cocktail starts with a blended whisky and incorporates other meaningful ingredients to embody the spirit of Cinco de Mayo. “It includes a touch of French liqueur with a hint of bitterness, paying homage to the historical significance of this day. And by incorporating foreign spirits, it symbolizes the resilience and unity demonstrated during the battle in Mexico,” says creator Luis Villanueva, managing partner and beverage director of Casa Bond in New York City. “The added spice serves as a vibrant accent, celebrating the fusion of cultures and flavors.”
As the name implies, the Maestro is a perfect...

Add extra layers of complexity and flavor to your celebration with a bottle of small-batch tequila or mezcal. Expressions include fresh, citrus-driven blancos, a rich, warming anejo, a Napa Cabernet-finished rosé, and a smoky mezcal. Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a deliciously balanced cocktail, they will please any agave connoisseur at the party. You’ll find quality in every bottle. Learn more about these Top Shelf spirits below.
Código Tequila Reposado
Carefully rested for six months in Napa Valley Cabernet French White Oak wine barrels. The Reposado features the brightness of ripe agave with some of the warm, smoky undertones often found in whiskey, like vanilla, oak, and caramel. Complex, delightful flavors make the Código 1530 Reposado a flexible spirit. Savor on the rocks or in the indulgent cocktail of your choice.
Código Tequila Rosa
A unique fusion of tequila and wine...

An all-time record in weekend bets north of $400 million is expected at Churchill Downs for the much-anticipated 150th running of the Kentucky Derby taking place the first weekend in May. But for visiting guests enjoying the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the number that really matters is the $200 million-plus in trackside improvements for the historic 2024 races.
The main event was a total reworking of the multi-level Paddock building. The new version is more than twice as big, and it’s the epicenter of the racetrack’s action. It combines the pre-race stables where the jockeys and horses suit up with food and drink outlets and several VIP lounges, such as the all-new Woodford Reserve Paddock Club. Considered an ultra-premium lounge, it lets fans get closer to the action than ever before, with tables that look directly at the horse stalls. The Woodford Club now accesses a formerly private rose-covered tunnel connected directly to the Paddock lawn...

The classic New York Sour is, “a powerful weapon to have in your home bartending arsenal,” for two reasons, says Tim Sweeney, head bartender and partner at Pebble Bar in New York City. For one, it's gorgeous. For another, despite its appearance, it's simple to make: Shake up a Whiskey Sour, strain, and float red wine on top.
This delicious combination of fruit and a spicy rye or smoky bourbon can please anyone. “It can be a great discovery for people who enjoy whiskey but aren’t big wine drinkers, and for those who love wine but aren’t big on whiskey,” Sweeney says. “And it's an absolute revelation for people who love both.”
For a new twist, try his Crimson and Clover, which pays homage to a few of his favorite drinks: the New York Sour, the Clover Club, and the Chicago Fizz. “The raspberry opens up a layer of fruitiness in the cocktail that is balanced out by the foamy texture of the egg and Angostura bitters,” he...

With its stunning combination of coastline and mountains, hiking trails, and world-class ski slopes, all just a three-hour drive from Seattle, Vancouver’s reputation as an outdoor adventurer’s paradise is well-merited. But there is another side to Canada’s third-most populated city, less well-known but every bit as exciting to the right sort of aficionado.
Vancouver is a drinks destination offering everything a curious imbiber would desire.
It’s the birthplace of craft brewing in Canada, was a cider mecca long before cider was cool, is located adjacent to the second-largest wine region in the country, and perhaps most importantly, has become a hub of craft distilling and creative mixology. Vancouver has it all, and it all lies within a relatively tight, easily traversed urban core.
Day One

Among the grandest and most storied hotels in the city are the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Rosewood Hotel Georgia, located within a block of each other...

There aren’t many whisky flavors as divisive as peat. You either love it or you don’t, but that doesn’t mean all smoky whiskies taste the same. For some Islay distillers and others around the globe, turning to a popular tool in scotch whisky, the sherry cask, adds new dimensions to peated whisky.
Laphroaig, famous for its peat, has utilized sherry casks for a variety of expressions, including its 10 year old Sherry Oak Finish and the 2021 Càirdeas Pedro Ximénez Edition. “It just does something different with the smoke,” says distillery manager Barry MacAffer of the sherry cask influence. “It doesn’t dampen it, it doesn’t silence it, it doesn’t make it disappear, it just moves it in a different direction.”
Sweetening the peated profile with sherry casks can attract drinkers who might otherwise find it difficult to connect with peat. “There are a lot of people out there that aren’t Laphroaig...

The days of Prohibition may be far behind us, but the allure of the speakeasy lives on. Since these clandestine watering holes tend to be hidden behind unmarked doors or tucked away within another establishment, just being inside a speakeasy means you’re “in the know,” adding a level of intrigue. The speakeasies listed here all boast excellent whisky selections, and a couple are even located in the same buildings where real speakeasies existed in the 1920s, so you can truly be transported back through history as you sip your favorite— thankfully completely legal—dram or Prohibition-era cocktail.
Apothecary 330 
Fort Lauderdale
This spot can be found inside Pizzacraft Artisan Pizzeria, behind a sliding door next to the kitchen. Away from the bustle of the pizzeria, the cozy bar harkens back to the 1920s with leather Chesterfield chairs, chandeliers, and an ornate wooden backbar holding an impressive selection of over 300 whiskies...

Most people know that tequila and mezcal are both crafted from agave. Beyond that, the well of knowledge usually runs dry. A few pointers on the differences between these two types of spirits will help enhance your appreciation of mezcal, Mexico’s once-forgotten agave spirit whose popularity is now blooming.
Regulations require that only blue Weber agave be used for tequila. Around 30 varieties can be used for mezcal, but there are just a handful that are typically used. The denominations of origin for each also specify different Mexican states where they can legally be grown. So although these two spirits are both agave-based, the differences are significant.
Once the agave has been harvested and the leaves removed to reveal the pine cone-shaped heart or piña, it’s cooked and crushed to convert its starches into more readily fermentable sugars. The piña for tequila is typically cooked in steam, whereas for mezcal it is buried and cooked using wood...

The Old Fashioned is as deep-rooted as cocktails themselves—in fact, the earliest known description of a cocktail from the early 1800s is essentially just a recipe for an Old Fashioned: spirit, sugar, water (commonly in the form of ice), and bitters. The drink has been a popular choice for whisky fans and cocktail enthusiasts ever since its inception, but in more recent years, twists on the classic build have grown increasingly popular, giving this 19th-century cocktail 21st-century relevance.
“Both professional mixologists and casual drinkers appreciate the simplicity and elegance of this timeless cocktail, but because of its versatility bartenders have been able to add their own flare, which has expanded its allure,” notes Nikki McCutcheon, senior director of beverage for New York City-based Tao Group Hospitality. “I love that it can be as classic and simple or as extravagant and seasonal as you want to make it—its base recipe is a blank canvas you...

 
 
When the calendar says it's spring but winter won't leave, mix up this spin on a Kentucky Mule for a taste of summer. The combination of sweet bourbon, tart lime, spicy ginger, and refreshing mint is an easy sipper to enjoy all day long.
For a drink with even more punch and personality, try the Bohemian Raspberry. Created by Tyler Smith, bartender at Whiskey Cake in Stafford, Texas, this bold twist adds homemade raspberry syrup. “The sweet bite from the ginger beer with the dry tartness of the lime juice propel the berry notes to the forefront of the cocktail and make it that much more refreshing than the classic Mule,” says Alan Dean, concept beverage manager at Whiskey Cake. 
 
Bohemian Raspberry

2 oz. Buffalo Trace (or other wheated bourbon)
3/4 oz. raspberry syrup (recipe below)
3/4 oz. lime juice
5 large fresh mint leaves
2 oz. ginger beer
3 raspberries and 1 mint sprig for...

It started as a warehouse joke. “Everyone does a cigar batch or a cigar blend,” says Macaulay Minton, president and chief alchemist at Dark Arts Whiskey House in Lexington, Kentucky. “I’m a cannabis consumer, so I said, ‘Let’s make a blunt blend.’” Minton’s crew chuckled, then got serious, yanking some barrels for a blend of straight rye whiskeys that would be ideal to pair with marijuana.
Dark Arts Blunt Blend is the first time anyone’s created a whiskey made to pair with marijuana. “There’s a lot of beer-centric cannabis accompaniments or cigar and whiskey pairings, but no whiskey made with cannabis in mind,” says Minton. (To be clear: there’s no marijuana in this whiskey.)
“I wanted this to be perfect whiskey to complement weed smoking,” says Minton, “We tried some blends, but we were most drawn to the rye because of the herbaceousness and spice quality,” he says...

Distillers at A. Smith Bowman, a Sazerac-owned facility in Virginia, are experimenting with a limited release series of oak-matured whiskeys. The great news: its first offering, Abraham Bowman French Oak, is positively delicious. The less great news: it’s only available by entering a lottery and winners have to pick up the bottle in person at the Virginia distillery. Those winners willing to make the journey won’t mind the effort. They’ll be too busy enjoying dram after dram of this rare treat. Here’s what to know about this new release.
What’s Abraham Bowman Oak Series? 
It’s a new program from the A. Smith Bowman distillery, one that aims at moving the boundaries on American whiskey maturation and methodologies, while staying true to the original distillation principles of founder Abraham Bowman, the great-grandfather of the distillery’s founder, Abram Smith Bowman. 
The Oak Series nests under the umbrella of...

Custard desserts resonate with the soul, free of the fuss or frills of an elaborate dessert. Like whiskey, custard, whether nestled in a chess pie, poured out as a crème anglaise, or stirred into a classic pudding is comforting and straightforward. The strong vanilla notes with a tinge of spice found in a mid-shelf bourbon like Maker’s Mark work well in this spring-forward tart by complementing the mellow toastiness of the almond crust and the sweet but bright notes of the Meyer lemon in the custard. Canadian whiskies with a smooth sweet finish such as Crown Royal would also work well here. Avoid using high-proof, bold, or peated whiskies as the strong flavors might overwhelm the sweetness of the custard.
What’s a Flip?
This recipe pays homage to the creamy cocktail known as a Flip. A frothy sip with a rich mouthfeel, a whiskey version typically includes beaten eggs, sugar, and spices. Composed of these basic elements with the addition of Meyer lemon, this...

Lemon juice is typically the preferred citrus in whisky cocktails, but other citrus can also lend bright acidity and, in the case of tangerines, natural, subtle sweetness. “It can enhance the whisky by balancing out the smoky notes and add depth to a cocktail's aroma,” says Jeancarlo Cardenas, corporate beverage director at Osaka in Miami.
After enjoying a fruity, smoky, spicy cocktail created by Viviana Cabiedes, a bartender from Osaka in Peru, he was inspired to experiment with tangerines and whisky. Her version used camu camu, a sour berry commonly found in the Amazon rainforest. In addition to the tangerine, he added rosemary for herbaceous notes and a rim of togarashi, a Japanese blend of spices, for a kick.
No wonder he named it Amai Shio. “In Japanese, amai means sweet, and shio means salty,” Cardenas explains. “This versatile cocktail has sweet, citrus, and spicy notes with smoky expressions, generating a smooth balance of...

This St. Patrick's Day celebrate with a pour of Irish whiskey or maybe a flight, perhaps a pint of Guinness, or might we suggest elevating your festivities with an Irish whiskey cocktail?
“Lighter, blended, and younger-aged whiskeys, with their smooth and approachable profiles, effortlessly blend with fruity and herbal notes,” says Aaron Wells, bar director at Chicago's Celeste. Try them in brighter cocktails, he suggests, where you'll appreciate the whiskey's nuanced flavors.
The Apple Drop is a tribute to the Irish countryside, where the fruit is grown. Smooth Irish whiskey meets the refreshing embrace of Granny Smith apples, while lemon adds a zing of citrus. Topping with foam bitters leads to a velvety mouthfeel. Sláinte!
Apple Drop

1 1/2 oz. Bushmills Original (or other blended Irish)
2 oz. Granny Smith apple juice
3/4 oz. lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
3 dashes Fee Brothers foam bitters
Fresh apple slices for...

The Old Fashioned is one of America's oldest cocktails, and Ireland has never really entered into its origin story. But there is actually an Irish connection of sorts, starting with James E. Pepper, the distinguished 19th-century bourbon figure whose eponymous distillery has been restored in the modern era. Pepper is often credited with introducing the Old Fashioned to New York City at the Waldorf Hotel bar in the late 19th century. As It happens, Pepper was of Irish origin—his maternal grandmother was an O'Bannon, whose family was originally from Tipperary. Though some dispute Pepper’s role in the rise of the Old Fashioned, we share it in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, along with a recipe to make an Old Fashioned with an Irish twist.
It starts with an aged Irish whiskey. “Aged and cask-aged Irish whiskeys offer a robust backbone that withstands the intensity of bitters and other sharper ingredients, creating an exciting and...

With roughly 4,000 Irish pubs to be found across the country, there are plenty of options for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day—and even at a regular old pub, you’re likely to be able to get a shot of Jameson and a pint of Guinness. But for something a little more special, there’s a handful of Irish bars with expansive Irish whiskey selections sure to please even the most particular of connoisseurs. Here are five spots worth a visit, especially if you’re looking to honor St. Patrick this month.
An Sibin, Cambridge, Massachusetts
The newest bar on the list, An Sibin opened in September 2022 and is a cross between an Irish pub and an American speakeasy, with modern and classic cocktails offered alongside an impressive selection of 130-145 whiskies, depending on availability, 30-40 of which are Irish, and one of the best pours of Guinness in the Boston area. Irish whiskey selections range from big names like Bushmills ($10/2 oz.) and Tullamore D.E.W...

Whether you’re a fan of neat bourbon or scotch on the rocks, there’s a great whiskey (or whisky) cocktail you’ll love. We’ve got variations on classics including the Old Fashioned, Sazarac, Manhattan, Irish Coffee, this spin on the Rob Roy, and more, plus newer cocktails, like this Paper Plane makeover. 
Whether your whiskey preference is bourbon, rye, Irish, scotch, Japanese, or a world whisky, there’s something on our list for every palate. There are plenty of options for refreshing summer whisky drinks as well as fireside sippers and cocktails that are perfect for the holidays or winter months when you want to warm up with whiskey. Looking for special occasion whiskies? We have you covered with suggestions for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and beyond. Or check out these entertaining with whisky ideas.
Our list spans the flavor gamut, too, with options for those who like cocktails sweet or floral to spicy and complex...

No matter the style of gin (and there are a few), you can always count on a bounty of botanicals, as the spirit harnesses some of the most potent and arresting flavors nature has to offer. Generally speaking, gin can be distilled from any raw material; from rye, wheat, barley, or corn, to potatoes or grapes. Genever, the oldest style of gin, is an exception to this rule, as it must be made from grain. The majority of gins are dry and juniper-forward—think London Dry as the pinnacle of this style—and they’re augmented by the likes of citrus peel, coriander, and countless other botanicals in bespoke blends. Old Tom gins are outliers in this respect, as unlike their dry and herbaceous counterparts, they’re notably sweet, be it from the addition of sweeteners or barrel aging. Of note: Old Tom is the only style that can be called “barrel-aged” according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). All other gin exists only as an unaged...

With St. Patrick’s Day nearly upon us, Irish whiskey will be front and center. It’s a most versatile and exciting spirit, but if your experience with Irish whiskey is limited to downing shots once a year dressed in a green velvet leprechaun’s hat, then we’ve got three routes to help you engage with Irish whiskey on a more rewarding level. First, our neat pour list contains six whiskeys that are worth getting to know better as they represent some of the most flavorsome whiskeys from Ireland right now. Second, for the make-at-home cocktail enthusiast, we pick six bottles to play with at home, each with a different style of Irish whiskey. With dozens of cocktail recipes online for inspiration, we want to be less prescriptive and encourage you to make a cocktail you love using an Irish whiskey and then make it again with a different pick to show you how whisky flavor influences the finished cocktail. Finally, Irish whiskey and food is a match made in heaven, so we...

William Grant & Sons boasts a strong scotch whisky stable that includes brands like Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Grant’s, and Monkey Shoulder, but it also produces a Scottish gin. Hendrick’s was launched in 1999 with Lesley Gracie, a scientist who joined William Grant’s whisky division 12 years earlier, as master distiller. It’s made at a distillery that’s right up the road from Girvan Distillery, the Lowlands-based workhorse that produces grain parcels for William Grant’s blended scotches. 
Hendrick’s house style is relatively straightforward: it’s made from a proprietary blend of at least 11 botanicals, with an extra cucumber and rose petal infusion, using both a traditional copper pot still and a Carter Head still, a relatively rare type of pot still designed by John Carter, an apprentice of Aeneas Coffey, for use in gin distilling. Occasionally, however, Gracie will make tweaks to the recipe, resulting in creations that shift...

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 100 miles southwest of Washington D.C., the beautiful city of Charlottesville, Virginia is home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (just outside town) and the University of Virginia. It's also home to Ragged Branch Distillery and Foxfield Races. In honor of Foxfield’s 45th running of its steeplechase races on April 27th Ragged Branch is releasing a limited-edition bottled in bond bourbon. This two-barrel release, available only in Virginia, was made from a mashbill of 68% corn, 16% rye, and 16% malted barley that was barreled on August 19, 2018 in No.-3 char American oak and on February 3, 2022, transferred to char No.-4 American oak barrels before bottling on February 7, 2024.
Ragged Branch’s grains are grown on its nearby 800-acre crop and cattle farm Pounding Branch. The spent mash from the distillery is used to feed the farm’s cattle. You can pick up a bottle of this limited release ($57...

Ask Chris Stapleton about his palate and the country icon laughs. “I’m not one of those folks who can pick out distinct flavors,” he says. “I’ve got a “Gladiator” approach: thumbs up or down. I don’t consider myself a whiskey expert—other than in consumption.”
The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer always issues a thumbs up to Buffalo Trace Distillery products, particularly E.H. Taylor. “Someone brought a bottle into the studio in 2013 and I loved it,” Stapleton tells us during a video chat from a Florida vacation. “I find something I like and stick to it. [E.H. Taylor] is where I’ve lived for a long time.” Present for every recording session of any record he’s made, E.H. Taylor may well be a de facto member of Stapleton’s band.
Now E.H. Taylor must battle for studio space. Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey is here.
What is Traveller Whiskey and How is it...

When Woodford Reserve Double Oaked splashed onto the scene in 2012, it was somewhat of an anomaly: Not only was cask finishing not yet in its frenetic heyday, but doubling down and finishing bourbon in secondary new oak was practically unheard of, with but one exception—Tennessee’s Prichard’s Distillery released a Double Barreled bourbon in 2002, but that was a small, limited expression. 
Double Oaked is an amber-hued whiskey that has no age statement, which is typical for Woodford—none of its whiskeys have age statements, as they’re batched together from barrels of different ages, warehouses, warehouse locations, and flavor profiles, and the distillery chooses to forgo stating even the youngest age on the bottle. That said, we know it’s at least 4 years old, given the basic requirements for bourbon maturation, and that the average age is probably closer to 5, given that the whiskey spends just under a year in its secondary barrel. While...

Pouring liquor into a glass just to toss it out may seem wasteful, but an absinthe rinse can be a “sublime addition to brighten and elevate a whisky-based cocktail,” says Andrew "Mitch" Thaggard, bartender at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, Florida. “It can add depth and character to a drink without being overwhelming.”
It's particularly delicious in the spirit-forward cocktails that shine in winter, such as Thaggard's Descent Into Averna. “The name comes from a Magic: The Gathering card game named Descent into Avernus,” he explains. “When I decided to use Averna in the build, it felt perfect. I imagine descending into a dark cave as you start to enjoy the cocktail: Where will the night take you? What will you experience?”
The night is unknown, but as far as the drink, expect aromatics of the star anise highlighted by the absinthe as you bring the glass to your lips. Take a sip, and grass and black pepper from the rye hit the...

On Valentine's Day, many people focus on dinner and dessert, ignoring a key component that can truly impress your partner: a hand-crafted after-dinner beverage. As luck would have it, whiskey and chocolate—a staple for Valentine’s Day—are a match made in heaven.
“Whisky and chocolate work very well together without drowning out each others' notes,” says Alberto Battaglini, co-owner of PONY in Santa Ynez, California. “They have a symbiotic relationship where chocolate will coat the bitterness and ABV of the whisky, and on the other hand, whisky will cut down the sweetness of the chocolate.”
Experience this harmony in Battaglini's Chocolate-Washed Sazerac, a sweeter, deeper, complex riff on the traditional version. “A customer always wanted to have an after-dinner cocktail with more punch than a regular amaro,” he explains. “Adding the chocolate-washed whiskey was a way to keep the flavor under control and mask the...

When the gleaming black and brass Macallan bar cart is rolled throughout the gorgeous bar Grain, whisky lovers feel right at home. It features a rotating selection of at least half a dozen expressions from the Highlands distillery, all served with a fascinating side of education from the passionate staff, making this a standout whisky experience. Grain also offers more than 200 other whiskies from around the world, and terrific cocktails too, in a city with no shortage of them. Whisky fans, Sydney is the place for you. Australia was off-limits to most international visitors during the pandemic, and in that time many of the city’s top hotels, bars, and restaurants used the opportunity to reconfigure, revamp, or reenergize. The result is a world-class capital that buzzes with excitement and overflows with more great food and cocktails than visitors might experience in a lifetime.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! With that in mind, we’ve compiled the...

Dusty bourbon is having a moment. The hunt for vintage whiskeys and the cocktails created with them is on the rise, and more bars are offering well-preserved, authenticated older bottles, affectionately known as “dusties” to their fans. Iconic venues like New York City’s Brandy Library and Flatiron Room, Delilah’s in Chicago, and Washington D.C.’s Jack Rose have long offered coveted pours from these bottles from yesteryear.
In recent times, new laws have loosened the restrictions on buying and selling vintage bottles outside of traditional auctions. The new rules have also eased as to how those dusty bourbon and whiskey bottles may be resold at retail, and the floodgates have opened. Here, then, are seven of the best places across North America to deliciously drink your way through the past.

Canon, Seattle
If you want to go all-out with vintage cocktails, Canon will happily indulge you with an array of mind-boggling libations. Try a...

On June 24, 1889, on Main Street in Telluride, Colorado, Butch Cassidy robbed his very first bank. Skiing had not come to town yet, but whiskey certainly had, and the famed outlaw was known to partake. The story goes that he holed up in the tiny nearby mining hamlet of Dunton Hot Springs, where he carved his name into the bar of the town’s saloon. Dunton became a ghost town, but was purchased in 1994 and the entire town and its Old West buildings were transformed into one of the nation’s most luxurious all-inclusive boutique resorts. Today the saloon is the resort’s main bar, and Dunton Hot Springs has a nice selection of scotch and bourbon, and guests can sit at the bar etched with Cassidy’s signature for a dram. The house label is George Dickel, an old case of which was discovered beneath the floor during renovation. The owner took this as a sign and now leaves a bottle out in the library for guests to enjoy at their leisure. That’s taking après...

Tullamore D.E.W. has announced the release of its honey liqueur in the U.S. The Irish whiskey’s Original label—a blend of pot distilled, malt, and grain whiskeys—is infused with honey from the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. According to the International Centre for Young Beekeepers the Czech Republic has 55,000 beekeepers, of which 33,000 are hobbyists, caring for 600,000 hives. The small, independent apiarists with their focus on quality are the source of the honey for this liqueur.
The expression is not new; it launched in four countries, including the Czech Republic, in 2021. But it’s now available nationwide, with a suggested retail price of $24. Irish whiskey fans might enjoy this sweet twist for a Highball, mixed with lemonade or ginger beer, or perhaps a Hot Toddy.
Among Irish whiskeys, the most famous honey-based liqueur is Irish Mist, which interestingly enough, comes from the town of Tullamore. Irish Mist was once owned by the Williams...

If you open a tiny gourmet sushi bar that earns a Michelin Star and is described by New York Magazine as having “The Absolute Best Sushi in New York,” what do you do for an encore? You might open an equally impressive cocktail bar next door—and let the two share one of the largest Japanese whisky lists outside of Tokyo. That’s just what the owners of the 8 year old Noda restaurant did when they added Shinji’s Bar in 2022.
Located in the Flatiron District on 20th Street just off 6th Avenue, Shinji’s is a hidden gem and respite from the frenetic urban scene around it. Even knowing the address, the door and signage are so discreet you might walk past it. Once you do get inside, you’ll find just half a dozen seats around a central semi-circular bar of elaborate tile topped with black and gold marble, in front of a modern brass and glass rack of shelves holding both spirits and an extensive display of fresh seasonal fruit. Set back...

Close your eyes and conjure up a trip to Switzerland. The imposing presence of the Swiss Alps looms in the distance. Maybe it’s wintertime and a fire is roaring beside you after a busy day on the slopes. Thick blankets of fresh snow drape the streets and the rooftops. Or perhaps it’s summer and grassy meadows are dotted with bright flowers as hikers take to the trails. A pot of fondue is on the table, and a glass of Swiss wine is in your hands. Wait a minute: How about a prized 25 year old single cask whisky in your glass, and a vintage Cuban cigar on the table? That sounds even better, doesn’t it?

While Switzerland is a premier destination for skiing and hiking, and the gorgeous Alpine views and lifestyle perks that come with it, and is noted for its cheese, chocolate, and fine dining, it’s also one of the world’s top destinations for whisky and cigar lovers. The country offers an unparalleled collection of bars and lounges, not to mention...

Thankfully for cocktail enthusiasts, we’ve come a long way from the neon red cherries often seen floating in a Shirley Temple. Today there are numerous craft cocktail cherries worth considering.
Luxardo maraschinos are the gold standard, and then there are newer names like Filthy Black, Dirty Sue, and Tempus Fugit Spirits’ 19th Century Style, and even some from whiskey producers, including Woodford Reserve and Traverse City Whiskey Co., both of which offer cherries soaked in their bourbon. In addition to whisky, cocktail cherries can be preserved in brandy or Bordeaux wine or even rum—although not every brand is produced with booze, and in fact, Luxardo’s aren’t.
Cocktail cherries are most commonly used as a garnish, but for even more of a sweet-tart cherry blast, try muddling them or using their syrup in your next whisky cocktail. “Cocktail cherries can stand up to many different flavors and pair well with vanilla, nuts, and spices, all of...

Winter is the ideal time of year for enjoying decadent desserts and whiskey. After all, the frigid air practically calls for that classic combination. To help bring warmth to the season, we enlisted the help of the team at Silas Creative Kitchen + Cocktails in the Hotel Versailles in Versailles, Ohio.
Great food and whiskey are baked into the DNA of the property, which hosts the annual Bourbon & Bubbles cocktail party to jumpstart the holiday season. The fantastic dessert below was conceived by pastry chef Kimberly Davis, and the cocktail pairing, from the Silas bartending team, frames it in particularly delicious ways. If you’re more in the mood for a dram, they’ve got you covered there, too. Director of hospitality Jack Olshan has come up with a perfect pairing partner.

“When you take that first sip of a good whiskey,” Olshan says, “it warms you from your head to your toes. When talking about bourbon, we call that the Kentucky hug...

Every January 25th, the Scots (and scotch whisky fans around the world) raise a glass to toast the life of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. The first Burns Night was hosted in Burns’s home in Alloway, South Ayrshire on the fifth anniversary of his death in 1801. Burns Suppers today haven’t changed all that much from those early days—haggis, bagpipe music, and rounds of scotch whisky toasts being the key features. We asked some leading lights in the scotch whisky world how they’ll be spending their Burns Night this year and which drams they’ll likely be sipping.
Rachel Barrie 

Rachel Barrie, master blender for BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh will be spending Burns Night overseas this year, dining in Shanghai on a business trip. But she still plans to toast Robert Burns. Barrie recommends GlenDronach 12 year old as a Burns Night dram, citing its pairability with the night’s classic haggis with neeps and tatties...

Whisky and baking spices are a natural combination since flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice are innate in the spirit. But go another layer deeper (and farther back on your spice rack), and you’ll discover that turmeric, black pepper, cayenne, five-spice powder, and other less-used spices also lend warmth and complexity to the already-bold spirit, says Henry Dwyer, bar manager of Hutong New York.
Whether you’re looking for something smoky, sweet, silky smooth, or with a bit of bite, spices can elevate your whisky drink to the next level, adds Anne Hester, bar manager at Southernside Brewing Co. in Greenville, South Carolina. Spice things up with the recipes below.
Three Knuckle Formula
Created by Steveie Smith, operations manager, Devil May Care, Austin
“This Whiskey Sour riff packs a lot of complexity for having just four ingredients,” Smith says. “Earthy turmeric provides a counterfoil to the brighter, more aromatic flavors in...

Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, Florida is so famous that travelers plan their entire trips around dining there. Boasting the largest wine list in the nation, Bern’s has been at the same location for more than 70 years, and while it has grown from one dining room to eight, Bern’s is known for how little it changes—the mirror from the former barber shop space where it expanded decades ago is still on the wall, and many of the uniformed staffers have been there for 30-plus years. It’s the kind of place where regulars order the same thing they’ve ordered their entire lives without opening the menu.
So, when Bern’s recently got a new bar, it was the biggest thing to hit Tampa since Tom Brady came to the Buccaneers and won the Super Bowl.
Given the focus on adult beverages—not just wine—there was always a bar, but in the summer of 2023, it closed for a total rebuild. When dinner service ended, staff quickly boxed up all the booze...

Many bartenders liken bitters to spices used for cooking—add a few dashes and, just like a home-cooked meal, an okay cocktail becomes next-level. And while some bitters may sound odd (tobacco, anyone?), once you have a sip, the quest to identify that flavor keeps you coming back for more.
Take the Wood Smoke, which is designed to capture a winter campfire in the woods. The bitters lend different aspects of pine and wood, providing both the top notes of pine needles and the more bass notes of the pine wood and sap, says creator James Grant, director of mixology at Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto. Maple and mushroom flavors help soften the smokiness of the whisky, which provides a rich, aromatic backbone to the cocktail, he adds.
Stir it up and enjoy until the bitter end.
Wood Smoke

1 3/4 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label (or any smoky blended scotch)
1/2 oz. candy cap mushroom-infused maple syrup (recipe below)
3/4 oz. oloroso sherry
2 dashes...

There’s no more fitting time to raise a dram of your favorite scotch whisky than January—specifically on January 25, or Burns Night, which honors the birthday and legacy of 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns with special events and suppers throughout Scotland and around the world. These "Burns dinners" typically include traditional Scottish fare, from haggis to neeps and tatties to, of course, scotch whisky, as well as poetry reciting, most notably of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis,” bagpipe playing, and general merriment.
If you can’t make it to Scotland to toast the country's national poet, worry not: here are some venues across the United States that are holding their own Burns Night celebrations to immerse you in Scottish culture, and scotch whisky.
BOSTON
Not Your Usual Burns Night
Thursday, January 25, 2024, multiple entry times, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square...

Lexington’s new mixed-use development The Commons—situated on Main Street, under a mile from downtown—will be home to RD1 Spirits later this year. RD1 will be located at the entrance of the 40-acre site, a former tobacco factory, that will include homes, vacation rentals, shopping, dining, office space, a music venue, an adventure park, and a walking trail. The Commons will offer whiskey fans a couple of options for tours and tastings: Goodwood Spirits and Brewing will be RD1’s neighbor.
Planned to open in August of this year, RD1’s new facility will include an experimental distillery housing an 800-gallon and 175-gallon pot still, a 750-gallon fermenter, and a 1,000-gallon cooker that will be used to fill approximately one barrel per week. The focus will be on finishing, a practice RD1 has employed since its inception. Its Brazilian Amburana finished bourbon scored a 93 with your tasting panel. In addition to the distillery, the 10,215 square...

For each issue of Whisky Advocate, our editors select great value bottles with solid scores, friendly prices, and wide availability from our Buying Guide. Here are our editors' picks for the Winter 2023 issue—a nice mix that includes bourbon, rye, scotch, and Irish whiskey. Some reasonably good bargains are to be found there, something that's getting tougher to find in today's whisky world. But all are high-scoring top-flight expressions that are well worth a buy.

94 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrel Finished (Batch RC1) Rye, 57.2%, $270
The nose is spiced and chocolaty, complemented by a lovely backbone of fruit—strawberries and cream, juicy peach, apple cider doughnut, and hibiscus tea. The palate is wonderfully textured, and while it’s hot, once the heat subsides, dark chocolate raspberry squares, black forest cake, and endless cinnamon emerge. The finish keeps a good thing going, redolent with black...

Whether you're nursing a sore throat, thawing out from a day on the slopes, or simply want a warm cocktail, a Hot Toddy is perfect for winter. “It's a hot drink with a lot of flavor and body, so it is made to be sipped slowly,” says Mel Stewart, head bartender at Bubby's in New York City. Plus, you can experiment with the simple classic recipe to make it your own. Use different styles of whisky, add flavored syrups, or mix with hot tea or cider instead of water.
For inspiration, try this Rye and Chai Toddy from Stewart, which features a base of rye and brandy. “Both are barrel-aged spirits, with one exuding bright apple and the other toasty caramel and light spice notes,” he says. “The chai tea opens up your senses, then the velvety mouthfeel of the honey syrup adds a bit of depth.” Enjoy it by the fire and let the cold and your worries melt away.
Rye and Chai Toddy


1 Tbsp. honey-oat syrup (recipe below)
1 dash cardamom...

Singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton is no stranger to whiskey, waxing poetic about it frequently in his music, from hit covers of “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Whiskey River,” to several songs of his own, including “Whiskey and You,” “Whiskey Sunrise,” and “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey.” Given all this whiskey talk, it’s not a far leap to see that Stapleton has an affinity for the dram, and that’s led him to release his first whiskey.
Named after his debut studio album, Stapleton’s Traveller whiskey is a collaboration between himself and Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley. Stapleton recorded Traveller in 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky, which is just 30 miles from Buffalo Trace; it was during one of those recording sessions that he became acquainted with E.H. Taylor, Jr., one of the distillery’s labels. Soon bottles were a mainstay on his home bar, and backstage with him as he toured.
The debut...

The generally softer, delicate style that characterizes Japanese whisky makes it a beautiful pairing with sashimi or sushi. But most Japanese whiskies are also terrific sipped neat, and can go fabulously with a good cigar. Given their more delicate style, mixing in cocktails can be tricky, but mixologists have come up with some beautiful combinations. If you’re looking to make it a Japanese whisky night, here is a selection of bars from around the 50 states that have what it takes.
Zuma
Las Vegas
In a city that can sometimes feature over-the-top extravagance, Zuma Las Vegas definitely fits the bill. Not only does it serve up bold authentic Japanese cuisine izakaya-style, but it also has one of the rarest Japanese whisky collections in the West—including some expressions that are no longer sold in the U.S. Gracing its wall of whisky, among about 20 other Japanese pours (ranging from $16-$300/1.5 oz.), is the limited-edition 2022 Yamazaki Tsukuriwake selection...

Getting two for one at the bar usually means a good deal on drinks. But why not expand the concept to cocktails that marry a pair of whiskies?
Combining different styles of the spirit “creates a dynamic interplay of flavors and complexities that each whisky, while impressive on its own, couldn’t achieve independently,” explains San Francisco’s Aphotic bar manager Michael Nathan.
For example, rye adds spiciness; bourbon brings body and sweetness; and peated scotch lends a smokiness that can be subtle or in your face, depending on the whisky. Any combination of these can “emphasize the unique characteristics of each whisky and introduce a new layer of depth and texture that lends a unified, richer flavor profile,” Nathan says. Make it a double with these recipes.
Gingerbread Sour
Created by Jorge Centeno, chief spirits officer, Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
A scotch rinse lends an alluring peaty aroma and flavor to this...

If you’re a regular bourbon drinker, licorice will be a familiar flavor to your palate. While licorice is a recognizable aroma, it is more commonly detected as a flavor that carries through from the first sip and into the finish. It likely originates from the toasted and charred oak in the barrel, but it is also a flavor picked up in some peated whiskies and long-aged scotches matured in sherry casks. If flavors of star anise, fennel, tobacco, aniseed, cola, ginger, pepper, or pronounced oak influence are present, licorice may not be too far behind.
For thousands of years before it was made into candy, licorice was used in herbal remedies and traditional medicines where its active compounds were noted to affect the gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular systems. (In high doses, however, it can have harmful side effects.)
Licorice is derived from the rhizomes or underground roots of Glycyrrhia glabra, which are sought out for the glycyrrhizin or...

If you can't imagine celebrating New Year's Eve without a glass of bubbly, but you would also love some whisky, enjoy them both in a cocktail. The Osouji Fizz, created by beverage director at Shinji's Bar in New York City Jonathan Adler, represents a new beginning for a new year.
“In Japanese culture, at the end of every year, everyone participates in Osouji, a deep cleaning of your home believed to purify it so you can welcome Toshigami, the Shinto deity of the New Year,” Adler explains. “The flavors in this intentional drink are very clean, in that you can taste them all individually, and it's very simple to understand and enjoy.”
You'll notice the subtle grain and malted barley notes of the whisky, which are complemented by the lemon's citrus, the tea's toasted notes, and the wine's effervescence. It's the perfect way to toast with champagne and whisky.
Osouji Fizz

2 oz. Suntory Toki (or other Japanese whisky)
1/2 oz. vanilla hojicha...

The gold standard in fat-washed cocktails is a bacon-washed Old Fashioned. The drink rose to popularity in 2007 at New York City bar PDT, where it was called the Benton’s Old Fashioned, and it has been copied many times since.
Bacon-Washed Old Fashioned
From the bar at Deviation Distilling in Denver

2 oz. bacon-washed bourbon
¼ oz. maple-infused syrup (equal parts maple syrup and warm water)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel, for garnish

Pour fat-washed bourbon, syrup, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir to chill and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
Feeling adventurous? Try these newer recipes.
The Upside Down

From Empress by Boon in San Francisco

1 oz. sesame-washed Suntory Toki (or other Japanese whisky)*
¾ oz. Polugar No. 2 Garlic and Pepper vodka
½ oz. bay syrup (recipe below)
½ oz. lime juice
4 drops...

In a world where people actively avoid high-fat foods, whisky lovers can make an exception: washing fat through whisky introduces a whole new universe of delicious flavors. So forget diet culture and embrace the fat, at least for your favorite drink. Through fat-washing—a technique that imparts flavors from meat, plant, and oil-based fats into spirits—rich and savory elements can be added to any style of whisky. Complementing the natural flavors gleaned from distillation and barrel aging, whisky can be made even tastier by the likes of bacon fat, butter, or plant-based oils like olive, coconut, or sesame.
There’s science involved in fat-washing, but anyone can do it with the right tools. It’s a process of extracting fat from one source and rinsing it through another, thereby adding the flavors from the fat to the end product without adding the fat solids. There are a lot of steps, but it’s not as difficult as it looks or sounds. And the result, while...

This time of year, there are plenty of reasons to raise a glass: family gatherings, parties with friends, and successfully wrestling the tree into your house. Whether you’re hosting or putting your feet up in front of the fire after a long day, this easy, warming twist on the Old Fashioned is the perfect drink.

Milos Kostadinovic, corporate beverage manager at Olio E Più in New York City, starts with a base of bourbon and tequila. “Anejo tequila has been aged for up to three years and helps balance the burn of bourbon,” he explains. “The tequila also adds vanilla, caramel, and honey notes.” Lavender syrup and plum bitters round things out for a rich, full-bodied cocktail you can enjoy with a meal or as a nightcap.
Tequila Old Fashioned

1 1/4 oz. Wild Turkey 101 (or other high-rye bourbon)
3/4 oz. Patron añejo (or other añejo tequila)
1/4 oz. lavender syrup
3 dashes plum bitters
Lemon twist and...

Stocking stuffers are usually the Christmas items to be purchased last, but they can also be first on the list of most fun and memorable of gifts on Christmas morning. We've assembled a list of small items for your whisky lover's stocking, though there are plenty more in Santa's workshop, of course. A bottle of whisky is perhaps a bit too large for the average foot, but many whisky makers offer their products in smaller bottles—Blanton's, for example, is available in a three-pack of 50 mini bottles, and numerous other whisky makers do similar things. Distillery gift shops are also fantastic places to hunt for hidden mini-treasures, whether they be whiskies or other modest little gems.
Sláinte Cuffed Beanie  
$25
toastthemoon.blog
Whisky is great any time of the year, but there’s something about its warming powers in the colder months; just like this black cuffed beanie. Simple, stylish, and a definite conversation...

While whisky itself makes a great gift for aficionados, those whisky-related extras can be a fun add-on for any whisky lover. Whether it's Pappy Van Winkle cigars, a Redbreast birdfeeder for the yard, or your very own Jack Daniel's barrel, here are some holiday gifts to suit a variety of whisky lovers' fancies. You can also smoke your own cocktails, or for the high-rollers, gift a bourbon sculpture to help liven up the whisky room. Happy shopping!
 
Flight Holder
$20
mysticbarrels.com
This tray is handcrafted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Kentucky whiskey barrels, including Heaven Hill and Jim Beam. It is designed to hold three Glencairn glasses (not included) and serves as a nice presentation for tasting flights.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Scented Candle
$25
buffalotracedistillery.com
Bourbon lovers will relish coming home to the scent of their favorite whiskey. Made by Candleberry Candle Co., this 26 oz. jar...

Walk into a trendy bar and you’re bound to find a cocktail touting “fat-washed” as a seductive descriptor, and for a good reason. Fat-washing, popular with mixologists, yields incredibly rich flavors in cocktails. Infusing fats such as coconut oil, bacon, or butter into a liquor lends incredible depth and mouthfeel and can do the same for desserts.
This recipe incorporates both the fat-washed bourbon and the residual bourbon-infused browned butter in a moist almond-based cake. Enrobed in a silky bourbon-vanilla bean buttercream, this richly flavored but lightly textured dessert exhibits subtle toffee and caramel notes. It also acts as a blank canvas for other flavor combinations to highlight fat-washing as an approachable method to elevate the humble layer cake. This cake is a great backdrop for a variety of fall flavors and fillings: Homemade or store-bought pumpkin butter marries beautifully with the toffee notes of browned butter and brown sugar and mellows...

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and plentiful food and drink. We asked whiskey makers around the country what whiskey and food they’ll be enjoying at the table this year.
Woodford Reserve
Who: Elizabeth McCall, master distiller
What she’s eating: “I love sweet corn pudding, it’s almost better than dessert!” [Sweet corn pudding is a savory-meets-sweet Southern side dish of creamed corn and whole corn blended into a creamy, custard-like casserole.]
What she’s drinking: “The cocktail I’ve been serving recently is the Woodford Reserve Spice Apple Old Fashioned, and even my aunt who isn’t a bourbon drinker enjoys this one! It’s 2 ounces of Woodford Reserve bourbon and 1/2 ounce of Williams Sonoma Spice Apple cocktail mixer, served over ice and garnished with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.”
Wild Turkey 
Who: Bruce Russell, associate blender
What he’s eating: “My...

When planning a Thanksgiving feast, most people focus on the sides, dessert, and, of course, the bird. But don't neglect your drink offerings. While wine may be an easy option, whisky cocktails don't need to be complicated, and they can heighten the flavors of your meal.
“Since the food is so heavy, the perfect cocktail for Thanksgiving is light and invokes feelings of warmth and gathering—what Thanksgiving is all about,” says Jason Marshall, bar manager and beverage curator at The Ritz-Carlton in Portland, Oregon. You might also incorporate bitters and syrups that pick up on the flavors from certain dishes.
These three cocktails are full of flavor yet won't overpower or clash with the mounds of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole on your plate. 
Butter Kiss
Created by Jason Marshall,  bar manager and beverage curator, The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, Ore.
Inspired by black pepper butter corn and mashed sweet...

When Prohibition Pig opened just over a decade ago, high-quality Southern fare with barbecue and a big-time whiskey program were almost impossible in Vermont. But this bar and restaurant changed the paradigm for both, and it remains the premier stop for whisky lovers in the Green Mountain State.
Prohibition Pig sits right on Main Street in the heart of Waterbury’s historic district, about three minutes from the highway exit that’s also the gateway to Stowe, Vermont’s most famous ski resort and vibrant four-season tourism spot. Skiers, hikers, and visitors all year round routinely make the short (l5-20 minutes) exodus from Stowe–with no shortage of great bars and restaurants of its own–to reach the Pig. Waterbury is also home to another foodie favorite, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, whose factory tour is one of the state’s most popular attractions. You can be indulging childhood sweet tooth fantasies one moment and five minutes later belly...

While some people may dream of receiving a new cashmere sweater or a desired golf club this holiday season, for a whiskey fan there’s no better gift than a trip to their favorite producer. When it comes to fans of Breckenridge Distillery, however, you can enjoy the experience without ever leaving your home. That’s because the experience is inherently baked into every bottle.
Located 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge Distillery has been the world’s highest distillery since its founding in 2008. Because it has such a unique setting, you can taste that terroir in every glass. The pure water used in the mash, in fact, comes from the Rocky Mountains. 
“We’re getting snowmelt that’s filtered, with perfect minerality for our spirits,” explains Billie Keithley, the distillery’s “liquid chef” who was named bar manager of the year at Icons of Whisky. This minerality doesn’t just allow the flavors of the whisky...

When you take inspiration from Bob Dylan, you need to deliver every single time.
Heaven’s Door has done just that with the release of Bootleg Vol. V, an 18-year-old straight bourbon finished in Spanish rouge vermouth casks.
This annual series, first debuting in 2019 with a 26-year-old whiskey finished in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels, gets its name from Dylan’s long-running series of rare and unreleased cuts, first compiled in 1991, which many say provide incredible insight into the mind of this legendary artist.  In turn, each bottling in the Bootleg Series has been a rare and unreleased whiskey created through special blending techniques and innovative barrel finishes.
As with previous Bootleg Series releases including a 15-Year-Old straight bourbon whiskey finished in Jamaican pot still rum casks (Vol. II) and a 13-year-old Kentucky bourbon finished in Vino de Naranja casks (Vol. III), 2023’s edition likewise celebrates the intersection of...

The Aberfeldy Bees & Barrels program is an annual promotion where the scotch brand teams up with bartenders and urban beekeepers and apiaries worldwide to bring awareness to the importance of honeybees through the creation of cocktails featuring honey. For the 2021 program, Stephanie Reading, bar manager at Birdie G’s in Santa Monica, California, created a cocktail called Fennely Honey! A Drink To Be Beary Passionate For, featuring Aberfeldy 12 year old, Bank Note blended scotch, amaretto, Chinola Passion Fruit liqueur, orange blossom honey syrup, lemon juice, and Peychaud’s bitters, plus a pinch of salt and drop of fennel seed oil. “We had participated in this promotion in the past, but this particular year’s creation was so unique and well received that we haven’t taken it off our menu since,” Reading says. “With this cocktail I wanted to combine the deep warm and subtle smoky elements of scotch with the bright tropical...

Most whiskies, along with champagne, cognac, tequila, and some other spirits, are governed by strict regulations on where and how they can be produced. Those rules have benefited drinkers enormously—particularly people with a thirst for drinks knowledge—as they usually know exactly what they’re getting. But rum has always been a bit of an outlier in this regard: While there are certainly great rums out there and some do tout their origin story, most of the time it isn’t so clearly stated.
Mount Gay has long been among the leaders in expressing its sense of place, and now it has doubled down with the recently unveiled Single Estate Series, a new line of terroir-driven rums that celebrates Barbadian rum from cane to glass. This release traces Mount Gay’s history in St. Lucy, Barbados back to 1703, as its sugar cane and molasses are both from the Mount Gay estate.
The Single Estate Series idea started back in 2015, when Mount Gay...

In the past few years Bangkok has overtaken London to become the second most visited city on earth after Hong Kong, but even before that, Aqua, located in Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, was its preferred watering hole. For more than two decades, locals, ex-pats, and visitors have escaped the city’s notorious traffic and tropical heat in this relaxing oasis within Bangkok’s most iconic hotel. Singapore has Raffles, Hong Kong has the Peninsula, and Bangkok has the Siam, the flagship of global luxury chain Anantara. It’s set in the middle of downtown, in the heart of the Ratchaprasong shopping and entertainment district, and immediately adjacent to BTS sky train Ratchadamri station, the best way to beat rush hour gridlock while exploring the city.
The hotel is also home to an indoor/outdoor garden area, enclosed on all four sides but open to the sky above, and it is here that Aqua sits, alongside a lush ornamental garden and pond filled with Koi fish. Entering is like...

Pimm’s No. 1 is an English gin-based liqueur infused with botanicals, caramelized orange, and spices. It was invented by London barkeep James Pimm in the 19th century when it was considered a health tonic. Today it’s most commonly enjoyed in a Pimm’s Cup, a refreshing, low-alcohol mix of Pimm’s and either English-style lemonade (carbonated lemon soda), ginger ale or ginger beer, lemon or lime juice, and numerous garnishes including cucumber, strawberry, and mint.
“When mixed in cocktails, Pimm’s imparts complex aromas as well as mild sweet and bitter flavors,” says Jonny Raglin, co-founder of Comstock Saloon in San Francisco, adding that whisky and Pimm’s are a good match due to the latter’s similarities with sweet vermouth in its aromatics and ABV level. “It brings a brightness to whisky that’s refreshing, while its tannins match well with the flavors that whisky gets from barrel aging,” says Raglin. “I...

Driving south into Lexington, Kentucky on Interstate 75, you pass Kentucky Horse Park and International Museum of the Horse right at the city line. Enter from the west on Old Frankfort Pike, and you travel by the famous Secretariat statue. Fly into Blue Grass Airport and you’ll exit on Man O’ War Boulevard and drive past Keeneland racetrack. It’s pretty hard to miss the equine theme, which is why Lexington’s trademarked nickname is Horse Capital of the World. But the city also anchors the eastern end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and it’s surrounded by distilleries, along with new experiences for whiskey lovers. You no longer need to leave the city to visit distilleries.
Lexington is only about half the size of Louisville, which lies around 80 miles to the west. But this vibrant city has been playing catch-up to its bigger rival in recent years, adding hotels, tours, attractions, and new distilleries. Resurgence is in the air, so...

Without oak, whisky wouldn’t be whisky. That makes places like Kelvin Cooperage so critical to distillers. Oak was used for aging as far back as the Roman empire, and it remains prized today for its strength and durability, liquid-tightness, and suitability for coopering. The flavor it imparts into whisky is unmatched—and that comes not only from the oak but also from its treatment.
 

Bagpipes, haggis, and drams, oh my! Some of the biggest names in scotch whisky gathered at a private members club in New York City on October 4 to toast Scotland’s national spirit. This was the second banquet of the U.S. chapter of the Keepers of the Quaich, the Edinburgh-based group that recognizes those who work, write, and otherwise spread the good word about scotch.
The Keepers of the Quaich (pronounced kwaik) was founded in 1988 as a celebration of Scottish culture, tradition, and whisky, and those who have contributed to its success. Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Whisky Advocate, was inducted into the Keepers at the group’s ceremony in that first year at Blair Castle in Scotland, and today serves as vice chair of the USA chapter. 
At last night’s gala, Scotch whisky luminaries were aplenty, starting with the cocktail hour. There were rarefied pours from Laphroaig (Single Cask—The Jack Rose and Ian Hunter 33 year old) and...

American single malt is still tiny compared to bourbon, but could it become the next big thing? While its roots as a whiskey style aren't as deep as bourbon's–originating only in the 1990s–it certainly imbues the spirit of America: Nearly every state in the Union has at least one distiller producing single malt in their own unique way. Read all about this emerging whiskey style in our Fall issue. 
Also in the issue, scotch lovers get a sneak peek behind the creation of some fan-favorite blends, home chefs can try their hand at a three-course meal paired with neat pours and whisky cocktails, explore Switzerland beyond its prized skiing and hiking by way of its top-flight whiskies and cigars, and kick your cocktail repertoire up a notch with turmeric, black pepper, cayenne, and more.
 This issue's Buying Guide is not to be missed with nearly 150 whiskies...

There has always been a deep connection between Southern cuisine and whiskey, especially bourbons and ryes traditionally made in the same regions famous for specialties such as barbecue, fried chicken, and grits. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar tapped into this delicious match-up in an elevated, modern way when it opened in Miami in 2011. An overnight success, it was nominated for a James Beard Award and named Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit magazine. Its popularity led to rapid expansion, and today, in addition to Miami, there are locations in Las Vegas (in the Venetian Casino Resort), Dallas, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Singapore 
Menus and beverage lists vary slightly due to the regional focus of each, but the signature cocktails and dishes are consistent across the board. For instance, the bestselling cocktail at all locations is the Yardbird Old Fashioned, made with bacon-infused Wild Turkey, maple syrup, water, and angostura and orange...

Update November 20, 2024: During November and December, Buffalo Trace Distillery London is offering blending classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays at its Convent Garden outpost. Each guided 1-hour session accommodates 10 guests. Participants create three blends using Buffalo Trace whiskeys. The cost is $35 per person. Details and online reservations are available here.
 
 


Fans of ‘80s horror flicks will be no stranger to  American werewolves In London, but what about American whiskeys in London? Later this year, Buffalo Trace will put down roots in England’s capital, bringing its whiskeys, wares, and a real taste of bourbon country to the city, in a move that’s the first of its kind for any American distillery.
Buffalo Trace's new, 2,000-square-foot location will be on Long Acre in London’s Covent Garden, the West End neighborhood famous for its shopping, restaurants, and...

Considering Chicago’s historical ties to notorious bootlegging mobsters, perhaps it’s not surprising that today the city has quite a robust—and nowadays legal—distilling scene. There’s plenty to explore throughout the city, especially for whisky lovers.
Koval Distillery was the first to open after Prohibition—in 2008—and offers a line of single barrel whiskeys, including bourbon, rye, four grain (oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat), millet, and oat; Chicago Distilling Co. and Judson and Moore Distillery both offer bourbons, ryes, and American single malts; Maplewood Brewery & Distillery makes single malts and ryes; Wolf Point Distilling makes bourbon and rye; and although CH Distillery specializes in vodka, it’s also home to Jeppson’s bourbon, plus Jeppson’s Malört, a traditional wormwood-based digestif that has achieved cult status with Chicagoans. And just outside the city, there’s FEW Spirits in...

In the movie classic “Casablanca,” sooner or later, “everyone comes to Rick’s.” Humphrey Bogart played bar owner Rick Blaine, and for expats, the magic allure was the familiar home-away-from-home aesthetic. That’s what Rick Simon and his wife Julianna wanted when they opened Nicky Blaine’s Cocktail Lounge in 1998, the name a riff on Bogart’s character. In Indianapolis, everyone comes to Nicky’s for a post-work drink, dinner, or a final late-night stop—especially if they love whiskey.

The bar sits directly beneath Monument Circle, the downtown roundabout that earned Indiana its state motto, the “Crossroads of America,” as the intersection of the two major east/west and north/south routes before interstate highways. It is within walking distance of one of the nation’s most revived downtowns, including all the major hotels, NFL and NBA stadiums, and the convention center. Beyond the low-key front...

Created in 2007 by New York City mixologists Sasha Petraske and Sam Ross, and inspired by the Prohibition-era Last Word cocktail, The Paper Plane—an equal parts blend of bourbon, Aperol, Nonino amaro, and lemon juice—is a modern classic that’s worth being in every home bartender’s repertoire. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with it, which is exactly what New York City’s Bourbon & Branch bartender Brandon Flores did with his take on the drink, The Paper Jane. He uses Widow Jane Paradigm rye in place of bourbon, Montenegro amaro in place of Nonino, and adds homemade ginger syrup to the mix.
“I wanted The Paper Jane to be true to the original, with slight modifications and inspired by summer citrus flavors,” Flores says. “By use of Widow Jane Paradigm rye, ginger syrup, and an amaro that accentuates sweet orange aromas, we really get the most boldness out of this cocktail while retaining the freshness...

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly the case at Haywire, a bar and restaurant in Plano that holds 600 people, with several distinct indoor and outdoor spaces across three levels. On the open-air rooftop alone, there’s a bar with high-back stools, outdoor dining tables, a classic Airstream camper cut open and filled with couches, firepits surrounded by Adirondack chairs, and three six-person climate-controlled canvas A-frame tents, for a Wild West vibe.

The second floor is conventional full-service table seating for the upscale restaurant, which specializes in high-end steaks and refined comfort food with Texas-sourced ingredients including locally farm-raised beef. There’s also a bar where guests look into the open kitchen, and all of the food and drinks are available anywhere within the complex, including the three bars. Plano is an affluent Dallas suburb, and Haywire sits in a pedestrian mixed-used development, across the street...

At the rooftop bar of the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island, assistant beverage director Christina Mercado notes that the summer cocktails they serve tend to be tall and sparkling or bright and tart, but with her In The Sand drink, she wanted to step out of that box. “I wanted this cocktail to be something to sip by the fire on a warm night,” she says. “A bright stone fruit-focused cocktail that’s elegant, spirit-forward, and served up.”
In The Sand features Clonakilty Bordeaux Cask Irish whiskey, Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, Cointreau orange liqueur, and Giffard Crème de Pêche peach liqueur. “I chose Clonakilty Bordeaux Cask for this drink because of its profile: It’s a soft whiskey with awesome red berry notes, honey, and spice,” Mercado says. “It’s not heavy on the oak, vanilla, leather, or tannic profiles that you can see in other whiskeys; it has a soft fruitiness that plays...

At Lady Jaye in Seattle, co-owner and bar manager Sara Rosales’s The Native Local cocktail is a celebration of local spirits. It comprises Westland American single malt, Woodinville bourbon, and Fast Penny Amaricano and Sennza Finne Summer amari—all of which are produced in Washington state, with the single malt and amari made right in Seattle—plus house-made licorice bitters.
“American single malt is relatively new and I enjoy mixing with it because it brings a new style to cocktails, and my absolute favorite is Westland—I think they’re the best at what they do and are innovating the category,” Rosales says. “I chose Woodinville for similar reasons: Making good bourbon in western Washington is not an easy accomplishment as our weather isn’t as suitable for corn aging as some of the other states in the U.S., and despite this obstacle, Woodinville has created a fantastic bourbon [made with corn from Quincy, Washington] that I...

Nashville’s Rutledge Hill neighborhood is tranquil and charming, yet it’s right downtown and only minutes away from all the city has to offer. Rutledge Hill is also where you’ll find  Husk Nashville, located within a stately Victorian mansion. But inside, there’s nothing quaint about this restaurant’s design, which is ultra-modern and airy, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar off the dining room that crafts contemporary cocktails, highlighting whiskeys from local producers including Nelson’s Green Brier, Willett Distillery, and Bardstown Bourbon Company.
The place has an extensive whiskey list, with over 35 bourbon offerings that feature 2-ounce pours of anything from Four Roses Small Batch Select ($22) to Nelson Bros. Mourvèdre Cask Finish ($36), with rye coming in second, featuring more than a dozen options to choose from, including Elijah Craig ($15) and Whistle Pig 12 year old ($49). A small selection of...

Las Vegas locals famously avoid The Strip’s mega-casino resort venues, but many make an exception for The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails in the Cosmopolitan. With its own separate space and live music nightly, it feels like a real bar, not an open-air pedestal in a sea of slot machines. Set immediately off the smaller of the resort’s Las Vegas Boulevard entrances on the corner by the Bellagio, it’s actually much easier to reach than most casino lounges—no matter where you stay on The Strip. For whisky lovers, music lovers, and bar lovers, it’s worth seeking out.

The entrance is an actual barbershop (10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and till midnight Friday and Saturday), where you can get a haircut ($70) or a straight-razor shave ($50). Those services all include complimentary well pours (Jack Daniel’s, Jameson, and Maker’s Mark). The Saloon, a speakeasy lounge, is hidden behind this, but even when it’s closed the full whisky...

Whatever happened to the dog days of summer? The whisky world has been keeping us busy lately with new releases from distillers far and wide. We've been tasting some excellent ones, as attested by some of our latest new whisky ratings. This week, there's more. Baker's is back with its 13 year old expression, which we haven't seen since 2019. Hardin's Creek has dropped the second release in its three-part Kentucky Series (the third is due in September), while Elijah Craig honors the players at golf's Ryder Cup with a new bourbon finished in toasted European oak. WhistlePig is out with FarmStock Beyond Bonded, which is actually 3 bottlings—a bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey, all of them single barrels. And whisky purists, take cover! Glenlivet has just released two pre-made cocktails, a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned, in 375 ml bottles. Back in 2019 Glenlivet briefly stepped outside the box with its Capsule Collection, described as "glassless cocktails" wrapped...

With origins dating back to the 15th century, aquavit is a Scandinavian specialty. “The story goes that distilled spirits arrived in Scandinavia via Hanseatic League trade (circa 1200-1500), and as with many spirits back then, most were rubbish, so the locals would flavor the rough spirit with regional flavorings—in the case of most Scandinavian countries, that would be predominantly caraway and dill,” says Christian Krogstad, founder and master distiller of Krogstad Aquavit, which is produced in Portland, Oregon at House Spirits Distillery, home of Westward Whiskey. “Eventually they learned that the flavors could be refined by redistillation of this maceration, and that’s how aquavit is still made today.”
Aquavit (also spelled akvavit), which gets its name from the Latin aqua vitae, literally “water of life,” starts as a neutral spirit distilled from grain or potato that’s then infused with botanicals and distilled again. EU...

When it comes to making whiskey cocktails, people often go straight to bourbon or rye—and indeed, many classic recipes were invented with these styles in mind. Irish whiskey may not have the storied cocktail history of its American counterparts, but it’s just as mixable with a wide variety of ingredients and worthy of the spotlight in the cocktail realm.
Patrick McGoldrick, beverage director at Afterbar in Chicago, believes that Irish whiskey is one of the most essential and versatile spirits in the world. “It’s incredibly accessible to novices and whisky veterans with its smooth and balanced sweetness,” he says. “This makes it a wonderful choice for both sour-style drinks as well as spirit-forward ones.”
Irish whiskey in fact offers something for every type of whisky drinker: It shares similarities with scotch due to the malted barley in its mashbill, but its lack of big, bold smokiness in favor of subtler sweet and fruity qualities...

With its street entrance, Rowes Wharf Bar doesn’t feel like a hotel bar. The place has a neighborhood vibe, even though its other door opens into the lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel along the waterfront in downtown Boston. A classic upscale watering hole, Rowes has rich red carpeting, raised wood-paneled walls, deep leather couches, a bar of dark polished wood, and high-backed bucket seat bar stools that face a well-lit display of fine whiskies and spirits on the back bar.
You don’t see many menus with a section called “Oysters & Scotch.” This long-standing house special features a half dozen New England oysters on the half shell with 2 ounces of Bowmore 12 year old, chosen to complement the briny salinity ($38 or $25 from 6-8 p.m.). The New England seafood and whisky themes continue throughout the menu, with a full raw bar, lobster rolls, and chowder alongside an impressive spirits collection that includes more than 120 whiskies, with a focus on older...

Maker’s Mark has expanded its visitor program with a series of three new tours featuring different aspects of Star Hill Farm, the distillery’s 1,100-acre property. The new tour offerings, called the Star Hill Farm Experiences, are designed to explore the natural resources that go into making its bourbon.
The first of the three offerings, called “The Oak Experience,” is for visitors interested in things arboreal. The $220 tour starts with a quick course on American white oak trees and then explains the intricacies of barrel maturation and cask finishing. Visitors are then taken through the property’s white oak research forest, including a visit to the Mother Oak tree—one of  Kentucky’s oldest trees, estimated to be between 300 and 500 years old. The tour, which lasts two and a half hours, concludes with a tasting of expressions from the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series.
The second offering is called the “Star Hill...

It may have been invented just 18 years ago, but the Penicillin is already considered an essential cocktail for any whisky enthusiast. Its seemingly healthful qualities from the fresh ginger, lemon, and honey mingle delightfully with blended and peaty scotches. At Leku at the Rubell Museum in Miami, beverage manager Daniel Love and head mixologist Nicholas Casanova were inspired by this recipe but they wanted something even more refreshing to beat the South Florida heat. The resulting drink is a Highball called the Tocayo, which means “namesake” in Spanish. It still features two scotches (though they’re both single malts) plus ginger, lemon, and honey, but it has some added botanical and bubbly components to make it all his own.
“We use both ginger beer and fresh ginger to spice it up, and then it also has floral notes from the lavender honey and soft herbal aromas from the sage garnish,” Love says. “The base is Glenmorangie Lasanta, a sherry...

The picturesque village of Braemar sits within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, and is home to the 46-room The Fife Arms hotel, a charming and completely restored 19th-century coaching inn, adorned with over 14,000 historic objects and artifacts. It also houses the wonderful Bertie’s Whisky Bar, where 390-plus whiskies are arranged like books on backlit shelves, and guests are encouraged to examine them and nose their contents. It’s more like a fancy library and living room than a bar, with plush velvet couches instead of stools.

The immersive whisky experience at Bertie’s is as much for the novice as the expert, with the collection arranged by flavor profile—Fragrant, Fruit, Rich, or Smoky—rather than by name, age, or region. A selection of flights representing the four flavor categories is offered from £29 ($37)/25 ml pours, such as Linkwood 12 year old, Glen Elgin 12 year old, Glendronach 15 year old, and Ardbeg...

At Brother Wolf in Knoxville, Tennessee, owner Jessica “Rabbit” King was looking to create a light, summery bourbon-based cocktail and a memory of her mother came to mind. “She would often make a breakfast of brûléed grapefruit halves in the summertime—she would cut the citrus cleanly in two halves with wide flat faces, liberally coat each top with fine sugar, and then place them in the top of the oven to broil,” King recalls. “At the time I didn’t have an appreciation for the taste of grapefruit, but she would let me peel a bit of crusted sugar from each one to eat.” This is where King got the idea to use a grapefruit reduction in her cocktail, along with bourbon, Aperol, honey syrup, lemon juice, and grapefruit bitters.
When choosing a bourbon for the drink, King wanted something that would shine through while still allowing the juicy flavors of the citrus to be prominent. “At 100 proof, Smooth Ambler...

In the hierarchy of British cities for whisky lovers, London has not traditionally ranked very high, principally because the UK’s whisky makers were all located more than 400 miles to the north. But today Britain’s capital city has numerous nascent distilleries, including several specializing in whisky, joining a lively network of whisky bars to make this ancient city a whisky destination to rival any in Europe.
As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, London abounds with lodging options. Choose one that has a bar you’ll want to visit anyway.
Built in what was at one time the largest school in England, St. Paul’s Hotel in Hammersmith offers 35 rooms set on three rambling floors of a neo-Gothic building. While the hotel’s entryway might seem a bit underwhelming, pride of place on the ground floor is given to Melody Whisky Bar, offering an extensive list of single malts including special Fèis Ìle releases, whiskies from...

The best cocktail recipes stand the test of time while also serving as inspiration for variations and new takes. The Manhattan, the ever-popular combination of rye (or sometimes bourbon), sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters that dates back to the 19th century, is one such example. Flash forward to the classic cocktail revival of the 21st century and innumerable variations have popped up. One notable take is the Black Manhattan, created in 2005 by Todd Smith at the San Francisco cocktail bar Bourbon & Branch, which replaces the sweet vermouth with Averna amaro, plus orange bitters in addition to the Angostura.
Talan Whitaker, bartender at Merchant & Trade in Charlotte, North Carolina, has used this twist on a classic to create a twist on a twist, so to speak, with his Midnight In The Village, which switches out the Averno in favor of Nonino amaro, plus grapefruit bitters instead of orange and Angostura. “Rye is the traditional choice for a Black Manhattan and...

Cherry flavors can surface throughout the entire whisky tasting experience— from the aroma to the palate and into the finish—from the first sniff of a freshly picked ripe red cherry to the sensation of biting into the crimson flesh of a glossy black variety. When picking out descriptors, the sensations evoke more than just the flavor of individual cherries; it can be concentrated and intensified in jams, jelly, candies, and dried cherries; it can be found in cocktail cherries, sour morello cherries, and sticky glacé cherries. They are packed with dried vine fruit and nutty flavors in rich fruitcakes, nestled under a sweet pastry lattice in deep cherry pies, erupting from fresh-baked cobblers and crumbles with bubbling juices, or lying sandwiched between chocolate sponge and whipped cream in black forest gateau. Cherries and beverages mix well too, and aside from cherry brandies and maraschino liqueurs, you can buy cherry-flavored cordials, sodas, colas, bitters...

We all know the Old Fashioned—bourbon or rye mixed with sugar, bitters, and water—it’s as classic as they come. But there’s an Old Fashioned-like cocktail that Jared Kelly, head bartender at Merchants Cigar Bar in New York City, feels is underrated: the American Trilogy. Created in 2007 by Richard Boccato and Michael McIlroy at New York City cocktail bar Little Branch, it features rye, applejack, orange bitters, and brown sugar. But Kelly likes to switch things up and use American single malt in place of rye.
“American single malts are slowly making their way up in the premium whiskey drinker’s catalog, and it’s a fantastic thing for the style,” he says. “Westward Whiskey has a fantastic version that’s distinct enough to stand on its own while still being fantastic for mixing up a drink. It stays bold enough in a cocktail to let you know its presence without taking away from the cohesion of the sum of its...

Created in 1919, Aperol is an Italian aperitif comprising sweet and bitter oranges, rhubarb, gentian root, cinchona bark, and other closely guarded ingredients. “Aperol is bright and bracing, but because of its lighter color it’s often overlooked as a bitter component for its more well-known cousin Campari,” notes Laura Unterberg, head bartender at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club in Nashville. “But the gentian and bitter orange-forward qualities of Aperol make it a great addition to drinks.”
When it comes to pairing whisky with bitter ingredients, the Prohibition-era Boulevardier—a mix of bourbon or rye, Campari, and sweet vermouth—may come to mind, but there’s a modern classic featuring Aperol that deserves attention. The Paper Plane—created in 2007 by New York City mixologists Sasha Petraske and Sam Ross—features bourbon, Aperol, Nonino amaro, and lemon juice. This cocktail shows that Aperol’s sweet orange...

What better way to toast our country than with an ice-cold American whiskey cocktail? And with summer in full swing, there’s a bounty of fresh flavor-packed produce at our disposal, from stone fruits, berries, and melons to summertime herb staples basil and mint. All of these ingredients pair beautifully with America’s native spirit, be it bold and sweet bourbon, smooth Tennessee whiskey, spicy rye, or the new kid on the block, American single malt.
So skip the beer and hard seltzer this Fourth of July and opt for one or two of these refreshing American whiskey cocktails—it’s the patriotic thing to do!

Destination Unknown    

Jacob Sunny, bartender at Bastille Brasserie and Bar in Alexandria, Virginia

1 oz. KO Bare Knuckle (or other cask strength bourbon) 
1 1/2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur
3/4 oz. watermelon juice 
1/2 oz. lime juice 
1/4 oz. simple...

With more and more American bourbon drinkers cozying up to Cognac, Martell decided to create a game-changing spirit to set a new standard for the future. Martell, of course, is the oldest of the great Cognac houses, founded by Jean Martell in 1715. It was likewise the first Cognac company to ship barrels from France to the United States, with them arriving on our shores in 1783. In 2016, the brand wanted to honor this long-standing international relationship with an original interpretation and a modern expression saluting the pioneering spirit of Maison Martell.
Thus, the question was asked: “What would happen if we finished Martell Cognac VSOP in Kentucky bourbon casks?”
The result was Martell Blue Swift, the first ever spirit made with Martell VSOP cognac, matured in fine French oak barrels before taking the audacious final step of being finished in bourbon casks, giving it an unique and exceptionally smooth taste. (Once put into bourbon barrels, it can no...

Throughout my childhood in Montréal, summer vacations were spent in Maine. Each July, my parents would bundle us kids into the family car for the long drive to Kennebunkport, where we would spend days on the beach and nights at the self-catering School Days Inn.
For my mother and father, a highlight of the trip was the opportunity to dine on lobster, an experience pretty much confined to high-end restaurants back when the Atlantic fisheries weren’t as developed as they are today. And because my siblings and I were freaked out by these odd-looking creatures, we were more than content to eat hot dogs in front of the television while my parents cracked claws by candlelight.
I don’t recall what they chose to accompany their lobster back then, but I’m pretty sure my parents weren’t drinking any sort of whisky. Which is a shame, because so long as the heft of the spirit is kept in check, whisky can be a superb companion to all sorts of...

A beautiful thing happens when whiskey meets a teaspoon (or mountain) of sugar. The bold flavors of a neat pour are eased into a delectable saccharine hug—all of its warmth and unique flavors left to be enjoyed. Whiskey desserts aren’t anything new, but there’s a lot more on the roster than the classic Irish coffee cake. Though whiskey’s rich and buttery mouthfeel holds up against other ingredients that have a bitter edge, like chocolate and coffee, it also is a natural pair for less acerbic, but equally rich flavors such as stone fruits, berries, vanilla, and caramel. All of this offers a platform for whiskey to take the stage in sweet treats. 
When it comes to your choice of whiskey, a few general tips prevail. Vanilla-tinged spirits like bourbon, Tennessee, and American rye whiskeys make a great addition, bringing out the round, soft flavors of the dessert’s sweetness while adding some punch to keep it interesting. Corn and Canadian whisky, on...

Great barbecue is a labor of love. Whether it’s cooking your meats low and slow over carefully calibrated woodsmoke or monitoring your grill’s hot and cool spots with obsessive attention to detail, great homemade barbecue takes time. These days, no one does it better than Dominique Leach, co-owner, chef, and pitmaster of Lexington Betty Smokehouse, the Black and woman-owned Chicago barbecue standout. Leach has also made a name for herself as a rising Food Network star, with appearances on “Chopped: Playing with Fire,” “Fire Masters,” and more.

Chef Leach has created a fantastic menu that incorporates both the smoker and the grill. For whisky recommendations, we reached out to Abe Vucekovich, former lead bartender and general manager at Chicago’s The Violet Hour and current beverage director of Meadowlark Hospitality. Between Leach’s food and Vucekovich’s whisky pairings, summertime just got a lot...

Coconut may be tough to literally crack, but pairing the fruit with whisky is a sea breeze thanks to the oak barrels used to age many styles of the spirit. “Oak imparts desirable flavors [to whisky] through the addition of soluble sugars, acids, aldehydes, tannins, and lactones,” explains Mark Mentzel, lead bartender at The Elk Room in Baltimore. “Lactones are the biggest flavor provider in oak and offer flavors of stone fruits, celery, clove, and coconut.”
Adding coconut—whether in the form of flakes, milk, water, or oil—accentuates that note and can bring out others, like baking spices, vanilla, caramel, and fruits, as showcased in the cocktails below. From rich and silky to light and refreshing, these drinks may be just the thing to satisfy your wanderlust until you can get to the beach.

Tokyo Cut
Created by Will Patton, beverage director, Bresca, Washington, D.C.
This reimagined Pompadour replaces aged rum with...

In planning out a wedding day, selecting a special location is the first big step. Once upon a time, a distillery wouldn’t have been on the menu of choices. But as whiskey has grown ever more popular, distilleries and matrimony have become an unlikely pair. Weddings, meet whiskey.
Distillers around the country have added event spaces to host weddings, creating distinct and memorable places where brides and grooms can celebrate their love—for each other, of course, but also for their favorite spirit. You can get married in the rickhouse, have your reception in the tasting room, and take photos next to stills. Your guests can sample the distillery’s whiskeys and tour areas that aren’t usually open to the public.

“From the barrels to the stills, distillery properties offer really unique elements that a traditional wedding venue won’t have,” says Becca George, owner and event planner at Nashville, Tennessee-based wedding firm Modern...

There’s no shortage of great whisky bars in New York City. There are those that celebrate American whiskey, others that spotlight scotch, and some that feature Irish or Japanese whiskies. In today’s (hopefully) post-pandemic world, some of the city’s most-beloved whisky spots are sadly no longer with us: places like Noorman’s Kil, Coogan’s, Angel’s Share, Highlands, Ward III, and others did not survive the shutdowns. But whether you’re looking for a nightcap, a whisky-filled evening, or whisky on top of dinner and a show, we’ve got you covered. From up and down Manhattan and across the river into Brooklyn, these Big Apple whisky bars will leave you happily drammed.

Bar Moga
Sure, it’s fun to go to a bar that offers a little bit of everything, especially if you’re with companions who prefer different styles of whisky (or something else altogether). If it’s Japanese whisky you’re after, head straight to...

With summer upon us, you probably want to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. Whether it’s an evening picnic, a day trip, an open-air concert, a party, or any other fun outdoor occasion that calls for drams and cocktails, we’ve rounded up the right equipment to enhance the experience. Non-breakable glassware has come a long way over the years, so check out our elegant, sturdy selections. Leave that clunky cooler at home and take along one of these stylish alternatives of coolers, baskets, and backpacks. Throw down a tartan blanket, then delve into the supplies—and don’t forget the whisky!
YETI Rambler $20
A 10 oz. stackable lowball with a Magslider lid is perfect for a cocktail or neat pour to enjoy alongside your picnic foods. Available in eight colors. yeti.com
Tartan Blanket Company Picnic Blanket $125
55"x75" recycled wool water-resistant blanket. Available in 9 colors (autumn tartan pictured; carrying strap additional...

A bottle of Macallan The Reach 81 year old was sold at auction earlier this month, this one by Whisky Auctioneer. It was the fourth-highest single-bottle hammer price for a whisky so far in 2023, but the price represented a sharp drop for this ultra-aged Macallan expression. The most recent previous sale of The Reach was at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in April, when it went for a quarter of a million dollars higher. Has The Reach achieved maximum reach? It’s far too early to tell. This is the lowest hammer price for this whisky to date, but only three bottles have been sold at auction thus far, and the price in April’s Hong Kong auction was part of Sotheby’s 50 Years In Asia activities, which may have attracted a larger audience and driven up the price. The winning bid at Whisky Auctioneer was in line with that achieved at a Sotheby’s special auction for The Reach last fall, so the value of this Macallan is probably just finding its feet.
Whisky...

In this new round of releases, Beam Suntory is at it again with yet another collaboration whisky, this one a blended scotch called Ardray, curated by the Scotland and Japan production teams. It's the third cross-global collaboration by Beam Suntory since the company was formed in 2014. The first came in 2019 with Legent, a Kentucky bourbon distilled at Beam and finished by the Japan blending team in a variety of wine and sherry casks. Next came Ao, first launched in Japan and Travel Retail in 2019 and introduced in the U.S. earlier this year, made with whiskies from Beam Suntory distilleries in five countries. Now comes Ardray, as the company seems determined to create some sort of collaborative, international niche within its vast whisky portfolio.
There were lots of other whiskies unveiled this week, including a new Weller family member, the latest red wine cask finished expression from Aberfeldy, the third release of Colere from...

Kentucky is America’s most revered whiskey region, and the state’s Bourbon Trail has long been anchored by the sister cities of Louisville and Lexington. There you’ll find great food, whiskey bars, and two of the most famous horse racing grounds in the world, Churchill Downs in Louisville and Keeneland in  Lexington. In recent years Louisville has seen a slew of high-profile hotel openings, including the Omni, Distil, Grady, and Moxy. Now Lexington is catching up, and June 2023 saw the debut of whiskey and equine-centric The Manchester hotel.
In real estate they say location is everything, and The Manchester is the first and only hotel within the city’s Distillery District, a 25-acre campus on the site of the historic James E. Pepper Distillery, which opened in 1879 and shuttered in 1958. After half a century of inactivity, the industrial park underwent a massive renovation and now has two working distilleries, the reborn James E. Pepper and Barrel...

Few things in life go together better than whisky and music. Some whiskey makers, most notably Blackened, even use music to enhance the liquid’s maturation process. In summertime and sometimes year-round, many distilleries add sparkle by hosting live music events, and their distillery spaces can often serve as natural concert venues—with refreshments available, of course! Here's a brief selection of what's doing in music at distilleries around the country, listed in alphabetical order by state.
California
The Hollywood Room at Napa Valley Distillery
Napa
Type of Music: Indie, Jazz, Americana, and Soul
Schedule: Year-round, currently booked through August
Refreshments: Food and drink
Admission: Free (Tickets/RSVP required) 
napadistillery.com
The Hollywood Room is Napa Valley Distillery’s dedicated craft cocktail bar—not to be confused with its other tasting saloon. Open...

Julie Macklowe knows business—thanks to her ventures in finance, fashion, and luxury skincare. She also knows whisky. Her New York City apartment, perched high above Fifth Avenue, has a private tasting room that offers sweeping views of Central Park—and a whisky library filled with rare bottles of Ardbeg, Springbank, Glenlivet, Laphroaig, Macallan, and many more. Some date back to the 1960s, others to the 1950s.
Macklowe’s collection fills one entire wall of the tasting room and continues behind hidden doors throughout. Open one wall panel, and you’ll find Hermes boxes surrounded by vintage Bowmore. That doesn’t include some opened bottles on an upper floor of this triplex apartment, or those stored at her Hamptons summer home. In total, Macklowe has over 2,000 whiskies in her collection. 
This passion for whisky ultimately led to the creation of a business venture: a whisky called The Macklowe American single malt. 

“I...

Just because dad never complains, we so often take advantage of him by not putting too much thought and effort into Father’s Day. Sure, he’ll say “thank you” to another sleeve of golf balls, of course he’ll be grateful for one more pair of dress socks, but he won’t truly be touched. This year, though, Pernod Ricard USA wants you to give your dad something that truly befits and echoes his years of devotion and nurturing. 
Well-aged whiskies, cognacs, and tequilas, like fatherhood, requires a lifetime of devotion and nurturing. Think about it. They need to be carefully added to aging vessels and maintained over the years. They need to be cultivated through nuanced aging methods, careful cask selection, and then exemplary blending. Do all that, and one day you might have such high-marque spirits as Aberlour 12 Year Scotch Whisky, Jefferson's Reserve, Redbreast 12-Year-Old, and Martell Blue Swift.

Aberlour 12 Year Scotch Whisky...

Some people love whisky, but most everyone loves dogs, and when vacation time comes, nowadays people are increasingly inclined to bring along the family pooch. Indeed, demand for dog travel is so high these days that many hotels, restaurants, and attractions that once catered only to humans have opened their doors to pets. The trend fueled the recent record use of private jets, and NetJets now even provides its staff with canine training. But you don’t need a private jet to have a great vacation with your best buddy in Kentucky, where the nation’s richest whiskey culture offers an extraordinary level of dog-friendly amenities. Call it Southern hospitality, canine-style.

Day One
Welcome to Louisville! Start your trip in Kentucky’s biggest city with a visit to something few other cities boast: a “dog park bar.” PG&J is a full-blown, indoor/outdoor off-leash dog park and bar, and like all the best fur-friendly spots, it’s named for...

A decadent blend of raspberries, blackberries, black currants, XO cognac, Madagascan vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey, and a host of aromatic spices, the French liqueur Chambord can be cloyingly sweet. And while it commonly appears in drinks like the Kir Royal, its cognac base means there’s potential for pairing with whisky, and it can be done to impressive effect.
“Cognac and whisky always pair nicely together as a split base, especially when the whisky has more body to it,” says Julia Petiprin, owner of Homemakers Bar in Cincinnati and founder of the Fifty Fifty Gin Club bar. “Chambord, being rich and fruity, highlights vanilla notes that come from bourbon barrel aging, but it can bring out fruity, floral flavors in lighter whiskies as well.”
Petiprin prefers pouring Chambord alongside blended scotch whiskies like Dewar’s, as it can create a more complex flavor profile than what might appear when using an unblended whisky. Those potent...

Maybe it's her Italian heritage, but Washington, D.C.-based mixologist Gina Chersevani has a soft spot for Italian liqueurs, like Galliano L'Autentico. “Galliano is a very different kind of liqueur,” she says. “It could be incredibly masculine if you let it take the lead in a vodka drink. But when you mix it with rye or bourbon, or even some Japanese whiskies, it becomes softer, and other flavors start to present themselves.”
Galliano is made from a proprietary blend of 30 herbs and spices—including Mediterranean anise, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and vanilla—that undergoes seven infusions and distillations. Both the exact recipe and production process have been kept secret since they were conceived back in 1896 by distiller Arturo Vaccari, who made the liqueur to honor Italian war hero Giuseppe Galliano.
While Galliano has a place in classic cocktails like the Harvey Wallbanger, there are other creative avenues for this vanilla-forward...

It’s been called the Chicago and the New York of the South, but Atlanta doesn’t need such comparisons—it’s a dynamic, bustling city in its own right. It’s home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the world, which is fitting for a city that served as the Deep South’s major railway hub prior to and during the Civil War. Today, ridesharing or renting a car is your best bet for maximum freedom and flexibility in this sprawling city’s flourishing dining and drinks scene.

You’ll want to stay in or near the downtown or midtown areas. Hotel Clermont offers perhaps the most unique lodging experience in the city: This six-story building topped with a 65-foot radio tower was built in 1924 and was home to the rather disreputable Clermont Motor Lodge before being transformed in 2018 into the boutique hotel it is today. Enjoy dinner in its upscale French-American brasserie Tiny Lou’s, and specialty...

This versatile bourbon-based cocktail comes to us from Lisa Brazil, food and beverage manager at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort’s Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon in Tabernash, Colorado.
 

Mother’s Day falls this Sunday, May 14, so you're probably scrambling to find the perfect gift for Mom. You could always give her flowers, chocolates, more jewelry, or a bottle of a favorite whisky. But how about giving something different—like a distillery event? Check for events at distilleries close to home, or consider attending one of those listed here. Either way, it will be a memorable Mother’s Day.

Virginia Distillery Co.
Lovingston, Virginia
May 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Free of Charge
If you want to start the celebration a bit early, Virginia Distillery Co. will be hosting a special “Cocktails & Chocolate Celebration” on the day before Mother’s Day. The event spotlights American single malts, including whiskey-infused truffles, courtesy of Milène Jardine Chocolatier, and features special cocktails—made using expressions from the Courage & Conviction series. Locally grown flowers...

The Mint Julep is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. On the first Saturday in May, Kentuckians everywhere feel it’s only proper to have a Mint Julep in hand while belting out “My Old Kentucky Home” before horses and jockeys parade onto the track. At Churchill Downs, more than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the course of the day. There’s even a $1,000 version served in a collectible silver julep cup, sponsored annually by Woodford Reserve to benefit charity.
While the Mint Julep has been served at every Kentucky Derby since the first one in 1875—the first official souvenir glass was offered at the 1939 Derby after fans absconded with many unofficial glasses the prior year—the drink’s origins are much older. “The Julep is basically a specific type of cordial,” says Tim Knittel, the official bourbon ambassador of Churchill Downs.
Working out of Matt Winn’s Steakhouse, which is located within Churchill Downs...

We regularly cover new whiskies here at Whisky Advocate, but with some bottlings, we delve just a little deeper. This week, for instance, there are two new projects in the mix: a single barrel Empire rye from New York Distilling made exclusively for the Brooklyn-based Wythe Hotel, and an entirely new brand from master blender Dixon Dedman. The Empire rye is a celebration of Brooklyn's rich distilling and cocktailing cultures, which both have been reborn in the past decade, while Dixon Dedman's release marks an exciting new chapter for this acclaimed Kentucky blender, who's best known for reviving Kentucky Owl back in 2014.
Of course, there are plenty of additional whiskies to present this week. Michter's is back with the latest edition of its highly coveted 10 year old Rye, Nikka returns with an age-statement Japanese single malt, and Nelson Green Brier sweetens its range with a bourbon finished in a honey-coated cask. Read on for full details.
Michter’s 10...

The Empire rye style has a new feather in its cap, thanks to a collaborative effort between two Brooklyn-based mainstays: New York Distilling Co. and the Wythe Hotel. Wythe No. 80 (so named for the hotel’s location on 80 Wythe Avenue) is a 45% ABV, 6 year old single barrel rye, fragrant with notes of lemon zest, caramel, crème brûlée, and cinnamon spice, all of which transition superbly onto the palate to an enjoyably long finish.
If you’re not sure what qualifies as Empire rye, here’s a crash course: 75% of the mashbill must be New York grain (but the remaining 25% of grain can come from anywhere); it must be mashed, fermented, distilled, barreled, and aged at a single New York State distillery; it must be aged for a minimum of 2 years in charred, new oak barrels; it may not exceed a 115 entry proof; and it’s to be distilled to no more than 160 proof. Wythe No. 80 has a mashbill of 75% Pedersen field race rye (grown specifically...

Since 1875, the first Saturday in May has been reserved for one of the world’s premier bucket list events, the Kentucky Derby. But while it is famously known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” the surrounding party stretches across the entire weekend, with plenty of pomp and circumstance, fancy dress, special events, and food and drink, both inside and outside Louisville’s Churchill Downs racetrack.
“The Derby lasts far longer than two minutes, and the city becomes a hive of activity,” said Brian Ruede, COO of Quint Events, which runs Derby Experiences, the official hospitality and ticket package provider for Churchill Downs and ticketed weekend events. “During the week leading up to the race, Louisville lights up with festivals, parades, sporting contests, and shows.”
Many locals attend every year and have the complex logistics dialed in, including renewable seat licenses that take many of the best seats out of play...

If you associate iced tea cocktails only with Long Island, it’s time to try something more sophisticated. Combining iced tea with whisky works for two reasons, says Stacie Stewart, beverage director at Nami in Louisville. “The first is that the tannins in tea provide enough structure to add depth to a drink that could otherwise be overpowered by such a strongly flavored spirit. The second is that the subtler notes of whiskies that are often hard to discern on their own can be amplified with the herbaceous flavors and aromas of the tea pairing.”
Different teas pair best with different styles of whisky. “Sweeter and lighter teas can play well with spice in a whisky, while bitter black teas can balance out sweetness in a whisky,” explains Ivan Papic, beverage director of New York City’s Sweetbriar. No matter the combination, these cocktails are the perfect way to kick off spring.

Highland Tea
Created by Sarah Fay Lawson-Stopps, bar...

The Wynn Las Vegas mega-resort is anchored by the connected Wynn and Encore hotels, each of which in turn has an even more luxurious boutique “Tower Suites” hotel within it. These twins are linked by casinos, spas, retail therapy, live entertainment, amenities, and a mind-boggling array of bars, restaurants, and lounges. Wynn is the only hotel on the Strip with a golf course, a stunning Tom Fazio design that has drawn pro athletes like Super Bowl champs Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. With all these offerings, the resort has become a favorite destination for those in search of pampering, wellness, food, golf, and increasingly, whisky.
Since the resort hired Mariena Mercer Boarini as master mixologist two years ago she has overseen—and overhauled—most of the cocktail menus and whisky lists for the 34 watering holes within Wynn, a couple of which are entirely new venues. While each has its own signature drinks and whisky list, many share in the extensive...

The New Rye Cocktails
The 21st century’s cocktail culture has had a fellow traveler—rye whiskey. In fact, it can be argued that rye, with its bold flavors that stand up so well in mixed drinks, has been the catalyst for the entire cocktail boom. In any case, rye mixology certainly encapsulates America’s ongoing whiskey renaissance, from its very beginnings to the current day.
“When I grew up in the business there were not many choices [for rye],” says Mike Vacheresse, who has been bartending for over three decades and is the current owner of Travel Bar in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Today, with eager mixologists whipping up new recipes for cocktail classics of a bygone era, the call has gone out for all sorts of rye whiskeys. Most American distillers are now making rye, and bars offer a long list of them. Travel Bar, for example, offers 61 different ryes. Many are best as neat pours, but their versatility as a cocktail...

Sure, you may have seen a whiskey barrel before, but what are the odds that you’ve spent time inside of one? If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal to whiskey and hold court within a barrel, there’s an opportunity to do just that—if you’re spending time in Colorado’s Vail Valley, that is. As spring skiing kicks into high gear, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has teamed up with Stoke & Rye at The Westin Riverfront in Avon, Colorado for a new après ski experience.
The distillery’s partnership with Stoke & Rye kicked off on March 17; from now until Sunday, April 2, four giant heated whiskey barrels—with capacity for four guests each—are situated on the restaurant’s patio, available for reservations from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant itself—an American grill serving up alpine-inspired dishes by chef Richard Sandoval—has direct gondola access to Beaver Creek Mountain, and...

Originally published January 26, 2023
Traverse City Whiskey Co., broke ground on its brand-new distillery in Traverse City, Michigan. The expansion comes in response to the rapid growth of the company, with its portfolio of bourbon, cherry whiskey, ready-to-drink Highballs, and signature cocktail cherries. A project nearly five years in the making, the new distillery and tasting room will not only increase production capacity but will also serve as a destination for whiskey lovers.
The 70,000-square-foot campus is set on 35 acres not far from the company’s current production facility in downtown Traverse City. “We purchased the property—a former fruit processing plant —back in 2018 when the previous owners shut down their business,” says co-founder and president Chris Fredrickson, “Since that time, we’ve reimagined what the property could become, which involved us significantly increasing the overall footprint of the campus...

When Uncle Nearest opened the doors of the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee in 2021, there was talk of a grand campus in the making, with 323 acres undergoing a four-phase, $50 million build-out that so far has included a visitor center, concession stand, and alcohol-free speakeasy. Now, a new attraction is coming to fruition: an immersive and experiential space dedicated to elevated drinks, food, and live music, Humble Baron, will open its doors on March 23.
Once it opens, Humble Baron will be home to a show-stopping 518-foot bar–the longest bar in the world, topping the previous holder at the Beer Barrel Saloon in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, which stretches 405 feet and 10 inches, according to Guinness World Records. The grand, circular 202-seat bar wraps around a stage and has 17 bartender stations (so you need never worry about having an empty glass).
“Certainly Humble Baron is the longest bar in the world, but from my perspective, it...

Sherry is seemingly ever-present in the world of whisky, thanks to the influence of the sherry cask. It’s most prominently seen in scotch whisky, of course, but the influence of these casks sourced from Jerez, Spain can be found in whiskies all over the world. Indeed, a conversation about some scotch whiskies can become as much about the sherry influence as the whisky itself. But few whisky lovers ever consider the use of sherry–the wine, not the barrel–as an ingredient in their cocktails.
While fino and manzanilla sherries make excellent bases for light and bright cocktail styles, those on the other end of the sherry spectrum–amontillado, oloroso, palo cortado, and Pedro Ximénez–offer more intense, nutty flavors due to heavy oxidation. That makes them better suited to pairing with aged spirits and other rich ingredients.
“The flavors of a heavily oxidized sherry allow us to add an incredible amount of depth to a...

Last month, the Kentucky Distillers Association announced that a record number of people visited distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail last year, 2,135,555 to be exact. The appetite for bourbon and bourbon tourism continues to grow, with Kentucky distillers meeting demand by investing in distillery upgrades and visitor center experiences. 
While major distillers remain a huge draw for those flocking to Kentucky, a crop of less-established names have recently announced plans to build or renovate within the state, meaning more whiskey to come and new destinations for traveling drinkers to seek out.
Buzzard’s Roost Lands a Spot on Louisville’s Whiskey Row 
Buzzard’s Roost is opening a microdistillery and tasting room in downtown Louisville, joining the many brands that make up the city’s famed Whiskey Row. “It is thrilling to the entire Buzzard’s Roost team,” co-founder and CEO Judith Hollis Jones notes...

It was a typical year for Michter’s in 2022, as the Kentucky-based whiskey maker sold all the stock that its distilling and maturation team deemed ready for bottling. This year, Michter’s will continue to invest in making more whiskey, by adding new barrel houses and running additional distillation to make its perennially allocated whiskeys more widely available. Michter’s has also re-upped on efforts to attract fans to its Fort Nelson Distillery on Louisville’s Whiskey Row as the steady flow of visitors to Kentucky has returned.
“We’re making very significant capital expenditures to grow our production,” says Michter’s president Joe Magliocco. “We’ve made a conscious decision that we want to do everything we can to keep the quality as high as possible.” Recently, Michter’s brought back its 10 year old bourbon, after a hiatus in 2022. The hard-to-find whiskey retails for around $185 and comes in at 47.2% ABV...

Jared Himstedt, Harlen Wheatley, and Caleb Kilburn talk about how they got into distilling, how they’ve seen the industry grow, and their favorite way to drink.

Jared Himstedt
Head Distiller, Balcones
Jared Himstedt’s journey into distilling took an unlikely path. While pursuing a career as a social worker (his chosen major in college), he began making home-brewed beer in his spare time. Before long, he was hooked. That passion turned into a calling in 2007 when he co-founded a beer bar in his native city of Waco, Texas. From there, It was only a matter of time before he came upon whiskey, and that happened when he connected with Balcones founder and previous owner Chip Tate in 2008. Himstedt was offered the opportunity to help build the Balcones Distillery in his hometown, overseeing label design, barrel selection, and various other aspects of the project.
Since that start, Himstedt has seen quite an evolution in the whiskey world, with whiskey lovers...

Say “tequila,” and many people immediately think “Margarita.” And whether you’re hosting a party or making tacos for two, everyone should know how to make this easy classic without resorting to neon green mixers. Simply shake tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice with ice, then strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
But don’t stop at Margaritas. Discover the many ways to enjoy tequila’s different styles. “Tequila is a uniquely complex spirit with an array of pleasant notes that can be incorporated with many flavor profiles that accent each other to create a well-balanced and enjoyable cocktail all year round,” says William Scyphers, beverage director of Cumberland Bar at JW Marriott Nashville. 
While all tequila adds depth and earthiness to cocktails, blanco tends to add black pepper and citrus flavors, reposado often has notes of vanilla and baking spices from the oak barrel, and the longer aging process of...

You don’t always have to choose between tequila and whisky. The two can make for a deliciously complex cocktail, though you may not realize that the “something extra” you taste is coming from the clear spirit. “Tequila has a subtle vegetal note on both the nose and palate that brings a great depth of flavor when paired with the sweetness and spice of quality whisky. Like the celery in a great soup, it’s not the first thing you might notice, but it would be a completely different cocktail if omitted,” says Beau Harris, mixologist and general manager of Ziggy D’Amico’s Whiskey Bar & Diner in Naples, Florida.
When mixing whisky and tequila, most often aged tequilas work best since many are aged in bourbon barrels, explains James Estes, bar director of Nerano and BG Lounge in Beverly Hills, California. “Many of the subtle notes, colors, and nuances of the bourbon are carried over to the tequila during the aging...

Big-name restaurants and bars with extravagant cocktail programs can be a real treat, but there’s something special about discovering an out-of-the-way whisky spot that hits the mark. From New York City rooftops to Boston’s classic Irish pubs, the East Coast offers a wide variety of venues for sipping whisky. Here are five lesser-known bars that won’t be on most people’s bucket lists, but they each offer a different kind of experience–in addition to excellent whisky lists.
913 Whiskey Bar
Greensboro, NC913whiskeybar.com
Located near the University of North Carolina’s Greensboro campus, 913 Whiskey Bar features nine different Old Fashioneds that highlight various kinds of whiskies, 25 preset flights, around 300 bottles, and a staff of whiskey experts, 913 Whiskey Bar showcases the versatility of whisky in a cozy, speakeasy-like environment. Featuring standouts like King of Kentucky, Blanton’s Gold, and Eagle Rare 17 year old, with...

Good bartenders give careful consideration to everything in their cocktail arsenals, from the spirits and mixers to the glassware and garnishes. In restaurants and bars, presentation is important. That’s why many mixologists are creating specialty ice cubes for whisky drinks—infusing them with bitters and garnishes to grab attention. While these elevated ice cubes require some prep work, they make a great addition to drinks.
“A tried-and-true cocktail recipe can be given a fresh take just by adding an infused ice cube,” says Hannah Crittenden, bar manager at Bouchon in Asheville, North Carolina. “The visual is a great benefit to the cocktail as a conversation starter, and if the consumer imbibes slowly and allows the cube to melt a bit, it can infuse the drink. It piques interest and helps the cocktail stand up.”
Bouchon makes specialty ice for its Ginger New Fashioned ($13), a cocktail mixed with Jim Beam bourbon, Domaine de Canton...

Tequila is made only in Mexico—and primarily in the state of Jalisco, which lies in the center of the country like a beating heart. Like so much of the Mexican countryside, Jalisco is remarkably scenic, offering views of high mountain ranges and scrubland, rolling fields of blue agave and Pacific Ocean beaches. While best known for tequila, Jalisco is also the birthplace of Mariachi music, whose singers will serenade you on many occasions during your visit.
Jalisco’s charming town of Tequila is to its namesake spirit what the town of Sonoma is to its surrounding wine country, and is the heart and soul of the region’s production. Located only 40 miles northwest of the cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara (population 1.5 million), Tequila is home to La Rojeña, Latin America’s oldest distillery (1798), and the only one of three distilleries owned by Mexico’s largest tequila maker, Jose Cuervo, that offers tours. With its hotels, restaurants, and...

Actor George Clooney and entrepreneur Rande Gerber are old friends who’ve long vacationed together in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where they developed a passion for tequila. One day they were struck with the idea of creating their very own expression, looking only to make a tequila they could enjoy with friends and family. Of course, that dream grew into something much bigger in the Casamigos brand. “We wanted something different—the best tasting, smoothest tequila, one that didn’t have to be covered up with salt or lime,” Gerber recalls. “We wanted to be able to drink it all night and not be hungover in the morning.”
After two years and roughly 700 tastings, their tequila project became a reality in 2013. The two friends, along with entrepreneur Mike Meldman, partnered to launch Casamigos—and the tequila world hasn’t been quite the same since. Today, Casamigos is a huge success, ranking sixth among the top 10 for all tequilas...

Rachel Barrie, Kevin O'Gorman, and Allisa Henley discuss their road to a career in distilling, as well as what they do in their spare time–with answers that cover motorbikes, Baileys Irish Cream, and Tennessee sports of all types. And most important of all, we get their take on what they love most about whisky.
Rachel Barrie
Brown Forman master blender for The GlenDronach, Benriach, and Glenglassaugh single malt scotches
Imagine feeling like there aren’t enough hours in a day to sample whisky. Sounds like a dream for most, but for Rachel Barrie, it’s a reality. As master blender responsible for three single malt scotch labels, she’s constantly testing maturation and exploring new creative boundaries, and taking risks in the lab while balancing traveling and other day-to-day demands of the job. With over 30 years in the whisky industry under her belt, In 2003—then employed with Moet Hennessy and working on Glenmorangie and...

As the Mint Julep—a combination of bourbon, sugar, mint, and ice—and the cocktails below prove, adding mint easily molds whisky into a spring beverage. “Mint lifts whisky up and enables it to be a lighter beverage than it normally plays,” says Tony Burgesen, bartender at The Bower in New Orleans. “Mint’s subtle sweetness melds effortlessly into the caramel and vanilla notes of most whisky, while the refreshing coolness of mint plays with the higher notes of whisky, like white pepper and grass.”
The Cloverleaf
Created by Bennett Hofer, bartender, Union Horse Bar, Lenexa, Kansas
“Named after the racing pattern of a barrel race, this cocktail will take your taste buds for a ride,” Hofer says. “First the fresh and bright citrus notes activate your senses. Then the fresh mint combined with Chartreuse adds depth, floral, and minty notes. Lastly, the caramel, baking spices, and sweet cinnamon of the rye shine, leaving...

Mix it up this Valentine’s Day with a splash of sweet or a dash of honey. These cocktails are perfect for whisky lovers and for those that don’t yet know how much they enjoy it. Follow the recipes as specified here or experiment: substitute with your favorite whisky or swap them out for something different. No matter how prepare them, choose good company to share them with.
APPLE OF MY EYE 

2 parts Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey
4 parts apple cider
½ part honey
Apple slice for garnish

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, stir twice with a bar spoon twice to integrate the honey. Shake until chilled and fine strain into an ice-filled Highball glass. Garnish with an apple slice.
BEE MINE

11/2 oz. Aberfeldy 12 year old scotch single malt
1 oz. espresso
1/2 oz. salted honey syrup (recipe below)
3 espresso beans and gold shimmer

Add scotch, salted honey, and espresso to a shaker...

At this moment, in distilleries and blending labs around the world, a critical communication is underway. A blender or distiller is having a silent conversation with a glass that contains whisky. It could be the latest iteration of a blend in the course of developing a new product, or in the maintenance of a legacy brand. Either way, the process requires passion, methodology, and clinical precision.
We’ve asked some of the world’s top blenders and distillers to give us an extraordinary peek into their labs and workspaces to help us understand their work and their creative process—from sensory overload to how they deal with the more prosaic activities of driving a car or doing the same thing day after day; of taking their “work” home with them and what it all means to you.
While these artisans are much like you and me, they have to deal with everyday issues in a slightly different manner. The issue of sensory impact and overload was considered by...

With so many varieties of tequila available today, this blue agave-based spirit makes a versatile and exciting addition to your home bar. From light and bright blanco expressions to oaky and smooth añejo, tequila offers something for everyone, and a wide range of labels adds to the sense of fun and exploration.
Tequila is a spirit with a true sense of place, as it’s produced only in Mexico—primarily in the state of Jalisco, along with a few local municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, and Nayarit—and can vary greatly depending on the region’s specific terroir. Tequilas from the Highlands—a region known as Los Altos—tend to be sweeter and fruiter, while those from the Lowlands, or El Valle, have more peppery and herbal qualities. Unaged blanco expressions work well in Margaritas and other fruity shaken cocktails; reposado, which is aged 2 to 12 months in oak, can pair with an even wider range of ingredients in a...

Tequila’s roots grow deep. Mexico’s native spirit has a rich history and an even richer sense of place. Nowadays, thanks to rising interest from spirits sippers and cocktail enthusiasts, its sales are booming. Like scotch whisky and cognac, tequila’s production is highly regulated, with the Mexican government imposing restrictions and quality standards to maintain integrity. Thanks to those efforts, tequila has upped its game over the years to win a place alongside the world’s most connoisseurial spirits.
At its heart, tequila is all about agave. A succulent native to hot, arid regions of the Americas, agave is the base for all tequilas. There are many types of agaves, though only one can be used to make tequila: agave tequilana, the Weber Azul or blue agave, native to western Mexico. For tequila, that particular varietal can only be sourced from five Mexican states: Jalisco, where the majority of tequila is made, and within certain municipalities of...

To understand rye whiskey’s remarkable revival, one first needs to understand the modern renaissance of the cocktail—because both have followed the same curve. As America moved through the latter half of the 20th century, rye had become about as unfashionable as the top hat and cane. In the mists of childhood Christmases past, I can recall rye as a drink favored by my great-aunt Mary, who always requested it—rye being her shorthand for a Manhattan. The rye in the home liquor cabinet was Old Overholt, the workhorse of rye’s wilderness years. My dear old auntie certainly knew how to appreciate rye, but she was part of an aging, dwindling generation of devotees.
It was a bleak time for rye whiskey, and years would pass before its revival would show even a flicker of life. The first spark came in 1987, when bartender Dale DeGroff—nobody would have called him a mixologist back then—helped relaunch the Promenade Bar at the Rainbow Room, high atop...

Chef Tyler Akin has been a force on the American culinary scene for well over a decade. He won over fans in Philadelphia for his work at both Stock and Res Ipsa, and now, as chef-partner at Le Cavalier in the historic Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, he is reinterpreting the classics of French cooking for a new generation. This menu, he explains, “Explores French cuisine from south to north while looking across the pond to Scotland for some fresh takes on classic cocktails.”
While French food and scotch might not be classic pairing partners, the flavors and textures embodied by both result in a seamless synergy. “Most rules are meant to be broken, and that is certainly the case with the old one that French food can only be eaten with French wine,” Akin adds. “Beverage pairings are meant to make you think! In my mind, this menu immediately transports me to thoughts about how the Scottish Enlightenment thinkers accompany the French philosophers...

What Scotland may lack in size, it makes up for in diversity. It boasts the highest peaks in the British Isles, more than 900 offshore islands including Skye, Islay, Arran, and Jura, a couple of thousand miles of hiking trails, prehistoric sites, medieval castles, and endless beaches. It has the world’s best collection of golf courses, as well as just about every other imaginable outdoor diversion. Scotland has big cities, tiny hamlets, and everything in between. Spread among the towns, cities, and countryside is a wealth of fantastic places to stay, with charming inns and hotels of every size, at every price point, and for every taste. What they all have in common is that you’re never far from a distillery, and you’re even closer to a fantastic selection of whisky, something every single one of these hotels offers.
The Balmoral
Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a lot of great lodging options, but for 120 years the top pick has been The Balmoral, a landmark in the...

Taking in a city’s stunning skyline while sipping a delicious drink—what’s not to love about a rooftop bar? Add in a stellar whisky list, and you’re all set for a memorable evening. Rooftop drinking is generally seen as a summertime experience, but these whisky-focused spots offer both indoor and outdoor spaces for year-round enjoyment.
Big Apple Vistas
Bar 54 • New York City
At 54 floors up, this lounge atop the Hyatt Centric Times Square is the city’s highest hotel rooftop bar, complete with river-to-river views. The beverage menu includes a cocktail list that changes twice a year, plus over 30 American, Irish, Japanese, and scotch whiskies, ranging from $17/2 oz. pour for labels like Rittenhouse rye and Dewar’s White Label up to $325 for Macallan Sherry Oak 25 year old. Reservations are required. hyatt.com
A Whisky Aerie
Dirty Habit • San Francisco
Located in the SoMa neighborhood, this fifth-floor retreat...

As autumn's cooler temperatures drift over New England, travel to the region heats up. Vacationers may have flocked to New England’s beaches and coastal destinations during the summer, but in fall they focus farther inland, where the vibrant display of autumn foliage blankets much of the region.
Vermont-based WhistlePig’s blender Meghan Ireland.
Yet there’s more reason to travel to New England in the fall than just those treebound pops of color—or for the apple and pumpkin festivals that inject a bit of revelry into many of the region’s quaint towns. Distilling in New England is back in a big way. Making spirits here can be traced back to the 17th century, and although rum was the primary product for centuries, whiskey production has come on strong over the past two decades, which means there’s no shortage of great whiskey distilleries to see and experience.
Here we spotlight eight New England distilleries that make carefully...

Burgers and bourbon are two of the all-time great pairing partners. “The sweetness of bourbon and the savoriness of a burger go hand in hand,” explains chef David Gross of The Standard, East Village, in New York City. Beyond that, there’s generally enough sweet spice in each sip to stand up to whatever toppings and accompaniments you want to add into the mix.
To take full advantage of bourbon’s innate friendliness with burgers, we enlisted the help of chef Gross to create a full, bourbon-friendly menu of dips, sides, dessert, and, of course, a seriously delicious hamburger. We’ve also included his preferred bourbons to enjoy alongside each course, as well as cocktails created by bar manager Ben Guber and the rest of the bar team. The results, as expected, are fantastic.

COCKTAIL OF CHOICE
Apple Upgrade
Serves 4

4 oz. Wild Turkey (or other bourbon)
3 oz. Luxardo Amaro Abano
3 oz. apple...

As Irish Coffee fans know, combining your favorite whiskey and java brings out the best in both drinks. “Whiskey and coffee often show similar overtones of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and baking spices. Their warm flavors are perfectly complementary,” says Franco Bilbaeno, head bartender at Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco. And now is the ideal time of year to take advantage of the internal heat stoked by a warm drink. 
The recipes below take Irish Coffee (coffee, Irish whiskey, and a little sugar, topped with a layer of cream) to the next level yet are still easy to make at home. Warm a mug and get ready to wake up and smell the cocktails.

Wish and the Thing
Created by Richard Willis, beverage supervisor, King + Duke, Atlanta
Combining Punt e Mes vermouth with coffee-infused amaro creates a well-balanced drink that tastes almost like a dark chocolate-covered espresso bean, Willis says. 
Ingredients

1 oz. Laws...

Scotch whisky distilleries traditionally were fairly spartan experiences— and certainly not places for culinary or cocktail flair. Some pioneers like Glenfiddich have long offered food amenities, but those examples were few and far between. Today, that scenario no longer applies: Distilleries across Scotland now have a variety of whisky-and-food experiences, often presented to stunning effect.
In the Highlands, Glenmorangie offers the standard Original Tour, which includes a tour and two drams in an hour-long experience. But you can have a far more elaborate time at Glenmorangie House, the distillery’s guest quarters. Here, everything from afternoon tea, drams before dinner (with canapés, of course), and a four-course meal are on offer, as well as breakfast the next morning. But dinner is what really sets it apart.
Sim Canetty-Clarke
“Dining is a central part of the experience at Glenmorangie House, and we create a new menu every night that echoes...

Reminders of whisky are never far off in Scotland—swollen fresh rivers, pristine glens, rich peated earth, and the abundant rain that is destined to become tomorrow’s whisky. But so much of whisky’s culture in Scotland historically lay hidden, and was meant to be so. In earlier centuries, its distilleries were tucked away in remote corners of the Highlands and western isles, dodging the tax man. Even as scotch whisky grew to become big business, its prized malt distillers remained mostly unknown to the world at large.
Scotland’s malt whiskies were considered too rustic, too assertive, and too obscure for the world’s cosmopolitan drinkers in the 19th century—or so the thinking went. Blenders, often Scottish grocers who sold whisky in their shops, began mixing these malts with softer grain whiskies, giving rise to the blended scotch category. These palate-friendly blends, bearing names like Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, Bell’s, and...

Las Vegas has come roaring back this year, and visitors will find many new additions to the city’s lodging, dining, and drinking options. Among the new hotels, the 3,500-plus room Resorts World is the first mega-casino addition to the Strip in 10 years, and Circa is the first all-new major casino resort built in old downtown in four decades. The beloved Palms Casino Resort has reopened under new ownership and a $620-million facelift, a new NFL (and concert) stadium has debuted, new shows abound, and new restaurants and attractions are running at full steam. What’s in it for the whisky lover? Thanks to some of these recent additions, the answer is plenty.
In terms of getting around, after a historic struggle with public transportation, the underground Las Vegas Loop, now under construction, promises to change all that. Until then, the airport is close to the Strip, so taxis or rideshare remain the best way to get into town, and in many cases, to then get around. The one...

While we may look to distillers and blenders first and foremost for the whiskies they’re making us, have you ever wondered what they’re drinking when they’re off the clock? We asked 10 whisky makers for their favorite whiskies (with the single stipulation that it couldn’t be a whisky they themselves had a hand in making), as well as for their favorite non-whisky drinks. Their answers shine light on all sorts of whisky styles and non-whisky drinks, though you’ll see a handful of shared answers, too. Who knows, one of their favorites might just inspire you to try something new next time you’re out at a bar, restaurant, or liquor store.
Who: Dr. Bill Lumsden, director of distilling and whisky creation, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg
Favorite whisky: “It’d have to be The Balvenie Founder’s Reserve; I think it was a 10 year old when I first tried it, and it was the second single malt scotch I ever tasted after...

It may be a surprise to some, but the bubbly fizz of champagne and the robust flavors of whiskey are a match made in heaven. While we’re accustomed to seeing champagne paired with vodka or gin, the mixture of celebratory bubbles and whiskey has long been a bartender favorite.
The storied Seelbach cocktail brought this idea into the limelight in the 1990s when Adam Seger, a bartender at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, claimed to have come across the recipe from an old hotel menu. According to modern legend, in the pre-Prohibition years, a clumsy bartender accidentally poured champagne into a Manhattan, and the combination became the Seelbach Hotel’s signature drink.
Never mind that Seger later admitted that he was the one who created the drink—and that he made up the story of its history. But by then the Seelbach cocktail had gained nationwide popularity—and for good reason. The balance of bitters, orange liquor, bubbles, and bourbon create the...

If you're hosting holiday celebrations this weekend, we have some tips and tricks for making the most of your party, as well as some batched holiday cocktail recipes that are sure to delight guests. If you're a last-minute gift buyer, look to our holiday gift guide for inspiration—while not all on the list may be available this late in the game, some are certainly still up for grabs. Happy holidays from us to you! 
Toward the end of the year, new whisky releases slow to a trickle, but there are still some interesting arrivals. Kentucky Owl returns with its final release of 2022; Irish label Writers' Tears debuts a sherry-finished single malt; and The Glenturret partners with Lalique once again for the second release in its Trinity Series. Read on for full details.

Kentucky Owl Batch #12Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 57.%Price: $400Release: December 2022Availability: Limited
Need to...

New Orleans is a city with many sobriquets. It’s the Birthplace of Jazz, as it fostered the genre and great jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong. It’s also known as the Big Easy, by virtue of its laid-back lifestyle. And for geographical reasons it’s called Crescent City; as the city expanded beyond its French Quarter center it followed the curve of the Mississippi River, forming a crescent shape.
While there’s no nickname connecting New Orleans directly to whisky, the ties to revelry are legendary, and date back as far as its founding. Even in the 1700s, New Orleans was well-known for its culture of drinking and dancing, and by the early 1800s, distillers to the north were shipping barrels of whiskey down the Mississippi straight to the city, further fueling the exuberance. In fact, American whiskey aging practices might be traced back to these shipments—legend goes that distillers sent their white whiskey downstream in used barrels that were charred...

Once you’ve acquired the tools and ingredients needed to make delicious whisky cocktails, it’s time to start mixing. But before you do, Aron Queen, bartender at Michter’s The Bar at Fort Nelson, has a few tips and tricks to help you better understand cocktail construction, how to taste, and how to tweak certain recipes to your or your guests preferences. Here, Queen details a few challenges he’s faced in creating cocktails and how he found simple work arounds and solutions. As an at-home bartender you may encounter similar issues, but with the right skills and attitude, you too can deliver professional-grade...

During the fall and winter of 2020, when outdoor dining was in peak demand, many restaurants and bars added “igloo experiences” on their patios to keep guests warm even in the coldest temps. Today, these heated domes remain popular because, well, hanging out in your own private snow globe is fun! These spots all offer igloos during the colder months, plus stellar whisky selections, meaning you can continue your patio drinking long after the height of summer.
Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar & Kitchen—Atlanta 
Featuring panoramic views of midtown, this modern Southern rooftop restaurant and bar offers two igloo experiences from November through February: lounge igloos that seat up to six guests and dining igloos that seat up to four. Each igloo comes equipped with cozy furniture, an individual heater, and a Bluetooth speaker, allowing guests to control the music and temperature to their liking while sipping a dram from the venue’s list of more than 130...

Looking for a gift for the whisky lover in your life this holiday season? We've got you covered with these 14 recommendations, ranging from specialty bottles to sweet treats, to unforgettable whisky and cigar experiences. Check out our 12 Whiskies of Christmas for more selections to gift or share this holiday season. And of course, our annual Top 20 list is a great resource if you are looking to gift a bottle, with this year's selections ranging in price from $30 to $275, and covering a range of styles.
New releases this week represent a wide range of styles as well. Old Forester adds to its 117 series with Extra Extra Old; Orphan Barrel releases the final installment in its Muckety-Muck range, a 26 year old single grain whisky; Booker's announces the fourth batch of this year's bourbon; and Mortlach and Talisker each have new aged expressions. Read on for full details. 

Old Forester 117 Series: Extra Extra...

Shopping for your favorite whisky lover can be a tough mission even when you know their personal whisky preferences—especially if you’re looking to surprise them. Thus every year, we scour the planet to bring you some fun gift options to suit the whisky fan in your life. 
We’ve included a few special bottles on this year’s list, but note that we recommend whiskies all year long, topped by our annual Top 20 list, which weighs quality, affordability, accessibility, and x-factor. You can also check out the magazine and website, where the Buying Guide offers scores and reviews. Each issue also our includes our Best Value, Editors’ Choice, and Collectible picks.
It’s a big whisky world out there. If you want to gift something other than whisky, or if your special someone keeps the whisky bar well-stocked on their own, consider these items and experiences this holiday season.
Whisky Gifts to Suit the...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season is upon us, but we've also spent the week counting down our annual Top 20 list, with the full list officially out today. Check out our pick for Whisky of the Year, a bonded Tennessee whiskey priced at just $30, and see if any of these exciting whiskies catch your eye or look right for the whisky lover in your life.
New releases this week include the latest iteration of High West's High Country single malt, the third release in the Bushmills Rare cask series, and the 2023 bottling of Barrell's New Year blend. Read on for full details. 

High West High Country
Style: Single malt Origin: Utah Age: Not stated ABV: 44% Price: $80 Release: December 2022 Availability: Limited
Need to know: 
High Country is High West’s ode to Scottish single malts, and as such it blends single malt scotch techniques with American whiskey making. Its 100% malt mashbill...

What a year it’s been for American single malt whiskey! Over the summer, the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB) released guidelines for the category, a decision that was years in the making. Following a 60-day required commentary period that concluded in late September, the guidelines are in line to be finalized; this is expected to happen before the end of the year. While recognition of the category and the emergence of formal guidelines didn’t change anything in the day-to-day for most distillers, it likely marks the start of a much broader understanding of what American single malt can be.
Now other distilleries are certainly lending credence to this newly minted category—look no further than Jack Daniel Distillery, which launched an American single malt of its own earlier this month. With that release alone, it seems safe to say that we can expect plenty more American single malt whiskey in the months and years to come.
For our Fall 2022...

The whiskey scene in Dallas is like Texas itself—unpretentious, down-to-earth, and bold. Every neighborhood has a different feel that seeps into its bars. In Deep Ellum, you’ll find no-nonsense places that will likely have live music playing outside. In Uptown, expect a neighborhood bar feel with a mix of old Dallas money and fresh-out-of-college kids bonding over an Old Fashioned. From ultra-rare bottles to barbecue dinners cooked with whisky, each of these spots in Dallas offers a unique, whisky-filled experience.
Armoury DE
2714 Elm St. armouryde.com Tucked away in Dallas’s vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood, Armoury DE is detectable only by the neon “A” above its doors. Its understated, approachable atmosphere is complemented by delicious Hungarian food and a diverse collection of 100-plus whiskies, including rare finds such as Parker’s Heritage Collection 8 year old rye ($40/1.5 oz.), Midleton Very Rare 2017 ($41/1.5 oz.), and Old...

Expand your horizons beyond the familiar favorites in this issue dedicated to the whisky world's hidden treasures. Start in Scotland with ten of Whisky Advocate's favorite undersung single malts, from distilleries that are sometimes so far off the beaten path you'll need an atlas to find them. Then travel to the Nordic countries, where inventive distillers have been quietly making an array of unique whiskies that are just beginning to make their mark.

Further afield, explore the fascinating allure of mizunara oak, whose barrels are so prized some distillers wait years to get their hands on one. And check out our picks for the best unconventional whiskies you probably aren't drinking—though you should be.

Also in this issue, we chat with "Justified" star turned distiller Walton Goggins, forage for wild cocktail ingredients, and pair whisky with sushi (yes, you should try it). Plus, there are over 90 new reviews in the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide, and much...

Each year, Whisky Advocate’s reviewers taste hundreds of whiskies—and it all culminates in the annual Top 20, our list of the most exciting whiskies of the year. Check out the winners for 2019, which range from bourbon and scotch to Japanese, Irish, Tennessee whiskey, and beyond—all tasted blind, selected for their combination of outstanding quality, fair price, wide availability, and x-factor.

Although no 50 year old whiskies made the list (they’re too rare and expensive), our feature on half-century bottles dives deep into how these special drams reach ripe old age. And we explore the growing movements in states like New York, Texas, and Missouri to define distinct whiskey styles, representative of their homes.

Also in this issue, find the ten best whiskey distillery cocktail bars in the country, along with a look at the craft distillers blending their own whiskey with sourced liquid, plus spiced citrus whisky cocktails, whisky and cookie...

The past year brought some incredible whiskies, and our Winter 2018 issue showcases the Top 20 most exciting examples from around the world. Whisky Advocate’s blind tasting panel sipped and scored bottles from the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Japan, and beyond to crown one standout dram Whisky of the Year.

Also in this issue, we look ahead to 2019 with a guide to making this your best whisky year ever. Plan your own blind tasting, tinker with a signature cocktail, schedule a distillery tour, and experiment with cigar pairing. And what about taking a whisky journey? Our feature on French whisky reveals why this country is making such high-quality stuff—and recommends the best bottles to look for on the shelf.

Don’t miss the quest for maritime-influenced American whiskey, an in-depth look at private-label whiskies from Costco, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Total Wine, our tips for pairing whisky and wings, and whisky punch recipes perfect for...

Can you name 20 Irish whiskey distilleries? If not, you have some catching up to do. Ireland is in the midst of a whiskey renaissance, and that's great news for whisky lovers. Get the full story in the Winter 2016 issue, plus our ultimate travel guide, filled with authentic pubs, dream golf, distillery tours, whiskey shopping, and all the best Ireland has to offer.

If you're looking for information about wheated bourbons (you know, like a certain Van Winkle brand), we've got you covered with a deep dive into this flavorful whiskey. Find out what makes wheaters so special and get recommendations for bottles to try that are easier to find—and more affordable—than Pappy.

Break some rules and make a cocktail or three with single malt scotch—we'll teach you how. Or try mixing a drink designed for winter: we rounded up recipes from bartenders in ski country, perfect for relaxing after a long day of snow sports.

Winter 2016 Buying...

Stranahan's makes only one style of whiskey—American single malt—and uses local barley from the town of Golden in the foothills of the Rockies, yeast from Colorado Springs, and snowmelt from Boulder’s Eldorado Canyon for its water. The distillery offers a number of expressions: Original, Snowflake, Diamond Peak, Sherry Cask, Blue Peak, and Mountain Angel 10 year old.
Put Stranahan’s at the top of your Colorado whiskey visit list. Tour the facility, which is located just one mile south of Denver's city center, and taste its whiskeys, including distillery exclusives. As the state’s oldest distillery, Stranahan’s has mature whiskeys to offer. Ask about tastings specifically geared toward these older expressions, and taste the difference between its 4, 7, and 10 year olds. Or you can relax in the rustic atmosphere of the Cocktail Lounge, the distillery’s watering hole. Participate in a Distiller’s Experimental Guided Tasting that...

Marble Distilling is the stuff of whiskey vacation dreams. The luxurious Distillery Inn, housed within the distillery, is a hidden gem, with five suites that include fireplaces and private balconies/patios, with cocktail delivery service available. Marble is a sustainable distillery, set to go net-zero this year. Efforts include a water energy thermal system that reuses the water and heat from distilling and a 100% solar-heated rickhouse. It uses only Colorado-grown grains, and Marble’s spent mash goes to local ranches for livestock feed. Products include Hoovers Revenge Ragged Mountain rye, Back Country bourbon, Fightin’—a triticale whiskey—and 5 Grain American whiskey.  
Take a tour and learn more about Marble’s whiskey at its Marble Bar—aptly cut out of a nine-ton block of marble—before heading back to your room. Following Marble’s core values, rooms contain sustainable materials and products, as well as elegant finishes. Ask...

Updated January 9, 2025 - Laws Whiskey Sanctuary is now open.
As founder Al Laws puts it, Laws Whiskey House uses "grains that mass production forgot.” Laws takes a terroir-driven approach across the board: Fostering strong relationships with local farmers, using open-air fermentation, and utilizing Eldorado Springs water before distilling in a custom-made, four-plate pot still. Colorado’s thin air, hot days, and chilly nights also impact the production process. Laws makes four-grain bourbon and 100% rye whiskey from rye that’s grown at 8,000 feet above sea level in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. You can also find limited release, seasonal, small batch whiskeys, like a cognac-finished four-grain bourbon.
The distillery began as a passion project for Al Laws. As he grew older, he wanted to change careers and do something he loved, and whiskey topped the list. He opened shop on Independence Day, 11 years ago.  A one-hour general distillery tour...

Making tasty cocktails at home starts with stocking your bar with the necessary tools and ingredients. Whether a drink is shaken or stirred, served neat or on the rocks, or requires a special type of garnish or presentation, you'll want to make sure you have the right equipment on hand. Here, Dallas White, supervisor and head of research and development at Michter's The Bar at Fort Nelson, takes you through the bar tools, whiskies, mixers, syrups, and more that you'll need to make a wide variety of whisky cocktails. Just remember, like any skill, making good cocktails takes plenty of practice, so start simple with an Old Fashioned or Manhattan and branch out to more complex mixology from...

A great vacation doesn’t have to be all about whisky, but a wee dram or artisanal cocktail along the way certainly enhances the experience. The best getaways for whisky lovers combine cozy lodging with fun activities, delicious food, warm hospitality, and of course an excellent selection of whiskies. Such great escapes can be found all over the country and around the world—you can squeeze in a bit of fun on a long weekend or fly across the Atlantic to sojourn in the British Isles. Whether you a choose trip focused on skiing, fishing, hiking, golfing, or just relaxation with cooking classes and spa treatments, fabulous whisky-fueled adventures await. We’ve chosen 10 of the best such getaway options.

Sea Island Resort has not one, but two separate hotels, including The Lodge (pictured), where the main bar serves several hundred Old Fashioned cocktails a day.
Sea Island—Sea Island, Georgia
For nearly a century, Sea Island Resort has been one of...

A great vacation doesn't have to be all about whisky, but a wee dram or artisanal cocktail along the way certainly enhances the experience. The best getaways for whisky lovers combine cozy lodging with fun activities, delicious food, warm hospitality, and of course an excellent selection of whiskies. Such great escapes can be found all over the country and around the world—you can squeeze in a bit of fun on a long weekend or fly across the Atlantic to sojourn in the British Isles. Whether you a choose trip focused on skiing, fishing, hiking, golfing, or just relaxation with cooking classes and spa treatments, fabulous whisky-fueled adventures await. We've chosen 10 of the best such getaway options.

Sea Island Resort has not one, but two separate hotels, including The Lodge (pictured), where the main bar serves several hundred Old Fashioned cocktails a day.
Sea Island
Sea Island, Georgia
For nearly a century, Sea Island Resort has been one of America's...

Change is in the air, and we aren't just talking about the seasons. Major brands are losing some of their top whiskey makers, as distillers and blenders are leaving corporate comforts to create a legacy of their own. We spoke to Jane Bowie and Denny Potter, formerly of Maker's Mark, and Jackie Zykan, formerly of Old Forester, about their decisions to forge their own paths and the whiskeys we can expect from them in the future.As for whiskies you can search for now, there are plenty to choose from this week. Wild Turkey adds to its Master's Keep line with Unforgotten, while Maker's Mark unveils the latest release in its stave finishing series, a pair of whiskeys labeled BRT-01 and 02. As for single malt scotch, Benriach is bringing back its limited Smoke and Malting Season whiskies. We also covered the 2022 Diageo Special Releases, dubbed the "Elusive Expressions," earlier this week. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten
Style: Blend of...

Since 2001, autumn has been a time for the Diageo Special Releases—the annual unveiling of the company's limited-edition collection of cask strength whiskies showcasing rarity and innovative cask finishes. This year's edition, which hits the shelves on October 1, is called Elusive Expressions. It offers eight bottles in all, again selected by master blender Craig Wilson. The whiskies include a 26 year old single grain whisky, six single malt whiskies aged up to 16 years old, and a non-age statement Mortlach, the 8th bottling, which will not be available in the U.S.Diageo is continuing its recent trend of offering far lower aged whiskies from operational distilleries in the Special Releases, concentrating on rare and unique expressions of distillery character. Consequently, prices are lower than ever at $1,210 for the 7-bottle collection. That's a 65% reduction compared to last year's 8-bottle set, making the 2022 Special Releases the least expensive since the early years.
...

Elegant pear adds a velvety texture to this crimson cocktail, created by Summer-Jane Bell, partner at Hello Stranger Bar in Oakland, Calif.. “The aromatic spices and tannin from the wine play well with the cask notes in the whisky,” Bell adds.



INGREDIENTS

2 oz. 10th Street Distillery California Coast Blend (or a peated blended scotch)
1 poached pear, quartered (recipe below)
¾ oz. pear poaching liquid (from recipe below)
¾ oz. lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
Chill a stemmed cocktail glass with ice and water. Place one quarter of a poached pear in a shaker and muddle. Add remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously. Double strain into emptied cocktail glass. Make a slit in a poached pear slice and slide it onto the rim of the glass vertically for garnish.
Poached Pear

1 cup red wine (such as a blend, syrah, merlot, or zinfandel)
½ cup white sugar
Peel of 1 orange
8 star anise
10...

Created by Anthony Baker, a freelance cocktail professor, this refreshing drink hints of cooler weather ahead. The fresh pear and apple cider cool the heat of the rye whiskey with wonderful spice notes from the bitters.
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Town Branch rye (or other rye whiskey)
¼ D’Anjou pear, plus 1 slice for garnish
¾ oz. simple syrup
½ oz. lemon juice
4 dashes Hella Cocktail Co. Apple Blossom bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz. dry hard cider
Rosemary sprig and cinnamon stick for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Muddle pear in a shaker. Add simple syrup, lemon juice, bitters, whiskey, and ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over crushed ice and top with apple cider. Garnish with rosemary sprig, cinnamon stick, and slice of pear.
FROM THE FALL...

How about them pears? While apples tend to steal the spotlight in the fall, pears are just as diverse. And since you can tease out pear notes in many whiskies, take advantage of the season's fresh bounty and make these whisky cocktails. “The subtle caramel notes of whisky create a lovely dialogue with the subtle sweetness of pears,” says Ricardo Alvarado, bar manager of Mama Delia and Bordel in Chicago. “Together, these two make for a well-balanced cocktail that's simple, evocative, and powerful all at the same time.”
3 Pear and Whisky Cocktails to Try Now
Nothing Comp-Pears to You: Poached pear is featured twice in this autumnal cocktail, both as a garnish and an essential ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Nothing Comp-Pears to You
The Fall of Whiskey: Cool cider and fresh pear balance out spicy rye in this cocktail, which is meant to capture the transition into Fall.
Get the Recipe: The Fall of Whiskey
The Affordable Pear Act: This riff on...

This silky cocktail was created by Alec Pignotti, beverage manager at Recess in Chicago. It adds an extra layer of complexity to a Whisky Sour, with warm baking spices and Asian pears.



INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Suntory Toki (or other Japanese whisky)
½ oz. pear brandy
½ oz. spiced pear syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. lemon juice
1 egg white
1 dash Angostura bitters
1-2 whole star anise for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a tin-on-tin Boston shaker with ice. Hard shake for 10 seconds. Strain the ice and dry shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a coupe and garnish with star anise.
Spiced Pear Syrup

3 Asian pears
1 cup water
5 whole star anise
2 cups sugar

Remove skin, stems, and seeds from pears. Combine in a blender with water and star anise. Strain mixture through a fine strainer. In a pot, combine puree with sugar over high heat until sugar dissolves...

Some people add to their whisky collection by tracking new releases, while others scour auction sites for rare bottlings. On September 23, Sotheby's New York will auction what it is calling The Timeless Whisky Collection, with lots that include a complete six-bottle set of the Macallan Six Pillars Collection, and a major crop of independently bottled scotch whiskies, as well as other aged expressions from Glenfiddich, Bowmore, and others. Get the details from our auction preview, including the 10 most expensive lots by estimate.Among this week's new releases, Dewar's adds to its Cask Series line with a calvados cask finish, and Woodford Reserve is offering a new honey barrel-finished bourbon as a distillery and Kentucky exclusive, while Jefferson's has an interesting new Ocean: Aged at Sea bourbon expression made with New York City water. Read on for full details.

Dewar’s 8 year old French Smooth
Style: BlendOrigin: ScotlandAge: 8 year oldABV: 40%Price: $25Release...

Pumpkin flavor instantly evokes memories of autumn: vibrant yellow and auburn-colored trees, a slight chill in the air, and the rustle of crisp leaves under your feet. And there are so many delicious ways to enjoy the fruit—yes, it's a fruit—from pies to breads to soups and even whisky cocktails. “When pumpkin is cooked it releases natural baking spice flavors that wonderfully complement the barrel-aged notes in whisky,” says Billy Caruso, Chicago-based executive chef and beverage director at Rye Deli + Drink. “I like the viscosity and texture thatpumpkinbrings to a cocktail—it creates a more round and full-bodied mouthfeel.”There are lots of possibilities for experimentation with pumpkin in a whisky drink. You can make pumpkin syrup, which typically consists of pumpkin puree, sugar, and water, and there are many ways to make it your own. You can use it to infuse whisky, which involves steeping pumpkin in the spirit, or you can simply add...

“Although it's been around for more than 500 years and is popular in Japan, shochu is still breaking into American drinking culture,” says Tetsuro Miyazaki, general manager of Iichiko Shochu USA. “It's known as the native spirit of Japan, and it offers an incredibly rich umami flavor while also remaining very light with a smooth finish.”
Shochu can be made from any number of ingredients, but the most common types available in the U.S. are barley (mugi), sweet potato (imo), rice (kome), and unrefined cane sugar, also called black sugar (kokuto). The base ingredient is fermented using koji mold—just like in sake production—but unlike sake, which is brewed, shochu is distilled like whisky. Most traditional shochu is single-distilled in pot stills (honkaku) but it can also be made by continuous distillation (ko-rui). After distillation, water is usually added to bring the alcohol content to between 20% and 43% before the spirit rests in stainless...

Whether you're a skier or a snowboarder, or a laidback lodge dweller, there's something that unites all of us: the après ski experience. While there are après ski spots aplenty that tout strong beer lists, finding one with a standout whisky selection is more of a challenge. But rest assured that such bars do exist, livening up major resorts across the country.
Whiskey All The Way
High West Saloon—Park City, UtahLocated at the base of the Quit'n Time ski run at Park City Resort, High West Saloon bills itself as the world's first and only ski-in/ski-out gastro-distillery.While beer and wine are available, the focus here is on whiskey—even the food is made to pair with High West drams and cocktails. The distillery's four core whiskeys are available as individual pours or in a flight, and the cocktail menu is well worth exploring—kick back and enjoy some of the many drinks on offer, which include such specialized winter warmers as twists on the hot...

Generations ago, the U.S. whiskey landscape was rich with farm distillery rye whiskeys, but modern American producers tend to use giant suppliers to source their rye grains. The past decade has seen a growing contingent of American craft distillers move the focus back to heirloom rye grains, aiming to revive long-forgotten styles. We look at some of these distillers and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs they’ve experienced along the road to a rye renaissance in this story from our Spring 2022 issue.
For fans of American whiskey, and bourbon in particular, this week's new releases should be  tantalizing. Barrell Craft Spirits has debuted its latest finished blend of straight bourbons, Four Roses has announced details for this year's Limited Edition Small Batch, and Michter's is back with US*1 Toasted Barrel bourbon. Read on for full details.

Barrell Vantage
Style: Blend of straight bourbonsOrigin: Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee Age: Not statedABV...

From floral jasmine and earthy matcha to spiced chai and smoky lapsang souchong, tea is as variable and flavorful as whisky—and when you mix the two together, delicious things happen. “Versatile ingredients like tea really enhance my cocktail repertoire,” says Katie Auth, bartender at Raines Law Room and Joyface in New York City. “Tea's acidity, bitterness, and tannic qualities can elevate other components in a drink.”Whisky-based Hot Toddies—a mixture of the spirit with hot tea, honey, and lemon—are classic, but cold tea also mixes well with whisky in cocktails. “Cold tea can be used on its own in such drinks as a whisky Highball, or you can make a tea syrup, which is an excellent way to integrate tea into a cold cocktail,” Auth says. “Simply mix together hot strong-brewed tea with equal parts sugar then allow to chill, and you have a flavorful ingredient to add your own spin to an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour.”Auth...

Whether looking for a no-nonsense shot-and-beer bar or a fancy joint with a miles-deep whisky menu, a weekend in Philadelphia will provide. The city is eminently walkable, too. From any Center City hotel there are dozens of options for food, drinks, and attractions in one of America's most historic cities. A walk down Broad Street—downtown Philadelphia's main north-south drag—offers views of the city's late-19th century City Hall, the Civil War-era Union League (now a private club), and the city's leading arts venues, like the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music. And just blocks east or west of Broad Street are some of the city's best places to eat and drink.Staying in Center City is the best option for a mostly walkable trip, with convenient public transit that gives you the widest variety of bars and restaurants to choose from. Whether flying, driving, or taking Amtrak, Center City is a breeze to reach. For accommodations, it's easy to recommend Philadelphia's Loews...

When talk turns to the country's best bourbon bars, Louisville definitely shines—especially during Kentucky Derby week. While favorites like Proof on Main, The Silver Dollar, and Bourbon's Bistro are sure bets, these recent arrivals are well worth a wager.
Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water is a speakeasy located beneath the bustle of Main St., a few blocks from Louisville's Whiskey Row. Enter through a hidden door and descend the narrow staircase to a softly lit cellar enclave, splashed out with red velvet booth seating and art deco style.While the bottle list is deep, cocktails are the best route. Menus are updated seasonally, and split between Hell (stronger, spirit-forward) and High Water (bright and refreshing). Recent offerings include Cardamum's the Word, made with barrel-pick Russell's Reserve bourbon, rum blanc, cardamom syrup, cardamom tincture, and black lemon ($15). On the lighter side, there is Pass the Torch, a rye-based cocktail with green chartreuse...

As much as we love whisky, sometimes it's fun to seek out other spirits types. Those looking to go off the beaten path should consider gentian liqueur, made from its namesake plant and used for centuries as a bittering agent. While it’s found in classic cocktail ingredients like Aperol and Angostura bitters, in France—where it originated—gentian is enjoyed over ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Of course, it makes a delicious addition to whisky-based cocktails, too, and we’ve got recipe ideas for you right here, as well as four gentian labels to recommend.
But new whisky is the main news here, and this week's crop will surely please single malt scotch fans, though there are also Irish and American releases. Gordon & MacPhail  is releasing a rare 72 year old single malt from a Speyside distillery name that won't be familiar to many whisky lovers, The Balvenie has added a 16 year old single malt to its Cask Finishes range, Glen Scotia is bringing...

Gentian (pronounced JEN-shn) is a flowering plant that grows mostly in mountainous regions throughout the world and has been used for centuries as a bittering agent. The plant has a history of use for medicinal purposes, treating ailments like loss of appetite, indigestion, and heartburn. Many classic cocktail ingredients, including Aperol, Campari, and Angostura bitters, feature gentian. But perhaps most interestingly, when macerated and distilled, gentian makes a delicious liqueur on its own, commonly enjoyed as an aperitif served over ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in cafés throughout France, its country of origin.While wine bittered with gentian dates back to at least ancient Greece, gentian liqueurs became more prominent toward the end of the 19th century due to the invention of the continuous still and the wider availability of neutral alcohol. To make gentian liqueur, the gentian roots are macerated in alcohol—most commonly from sugar beets—for...

Your natural impulse come summertime may be to grab a low-proof whisky and you wouldn't be alone. The typically low ABV of blended scotch in particularmakes for great summertime sipping, approachable on its own, or in a cold, refreshing cocktail like the Penicillin. If you are imbibing in the summer sun, it is always wise to pace yourself, and low ABV whiskies will help you do just that.But there is something appealing about a cask strength pour in the summer months as well—letting the heat in your glass match the heat outside. High-proof whiskies can handle a nice large ice cube, as the whisky slowly dilutes and flavors begin to change. If you are the type to grab something high proof no matter the season, these cask strength whiskies all scored between 88 and 92 points in our Summer 2022 Buying Guide. Some underwent inventive cask finishes, while others are age stated single barrels. They all pack a serious punch though, ranging from 55.4% to 65.41% ABV.
Embrace the Summer...

This drink was created by Amanda Phelps, lead bartender at Frannie & The Fox in Charleston, S.C. “This cocktail is definitely a porch sipper,” Phelps says. “It's creamy on the mouthfeel, extremely approachable for the non-whisky drinker, and the Licor 43 adds beautiful aromatics and depth to the cocktail.”



INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Nikka Coffey Grain (or other Japanese grain whisky)
¾ oz. pineapple-mint shrub (recipe below)
½ oz. Licor 43
Mint leaf for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Hard shake for 8 to 10 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass with a large cube. Garnish with mint leaf.
Try this: Use the shrub in lemonade or coconut water.

Pineapple-Mint Shrub1 whole pineapple, peeled and cubed
3-4 fresh mint stalks
2 cups sugar
2 oz. water
2 oz. white distilled vinegar

Place pineapple and mint in a deep bowl...

This cocktail was created by Brett Helke, wine and beverage director at Toast and Perro Blanco in Norfolk, Virgina.Every sip of this crisp, peppery drink is refreshing, thanks to the mint in the bottom of the glass.



INGREDIENTS

9 to 11 mint leaves
¾ oz. blackberry-peppercorn shrub (recipe below)
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
1½ oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch (or other Kentucky straight bourbon)
Prosecco or sparkling lambrusco
Fresh blackberry for garnish

DIRECTIONS
In a Collins or double Old Fashioned glass, gently muddle 8-10 mint leaves and blackberry peppercorn shrub. Add lemon juice, bourbon, and a few ice cubes. Stir gently. Fill the glass completely with ice cubes and top with prosecco or lambrusco. Garnish with remaining mint leaf and blackberry.
Try this: Make the same cocktail with a base of gin, tequila, or mezcal, or skip the whisky and swap club soda for the...

This twist on a Whisky Smash cocktail was created by Carlos Ramos, bar manager at Villa Azur in Miami Beach. Ramos calls it“fresh, zesty, and intriguing."



INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Tincup straight rye (or other straight rye)
2 oz. plum shrub (recipe below)
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Mint sprig and plum slice for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Hard shake until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint and plum slice.
Try this: Replace the whisky with ginger beer.
Plum Shrub

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1½ red plums, sliced
4 oz. honey
4 oz. white wine vinegar
2-3 cardamom pods

Combine water and sugar in a pan over low heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add plums and honey, stir, and bring to a low simmer for five minutes. Stir in vinegar and cardamom...

If you want the taste of summer to last, make some shrubs—a mixture of fruit, sugar, and vinegar. In addition to being a way to preserve fresh summer flavors, shrubs also complement whisky. “They add a light, refreshing component to a cocktail,” says Trent O'Connor, partner of Whisky Neat bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “The sweetness of the shrub is a great balance with the bold spirit.” Try these shrub recipes with whisky, other spirits, or even mixers like soda and lemonade.
4 Shrub and Whisky Cocktails to Try
The Western Rim:A blackberry-peppercorn shrub combines with prosecco, lemon juice, bourbon, and mint for a crisp and refreshing sip.
Get the Recipe: The Western Rim
Shōga Koshō: Add some heat to your whiskey ginger with this cocktail that incorporates a Thai Chile shrub.
Get the Recipe: Shōga Koshō
My Shrub'Rona:This cocktail is summer in a glass thanks to a pineapple-mint shrub and Licor 43, making it approachable...

The chiles in this drink, which was created by Jason Kosmas, beverage director at Hai Hospitality in Austinbring some heat to a traditional Whisky Ginger.



INGREDIENTS

1¾ oz. Toki Japanese whisky (or other Japanese blended whisky)
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. Thai chile shrub (recipe below)
3 oz. Fever Tree ginger beer
Candied or freshly sliced chile for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake briefly until chilled. Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with candied chiles from making the shrub or fresh chiles.
Try this: Use the shrub in lemonade or to sweeten tea.
Thai Chile Shrub

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
½ tsp. kosher salt
2 Thai chiles, thinly sliced
¾-inch piece of ginger, julienned
1½ tsp. champagne vinegar

Place all ingredients except vinegar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until...

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Minneapolis was the flour milling capital of the world. No spirits enthusiast should write this off as mere trivia. Minneapolis's legacy as the linchpin of America's breadbasket is echoed in its local food and drinks scene today, and the city is also now a brightening star on the country's whisky map.Like most Midwestern cities, Minneapolis is a sprawling patchwork of neighborhoods. There are buses and a light rail system, and Nice Ride Minnesota is a dependable bike and e-bike rental service—although rideshare is the best bet for making optimal use of your time. Minneapolis is also a good walking city, except when a deep freeze sets in. Throughout its neighborhoods and riverside paths, antique signs and other vestiges of old immigrant communities can be spotted amid the trendy shops and restaurants.The centrally located North Loop, on the edge of downtown, is an ideal home base for your stay. The Hewing Hotel is a stylish...

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and if you’re looking for some last-minute gift ideas, we’ve got you covered. The Dad's Day classic is a bottle of whisky, and earlier this week, we rounded up the ten highest scoring whiskies in our Summer 2022 Buying Guide. Any of them would make for a worthy splurge. Or perhaps you’d like to give the gift of gear—consider a canteen that will keep batched cocktails chilled all day; a high-end carrying case for hauling bottles, bar equipment, and more; or handy upgrades for any home bar cart.
In new whisky, there’s plenty to enjoy. The Spot range gets a brand new Gold addition, while Brother’s Bond has unveiled a cask strength iteration of its flagship bourbon and O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. debuts the latest Irish-American style whiskey in its Keeper’s Heart lineup. Read on for full details.

Gold Spot 9 Year Old
Style: Single pot still Origin: IrelandAge: 9 year oldABV: 51.4%Price...

When heading out to a place suitable for whisky, taking some along in an insulated canteen can be a handy idea—particularly during the warmer months. We've selected five of the best such canteens for keeping your neat pour or cocktail at just the right temperature. Check out our picks—all light, sturdy, and stylish—for sharing a dram or cocktail away from home.Keith Titanium Ti3060 Mess Kit—$159Lightweight and durable, this canteen is made from grade 1 titanium, comes with a carrying pouch, and is dishwasher safe.BrüMate Fifth 25 oz.—$35This glass-free vessel is triple-insulated, making it ideal for keeping your favorite whisky cocktail chilled while hanging out by the pool.Corkcicle Origins 25 oz.—$40Count on a chilled drink for up to 25 hours or a warm cocktail for up to 12 hours. Stainless steel interior, hand-wash only.Yeti 26 oz. Rambler with Chug Cap—$40The two-part cap includes a removable handle and a controlled-flow spout making...

If you enjoy pairing whisky with cigars, we have the event for you. The second annual Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest hits the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida tomorrow night. The event will feature a grand tasting and seminars, including the chance to taste the 2021 Cigar of the Year, Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo, paired with the 2021 Whisky of the Year, Lagavulin 11 year old Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish. It's sure to be an unforgettable evening filled amazing whiskies and cigars, and the opportunity to meet the people who make them.As for new whiskies this week, some great golf-themed scotches lead the way. Dewar's unveils the latest version of its 19 year old The Champion's Edition which celebrates the U.S. Open; while Loch Lomond has announced two new single malts to honor The Open at St Andrews. Elsewhere, Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing a 20 year old Seagrass under its Gold Label line, and The Dalmore adds a 21 year old single...

Whisky lovers in the Chicago area are in for a treat tonight as WhiskyFest returns to the Hyatt Regency for an evening of unforgettable whiskies, informational seminars, and access to whisky makers from around the globe. Tickets are still available with a number of rare pours and Whiskies of the Year offered during VIP hour and throughout the night. Come taste hard-to-find pours from Buffalo Trace, Ardbeg, Nikka, and more, or discover something new on the WhiskyFest floor.Those looking to simply sip something new at home have a number of options this week. Bushmills returns with its second Rare Cask bottling, a 29 year old single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez casks; Chicken Cock is dropping a rum-finished rye just in time for the summer; and Brad Paisley's American Highway Reserve announces its second release, a blend of Kentucky and Georgia straight bourbons. Read on for full details. 

Bushmills The Rare Casks 29 year old Pedro Ximénez...

Fans of whisky may turn up their noses at whisky liqueurs, where cream, sugar, and other flavors step into the spotlight. While the initial aversion is understandable for palates accustomed to drier drinks with higher proofs, whisky liqueurs aren't all candy sweet—though even the sweetest can brighten a cocktail or dessert. And besides, a Baileys and coffee might be the first step on a journey that leads to Irish Coffee, and eventually to a neat pour of Redbreast.Sweet or dry, there are plenty of liqueurs that don't scrimp on whisky. Though there's disputed territory between flavored whiskies and whisky liqueurs, the drinks collected here are sippers in their own right and provide complementary flavors to their base whiskies.The classic whisky liqueurs—think Baileys, Drambuie, and Dunkeld Atholl Brose—serve as both drink and ingredient, fitting as a liquid dessert or as part of cocktails like the Mudslide, Rusty Nail, and the classic Scottish cocktail, also called...

With a base of charred agave, mezcal is delightfully smoky, much like many whiskies, and fans of either will find plenty to like in both spirits. “Mezcal and whisky each have a great depth of flavor that enhances a cocktail—and even more so when paired together,” says Carlos Batista, food and beverage director at Landrace in the Thompson Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. “And you only need a couple of simple mixers, such as honey and lemon juice, to tie it all together.”Batista notes that pretty much any style of whisky will mix well with smoky, vegetal, earthy mezcal. “A wheat whisky is great because it tends to be milder, drier, and at times fruitier, so it doesn't overpower or compete with the mezcal,” he says. “Bourbon's notes of vanilla, toffee, caramel, and oak pair beautifully with mezcal, but a great rye is also fantastic, as it can add some spicier notes to the cocktail.” And the smoke notes of a peated scotch mingle nicely with the agave smoke of mezcal. “Mix...

Can cask-finished bourbon technically still be called bourbon? It's a divisive subject in the world of American whiskey as the regulations specifically state that bourbon can only be matured in “charred new oak containers.” There are some who believe that any time spent in a different barrel immediately disqualifies these whiskeys from being considered bourbons, while a case could also be made that maturation and finishing are separate periods of measurement, with maturation typically lasting years, and finishing lasting only a few months.Here at Whisky Advocate, we saw this growing trend and expanded our Buying Guide categories accordingly, to account for finished bourbons and ryes. We see them as not quite the same but not so different either, that's why you'll see “Bourbon/Finished Bourbon” when you flip to the reviews in the back of the magazine.No matter your stance on the issue, the fact remains that American whiskey makers are just beginning to explore the possibilities...

Planning a trip to New York City—the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, museums, the Empire State Building, Central Park, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and world-class dining? Why not add distillery visits to your itinerary, and head to Brooklyn? The borough is home to a burgeoning whiskey scene, with innovative distillers making bourbon, rye, and malt whiskey, while others experiment with rice, apples, and wormwood. Making whiskey isn't easy, but distilling in an urban setting like New York is particularly challenging since distillers must navigate various building regulations and stringent laws governing manufacturing sites, all while working in a tight space and respecting the surrounding neighborhood. Yet a group of industrious distillers has surmounted these challenges and is making whiskey and other spirits in the city that never sleeps. These places began cropping up around a decade ago, and since then have multiplied.New York City's modern whiskey-making movement arguably began in...

The Spring 2022 issue of Whisky Advocate hit newsstands this week, and inside you'll find a deep exploration of all things rye whiskey. We offer up new cocktail recipes, purchasing recommendations for any budget, and a look back at what made Pennsylvania such a titan of rye production. Plus, there are more than 95 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, all of which you can browse right now.As for new whiskies out this week, GlenDronach has announced Batch 19 of its single cask series, Old Line Spirits adds a bottled in bond American single malt to its range, and The Irishman shares details for this year's Vintage Cask bottling. Read on for full details.GlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 217)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 55.4%Age: 29 year oldPrice: $820Release: March 2022Availability: 383 bottles; GA, MA, NJ, NYGlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 6052)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 50.8%Age: 28 year oldPrice: $720Release: March 2022Availability: 658 bottles; CA, ID, IN, KY, LA...

No stranger to luxury, Dalmore released one of the highest-priced collections of the year with its No. 5 Collection, which includes expressions with ages spanning five decades. Worldwide, only 15 numbered sets were released. The launch included a single No. 6 Collection that included a sixth bottle—Dalmore 1951—that sold for $899,305 at Sotheby's Hong Kong, plus a non-fungible token (NFT) of the four-bottle No. 4 Collection, which sold for $137,000 on BlockBar. Beyond simply being a masterclass in oloroso sherry maturation, handpicked vintage port casks and select wine barrels have been deployed to enhance the depth of flavor, while each bottle is tied to an important moment in the distillery's history.Dalmore Decades Reviewed
The Dalmore Decades 53 year old “Expertly Composed Spirit” 196795 points, 42.5%, $275,000/ 5 bottle set One to study intensely; the aromas come into focus with espresso foam, chocolate mousse, black currant sauce, maraschino cherry, raspberry...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. For Spring 2022, our Editors' Choice selections include a cask strength bourbon, an Irish single malt, and a cabernet sauvignon-finished bourbon.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Spring 2022 issue.STANDOUT WHISKIES FROM Spring 2022
Barrell New Year Cask Strength Bourbon (2022 Edition)92 points, 57.67%, $90Licorice, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, raspberry jelly, fragrant wild herbs, whiffs of polished oak, and a hint of bubble gum on the nose. The palate offers strawberry shortcake, allspice, ground chile pepper, and bitter espresso. Water brings out more peppery spice and dark chocolate. Excellent length on the finish, with semi-sweet chocolate cake, plum tart, cherry coulis, and savory spice at the back. Spicy, rich, lively, and flavorful. (18,000 bottles)—David Fleming
Waterford The...

St. Patrick's Day may have passed, but that doesn't mean you need to abandon your Irish whiskey altogether. We have some simple cocktail recipes and a list of high-scoring bottles that will serve you well throughout the year. And of course, you can always work on making the perfect Irish coffee ahead of next year's festivities.The top new releases this week mostly hail from Kentucky, as Castle & Key debuts its small batch bourbon. The first batch is coming this month, and the second will arrive in May. Meanwhile, Barton 1792 is extending its Thomas S. Moore line of finished bourbons with finishes in madeira, sherry, cognac, and merlot casks, and Japan's Kaiyō adds two blended malts to its range. Read on for full details.Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon 2022 Release (Batch 1) Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyABV: 49%Age: 4 year oldPrice: $50Release: March 2022Availability: 18,564 bottles in AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NY, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA, and WICastle & Key...

This St. Patrick's Day, ditch the green-dyed beer and opt for a sophisticated Irish whiskey sipper. With its mellow and smooth flavor, Irish whiskey makes a versatile base for all types of cocktails, from fruity and shaken to spirit-forward and stirred. Whether the day calls for something refreshing or warming (you never know this time of year, do you?), these recipes are simple to execute at home so you can be drinking in style come March 17th—no food coloring needed.Five Irish Whiskey CocktailsAll recipes by Luna Kemp of Tipsy Moon EventsIrish Ginger Peach Smash 2 oz. Irish whiskey 4 peach slices 1 oz. agave nectar 3 oz. ginger beerIn a shaker muddle 3 peach slices. Add whiskey, agave, and ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Highball glass filled with fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with the remaining peach slice.Scailtin 2 oz. Irish whiskey 1 cup high-fat milk or milk alternative 2 Tbsp. honey ⅛ tsp. ground ginger ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp...

In this week's new releases, cask-finished whiskeys lead the pack, with a California cabernet cask-finished bourbon from I.W. Harper, and two such whiskeys from Irish company Egan's, one a single malt finished in Moscatel de Valencia casks, and the other a blended whiskey finished in cognac casks. Texas-based Del Bac is also back with the latest edition of its Distiller's Cut, while Portland, Oregon's Eastside Distilling debuts a new, Maraschino cherry-flavored whiskey. Read on for full details.I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask ReserveStyle: BourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: 4 year oldABV: 45%Price: $50Release: February 2022Availability: WidelyNeed to know:This 4 year old Kentucky straight bourbon is aged in new charred American oak before, finished in California cabernet sauvignon casks, and bottled at Stitzel-Weller Distillery. This expression joins the I.W. Harper lineup that includes its straight bourbon and 15 year old straight bourbon.Whisky Advocate says:Introduced in the 1870s, I.W. Harper...

Lunar New Year kicks off on Tuesday, February 1, and Johnnie Walker is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with a special bottling for Blue Label designed by a Chinese artist. This year's festivities will last until the full moon appears on February 15, and whisky is part of the mix as always. Elsewhere, Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole has released the first whiskey in its new Distillery Series, which will highlight small batch, cask-strength bottlings. This week there's also a new rye from Jim Rutledge's Cream of Kentucky, as well as bourbons from Puncher's Chance and Buzzard's Roost. Read on for full details.Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the TigerStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: Not statedABV: 40% Price: $250Release: January 2022Availability: LimitedNeed to know:Each year, Johnnie Walker releases a special Blue Label bottling (which is not a new whisky, just new packaging) in honor of Lunar New Year. This year’s limited-edition design, which celebrates the Year of the Tiger...

Just the name Miami evokes thoughts of sunny days with gentle trade winds and sultry nights filled with neon lights and the strains of salsa music.Miami's cityscape is constantly changing. Wynwood, now the city's art and brewing capital, was an industrial and warehouse district as recently as 10 years ago. The Design District was once a place for interior designers to shop for upholstery, and now it's home to designer shops like Gucci and Dior, and has some of the finest eateries in Miami.The entire city's food scene is thriving, and there are some things you absolutely cannot miss: a Cuban sandwich, a slice of key lime pie, and croquetas—fried bites filled with bechamel sauce and meat (usually ham, cod, or chicken)—Miami's official snack. If you visit between October and May—stone crab season—don't miss out on some crab claws. And Little Havana is a good place to find some of Miami's most authentic food and drink.
The Fontainebleau is Miami's most iconic hotel and puts...

Perhaps you've enjoyed a boozy board-game night at a friend's home, but have you ever been to an entire bar dedicated to tabletop games? These four watering holes not only bring whisky and cocktails to the table, but also an impressive selection of board games. You can savor a bourbon on the rocks while playing Battleship, or sip a cocktail while immersed in a round of chess.ST. LOUIS'S BOARD GAME HAVENPieces, St. LouisWith between 900 and 1,000 board games, it's nearly impossible to run out of options at Pieces. “This number fluctuates because we are constantly buying new games or pulling them off the shelves to repair and refurbish them,” says bar manager Theresa Schafer. Fan-favorite games include the strategy game Wingspan, and Medium, a party game, according to Schafer. Pieces carries 16 different whiskies, like Redemption rye ($7), Lagavulin 16 year old ($12), and a host of cocktails. Sip on a Jack and a Ginger ($7.50)—Jack Daniel's whiskey, ginger beer, and lemon...

The Winter 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate is on the newsstands now, and features our Top 20 Whiskies of the Year list, in addition to over 115 whisky reviews and a wealth of stories to savor. As we move into a new year, the new releases are starting to arrive. Bushmills has a new age-stated single malt, and Orphan Barrel is rolling out another release of Muckety-Muck. Yellowstone has unveiled a special anniversary edition, while Westland also marks a bit of history with the final release of its circus-themed Westland Peat Week bottling, concluding an eight-year run. Read on for full details. Bushmills 12 Year OldStyle: Single maltOrigin: IrelandAge: 12 year oldABV: 40%Price: $60Release: January 2022Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:While this whiskey shares similarities with other  Bushmills releases—made from 100% unpeated malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills—it separates itself from the pack by marrying two 12 year old whiskeys, one aged in oloroso...

This drink was created by Jess Keene, co-owner of Keene Record Hospitality. Keene describes this as “a leisurely and deliberate ride into a silky and boozy abyss.”



INGREDIENTS

1¾ oz. Heaven’s Door Double Barrel (or other robust blend of whiskeys)
¾ oz. Averna amaro
¼ oz. BG Reynolds Tiki Spices syrup
4-5 dashes Angostura bitters
1 egg
¾-1 oz. Left Hand milk stout (or other milk stout)
Grated cinnamon for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients except stout in a shaker. Dry shake for 15 to 20 seconds. Add ice and shake 1 to 1½ minutes until well integrated. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass and top with milk stout. Garnish with grated cinnamon.




 






FROM THE WINTER...

This cocktail was created by Toki Sears, former lead bartender at Bar Margot at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.“There is nothing more invigorating and that will put a smile on your face than a strong, tight, cozy hug from a friend or loved one—or this drink!” Sears says. “The espresso and soda provide a pick-me-up on a long winter's day, while the flavors play well together in a palate-pleasing and nostalgic way.”



INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Jack Daniel’s (or other Tennessee whiskey)
¾ oz. espresso syrup (recipe below)
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. heavy cream
1 egg white
2-3 drops chocolate extract
1 ½ oz. Mexican Coca-Cola
Chocolate curls tossed in edible gold shimmer for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine whiskey, espresso syrup, lemon juice, heavy cream, egg white, and chocolate extract in a shaker. Dry shake vigorously for 45 seconds. Add ice and shake vigorously for at least...

Spanish for “Paradise City,” this tropical combination was created by Andra “AJ” Johnson, beverage director of Serenata and Zumo, Washington, D.C. This drink will transport your taste buds to the warm islands no matter what the temperature is outside.



INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Bardstown Bourbon Fusion Series No. 2 (or other bourbon with a dry finish)
1¼ oz. coconut water hibiscus shrub (recipe below)
1 oz. coconut milk
½ oz. lime juice
¼ oz. John D. Taylor’s Velvet falernum
Toasted coconut flakes and an edible orchid for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled. Strain over crushed ice in a Highball or Collins glass. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and an edible orchid.
Coconut Water Hibiscus Shrub

8 oz. coconut water
1 cup sugar
¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
Rind of 2 oranges
Rind of 1...

It's the season of splurge, and one of the best ways to make a whisky even more lush is to lace it with creaminess. You'll find that the complementary and contrasting notes of rich heavy cream and coconut milk blend brilliantly with the spirit. “Milk and other creamy ingredients can actually heighten those treasured baking spice flavors in whiskies while simultaneously toning down their intensity,” explains Andra “AJ” Johnson, beverage director of Serenata and Zumo in Washington, D.C. The cocktails below perfect that balance with silky satisfaction.Mix Up one of these Winter Cocktail TreatsCiudad Paraíso: Get tropical with this cocktail which mixes bourbon with falernum, coconut milk, and a coconut water hibiscus shrub.Get the Recipe: Ciudad ParaísoNuts Roasting on an Open Fire: Nutty amaretto combines with Firewater bitters for this cocktail that takes its name from a classic holiday image.Get the Recipe: Nuts Roasting on an Open FireBear Hug: This cocktail is meant to give...

Nutty amaretto combines with Firewater bitters for this cocktail that takes its name from a classic holiday image

Quentin Tarantino spent five days shooting the film “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” at the Musso & Frank Grill, enlisting bartender Kenneth “Sonny Bones” Donato who shook up at least 15 of his famous Whiskey Sours. Musso's has been a favorite of the film industry ever since Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks raced to the bar on horseback, with the loser picking up the tab. But this Hollywood favorite is also popular with regular folk thirsty for a drink and a bit of cinematic nostalgia. Check out these other real-life bars that appear in famous movie scenes.L Street Tavern in BostonAs seen in: “Good Will Hunting” (1997)Troubled mathematics genius Matt Damon introduces his new girlfriend Minnie Driver to his pals (including Ben Affleck) at this now-famous Irish bar which proudly boasts its connection to the Oscar-winning film.Potable: Irish whiskey with a pint ofGuinnessQuotable: “I got her number. How do you like them apples?”—Will (Matt Damon)Musso &...

As you make your way through the holiday rush, we've rounded up some gift ideas to help complete your list. There's a little something for all sorts of whisky lovers in your life, be they in need of new ways to bring the party, beautiful bottles to bedazzle their shelves, and much, much more. And if you're looking for something smaller (and edible) we have a list of great pairing gifts as well.Of course, don't forget the ultimate whisky gift guide, our annual Top 20 list, which captures the most exciting whiskies from the year, weighing quality, affordability, availability, and x-factor. We're counting down to Whisky of the Year on December 9, with the full list revealed on the following day.Whisky Gifts for Your Bar and Beyond
Bring Your Bar Absolutely EverywhereHave you ever wished you had access to your home bar while you were traveling? This backpack ($248) aims to give you just that. Complete with 17 different components, among them a stainless steel hawthorne strainer...

With 1 in 10 people in the U.S. claiming Irish heritage, there's a natural affinity with Ireland, and it extends to Irish whiskey. Some stateside distillers have also created their own take on Ireland's classic whiskey styles.At Black Bear Distillery in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, master chef and distiller Victor Matthews produces an Irish-style whiskey and a sherry-finished Irish-style bourbon, which he describes as a fusion of Irish-style whiskey and wheated bourbon. Inspired by his great-grandfather's Irish ancestry, he fought and won a two-year campaign with U.S. and Irish regulators to use the term “Irish style” for this 100% American- made whiskey.Ten years ago, Meagan and Patrick Miller, co-founders of Talnua Distillery in Arvada, Colorado, set out to produce American single pot still whiskey after tasting Redbreast in a Galway pub on their honeymoon. Talnua is Irish for “new land,” and they proudly claim to be the only U.S. distillery dedicated to making single pot...

You may be planning on gifting a loved one a bottle of whisky this holiday season, but pay mind to their stocking, too, and spice it up with these whisky-centric snacks or a gift card for them. From salty to sweet, these delicious bites call on Irish whiskey, scotch, and Tennessee whiskey to deliver a full tasting experience.Munchable Delights, Paired Perfectly With Whisky
A Poppable Bag of Whisky MiniaturesWe've sung the virtues of the whisky miniin the past—they're portable, inexpensive, and an easy way to try something new. Around the start of football season, Tullamore D.E.W. introduced this 6-pack of minis of its Original Irish whiskey called Tully Chips ($29 through Caskers), giving the sports-minded whisky drinker something new to bring to the watch party. Packaged to look like an actual bag of chips, this works just as great as a fun and surprising holiday gift. And pairing whiskey with chips is a winning combination. Tayto is considered the holy grail of Irish potato...

There's nothing like a good whisky, except, perhaps, another good whisky. Yet even whisky lovers may decide to take a break from time to time for medical, religious, or other reasons. Whatever the motive, abstaining no longer means a choice of just soda or seltzer. Now there is a range of alcohol-free alternatives for when you're off the sauce or just want to lighten the proof load of your usual tipple.
“The vast majority of consumers are not necessarily vigilantly sober daily,” says Lauren Chitwood, who co-founded Spiritless in 2019 and serves as its CEO. “They're really just looking to curb consumption and increase moderation.” Spiritless's first product, Kentucky 74, is a dealcoholized “whiskey” that's made in a two-step process. First, grain neutral spirit and oak are combined in a pot still, using pressure, vapor, and temperature variations to create a highly concentrated extract. The resulting liquid is put into a second pot still and...

Once known as Marble City for the pink stone used to build the Lincoln Memorial, Grand Central Station, and New York Public Library's famous brace of stone lions, Knoxville has seen recognition as the Cradle of Country Music, the first Capital of Tennessee, and the Gateway to the South. It is also a growing whisky destination.While travel and entertainment as we once knew have changed due to the pandemic, we're looking forward to the days of resuming such activities. Thus, we share with you this guide to Knoxville while being mindful that distilleries, attractions, restaurants, and bars may have limited services and/or hours in order to comply with local mandates and social distancing. Whether for future planning or some armchair travel, join us as we tour the third most-populated city in Tennessee.Consisting of Market Square, the Old City, and several in-town neighborhoods, few cities can offer a concentrated collection of walkable pleasures to rival downtown Knoxville. Drink, food...

The notion that age is synonymous with quality has eroded over the years, as non-age statement (or NAS) single malts have risen to prominence, and it has more or less been agreed upon that bourbon can at times be too old. When assessing a whisky labelto determine potential quality and character, the age of what's inside is only one factor to consider.However, there is no denying the allure of a whisky that has spent significant time, sometimes multiple decades, inside the barrel. When you sip a whisky that is up there in age, consider where you were when it was distilled. No matter the country of origin or casks used, advanced age statement whiskies have to be handled with care and monitored closely; to taste whiskies that is as old as these, all from our Fall 2021 Buying Guide, is a special treat indeed. While some of these, like the Craigellachie, are single casks releases, and others, like the Talisker, cost a hefty chunk of change, they all represent potential crown jewels for...

In this wonderfully aromatic take on a classic Hot Toddy, created by Evan Wolf, beverage director of The Company Burger in New Orleans, the mulling spices add depth and complexity to the aromatic and bitter components of the Dubonnet Rouge, Wolf says. Recipe makes 12 servings
Get More Slow Cooker Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

18 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch (or other small batch bourbon)
6 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
6 oz. simple syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. orange juice
2 oz. lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks
1 handful star anise
Lemon twists and cloves for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Build all ingredients in a slow cooker and set on low to mull for one hour. To serve, ladle into mugs and garnish with clove-studded lemon twists. (Peel long swaths from a fresh lemon. Push cloves through the peels in any pattern you like, using 4 to 5 cloves per lemon peel.)
Simple Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

Heat...

This cocktail was created by Austin Carson, bartender and co-owner of Restaurant Olivia in Denver. “Think Irish Coffee meets the Manhattan,” Carson says. This chilled-cream topped cocktail is perfect for a brisk fall day. Recipe makes 10 servings.
Get More Slow Cooker Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

1 cup Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon (or other low-rye bourbon)
4 cups sweetened Earl Grey tea (recipe below)
2 oz. Bacardi Coconut rum
2 oz. Giffard Banane du Brésil
1 vanilla bean, split
1 lemon, zested
¼ orange, zested
Unsweetened whipped cream sprinkled with nutmeg for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a sealable container, like a glass flip-top bottle. Shake to combine, then refrigerate for 24 hours. When ready to serve, strain through a towel to remove solids and add to a Crock-Pot set to high for 30 minutes. Once hot, reduce heat to warm. Ladle into an Irish Coffee mug and...

This tropical, spiked take on hot cider, created by Christina Basham, owner and lead creative of Bubbles + Agave Creative bridges summer and autumn flavors. It's smoky, sweet, and spicy. Don't forget the apple cider vinegar—it gives a pop of acid to wake up the palate, Basham says. Recipe makes 12 servings.
Get More Slow Cooker Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

1 medium mango, peeled and chopped
1 gallon apple cider
1 ¾ cups Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve (or other Speyside scotch)
7 oz. Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel rye (or other rye whiskey)
6 oz. spiced syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. orange bitters
Orange wheels, star anise or pepper pods, and cinnamon sticks for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add mango and apple cider to a slow cooker on high heat. Cover and let infuse for 30 minutes. Turn heat to low, add remaining ingredients, and stir. Let combine for 5 to 10 minutes. To...

This cocktail was created by Ashley Gilbert, head bartender at Lumac Rooftop Bar in Bristol, Va. “This smooth and warming cocktail is the ultimate libation for crisp fall evenings,” Gilbert says. “A fruity twist on the classic Hot Toddy, this unique rendition is very similar to drinking a hot tea.” Recipe makes 12 servings.
Get More Slow Cooker Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

2 ¼ cups Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack (or other Tennessee whiskey or bourbon)
3 quarts hot water
6 oz. maple syrup
6 oz. blackberry jelly
3 oz. concentrated lemon juice
Blueberries or blackberries, and lemon wheels cut in half for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Two to four hours before serving, add all ingredients except whiskey to a Crock-Pot set to high. Stir every 10 minutes for the first half hour, until the jelly dissolves completely. Before serving, add whiskey and turn Crock-Pot to low to keep the mixture warm. To serve...

Slow cookers meld the flavors of hearty soups and savory stews, and they can do the same for cocktails. A Crock-Pot is the perfect vessel for make-ahead cocktails infused with warm fall spices. “Make sure the Crock-Pot is on a low setting,” says Christoph Dornemann, bar manager at Arnaud's French 75 Bar in New Orleans, “and have extra stored in the fridge to top off after the Crock-Pot is more than halfway empty.” With guests able to serve themselves, slow-cooker cocktails are like set-it-and-forget-it entertaining.Get Cooking With These Heated RecipesAdd some tropical fruit to the popular spiked hot cider with this recipe which incorporates summer and fall flavors.Get the Recipe: Smoke on the WaterThis Hot Toddy riff gets its name by combining Kentucky bourbon with the French aperitif Dubonnet Rouge.Get the Recipe: From Bardstown to ParisThis fruity take on the classic Hot Toddy uses maple syrup, blackberry jelly, and a Tennessee whiskey base.Get the Recipe: Blackberry Lemon...

In Herbert Asbury's 1933 book “The Barbary Coast: An Informal History of the San Francisco Underworld,” he reports on the most popular drink in San Francisco during the 1870s, the Pisco Punch. “Its base was Pisco brandy, which was distilled from the grape known as Italia, or La Rosa del Peru, and was named for the Peruvian port from which it was shipped,” Asbury writes. “It was thus described by a writer who first tasted it in 1872: ‘It is perfectly colorless, terribly strong and has a flavor somewhat resembling that of Scotch whiskey [sic], but much more delicate, with a marked fruity taste.” As Diego Loret de Mola, founder, director, and master distiller of Barsol Pisco points out, “Since the very first time pisco landed in the United States in the 1800s, it was compared to whisky.”Indeed, pisco is well worth exploring for the whisky drinker. This brandy is produced in the winemaking regions of Peru and Chile, with both countries claiming it as their national...

While road trips and vacations offer a great escape, there may not always be a good bar around. Luckily, you never have to be without your favorite tipples, thanks to these travel bars. Whether you're going on a weekend camping trip or want to upgrade the minibar in your hotel room, we've rounded up several travel bars that are fit for any getaway. There are both casual and sophisticated options—all you have to do is add whisky and your favorite cocktail's ingredients!Mobile Mixers: Make Your Cocktails On The Go With These Carrying CasesPortable Three-Bottle Travel Bar—$100Secure up to three of your favorite bottles in this locking vinyl case. The suede interior houses basic tools, a serving platter, and two glasses. Add your favorite whiskies, and the cocktail boundaries are limitless.Bartender's Backpack—$110Cocktails to go! This canvas backpack holds four bottles, includes a laptop case, and has straps to secure a bar tool roll-up (sold separately).Bar Backpack—$232Perfect...

A great whisky cocktail doesn't have to be complex. In fact, some of the most timeless drinks, like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Highball, are simple in structure but have satisfied whisky drinkers for decades. Some classic cocktails don't even require special ingredients. Take the Hot Toddy and Gold Rush, for instance. Both are made by combining lemon juice, honey, and whisky—ingredients you may already have in your kitchen—and can easily be customized using any variety of garnish or whisky as the base. Get started with this video and you'll have two easy-to-make cocktails to enjoy throughout the...

The Fall 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate features over 130 whisky reviews covering a range of styles. Since the issue focuses on bourbon, the Buying Guide is chock-full of reviews that cover cask-finishing, non-Kentucky producers, Texas's growing craft scene, and more, but there is plenty else to enjoy, including single malts from Scotland, the U.S., Germany, Ireland, India, and Taiwan.As for high scores, we have those as well, with the below whiskies all earning 93 points or more. These don't include our Editors' Choice, Best Value, or Collectibles selections, but represent the very best from the whisky world, including two cask strength Irish whiskeys, age statements ranging from 6 to 24 years old, and a pair of single malt scotches that use home-grown barley. Familiar names like Barrell, Balvenie, and Ardbeg are joined by Bib & Tucker and Blue Note, two Tennessee-based brands proving that the Volunteer State can make high-quality bourbon in addition to the state's trademark...

The most popular whisky types—scotch, bourbon, rye, and others—dominate the discussion. But there's a world of overlooked whisky styles out there, just waiting to be discovered. They're made with unusual mashbills, barrel finishes, and even creative flavorings. So break out of your comfort zone, and explore the far side of whisky appreciation. Here's our guide for whisky lovers who choose to travel off the beaten path.Drink Me: Rice Whisky From JapanJapanese rice whisky is actually barrel-aged rice shochu—as opposed to unaged shochu that enjoys huge mainstream popularity in Japan—and is mostly produced in the country's southernmost main island of Kyushu. These esoteric whiskies present a fascinating style, not least because their production method is so unusual. “The foundation of rice whisky is the ko-ji kin,” explains Shigeruriku Fukano-san, fifth-generation distiller at Fukano Distillery, a family-run operation in the city of Hitoyoshi on Kyushu...

If you've ever set foot in a bar, you've likely seen many jiggers. These small but mighty tools are practically an extension of a bartender's hand; markings within both sides of the jigger denote measurements ranging from half an ounce to two and a half ounces, allowing for ultimate precision pours. As home bartending continues to take off, a jigger is a crucial tool—and we've rounded up some that are as pretty as they are practical.Take a Measured Approach With These Cocktail JiggersJapanese Style—$10Available in stainless steel, gold-plated, matte black, and gunmetal black (prices vary). This classic lets you measure 1oz. or over 2 oz., with ½ oz., ¾ oz., and 1 ½ oz. markings on the inside.BarConic—$8Made with stainless steel and featuring a 5" handle, this allows you to measure ¾ oz. and 1 ½ oz. while keeping your hands clean from any excess whisky or mixer.OXO Steel Angled—$8The angeled surface on this stainless steel jigger allows you to see the measurement markings...

Single malt scotch drinkers, it's your day: The latest Diageo Special Releases have been unveiled, and aside from a 26 year old Lagavulin, they're remarkably accessible, coming in at $250 or less. As with previous iterations, this year's collection—called Legends Untold—was curated by Diageo master blender Craig Wilson and includes eight whiskies in total.It's an abundant week for American whiskey lovers, too, with new bourbons from Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve, the latest edition of High West's A Midwinter Night's Dram, and a cask strength single malt from Westward Whiskey. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master's Keep One
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 50.5%
SRP: $175
Release: October 2021
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
Master’s Keep One is the sixth release in Wild Turkey's limited edition Master’s Keep series. This one blends 8 to 10 year old bourbon with 14...

Curating a great home bar cart is one of the best ways to improve your drinking experience. Whether you're treating yourself to a carefully crafted cocktail after a hard day's work or mixing up Manhattans for a group of friends on a Saturday night, it's important to have everything you need in one convenient place. We've learned from the top beverage pros that it's a lot less complicated than you might think. Here are their home bar cart hacks—all are easy, affordable, and highly useful.GEAR IT UPPortable Personal BlenderChetan Gangan, mixologist at Baar Baar in New York City, recommends keeping a small portable blender on the bar cart. “We use this for our egg white cocktails, which reduces your need for a double shake.”But It: NutriBullet Go Cordless Personal Blender—$30
Condiment Squeeze BottlesTim Waters, who oversees beverages at The Grey in Savannah, recommends having squeeze bottles handy. “They are great for egg white cocktails because it really prevents a mess...

Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the new flagship home and visitor attraction of the world's best-selling whisky, opened September 6 in the heart of Edinburgh. The new high-design venue, built inside a former luxury department store, has eight levels and is staffed with 150 people. It's expected to attract over half a million visitors in its first year, as the centerpiece of Diageo's $250 million investment in scotch whisky tourism. Whisky Advocate gained a full-access tour ahead of opening day, and here is our report:The ToursJourney of Flavor - 1.5 hours for £25 (around $35)The main tour brings the story of Johnnie Walker to life, combining audio-visuals, 3D projection, and high definition LEDs, all with a soundtrack of movie theater-quality. Guests use a dedicated side entrance where a host will greet you, check you in for the tour, ascertain your flavor preferences with a quiz to personalize your experience, and hand you a wristband whose color comes into play later on. A...

 



Who doesn't love a warm weather cookout? Whether you're manning the grill, serving up drinks, or just soaking up the sun, taking things outside makes everything a little more festive and enjoyable. While food may be the focus of your get-together, don't forget the whiskey, which pairs well with a number of barbecue staples. Here, we cover the steps for making a smoked brisket, batch up a refreshing cocktail, and explore the ways that bourbon enhances a summertime feast

You have to be 21 or over to consume whisky, but that doesn't mean you have to let go of your whimsical side. Arcade bars around the country offer whisky drinkers a chance to pair their dram of choice with a healthy dose of nostalgia—from Pac-Man to pinball, and everything in between. We've scouted out a few bars that capture the liveliness of an arcade while also offering robust whisky lists.This article was originally published in October 2020. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.Pinball Meets PappyPinballz—Lake Creek location, Austin, TexasThey say “everything is bigger in Texas,” and that's true for this massive arcade and bar that spans over 100,000 square feet. All three of the Pinballz locations in Texas offer a wide variety of arcade games and pinball machines—Lake Creek boasts over 300. Lake Creek is also home to The Whiskey Bar, where pours range from $6 for Jameson to over...

In case you missed it: On August 13, Whisky Advocate traveled to Milton, Delaware to visit the Dogfish Head brewing and distilling team, and speak with co-founder Sam Calagione about making spirits with a craft brewing background. During the interview, Calagione and associate editor Ted Simmons tasted through Dogfish Head Let's Get Lost single malt whiskey and Sonic Archeology bottled cocktail. The former scored 92 points in our Winter 2020 Buying Guide, while the latter is a mingling of Dogfish Head whiskey, rum, apple brandy, honey, and lemon and pomegranate juices.Opened in 1995 as a craft brewer, Dogfish Head started making spirits on a very small scale in 2002, and then ramped up production around 2015. Its distilling arm now has a lineup that includes vodka, gin, rum, and American single malt, as well as experimental releases like Sonic Archeology. Calagione explained that his distilling focus will remain innovative, foregoing mainstream styles in favor of single malts while...

This recipe for candied ginger was created by Jennifer Camela general manager and beverage manager at Forsythia in Philadelphia. She advises that young ginger works best for this recipe

A cocktail's garnish should be given as much thought as the ingredients used to make the drink itself. It's the final touch, yet it's the first visual impression. Cherries, olives, cocktail onions, and all sorts of citrus peels and wedges may get the majority of attention, but candied ginger is a key component in a number of classic and modern cocktails, like the Penicillin, and its inclusion should never be an afterthought.“Obvious visual benefits aside, I love a completely functional edible garnish in a cocktail,” says Jennifer Camela, general manager and beverage manager at Forsythia restaurant in Philadelphia. She uses house-made candied ginger as a garnish in several drinks, including the Whiskey Sour and Moscow Mule.Another cocktail on the menu, Fight Fire with Fire, brings together tequila, mezcal, ginger beer, and blackberry in a glass with a habanero-sugar rim, garnished with candied ginger. “This drink in particular has a lot of bold flavors coming together, and the...

Jessica Altieri, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach director of beverage and U.S. beverage ambassador created this refreshing spritz.
Get more ginger-garnished cocktail recipes here
INGREDIENTS

1 in. cube fresh pineapple
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 in. slice fresh ginger, unpeeled
1 1/4 oz. rye whiskey
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
Champagne or sparkling wine
Candied ginger for garnish (get the recipe here)

DIRECTIONS
Muddle pineapple with sugar and ginger in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey and lime juice, then add ice to the shaker and shake for approximately 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe and top it off with champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with candied...

This blend of candied ginger, mint, whiskey, lemonade, and beer was crafted by Susan Shah and John Meyer, innkeepers at Sweet Biscuit Inn in Asheville, N.C.
Get more ginger-garnished cocktail recipes here



INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves, plus a few more for garnish
3 pieces candied ginger (get the recipe here)
1½ oz. Asheville Distilling Co. Blonde whiskey (or other wheat whiskey)
2 oz. lemonade
Hi-Wire Brewing Lo-Pitch Juicy IPA or Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA (or other hazy IPA)
Lemon slice for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Muddle mint and 1 or 2 pieces of candied ginger in a Collins glass, then fill the glass with crushed ice. Set aside.Combine whiskey, lemonade, and cubed ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, pour into the glass, top off with IPA, and garnish with mint leaves, lemon slice, and candied ginger.




 






FROM THE SPRING...

Emily Rodia, manager at Philadelphia's Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, created this refreshing candied ginger-garnished recipe.
Get more ginger-garnished cocktail recipes here
INGREDIENTS

1 fresh mint sprig
½ oz. lime juice
2 oz. Kinsey rye whiskey (or other rye whiskey)
Splash of ginger beer
Candied ginger (get the recipe here) and lime wheel for garnish
Dried lavender for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Add mint, lime juice, and whiskey to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to combine, and strain into a Mule mug over fresh-crushed ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with candied ginger and lime wheel. Sprinkle with dried lavender.
FROM THE SPRING...

Katie Auth, New York City-based bartender and founder of Katie Sips, believes that Bénédictine herbal liqueur is underappreciated by many. “It's a shame because it plays well with many spirits, but it's especially known for its compatibility with whisky,” she says. “Bénédictine and whisky is a stunning pairing when done carefully.”With a secret recipe of 27 plants and spices, Bénédictine has a colorful history to match its rich flavor profile. It's said that Bénédictine monk Dom Bernardo Vincelli developed the recipe at the Abbey of Fécamp in Normandy, France in 1510, but that it went missing after the French Revolution—only to be rediscovered by wine merchant Alexandre Le Grand in 1863. Le Grand chose to distill and age the liqueur, which he named Bénédictine in tribute to Vincelli, in a flamboyant palace in Fécamp, where it's still made to this day.“Bénédictine's flavor profile is unique, complex, and herbaceous, with the most prominent flavors being lemon...

This cocktail was created by Matthew Biancaniello, owner of Eat Your Drink. “This refreshing drink has strong herbal notes and a wonderful sweet and sour finish,” Biancaniello says.
Forage Further With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

2 oz. stinging nettle-infused bourbon (recipe below)
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
¾ oz. agave syrup (1:1 agave nectar to water)
1 oz. fresh blood orange or pomegranate juice
Blood orange slice and edible flower for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with blood orange slice and edible flower.
Stinging Nettle-Infused Bourbon

Fresh stinging nettle stems and leaves
750 ml Blue Run straight bourbon (or other high-proof straight bourbon)

Fill a one-liter glass jar three-quarters full with stinging nettle leaves and stems. Pour enough bourbon to fill the jar and cover. Let it...

A great cocktail can transport you. It can invoke memories from your past and create a fuller tasting experience,” says Joe Choiniere, bar manager of Forage in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Foraging for your own ingredients enhances this experience, connecting taste buds to location. Finding and using local wild berries, herbs, bark, and more also opens your mixology up to new, surprising flavors, Choiniere adds. Try these forest-to-table drinks for a true taste of the outdoors.A Walk in the WeedsStinging nettle adds some zing to your favorite bourbon.Get the Recipe: A Walk in the WeedsThree TreesA chocolaty rye whiskey and black birch-infused cognac are the base for this "weighty" Sazerac.Get the Recipe: Three TreesSix ShillingMulberries and Laphroaig create a fruity and smoky spin on a Whisky Sour.Get the Recipe: Six ShillingFlorida FashionedA fresh take on an Old Fashioned created using lemongrass and Irish whiskey.Get the Recipe: Florida FashionedForage, Substitute, or BuyBlack...

Joy Cafe's beverage director Caleb Giles and co-owner Jon Beber created this fruity, smoky Whisky Sour. Its name refers to King James I. "He encouraged his lords to plant mulberry trees throughout England and Scotland and offered six shillings for 100 mulberry trees," Giles explains.
Forage Further With More Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

3-5 mulberries (blackberries or raspberries can be substituted)
1 oz. lemon juice
2 oz. Laphroaig 10 year old (or other smoky Islay scotch)
1 oz. maple thyme simple syrup (recipe below)
5 dashes Regans’ No. 6 Orange bitters
Fresh mulberry and thyme sprig for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add mulberries and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle fruit until broken down. Add remaining ingredients along with ice and shake vigorously for approximately 10 seconds. Double strain with a hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into a  coupe. Garnish with mulberries and fresh...

This fresh, soft, spring take on an Old Fashioned was created by Jacob Mata, senior bartender, Garden & Grain in Pensacola, Fla. The delicate citrus flavor of the lemongrass blends perfectly with mild Irish whiskey.
Forage Further With More Cocktail Recipes



INGREDIENTS

1 oz. Tullamore Dew (or other blended Irish whiskey)
1 oz. High West Campfire (or other rye or peated scotch)
¼ oz. lemongrass syrup (recipe below)
2 dashes Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s Dandelion & Burdock Bitters
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange peel and lemongrass stalk for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Fill a stirring tin with ice. Add all ingredients to the tin and stir until diluted. Strain over a large ice cube in a double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with orange peel and lemongrass stalk.
Lemongrass Syrup

¾ cup demerara sugar
6 oz. water
4-5 lemongrass stalks, coarsely chopped (or steep bags of lemongrass tea in the syrup...

This cocktail was created by Joe Choiniere, bar manager at Forage in Cambridge, Massachusetts. You'll taste the sassafras and anise tones and maybe even a hint of root beer in this “weighty” Sazerac build, Choiniere says.



INGREDIENTS

1¼ oz. Mad River Revolution rye (or other rye with chocolate undertones)
1¼ oz. black birch cognac (recipe below)
½ oz. maple syrup
2 dashes Regans’ No. 6 Orange bitters
Sea salt
Herbsaint for rinse
Orange twist and dehydrated birch twig (optional) for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add rye, cognac, maple syrup, bitters, and a few grains of salt to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds. Rinse (or mist) an Old Fashioned glass with a splash of Herbsaint. Add 1 large ice cube. Strain cocktail over ice. Squeeze orange twist over drink. Garnish with twist and dehydrated birch twig.
Black Birch Cognac

Black birch twigs, cut into 2- to 3-inch...

A few weeks back, we covered the latest Dewar’s cask-finished release, Japanese Smooth, and recently had a chance to talk with master blender Stephanie Macleod about her experience in using mizunara oak to impart flavor. At just $25 and 91 points, we named Japanese Smooth an Editors’ Choice in the Summer 2021 issue.As we enter the dog days of summer, the number of new releases has slowed to a trickle. Four Gate Whiskey Company returns with its Kelvin River straight rye, Jim Rutledge has a new blend of straight ryes called High Plains, and Balcones adds a Sauternes-finished single malt to its range. Read on for full details.Four Gate River Kelvin Rye (Batch 13)Style: Straight ryeOrigin: IndianaAge: 8 year oldABV: 56.5%Price: $185Release: June 2021Availability: 2,470 bottles; GA, KY, TNNeed to know:Distilled at MGP from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, this is the second release of River Kelvin Rye, following its debut last June. It has been aged an additional year, and...

If you're whipping up cocktails this summer and putting orange juice to use, we have some recipes that let you go beyond the classic Blood and Sand, and use practically any style of whisky. And there are plenty of new whiskies to play around with from this week's Whisky Weekend lineup, including the return of Glenmorangie's single estate single malt, a finished rye from WhistlePig, a single grain scotch from Loch Lomond, and more. Read on for full details.Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch #2Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highlands)Age: 15 year oldABV: 43%Price: $85Release: July 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is the second edition of Glenmorangie’s single estate whisky—made entirely from barley grown on its Cadboll Estate, which surrounds the distillery, and matured onsite. Like the first edition, this whisky was finished in American oak bourbon barrels.Whisky Advocate says:Cadboll Estate Batch #1 came out swinging, as it earned the No. 13 spot on our Top 20...

This sommelier-led virtual tasting features two unique American whiskeys from Jefferson’s Bourbon that showcase how this brand uses experimental aging techniques and sophisticated barrel-finishing tactics. With special guest, Trey Zoeller, master blender.Jefferson's Ocean BourbonThe culmination of Jefferson’s master blender Trey Zoeller’s wild idea to age his bourbon at sea. The constant moving of the ocean and extreme temperature fluctuations impart flavors and the appearance of a well-aged bourbon. Zoeller notes the salty popcorn, caramel, and tropical fruit notes keep you returning for another sip.Jefferson’s Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Cognac CasksThe brand’s first rye whiskey release in 13 years, Zoeller finishes it for nine months in cognac casks. The result elevates the rye from what he sees as a cocktail ingredient to a sipping spirit, with spicy cinnamon notes up front, hints of citrus and honey, and a full-bodied, lingering finish. PURCHASE...

Freshly squeezed orange juice offers a rounded sweetness and soft acidity that pair brilliantly with almost any style of whisky in cocktails beyond the classic scotch-based Blood and Sand, says Chelsea Gregoire, founder and owner of restaurant consulting company Drinkable Genius. Orange juice “tends to add a little bit more sugar than other citrus fruits like lemon and lime,” Gregoire says. “That little element of sweetness plays really well with the tannins in whisky, and can be used to complement or accent flavors of malt, baking spices, and red fruits.”It's essential to use freshly squeezed juice, says TJ Vytlacil of Brigade Society and former owner of the St. Louis, Missouri restaurants Blood & Sand and the since closed Death in the Afternoon. Precise measurement is also crucial, since too much juice can eclipse the whisky. And be sure to shake vigorously to integrate flavors and textures. “Some whiskies have more caramel, some have more vanilla, but in general...

Summer has arrived, and if you're looking for a cocktail you can take on the go, we have 10 ready to drink cans and bottles from large producers, cocktail veterans, and more.If you are just looking for a new whisky, there are some interesting options this week—including the latest batches of Michter's 10 year old rye and J. Rieger Co. Monogram, a citrus-forward flavored entrant from Jim Beam, and more. Read on for full details.Michter's 10 year old Rye (2021 release)Style: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: 10 year oldABV: 46.4%Price: $170Release: July 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is a single barrel rye, distilled and bottled in Kentucky. The 10 year old rye is one of the most limited whiskeys that Michter's produces.Whisky Advocate says:This year’s release of Michter’s 10 year old rye is especially limited, the distillery says. While lamenting the limited nature of this latest expression, Michter's noted that it has expanded the acreage on its farm...

The world of whisky is bigger than ever. Whisky drinkers have their choice of options when looking for a dram, including whiskies with big proof, big scores, and big peat. Of course, whisky can be physically large as well, and we aren't just talking 1.75 L bottles. From big barrels to vast collections, these whisky accomplishments caught our eye for their sheer scale and size.Massive MixersMonkey Shoulder blended malt whisky is giving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile a run for its money with two 2,400-gallon cocktail “shakers.” Fashioned like cement trucks, the two Monkey Mixers have traveled a combined 119,200 miles since their debut in 2017, visiting 135 different cities and serving 224,000 cocktails. The Monkey Mixers were sidelined in summer 2020 due to the pandemic but look for them to make a return in a city near you.Voluminous VesselsThe Barton 1792 Distillery is home to world's biggest whiskey barrel. Although this display was never used to actually age spirit, (it has no...

Let's be real: You aren't going to transport your entire bar cart to the beach or a neighborhood barbecue. In the outdoor bustle of summer, convenience reigns supreme, and that makes ready-to-drink cocktails ideal. Toss one into your tote bag before a picnic, or keep some chilled for when you're short on time but want a mixed drink. We'll be the first to tell you that nothing can top a handmade cocktail, but in a pinch, these ready-to-drink options satisfy a variety of needs. Stay versatile this summer and add one or several of these packaged cocktails to your repertoire.
Make a Splash with one of these Whiskey RTDs
Cold Hamer Highball, 7% ABV, $13/4-355 ml cans
West Fork Whiskey Co. cans two drinks—this Highball and a Snapback (7% ABV) made with ginger and lime. Both cocktails use the distillery's Old Hamer bourbon. We like the Highball, made with all-natural lemon and soda water, as an alternative to wildly popular hard seltzers. It's refreshing at a low 130...

The best home bars are able to fuse substance with style, taking the practical—a place to keep your whisky—and turning it into a legitimately decorative piece. Orlando Soria has made a career of sprucing up personal spaces, which is exactly what he does on his HGTV show “Build Me Up.”Soria's own bar is a black cart that features a mixture of glassware, decorative objects, and lighting, that is anchored to the wall with a large mirror behind it. “I just like to pour a drink there and then go sit out on my deck and enjoy being in the woods,” he says. Not one for elaborate cocktails, Soria says that he likes his whisky on a large, square cube with some rosemary and a little slice of orange in it. “I do love an Old Fashioned, but I'm too lazy to actually make them. For me, an Old Fashioned is a treat,” he says.While Soria says he could stand to step up his mixology game, he recently partnered with Maker's Mark to help two lucky winners improve their home bar space. The...

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and distillers are offering special items for the occasion. Teeling has a gift set that includes a bottle of Teeling single malt, two leather coasters, two rocks glasses, and a set of whisky stones for $80. Blackened has released The Black Album Whiskey Pack, comprised of a bottle of Blackened Batch 114, a collectible whiskey coin, and a Snakebyte cocktail booklet named after James Hetfield’s signature guitar, all for $50. Aberfeldy is offering personalized hand-dipped gold wax bottles for their 12, 16, and 21 year old whiskies, with the bottles stamped by hand with the initials of your choosing. Pricing starts at $60.Perhaps a new release might make a perfect gift. This week’s lineup includes cask strength offerings from Booker’s and Writers’ Tears, as well as limited editions from Dewar’s and Midleton. Read on for full details.Dewar’s 19 year old The Champions EditionStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: 19 year oldABV: 43%Price...

James Bond enjoys himself a drink. Special agent 007 is a worldly man, and when he's not pouring something neat at the end of a long day, he's using drinks to adapt to the many countries and cultures where he is assigned. While he's best known for ordering Martinis—his “shaken not stirred” line synonymous with the character after all these years—Bond's taste in drinks is far from limited. Over the course of 53 years, 24 films, and 6 actors portraying him, Bond uncorks champagne, sips sherry, and winds down with whisky. In Ian Fleming's original books, Bond actually drinks more scotch and soda than Martinis—with scotch just eclipsing the Martini at a rate of 21 to 19.The Bond character is discerning and cultured, whatever the setting or spirit. He drinks Mojitos in Havana, sharing his drink with Jinx (Halle Berry), and telling her, “You should try it.” When he's offered saké in Japan, he remarks that he enjoys the beverage...

When you seek relief from the brutal summer sun, turn up the heat. Drinks that balance spice with refreshment are the perfect way to chill out, and since many styles of whisky are inherently spicy, they're perfect to combine with little caliente flourishes. For example, “Rye brings some great baking spice and vanilla notes that pair great with chile spice,” says Lenny Heykants, bar manager at El Chingon Mexican Bistro in Denver. And the roasted notes of anything aged in oak match well with jalapeños and poblanos, adds Mike Bender, assistant general manager of Seven Grand Denver. Try these no-sweat recipes and see how cool spice can be.Rye on FireThis cocktail starts off citrusy but finishes on a spicy note.Get The Recipe: Rye On FireSuzie QThe perfect sipper for those who like to dial up the heat a little, but not a lot.Get The Recipe: Suzie QPrince of PassionBright and fresh, this cocktail has a jalapeño kick.Get The Recipe: Prince of PassionChoco ChiliThis...

Wait for the heat with this drink created by Lenny Heykants, bar manager at El Chingon Mexican Bistro in Denver. “This cocktail starts citrusy and floral on the palate. The spice creeps in on the back end while still being crisp and refreshing,” Heykants says.
Add Some Heat With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond rye (or other high-proof straight rye)
¾ oz. Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile liqueur
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
½ oz. cinnamon-agave syrup (recipe below)
1 dropper Bittermens HellfireHabanero shrub
1 oz. citrusy and floral IPA (such as 4 Noses Brewing Company ‘Bout Damn Time IPA)
Lemon twist and dried chile de árbol for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients except IPA in a cocktail shaker with ice. Hard shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain over cubed ice into a Collins glass. Top with IPA. Stir gently and garnish with lemon twist and...

Created by Justin Lane Briggs, beverage consultant at The Cabinet Bar in New York City, this cocktail is perfect for those who like spice but not heat. The spicy sipper uses concentrated ginger syrup to enhance the natural spice in rye whiskey.
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INGREDIENTS

1 oz. Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond rye (or other high-proof rye)
½ oz. Suze liqueur
½ oz. Apologue Saffron Spiced liqueur
½ oz. ginger syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. lime juice
½ tsp. simple syrup
2 oz. club soda
1 dash Angostura bitters
Candied ginger piece for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add rye, Suze, Apologue, ginger syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.  Shake until chilled. Strain over fresh ice cubes in a Highball glass. Top with soda and bitters. Garnish with candied ginger.
Ginger Syrup

1 cup Sugar in the Raw
½ cup ginger juice

Combine...

Created by Mike Bender, assistant general manager of Seven Grand Denver, this bright, fresh cocktail has a light, toasty, green-spice kick. “The oaked bourbon adds roasted chocolaty notes that nicely cradle accents from the jalapeños and the poblanos in the Ancho Reyes,” Bender says.
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INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Balcones Pot Still bourbon (or other four grain or high-rye bourbon)
½ oz. lemon juice
¾ oz. jalapeño-passion fruit syrup (recipe below)
¼ oz. Ancho Reyes Verde poblano liqueur
1-2 oz. Fever Tree ginger beer (or otherginger beer)
Fresno chile pepper and lemon wheel for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Add bourbon, lemon juice, syrup, and Ancho Reyes to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain over fresh ice cubes in a double Old Fashioned glass. Top with ginger beer. To garnish, cut three slices of pepper and use toothpicks to place...

Created by Marina Spidla, bartender at Blind Donkey in Pasadena, California, this is a chocolate Thai-chile cocktail. "The chocolate bitters pair nicely with the Thai chiles, and the smooth artichoke flavor mellows out the spice,” Spidla says. The rye helps balance it all out.
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INGREDIENTS

2 oz. High West Double Rye! (or other straight rye whiskey)
½ oz. Cynar amaro
2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate bitters
¾ oz. Thai chili simple syrup (recipe below)
Orange peel for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until chilled. Strain over a fresh ice rock in a double Old Fashioned glass. Express orange peel over top.
Thai Chili Simple Syrup

5 Thai chiles, diced
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and steep for one hour. Double strain...

Berries are almost universal in their flavor appeal. Who doesn't relish plucking tart raspberries and fleshy blackberries from their thorny canes, biting into a fresh, juicy strawberry, densely baked fruit crumbles, jam tarts, and blueberry pancakes, or the bitter/sweet interplay of tiny black currants? Rather than specific berries, you might begin to decipher berry flavors in whisky with a mental color spectrum—from vibrant and tart reds, through inky blue, to juicy black. Next, decide whether the fruit is naturally fresh or processed in some way. Think like a whisky blender and consider how these berry flavors play among the sweetness, spice, oak, or smoke of the whisky. Are the berries cooked and sprinkled with baking spices or enveloped by milk chocolate?Like most flavors, berry notes do not result from a single isolated chemical: The brain is simultaneously processing a multitude of chemicals and the familiarity comes from fitting these into a holistic configuration of...

When you think of double-digit age statements, your mind may jump straight to scotch. While scotch whiskies are often 12 years or older, more and more well-aged bourbons—and Tennessee whiskey, which is the same thing—have popped up on shelves in recent years. When it comes to age statements and the aging process, bourbon is quite different from scotch, thanks to its use of new charred oak barrels and the climate differences between Scotland and Kentucky, where the majority of bourbon is made. Some aged bourbons may have delicate, balanced notes of oak while others taste far too woody—it takes a skilled whiskey maker to walk that line. Since the process is so fickle, it's made even Whisky Advocate question: Can bourbon be too old?The six age-statement bourbons here, which are all from our Spring 2021 Buying Guide, are prime examples of well-aged bourbon. Each boasts a double-digit age statement and scored at least 90 points, showing exemplary distillation and maturation. Whether...

Bitter isn't a flavor most people seek out on its own, but when balanced with sweetness, it can be downright pleasurable. Many whiskies contain this duality: Think of how a mature bourbon marries together sweet caramel and vanilla flavors with notes of bitter oak and walnuts.Amaro, a liqueur originally hailing from Europe, makes the interplay of bitter and sweet its focus. Amaro (Italian for “bitter”; plural amari) is made by steeping botanicals and spices in neutral spirit, which is then sweetened. Historically, amaro was made with local plants and intended for medicinal use, generally as a digestive aid. While salubrious applications have faded away, the allure of its richly layered bitter botanicals still attracts sophisticated palates.Amaro and Whisky Make Perfect Cocktail CompanionsSeveral American whiskey distillers are producing amari that showcase regional ingredients. “We really set out to make something that was of our place and not something that would just knock off...

If you plan on mixing up some drinks this spring and summer, we have a helpful guide on how to build your best whisky cocktail, focusing on classics like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Highball, and Mint Julep.If you're looking for a new dram to sip, there are plenty of those as well. Ardbeg Scorch is this year's limited release for Ardbeg Day. It's priced at $120 and $140 for the Committee Release.Talisker is releasing its oldest whisky to date and telling the story of a voyage at sea in the process. Talisker 43 year old Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge is limited to just 1,830 bottles and costs $4,000.Tennessee whiskey Sweetens Cove is back with a new release for 2021. Like last year's inaugural release, it will cost $200, with 42,000 bottles entering just a few states.Bardstown Bourbon Co. is bringing back it's collaborative expression The Prisoner Wine Barrel-Finished Tennessee bourbon—after an initial release in December 2019. Priced similarly, at...

In a perfect world, we'd all be well-equipped with a sterling silver cocktail shaker, a variety of premium mixers, and fresh fruit, prepared to transform our favorite whiskies into tasty cocktails at a moment's notice. However, life is often less than perfect.So we've delved into five classic whisky cocktails with the help of some top bartenders, asking a lot of questions that begin with “What if…?” Because sometimes you're low on limes, or can't find a cocktail strainer. If you're willing to put aside some of the pomp and pedantry, there's more than one way to make a cocktail. In fact, more than a few great cocktails have been invented out of necessity.With their relatively short ingredient lists and simple recipes, the whisky classics are well-suited for improvisation. If you're hankering for a cold cocktail at home, read on to learn how to construct a great drink while letting nothing stand in your way.Build Your Best ManhattanWhether you opt for bourbon or rye, this elegant...

Iconic in presentation with its silver cup and fresh greenery, the Mint Julep is arguably bourbon at its most refreshing. But historically, the Julep has been made with brandy, rum, and even genever—and occasionally without mint—so there's precedent for flexibility.Like many classic cocktails, the Julep benefits from a short ingredient list and ease of execution. Frank Caiafa, beverage director at New York City's The Stayton Room and author of “The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book,” says that respecting simplicity is important. “Keep it basic,” he urges. “Stick to protocol.”Ryan Hart, bar manager at The Crunkleton in Charlotte, North Carolina says that the Mint Julep is easily tweaked to suit the drinker, depending on whether you prefer your cocktail stronger or sweeter. “What's really important is getting the gist of the recipe and learning how to balance it,” he says.How to Make a Mint Julep 1 tsp. sugar or ½oz. simple syrup Handful mint leaves, plus a sprig for...

Bright and buoyant, the Whiskey Sour is whiskey dressed for a summer day. The drink may have originated with 18th-century sailors combining ingredients they had at hand, but the unbeatable balance of spirit, sugar, and citrus makes this drink transcend the whims of cocktail fashion. “It's beautiful in its simplicity and it's delicious and it manages to be really fun, and it's also a really nice access point for whiskey for a lot of people,” says Dan Sabo, director of food and beverage at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
As long as you stay focused on a balance of sweet, sour, and spirit, the Whiskey Sour leaves plenty of room for interpretation or tweaking to suit your palate. “There are a thousand things you can do to add a little twist to it and that's one of the things that great classics can do,” says Neal Bodenheimer, co-owner of Cure in New Orleans. “It can handle a little bit of innovation, but the basic version is as...

Perfect for leisurely sipping on a balmy summer night, the Highball is enjoying a revival in the U.S. But in Japan, Highballs are a way of life, says Masahiro Urushido, managing partner and bartender at Japanese-style cocktail bar Katana Kitten in New York City. “The Highball has been popular for over 100 years,” Urushido says. “I think the reason is because it's so versatile.”An ideal whisky drink, the Highball allows the spirit to step into roles usually occupied by beer, or even wine. “It pairs pretty much with anything you're eating, almost like champagne,” Urushido adds. Highballs also temper the potent proof of whisky. “It's not a strong drink,” says Peter Mizutani, senior bar captain at Conrad Tokyo hotel's bar TwentyEight. “Japanese people drink Highballs to enjoy the atmosphere. Maybe in the U.S. or Australia or Europe, they enjoy their whisky neat, but in Japan we prefer to drink whisky with soda water.”How to Make a Highball 1½oz. whisky 4 oz. chilled...

The Manhattan cocktail—a simple recipe of American whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters that predates the Martini—yields myriad combinations to suit almost any whiskey lover. “I'm very choosy, first, about which rye—yes, rye—works best. Bourbon is too soft for me in this drink,” says Charles Cerankosky, co-owner of Good Luck, Cure, and Jackrabbit Club in Rochester, New York. However, many enjoy bourbon just fine, especially when matched with the right vermouth to balance its sweetness with bitterness and acidity. In fact, almost any style of whiskey you enjoy can shine in a Manhattan.
The modern Manhattan ratio is 2:1 whiskey to vermouth, but the original skewed the opposite, with twice as much vermouth as whiskey. Try this lower-proof rendition well-suited to summer—or find your sweet spot somewhere in between. When these ingredients meet with ice, it's hard to go wrong.
How to Make a Manhattan

2 oz. whiskey
1 oz. sweet...

For centuries, the Old Fashioned has remained a staple at bars around the world. “It is literally the definitive cocktail,” says Sam Treadway, owner of Backbar in Somerville, Massachusetts. “Once upon a time, the word ‘cocktail' meant specifically this one drink.” As trendy, newer cocktails were invented, it became known as the “Old Fashioned cocktail.”
Will Benedetto, opening beverage director and bar consultant at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club in Nashville, says the Old Fashioned is highly versatile with whiskey—and beyond. “Any spirit—any worth drinking—can be made into an enlightening Old Fashioned,” he says.
It's doubtful that the elaborate craft cocktails of today will be remembered in a century. But owing to its short list of common ingredients and simplicity, the Old Fashioned endures.
How to Make an Old Fashioned

1 sugar cube or ½ tsp. sugar
2 dashes Angostura...

To music fans, rapper Corey Woods is best known as Raekwon The Chef for the flavorful lyrics he cooks up as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Now, the drinks world is getting a taste of his creativity, as the multi-platinum artist pursues other forms of expression. In 2018 he launched Licataa, a red sparkling wine from Italy. Then, in September 2020, he partnered with barware and accessory company Mover & Shaker to release a limited-edition cocktail strainer. “Being now a wine owner, I just felt it was my due diligence to get involved and engage a little bit more with the cocktail community and the spirits world as well,” Raekwon says of the collaboration.
A taste for good drinks appeared early in the rapper's storied career, like on his 1995 solo debut album “Only Built for Cuban Linx…” and the song “Criminology,” when he raps, “But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost,” referencing fellow Wu-Tang member...

If you've heard of cachaça (pronounced kuh·SHA·suh), the Brazilian spirit derived from fermented sugarcane juice, you most likely associate it with the Caipirinha, a refreshing cocktail of lime, sugar, and unaged—or prata—cachaça. And while prata cachaça is an interesting and unique spirit in and of itself, there's a wide world of drinking opportunities to be explored in barrel-aged cachaça, especially for a whisky enthusiast looking to change things up without venturing too far afield.Brazilian law states that in order to be called aged cachaça—or cachaça envelhecida—at least 50% of the liquid must be aged in a wood barrel no larger than 700 liters in capacity for at least one year. Cachaça is often likened to rum—particularly rhum agricole—thanks to its sugarcane base, but aged cachaça has plenty in common with whisky, as it's often aged in oak barrels.“About 50% of all aged cachaças in Brazil today are aged in oak, either American or European,” says Luke...

The Italian amaro Fernet-Branca—a bracingly bitter elixir made from a mélange of 27 herbs, roots, and spices, and the most recognizable example of fernet—is not for the faint of heart. But as many bartenders will attest, this potently herbaceous liqueur shines as a cocktail additive, especially when paired with whisky. “Fernet is a polarizing flavor,” says Michael Neff, co-founder, co-owner, and lead mixologist at Houston's Cottonmouth Club. “Especially when you're doing stirred and boozy cocktails, it kind of drives in contrast.”Fortunately, there's no shortage of whiskies that can stand toe-to-toe with fernet. “Whisky generally has enough of its own flavor and identity to be able to withstand introducing that big, bold flavor, and still keep its legs underneath it,” Neff says.But building a balanced drink also depends on the whisky's strength and style. High-proof rye tends to work well, although blended or even single malt scotch isn't forbidden. “The boldness of...

This article was originally published in June 2020. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.No city in the country has deeper roots in whiskey history than Pittsburgh. It was virtually the epicenter of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, when farmer-distillers raised arms against federal agents. The area gave rise to our nation's first named whiskey style: Monongahela rye. It was famous long before Kentucky bourbon, and dominated the national market until after the Civil War.Pittsburgh's history is also entwined with the industrialization of the U.S., and it embraces its hard-working reputation decades after the decline of the steel industry. Once a shot-and-a-beer town, the Steel City's move into the 21st century has seen tremendous improvements in everything from air and water quality to food, drink, and entertainment. This heritage makes the city more a rye and bourbon mecca than a haven for other...

The Scottish islands offer a picturesque getaway off the mainland, full of sites to see and spirits to drink. The Isle of Skye is no exception to that; thanks to Skye's breathtaking natural phenomena, shops and restaurants, and growing distillery scene, it makes an ideal whisky destination.When to goIdeally, avoid the peak summer vacation months of July and August. This is when Skye is at its busiest and most expensive.Spring and fall are quieter overall, and seasonal businesses that you may want to visit will be open. Accommodations will also be easier to find, and cheaper than during the most popular tourist period. These are prime periods for the average traveler looking for a well-rounded excursion.Winter is the off-season and the quietest time on the island, making it one of the few opportunities for more serene outdoor excursions. However, some degree of bravery is required with regard to weather: Winters can be cold and wet, and daylight hours are more limited. You are likely...

The Irish Coffee has been a beloved cocktail for ages, and for good reason. Combining Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and cream is a surefire way to guarantee a delicious drink. But what if this luxurious libation was transformed into a cake? In their cookbook “Whiskey in the Kitchen,” Emanuel and Madeline Greenberg did just that with this scrumptious recipe for an Irish-Coffee cake. Not to be mistaken with traditional American coffee cake, which typically has a cinnamon crumble and is best served with a cup of coffee, this cake is based on the aforementioned cocktail.
With instant coffee powder, Irish whiskey, heavy cream, chocolate bits, and even chocolate-covered coffee or espresso beans, this recipe captures every delicious flavor of Irish Coffee. Plus, while you can make your own sponge cake for the recipe, it can be made easier by purchasing one ahead of time—you can go for a standard sponge cake, a bundt cake, or even double down on the mocha flavors by...

Kilbeggan is Ireland's oldest continually licensed distillery: It opened in 1757 and survived famine, world wars, Prohibition, and more before going silent in the 1950s. After being revived in 1989 and restarting distilling in 2007, it is now a leader of the Irish whiskey renaissance. Brand ambassador Michael Egan joinedWhisky Advocate's#TasteWithSpace Instagram Live series on March 5 to discuss Kilbeggan's history and longevity.“There were multiple opportunities for it to shut down and fail,” Egan said. “It's a testament to the people that work there, the whiskey that they made, their level of resilience, [that they] never gave up and there was still that demand for Irish whiskey as a category and as a result, Kilbeggan.”Just over a week ahead of St. Patrick's Day, Egan and Whisky Advocate senior editor Susannah Skiver Barton kicked off the discussion by making traditional Irish Coffees using brown sugar, hot coffee, Kilbeggan Original, and a dollop of cream. Egan says that...

With the calendar turning a new page, there are plenty of new whiskies too.First up, Buffalo Trace has bottled a single barrel of Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbon in honor of the 124th anniversary of the Bottled in Bond Act and benefiting the nonprofit Outlaw State of Kind, which was founded by musician Chris Stapleton. There are less than 100 bottles available, with the first ones auctioned through Charitybuzz.A new blended Irish whiskey is hitting shores in not just bottles, but cans too. Two Stacks comes in 4-packs of 100 ml cans for $19, as well as a traditional 750 ml bottle ($40). There's also a cask-strength version called Blender's Cut for $60.Old Elk is debuting Sour Mash Reserve straight bourbon. Priced at $90, there are just over 5,000 bottles available in the first batch.Sagamore Spirit is rolling out its latest Distiller's Select rye, finished in tequila casks. The limited-edition whiskey is $69.Proof and Wood has partnered with bar owner Rob Morton to release Idle Hands...

Forgive us if we get romantic about our whisky, but some drams make it easy to fall in love. Whisky aromas can be described as fragrant and floral, textures can be lush and velvety, and some pours even have transportive abilities. Perhaps a whisky reminds you of time spent abroad, or a certain home-cooked dish, or even a special person—and suddenly, you're reliving some of your fondest memories.Any day can be a great whisky occasion, but sharing a dram with someone you love—whether a partner, friend, or family member—on Valentine's Day can heighten your enjoyment. Try pairing it with the usual treats of the day, like chocolates—this year, Woodford Reserve has teamed up with Memphis-based Phillip Ashley Chocolates to craft custom sweets to pair with its Double Oaked Bourbon. Or make your own special delicacy, like bourbon balls or donuts with maple-bourbon glaze. You might even try a whisky-chocolate cocktail.Or check out one of the whiskies below, whose names...

Most of us forget about seasonal produce as the chill of winter arrives, but for bartenders it's peak season, as they prepare for the bounty of blood oranges, lemons, and grapefruit to arrive from California and south of the Mexican border. Great citrus can do much more than dress up an Old Fashioned or add zing to a Whiskey Sour. The bright acidity of citrus can balance the peat of an Islay malt or a sweet bourbon when pressed into service.Check out these bright and vibrant whisky cocktails made with lemon, yuzu, and more citrus fruits.Ferdinand the BullGrilled blood orange juice imparts richness to this smoked cocktail, which also includes bourbon, amaro, and cherry liqueur.Get the Recipe: Ferdinand the BullKnock OutGinger liqueur and cinnamon syrup add texture and spice, while the fresh-squeezed lemon juice brings out the brightness of blended Irish whiskey.Get the Recipe: Knock OutThe Corner StoreAustralian grain whisky, cherry syrup, and two kinds of citrus create a dead ringer...

This drink was created by Sonny Verdini, bar manager of TRADE in Boston.“The acidity from the lemon provides structure and allows the cinnamon, allspice, ginger, coriander, and orange oil flavors and aromas to shine through in this richly textured cocktail,” Verdini says.Looking for More Citrus and Spice Whisky Cocktails

Whisky and orange is a classic combination, but blood orange gives this cocktail, created by Brock Schulte, bar director of The Monarchin Kansas City, Mo., the perfect wintry twist. A touch of smoke accentuates the rich, tart citrus flavors, Schulte says.
Looking for More Citrus and Spice Whisky Cocktails?
INGREDIENTS

1 oz. Russell’s Reserve 10 year old (or other Kentucky straight bourbon)
¾ oz. Cocchi Dopo Teatro Vermouth Amaro
½ oz. Leopold Bros. Michigan Tart Cherry liqueur
¾ oz. grilled blood orange juice (recipe below)
Garnish: applewood chips and brandied Luxardo cherry

DIRECTIONS
Hard shake all ingredients with ice. Place wood chips on a plate and light with a torch. Cover with a chilled Nick and Nora glass for about 20 seconds to trap the smoke inside. Double strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a brandied Luxardo cherry on a cocktail pick.
Grilled Blood Orange JuiceCut one blood orange in...

This drink was created by James Shearer, global beverage director for Zuma Restaurants.“This twist on the Penicillin is a complex combination of smoky and citrus,” Shearer says. “The honey, yuzu, and egg whites lend sweet frothy notes, while smoke from wood fire seasons the glass, making for a layered sip.”
Looking for More Citrus and Spice Whisky Cocktails?
INGREDIENTS

½ oz. Nikka Coffey grain whisky (or other Japanese whisky)
½ oz. Lagavulin (or other Islay single malt)
½ oz. ginger syrup (recipe below)
½ oz. honey water (1:1 honey and water)
½ oz. yuzu juice
1 egg white
2 dashes plum bitters
Garnish: American white oak chips and dried orange wheel

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and dry shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake again. Place wood chips on a plate and light with a torch. Cover with a snifter for about 20 seconds to trap the smoke inside...

This drink was created by Adam Miller, beverage director of Silver Lining Diner, in Southampton, N.Y. It was inspired by Dr. Brown's Black Cherry soda, Miller's favorite childhood soda, and a Northeast diner staple.
Looking for More Citrus and Spice Whisky Cocktails?
INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Starward Two-Fold Australian whisky (or other grain whisky)
1¼ oz. cherry syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ tsp. yuzu juice
¼ oz. ginger beer
1¼ oz. club soda
1 dash absinthe
Garnish: morello cherry

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients except ginger beer and club soda to a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain over large ice cubes in a Highball glass and top with ginger beer and club soda. Garnish with cherry.
Cherry Syrup

1 cup Boiron Morello cherry purée
½ cup sugar

Strain cherry purée through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan over low heat. Add...

In case you missed Whisky Advocate's exclusive reports: New whiskeys are on the way from the likes of country star Lee Greenwood, Brough Brothers, and Kentucky's most mysterious producer. Though we'll have to wait a bit for those, there are new whiskies available now.First up, a new 100% rye made at Kentucky Artisan Distillery is launching. Coalition rye includes three wine cask-finished variants (all $90) and a barrel-proof straight rye ($130). The whiskeys are available in several states.The Isle of Skye's second distillery, Torabhaig, is making its debut with Legacy Series 2017 single malt. The scotch whisky is priced at $60, with 6,000 bottles available in the U.S.Lock, Stock & Barrel rye is back with a 20 year old offering, its oldest yet. There are 3,000 bottles available, priced at $389.The Family Jones in Colorado is set to offer a bottled in bond rye whose distillation and bottling dates are exactly four years apart—Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. There are just 380 bottles...

This article was originally published in March 2020. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.No city shares a greater affinity with rye whiskey than Baltimore. Locals remained loyal to Maryland's Pikesville rye even long after the brand moved to Kentucky's Heaven Hill Distillery in 1982. The city is also the epicenter for the revival of Maryland-style rye, which is distinguished by a significant portion of corn, anywhere from 15% to 45% of the mashbill, giving it a lighter, sweeter taste. Its reemergence is a sign of Baltimore's, and Maryland's, return to the East Coast's whiskey-making vanguard.Like rye playing second fiddle to bourbon, there is an underdog quality to Baltimore, living in the shadow of Washington, D.C. “We're excited to show the world what sort of spirits Baltimore is creating, and return the city to its rightful place in the pantheon of world booze meccas,” says Max Lents...

While flavored whiskeys are often looked at askance by drinks connoisseurs, there is nothing inherently wrong with them. Sure, many of them on the market are purely that—“flavored,” with artificial ingredients and sugars that can make them taste cloying and synthetic. That's not the case in a sub-category of flavored whiskeys that is emerging—ones infused with real cherries—from an epicenter in Michigan.“We're a whiskey company based in the cherry capital of the world,” says Chris Fredrickson, co-founder and distiller at Traverse City Whiskey Co. in Traverse City. “And that, combined with our family history in cherry farming—my father is a third-generation cherry farmer—made it an obvious first extension for us.”He suspects people enjoy these new cherry whiskeys because they're lower proof (often in the 35% to 40% ABV range) and extremely approachable. Many drinkers find them a refreshing option on ice and likewise great for adding a fun twist to classic...

Whiskey and coffee is a winning combination—whether you simply splash some whiskey into your cup of joe as an after-dinner treat, or prefer to mix the perfect Irish Coffee, with Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and fresh whipped cream. But rather than adding a little whiskey to coffee, these enterprising distillers are adding a little coffee to their whiskey.Unlike coffee liqueurs, which almost always include a generous dose of sugar, these new whiskey creations strive for a purer expression of grain and bean, marrying high-quality coffee with credible whiskeys.In January of 2020, Irish whiskey giant Jameson released Jameson Cold Brew, combining Irish whiskey with cold brew coffee flavoring. By definition, Irish whiskey can't include additives aside from caramel coloring and water, but this “whiskey specialty," according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will still find fans among Irish whiskey drinkers. The cold brew flavor, created from 100% Arabica beans from...

With just a week to go before Christmas, there's still time to buy a great gift for the whisky lover in your life (or for yourself, we won't judge). And if you're feeling lucky, grab a $100 raffle ticket for a chance to win 35 bottles of rare and high-end bourbon, rye, scotch, and more. Want to pick up a new bottle? Keep reading.Buffalo Trace is rolling out the 15th release of Stagg Jr. now. Always in limited amounts, the bourbon has a recommended retail price of $50.Johnnie Walker has announced plans to test a new blend called Johnnie Blonde, starting next March. The sweet scotch will be priced at $25, and initially available only in select markets, including Houston in the U.S.Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. has launched Cascade Moon No. 2, a Tennessee whiskey that includes the contents of the first barrel filled at the distillery when it reopened in 2003. Priced at $250, the whiskey is available in California, Tennessee, and Texas.Alberta Distillers' Alberta Premium Cask-Strength...

Champagne features in some of the finest classic cocktails, like the French 75 and the eponymous Champagne Cocktail. Whisky, however, has rarely been part of such spirited liaisons. Yet modern bartenders have discovered that the bright acidity of champagne plays well with whiskies, and “the yeast build in the champagne balances the sweetness found in whisky,” explains bar consultant and educator Tiffanie Barriere, aka The Drinking Coach. So uncork some bubbles and add effervescence to your whisky.Irish RoverThis floral and fizzy cocktail combines chamomile syrup with Irish whiskey, champagne, and cream sherry to create a drink balanced in both flavor and texture.Get the Recipe: Irish RoverThe Gilded ApeSweetness and smoke mingle in this cocktail, which features peated Islay scotch and a rich demerara syrup.Get the Recipe: The Gilded ApeRoyal St. Rye CocktailRye whiskey meets champagne, vermouth, and grenadine in this balanced and bubbly sipper.Get the Recipe: Royal St. Rye...

“This beautiful cocktail is approachable because it's not overly strong or sweet,” says Lu Brow, head bartender at Brennan's in New Orleans, Louisiana and creator of this cocktail. Brow recommends serving it as an aperitif.
Break Out the Bubbly for These Champagne and Whisky Cocktails
INGREDIENTS

1 oz. Sazerac rye (or other rye)
¾ oz. Dolin sweet vermouth
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. pomegranate grenadine (recipe below)
1 oz. brut champagne
Lemon twist for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients except champagne in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe. Top with champagne and twist a lemon peel over the top and drop into the cocktail.
Pomegranate Grenadine

 ¼ cup water
2 cups pomegranate juice
2 cups granulated sugar
1 large piece of orange zest

Combine water and pomegranate juice in a saucepan over medium heat until warm...

This cocktail, which was created by bar consultant and educator Tiffanie Barriere aka The Drinking Coach, is a play on the Seelbach cocktail, with champagne acting to balance sweet vanilla syrup. “The bourbon adds the right amount of spice, while the vanilla curves well through the dryness of the brut,” Barriere says.
Break Out the Bubbly for These Champagne and Whisky Cocktails
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Maker’s Mark (or other wheated bourbon)
½ oz. butterfly pea-infused vanilla syrup (recipe below)
¼ o z. oloroso sherry
4 dashes Angostura bitters
1 oz. brut champagne
Baby’s breath for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Combine first four ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Strain into a coupe and top with champagne. Garnish with baby’s breath.
Butterfly Pea-Infused Vanilla Syrup

1 cup water
½ cup sugar
3-4 butterfly pea buds (available...

“The floral notes of the chamomile syrup complement the robust Irish whiskey, while the bright acidity of the sparkling wine along with the lemon juice makes for a very well-balanced cocktail,” says Adam Robinson, owner of Deadshot in Portland, Oregon and creator of the Irish Rover.
Break Out the Bubbly for These Champagne and Whisky Cocktails
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey (or other blended Irish whiskey)
½ oz. Lustau Capataz Andres cream sherry (or other cream sherry)
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. chamomile syrup (recipe below)
1 barspoon honey
2 dashes aromatic bitters
1½ oz. brut champagne
Lemon slice and a spritz of Laphroaig 10 year old (or other peated scotch) for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Combine the first six ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Add champagne to the shaker, then strain into an ice-filled double Old Fashioned glass. Spritz...

“Oloroso sherry highlights the nuttiness of the American single malt while the crème de banane builds upon the sweet baking spice notes contributed from the barrel,” says Leanne Favre, head bartender at Leyenda in Brooklyn, New York and the creator of The Gilded Ape. “A topping of champagne elongates the flavors and contributes a beautiful effervescence, allowing each layer of flavor to shine.”
Break Out the Bubbly for These Champagne and Whisky Cocktails
INGREDIENTS

 ¼ oz. Talisker 10 year old (or peated Islay scotch)
1 oz. Westward American single malt (or an unpeated Highland scotch or Japanese whisky)
¾ oz. Giffard crème de banane
½ oz. Lustau oloroso sherry
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. rich demerara syrup (recipe below)
3 oz. brut champagne
Lemon twist for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Rinse a stemmed red wine glass with Talisker. Add all other ingredients, except...

Apple cider isn't just a delicious cocktail ingredient—it's great for some whiskey-infused baking too. Apple cider donuts (or muffins) dipped in luscious maple-bourbon glaze make a perfect seasonal treat, and are surprisingly simple to bake at home. In addition to the cider itself, spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg meld together to create a mouthwatering flavor profile that perfectly matches the whiskey topping.Maple and bourbon have long been a perfect pairing—maple flavors are often found in bourbon, and many of the whiskey's other common notes, such as pecan and vanilla, seamlessly blend with the syrup as well. When combined with the apple and spice flavors of the donut, you get an end product that perfectly captures the taste of autumn and early winter. The bourbon flavor in this glaze is potent, so make sure to choose something you like—and since less than two tablespoons are needed, don't be afraid to reach for the good stuff. We tested this recipe with both...

Here at Whisky Advocate, we hear one question more than any other: “What whisky should I buy?” Whether for yourself or a loved one, the gift of whisky—a well-considered, out-of-the-ordinary bottle—is perfect for any occasion, and we offer plenty of tools to help you find the right one: from Best Value and Editors' Choice picks to the annual Top 20 list, plus the full Buying Guide with over 4,000 whisky reviews, sortable by price, score, and more.But what about the whisky lover who already has a fully stocked bar, or the one whose taste is so discerning you're afraid of picking something they won't like? Each issue of Whisky Advocate includes recommended whisky gear (everything from decanters to cocktail picks to glassware), and we've made some additional picks below. There's something here for every budget and all kinds of whisky lovers, including the at-home bartender, the aspiring taster, the outdoor enthusiast, and the cigar aficionado. Some of these come with whisky, while...

For fans of American whiskey, the words “barrel proof” often bring to mind big, brawny bourbons—uncut, unfiltered, and packed with flavor. But high-proof rye offers a similarly amped up version of the bold, spicy spirit that was famous before bourbon and reigned supreme until Prohibition shut down America's whiskey industry. Whisky Advocate's Fall 2020 Buying Guide offers reviews of more than 150 whiskies, including a trio of high-proof—and high-quality—ryes. Each of these whiskeys offers a distinct set of aromas and flavors that speak to different distilling traditions and techniques, as well as different mashbills and barrel-entry proofs, all of which affect the final whiskey. What they have in common are high scores, similar proofs, and an abundance of flavor.Whisky Advocate's Fall issue turns the spotlight on Big Whisky, and these ryes fit the bill—with their potent proofs and robust flavors, they're the kind of whiskey that leaps out of your glass in a delicious way...

College can be the setting for many formative experiences; if you didn't develop an appreciation for whiskey in your university years, perhaps you discovered a taste for it. Recently, colleges have been striking licensing deals with breweries—like Old Tuffy, a partnership between NC State and New Belgium Brewing—but until now no one had branched into spirits. Breaking that ground is New Mexico State University (NMSU), which is launching a collaborative whiskey to raise funds for its athletic department. Made in partnership with Las Cruces-based Dry Point Distillers, Pistol Pete Six-Shooter rye joins the school's existing branded beer and wine.In a year where many college campuses have reduced attendance at athletic events, the licensing deals allow NMSU to make up some of its lost ticket sales. “While I don't think one product is going to hit it big, when you start adding the licensing revenue from a spirit and a wine and a beer, and some of these other consumables that we have...

No matter what's going on in the world, the certainty that there will be new whiskies to look for stands firm. And so it is this week!First up, Crown Royal is rolling out the latest release in the Noble Collection, a 16 year old rye. The limited-edition whisky is priced at $70.Nikka has overhauled the recipe for Taketsuru Pure Malt while also updating the bottle. Priced at $80, the blended malt is widely available.Indian single malt brand Rampur has a new release, finished in Indian cabernet sauvignon casks. Rampur Asava is priced at $90 and widely available.Widow Jane is offering a higher-proof version of its 10 year old blended straight bourbon, with proceeds going to support hospitality workers and their families. Called "You'll Never Walk Alone," the whiskey is priced at $90, with 3,300 bottles available.Barrell has unveiled a Private Release series of single-cask bourbons, each with a unique microblend. The whiskeys are limited edition, with a recommended price of...

In music, as with whisky, there's no accounting for taste. Fortunately, there's a whisky destination for every type of music lover, from hard rock to hip-hop, from singer-songwriters to DJ sets. With great whisky on the bar and dynamic performers on the stage, these venues make it possible to pair your scotch with some rockabilly or sip bourbon with the blues. Choose carefully and enjoy your dram and your jam in perfect harmony.This article was originally published in December 2019. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.Jazz and rare whiskyThe Flatiron Room—New York CityWithin the dynamic whisky list featuring more than 1,000 expressions of bourbon, rye, Scotch, Japanese, Irish, Indian, and Taiwanese whiskies lurk old and rare bottlings like Ardmore 30 year old cask strength and Balvenie 40 year old aged in European oak. Live performers playing mainly jazz, swing, and blues take to the spotlight...

Falling leaves and temperatures mean it's time to pull out the sweaters, start the bonfires, and drink apple cider or lattes with added cinnamon and pumpkin spice. But why not pair those flavors with your favorite warming spirit? Mixing spices into cocktails enhances whiskey's inherent baking-spice notes, like cinnamon, clove, and vanilla, and the right balance of ingredients keeps these drinks from becoming sweeter than pie.The Autumn BondRye whiskey meets apples and cinnamon in this drink that captures the famous flavors of fall.Get the Recipe: The Autumn BondSmoky American Pimm's CupPeated American single malt and blackberry syrup join together to create a sweet and smoky cocktail that'll warm you right up.Get the Recipe: Smoky American Pimm's CupClove-MindedAs the name suggests, cloves are at the heart of this drink, with homemade clove-cinnamon syrup pairing with rye whiskey for a spice explosion.Get the Recipe: Clove-MindedHarvest SourA seasonal twist on the New York Sour, this...

This cocktail was created by Darren Campbell, bartender at Old Hickory Whiskey Bar in Pensacola, Florida. “The clove supports the spicier notes in the rye and encourages the richer, more warm-breakfast nuances to shine through in this viscous, silky cocktail,” Campbell says. “Serve it up or on the rocks, or add a few ounces of hot water to turn this libation into a toddy for your perfect nightcap.”
Spice Your Whisky Up With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Rittenhouse bottled in bond straight rye (or other 100-proof rye)
¾ oz. clove-cinnamon syrup (recipe below)
½ oz. Averna amaro
¼ oz. Grand Marnier liqueur
3-4 dashes Angostura bitters
Absinthe rinse
Garnish: Orange peel

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to mixing glass, add ice, and stir for 30 seconds. Rinse a small snifter with absinthe. Strain cocktail into the snifter and express an orange peel over...

Created by Jordan Valls, lead bartender at The Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library in Portland, Oregon, this cocktail is a bit like a drinkable apple pie. “Using two bonded products gives a backbone to keep the drink from being too sweet, while the amaro's super savory aspect adds the perfect mid-palate flavor,” Valls says.
Spice Your Whisky Up With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

1 oz. Rittenhouse bottled in bond straight rye (or other 100-proof rye)
½ oz. Laird’s bottled in bond straight apple brandy
½ oz. Nardini Bassano amaro
1 barspoon cinnamon syrup (recipe below)
1 dash Angostura bitters
Garnish: Apple fan and grated cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir for 10 to 20 seconds until chilled. Strain over a big ice cube in an Old Fashioned tumbler. Garnish with apple fan and grated cinnamon.
Cinnamon Syrup

4 cups sugar
1⅔ cups water
4 cinnamon...

This cocktail was created by Gaby Mlynarczyk, bartender and author of Clean + Dirty Drinking. “In this fruity and aromatic version of the classic New York Sour, the light spice finish of the bourbon pays a lovely complement to the pear brandy and cloves,” Mlynarczyk says.
Spice Your Whisky Up With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Old Grand-Dad straight bourbon (or other high-rye bourbon)
½ oz. Rhine Hall Pear brandy
1 barspoon Nux Alpina Walnut liqueur
¾ oz. clove syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. aquafaba or 1 egg white
½ oz. chilled mulled wine
Garnish: Fresh-grated nutmeg and cloves

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients except mulled wine to a shaker tin. Whip-shake with 1 small ice cube to fluff up the aquafaba or egg white. Add three to four more ice cubes and shake hard for five to six seconds. Strain immediately over a large rock of ice in a chilled double...

Created by Maxime Belfand, bar director at Saxon + Parole and Ghost Donkey in New York City, this smoky American twist on the English classic makes for easy fall drinking. “The allspice dram adds character, blackberry adds sweetness, and ginger ale brightens things up while playing to the peated whisky,” Belfand says.
Spice Your Whisky Up With More Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

¾ oz. Westland Peated American single malt (or other peated American single malt)
1 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur
½ oz. blackberry syrup (recipe below)
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. allspice dram (such as St. Elizabeth)
Fever-Tree Smoky ginger ale
Garnish: Orange slice, mint sprig, 2 blackberries

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients except ginger ale to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a fancy footed Highball glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with orange slice, mint sprig, and blackberries.
Blackberry...

Old Overholt rye has been around for 210 years but has recently undergone some changes, raising the proof of its core whiskey and introducing two limited-time offerings that honor its long and storied history. Bradford Lawrence, rye whisky specialist at Beam Suntory, which owns Old Overholt, joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Oct. 2 to talk about those changes and more.“I want to stress, the moves that we're making on the brand are done with thoughtful intention,” Lawrence said. “The brand has been very reactive in the best way possible to make sure that it stays a prominent piece of whiskey culture.”For instance, raising the proof of Old Overholt from 40% ABV to 43% ABV was done as a nod to the bartending community, which has long relied on the rye when building classic whiskey cocktails. “It's been a mainstay and a cornerstone since its inception,” Lawrence said. “With the first cocktail renaissance of the ‘90s and the second one of the...

Rum and whisky are born of different parents—whisky from grains, rum from sugar cane. But then comes the upbringing, when these two often find themselves in the same classroom with the same teacher. They begin to talk like one another. Those classrooms are, of course, white oak barrels, which impart their own distinctive flavor to any spirit over time. It's this barrel aging that can transform a clear Caribbean cocktail mixer into a rum deserving of slow sipping and contemplation.
The Whisky Lover's Guide to Rum
The longer rum and whisky are aged, the more their tastes converge. After 3 years they may start to share a similar flavor profile, with tannins and vanilla and caramel notes taking the lead over their respective raw materials. After 5 or 6 years, they're all but finishing each other's sentences. This process of convergence is accelerated by the fact that rums are typically aged in barrels that formerly held bourbon, imbuing them with an initial burst of borrowed...

You might not expect to find a trio of friends enjoying one another's company over cigars at a private cigar lounge to be discussing Jell-O shots—but for Whisky Blasphemy, those are the exact circumstances that brought the group to fruition.“
We're all members at Holt's cigar club in Philadelphia and there was an older gentleman there who was a big fan of Johnnie Walker Blue, and we all loved him but we used to tease him because he would never drink anything else no matter how much we tried to convince him,” says Judd Weisgal, who co-founded Whisky Blasphemy with friends Matt Kinson and Jun Nunez. “Then one day we were at the club and Matt, who's a smart aleck of the highest order, said, ‘We should make Johnnie Walker Blue Jell-O shots just to mess with this guy.'”
Want to Meet More Great Whisky Clubs? Click Here
The rest is history, as they say. While the trio never ended up making those gelatin delicacies, it did open up a conversation...

What's the secret to a whiskey's success? For Brendan Coyle, master distiller at High West, it boils down to two core values: quality and transparency. “We strive for the utmost quality—distinctive and very balanced yet very, very complex whiskeys,” he said on Sept. 18 during Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series, #TasteWithSpace. “We're very, very transparent and we're all about the quality of the drink coming forward,” whether the whiskeys in the blend were made by High West or sourced from another distillery.Blending was a big topic of conversation, as High West has made a name for itself first and foremost as a blender. (Check out this video of Coyle explaining his blending process for Double Rye!, the first whiskey to incorporate some of High West's own-make.) “Blending is really important to us for the reason that not all whiskeys and not all casks are created equal from year to year,” he said. “You can compare casks in the same lot, and they're not all equal...

Just about every distillery these days has a tasting room where visitors can sample a dram—an important part of the experience of learning about whiskey. A taste or two is one thing, but some distilleries are taking it further by offering full-service cocktail bars on-site.* As destinations unto themselves, these venues go beyond the Old Fashioned and Manhattan to offer inventive and original creations that showcase the whiskey made just steps away. Step up to the bar and raise your glass—it's cocktail hour.*These venues all offered full-service schedules when the article was originally published in print in December 2019. As COVID-19 restrictions vary, it's best to check venue websites for the most up-to-date opening information.
Photos of famous whiskey distillers, like Parker Beam and George Washington, line the top shelf of the backbar at The Shanty.The Shanty at New York Distilling Co.—Brooklyn, New YorkIt can be easy to miss New York Distilling Co., tucked into a...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.The best bars create an atmosphere of hospitality so comfortable that it's like being at home, but The Family Jones takes it one step further, turning its menus into albums stuffed with vintage family photos—including some of its employees. Dedicated to seasonality—and limited to offering only spirits that it produces—The Family Jones makes almost every ingredient in-house, from the rosemary amaretto in the Colorado Sour to the spiced house blanc, a white vermouth-inspired botanical liqueur used in the Salted Grapefruit Spritz. Food and beverage menus change seasonally, so there's always something new to enjoy—but if that's not enough, there's the “Bitchen Creation: You pick it, we mix it” customizable cocktail option.
The Automatic Jones cocktailBesides its vodkas, gins, rum, and Stopgap Jones rye and...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.It can be easy to miss New York Distilling Co., tucked into a residential Brooklyn block next door to a fire station. But the understated distillery boasts one of the best cocktail bars in a neighborhood known for them, turning out perfectly executed drinks while maintaining a low-key vibe. Described by beverage director Marissa Mazzotta as a “bartenders' bar,” The Shanty focuses on simplicity, offering a mix of classic, updated, and original cocktails made with thoughtful ingredients.
The Fast Car cocktailEighty percent of the menu features one of New York Distilling's spirits, but The Shanty also uses whiskies and spirits of all types from across the country and globe. Try the refreshing Searchlight (Ragtime rye, Combier orange liqueur, lemon juice, and ginger syrup), complex American Dream (Applejack-Finished...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.In the heart of artsy Santa Fe, just a few blocks from the Palace of the Governors and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, sits the cozy tasting room and bar of Santa Fe Spirits. Once a private home, the venue offers a quiet respite for locals and a relaxing spot for tourists to taste some Southwest whiskey flavor. Adobe walls and arched, wood-beamed ceilings create the perfect space to while away an hour or two sipping cocktails made with agave, sage, and other regional ingredients.
The Nut Job cocktailLimited to serving only New Mexico spirits, the Read Street bar focuses on its own stable of single malt whiskey, apple brandy, vodka, gin, and Atapiño liqueur, an unaged malt whiskey infused with buttery piñon nuts and ponderosa pine resin. Cocktails range from the classic, like a Smokey Manhattan and...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.While building the distillery on East Jefferson Street in Louisville, Rabbit Hole's construction team would go up in a boom to see what the view from this third-floor cocktail haven would be when complete. It's excellent, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Butchertown neighborhood and the Big Four Bridge, providing an ideal balance for the soaring heights of the glass-enclosed still room down the hall.
The All Rabbits Go to Heaven cocktailDespite the breathtaking views, Overlook's inventive drinks, all made with the distillery's bourbons, rye, and gin, are what leave the strongest impression. The bar's program was designed by Proprietors LLC, the company behind New York City cocktail den Death & Co., and features perfectly executed classics like the Suffering Bastard and Whiskey Sour, along with...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.When a distillery is co-founded by a star mixologist, it's a solid bet that the cocktails served there will be world-class. And J. Rieger & Co.—the brainchild of Andy Rieger and cocktail heavyweight Ryan Maybee, who operates Kansas City's Manifesto and The Rieger—certainly delivers in the drinks department. Its distillery in the historic Electric Park neighborhood offers not one, but two bars, each serving inventive cocktails featuring the distillery's whiskey, gin, vodka, and amaro.
The Horsefeather cocktailThe Monogram Lounge is an all-day space that opens at 9 a.m.: Start with a coffee or dive immediately into a Shift-Kicker, made with Kansas City whiskey, sherry, berries, and citrus—no one's judging. There are also draft cocktails and large-format punches. With ample Wi-Fi and plenty of food options...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.Bardstown Bourbon Co. isn't shy about celebrating not just its own whiskeys, but also its many partner brands at Bottle & Bond Kitchen & Bar. Across the cocktail menu, names like Belle Meade and Jefferson's share equal billing with Bardstown's own Fusion Series, Discovery Series, and other bourbons. Collaboration is the keyword here, with a whole section dedicated to cocktails made with Bardstown's Collaborative Series of whiskeys, like the recently featured Mack the Knife, combining Collabor&tion bourbon finished in Copper & Kings brandy casks with Averna amaro and Angostura orange bitters. (Tip: If Bardstown is offering a red wine cask-finished bourbon, ask for a New York Sour made with the whiskey and topped with a float of the wine.)
Bardstown MuleCollaboration extends to the bar's barrel-aging...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.A large “TWO JAMES” sign hanging off the side of a low-slung warehouse beckons visitors to belly up to the circular bar at Detroit's first licensed distillery since Prohibition. A former taxi-repair shop, the high-ceilinged space now serves locals and tourists as an upscale drinks haven boasting a roster of classic and original cocktails made with Two James Spirits' whiskeys, rum, gin, vodka, and other spirits.
The Dashi BackThe unique drinks often call on familiar templates but add surprise through small tweaks, like the Whiskey Sour riff Hoffa's Heyday, which uses J. Riddle peated bourbon, ginger, and chili bitters to add some kick to the lemon, honey syrup, and apple cider that round it out. The Amarillo by Morning combines Catcher's rye with cedar-infused vermouth, orgeat, and Dram Apothecary palo santo...

This story was originally published in December 2019; offerings and opening times may be different due to COVID-related restrictions, so check in advance of a visit.Utah isn't typically at the top of the list for cutting-edge cocktails, but High West's Park City Saloon could change that. The venue leans into the restraints imposed by the state's unusual liquor laws (like capping the base spirit of a cocktail at 1½ ounces) through its bar lab mentorship program, which encourages staff to concoct original creations to make up the menu. All drinks are whiskey-based, pairing well with the saloon's menu of filling fare, much of it whiskey-laced.
Whiskey CiderIt's easy to narrow in on a cocktail to suit your palate, as the menu is organized into four sections: Light & Long, Refreshing & Rich, Stirred & Strong, and Short & Sour (switching to Hot & Decadent in the winter). While offerings vary depending on the season, a recent lineup featured drinks like the Parleys...

Every tour at Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery ends in the bar, where guests are taught how to mix (and then enjoy) a whiskey cocktail. Even without the DIY experience, the drinks by themselves are worth a visit.
Michter's consulted with cocktail historian David Wondrich for the “Classics” section of the menu, which features not just the Manhattan (in both bourbon and rye variations) and Boulevardier, but the Whiskey Fix, a refreshing combination of Michter's US*1 bourbon, lemon juice, and raspberry-pomegranate syrup, and the Fort Nelson Crusta, a mix of bourbon, yellow Chartreuse, lemon juice, demerara and honey syrups, and creole bitters, served in a footed glass with a sugar-crusted rim. (You won't find an Old Fashioned on the menu, but just ask and the bartenders will mix one up with your choice of Michter's.)

The AM to PM cocktail
The opposite side of the menu features “Modern Twists,” original creations designed by the bar's staff...

Absinthe is known to whiskey drinkers for the distinctive anise flavor it lends to a classic Sazerac cocktail, which blends the botanical green spirit with rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and sugar. “It's not really meant to make a big, complicated cocktail as much as it is just dressing up that little bit of whiskey in the glass,” says Brent Rosen, president and CEO of the National Food and Beverage Foundation in New Orleans, where he oversees programming at theMuseum of the American Cocktail. Like a flower on a lapel, a little absinthe adds a lot of flair.Learn More About Absinthe in our Guide to This Potent Green SpiritTraditionally made from wormwood—a plant that contains the mind-altering substance thujone—absinthe gained a notably naughty reputation; it was (largely spuriously) blamed for a litany of social ills, and banned in the U.S. and much of Europe by the early 1900s. Sazerac drinkers made do with Herbsaint, a legal anise-flavored liqueur. And, even with absinthe...

The Old Fashioned is the original cocktail—the one that started it all! As the mixture of whiskey, bitters, sugar, and ice spawned ever more elaborate progeny, it became known as simply “an Old Fashioned cocktail.” Celebrate this easy-to-mix drink by allowing guests to choose their own adventure—selecting from a variety of sweeteners, bitters, and whiskeys. Guests will enjoy mixing and discovering countless variations of this whiskey-forward cocktail, as well as sampling each other's renditions.You'll need to create four ingredient stations that guide guests along on their cocktail adventure. Try to offer at least two choices for each element of the drink. The more options, the greater the number of potential variations! Also supply jiggers, spoons, and eyedroppers for measuring.Explain this simple recipe—2 oz. whiskey, 1 bar spoon sweetener, 2 dashes bitters, and garnish—to guests as they arrive; display it on the table, or print recipe cards for guests to take home and...

When it comes to selecting a great whisky, or three, to pair with a cigar, bourbon is a sure bet, according to David Savona, executive editor of Cigar Aficionado. “A little sweetness and cigars go really well together, and bourbon has that, as do most bourbon cocktails,” says Savona. You can certainly experiment with other whiskies, but the outcome is less predictable. “Scotch is a much bigger world, and some scotches fight the cigar as opposed to working with it,” he says. So why argue with success? By offering several bourbons, and one or more cigars, you'll unleash a riot of flavors and fun.Pick the BourbonSelect several bourbons that span a variety of proofs and styles so that guests can mix and match their bourbon with a cigar. A solid-scoring and affordable bourbon like Four Roses Small Batch (88 points, $35) should form the foundation of your bar. Next, add a bottled in bond or barrel-proof bourbon, which is nice to accompany stronger cigars and will also stand up to...

Alex Conyngham set out to create whiskey he describes as “smooth” yet “aggressive and aromatic;” that's just as good neat or on the rocks as it is in a cocktail; and that, ultimately, brings people together. The Slane Irish whiskey co-founder joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Sept. 3 to talk about its core expression; how aging in three distinct casks influences its flavor; how Slane is striving for complete sustainability; and what it was like growing up in a castle in Ireland that hosted everyone from King George IV to U2, and continues to unite whiskey and music lovers from across the globe through its Slane concert series.“We didn't only have a bar growing up, we had a nightclub down in the basement,” Conyngham explained, speaking from the bar in Slane Castle, with an enviable wall of whisky visible behind him. “When my dad, Henry, who I started the Slane whiskey project with, took over the castle from my granddad, one of the first...

Guests love guidance—from where to hang their coats to what to drink. An open-ended “What can I get you to drink?” is too often met with blank stares or indecision. All the better reason to make whisky the center of your get-together. By building a party around a whisky theme, you'll share your passion with friends, secure your position as a great entertainer, and ensure a carefree evening. With a little pre-planning, there's nothing to do but pour a dram and watch it all fall into place.“Whisky makes a great theme for a party because, one, it's delicious and, two, it's a conversation starter,” says Katie Garrett, owner and founder of Old Hickory Whiskey Bar in Pensacola, Fla. “Since everyone has different palates and preferences, discussions about which whisky is ‘best' can be exciting and sometimes intense, but always entertaining.”Whisky is a big universe, with a lot of ground to cover, so it can be helpful to narrow your focus and give your party a theme that...

Whisky will never qualify as a sports drink, but that shouldn't limit your barroom sipping to leather couches and cozy firesides. A fine dram can be made even more exhilarating by bowling a strike, putting a hole-in-one, or even heaving an ax at a target. We've rounded up a handful of bars that offer activities guaranteed to get you moving and encourage some friendly competition, each offering a respectable selection of whiskies—whether neat or in a cocktail.This article was originally published in October 2019. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.Bowl some old-school strikesPinewood Social—Nashville, Tenn.This industrial-looking bar and restaurant offers Southern comfort fare, craft beer, and six vintage bowling lanes. The solid whisky list includes American, Japanese, Irish, and scotch, ranging in price from $9 to $63 for a two-ounce pour. Each lane accommodates groups of up to eight people...

This article was originally published in December 2019. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.Blessed with great weather and equally impressive scenery, Scottsdale anchors the “Valley of the Sun,” a sprawling jigsaw puzzle of Arizona municipalities including Tempe, Phoenix, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Mesa, and more. The region's heart and soul is Old Town Scottsdale, a walkable neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, shops, and Old West flair that is also home to one of baseball's top spring training facilities. Along with the adjacent Fashion Square mall area, it forms the regional downtown.Radiating out from this center in every direction is an impressive array of large resort hotels, including many that cater to golf, a key driver of tourism. Scottsdale is among the top warm-weather golf destinations in the world and the epicenter of the stunning course style known as desert golf. With...

Craft distilleries, like most small businesses, have struggled to weather the devastating effects of COVID-19, though some are finding ways to tackle the onslaught of challenges and survive, if not grow. Overall, however, the craft distilling sector is suffering. Sales have fallen by around 41%—or approximately $700 million—and nearly a third of employees have been furloughed, according to a study published Aug. 20 by the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) and American Distilling Institute (ADI). The study—based on a June 2020 survey by ADI of nearly 300 distilleries—attributes a significant portion of the losses to the shutdown of on-site tasting rooms, which drive over half of the business for more than 40% of respondents.Among those affected is New Mexico's Santa Fe Spirits, which has a tasting room at the distillery as well as a second site downtown; together they accounted for 40% of the company's sales pre-COVID. That revenue is gone, as both venues have been closed...

In liquor and in life, Matt Rehwoldt is all about balance. “To me, balance is key to just everything you do, whether it's fitness, whether it's work,” he says, sipping a glass of bourbon at The Shanty, New York Distilling Co.'s adjoining cocktail bar. “I try to be balanced in everything I can because I think that's where peace lies and understanding lies. While passion might lie in the extremes, so does trouble.”
For a guy with multiple pursuits, and personas, it's an appropriate mantra. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans know Rehwoldt better as Aiden English, aka The Drama King, antagonistic wrestler turned sharp-dressed announcer.* The whisky world is getting to know the bearded Chicagoan via his YouTube channel and social media accounts that combine his passions, aptly titled Wrestling With Whiskey.
*[In April 2020, Rehwoldt was released by WWE amid pandemic-related layoffs.]
“I thought the only reason I would ever have any success...

Bourbon may be America's native spirit, but rye was famous first, dominating the national market until the mid-19th century. When Prohibition shut down America's thriving whiskey industry, rye's popularity sank. But over the last couple decades, rye whiskey has come roaring back thanks in large part to the cocktail renaissance.Rye is a traditional flavoring grain in both American and Canadian whiskies and often adds a punch of spice, even when used in small amounts. In the U.S., rye whiskey must have at least 51% rye in its mashbill, resulting in a spirit that's less sweet than bourbon, with bold aromas and flavors. And because rye often reaches maturity quicker than bourbon, even new distilleries can produce superb bottlings.Whisky Advocate's Summer 2020 Buying Guide offers reviews of more than 130 whiskies, including over a dozen ryes. From cask-strength offerings to innovative cask finishes—plus the first taste of the newly revamped Old Overholt—there's a whiskey for just about...

Whiskies come and go, and while new releases are always heralded, expressions that are phased out get much less attention. But earlier this week, High West announced plans to discontinue Yippee Ki-Yay, its blend of ryes finished in vermouth and syrah barrels. Bottles can still be found on shelves, so if you're a fan, snatch them up when you see them.Moving on to new releases, which this week all come from these United States.Westland Distillery announced a new series called the Outpost Collection, which will encompass the existing Garryana expression ($150) as well as two new single malt whiskeys: Colere ($150), coming in the spring of 2021, and Solum, which won't be ready until 2023. All of these whiskeys will be released annually in limited amounts.Sagamore Spirit is also launching a new range called Distiller's Select, starting with Manhattan Finish, a rye finished in select barrel types to impart the classic cocktail's flavors. The whiskey is available in limited amounts, priced...

Despite typically being used in small amounts, bitters are a key component in some of the most essential and classic whisky cocktails. “When you make a cocktail, you have to combine all the flavors together, and bitter is the binder of the whole drink,” says Kashish Chhetri, bartender at the Park Hyatt Bolgatty in Kochi, India. “A dash of a bitter combines the taste and brings the best out of the drink.”Like many bartenders, Chhetri often makes his own bitters. “They give us the exact aroma that we prefer for a cocktail, and we miss that in the pre-made bitters,” he explains, adding that custom bitters are often the only way to get certain flavors in a drink. Commercial versions like bird's eye chile bitters don't exist, he says. One of Chhetri's most-used recipes is for herbal bitters made with mint, rosemary, basil, and lemongrass, featured in the hotel's Herbal Manhattan.Jordan Fuller, beverage manager at The Fitler Club in Philadelphia, also relies on house-made...

Scotch and oysters are a classic pairing for the palate, and now they're coming together to bolster maritime habitats. Talisker is joining forces with the Billion Oyster Project in an effort to restore legions of oysters to New York City's harbor and waterways. The Diageo-owned scotch distillerannounced on July 29 that it's teaming up with the New York-based nonprofit organization to “bring 1 billion oysters back to New York City's shoreline” through a citywide shell collection program, according to a statement.A cornerstone of the Billion Oyster Project's work, the program collects empty oyster shells and returns them to the water to provide the base material for oyster reefs, which provide a home for young oysters and hundreds of species in New York's harbor. To date, the Billion Oyster Project has recycled more than 1,600,000 pounds of used oyster shells, planted more than 45 million oysters in New York City waters, and installed more than a dozen oyster reefs across more than...

Some filmmakers seem to have a special penchant for whisky, using it over and over again in character development and during crucial plot points. Quentin Tarantino films are characterized by their snappy dialogue, reverence for bygone cinematic eras, and graphic violence, but just there within the frame is another frequent theme: whisky. Sometimes it's a subtle reference, and other times it plays a key role in the action, but when whisky shows up in Tarantino's movies, it's always with purpose. (Warning: Spoilers ahead.)
What you drink is part of who you are, and Tarantino uses this idea to tell us about his characters. For example, in “Inglourious Basterds,” General Ed Fenech (Mike Myers) isn't a major presence, but one detail we learn is that his drink is “Whiskey, straight. No junk in it.” His drink style reflects his commanding style: to the point with no dilution.Beyond whisky, characters reveal key traits through their drinking habits. Ordell (Samuel...

From classics like Drambuie—a liqueur of scotch, honey, herbs, and spices—to honey and whisky mash-ups from Jack Daniel, Crown Royal, Jim Beam, and Bushmills, whisky and honey are the bee's knees. “The flavors of honey and whisky, particularly bourbon, were just meant to go together,” says Erick Castro, co-founder of Simple Serve and head man behind projects such as San Diego's Polite Provisions bar and the documentary series Bartender at Large.As a natural product with a range of types and intriguing characteristics, honey isn't just one flavor, but many. “One of the coolest things about mixing cocktails with honey is that there are so many varieties out there to choose from,” says Castro. “I would generally try to pair honey varietals with complementary flavors, as opposed to contrasting flavors, but depending on what is in the drink there are really no rules.”The key to deploying honey is to get it into a stable form so you can actually mix it in drinks. “Before...

When the COVID-19 pandemic first began taking shape in the U.S., Whisky Advocate responded by looking for ways to come together from a distance—and so #TasteWithSpace was born. Since the first Friday New York City went into lockdown, our editors have hosted whisky distillers, blenders, bartenders, and other experts for conversation and tasting on Instagram Live every week.Early on, #TasteWithSpace focused on the issues surrounding the pandemic and repercussions for whisky makers, bars, and restaurants. The conversation has since expanded and now encompasses a range of issues important to whisky lovers. In June, after Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel's debuted an education and mentorship program for Black whisky professionals, Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver joined #TasteWithSpace to talk more about it. Nicole Austin, the distiller behind our 2019 Whisky of the Year, George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond, came on to debut the whiskey's 2020 release, comparing and contrasting the...

Tattersall Distilling is one of the more adventurous craft distilleries. The Minneapolis-based company produces barrel-aged gin, blackstrap rum, aquavit, amaro, absinthe, and, of course, whiskey. But even among dozens of products, a high-proof single malt with distinctive barbecue notes from the mesquite and apple-smoked malt along with dark-roasted chocolate malt stands apart. Tattersall Signature Series single malt whiskey is the result of an unlikely collaboration with local chef Justin Sutherland, most known for competing on Bravo's Top Chef. Sutherland thought it would be perfect to serve alongside the food at his meat-heavy restaurants like the pig-centric Handsome Hog and steakhouse Fire & Whiskey.
Chef Justin Sutherland collaborated with Tattersall to create a smoky single malt. (Illustration by Michael Witte)In fact, more distillers seem to be reaching outside their internal ranks for ideas, whether that means enlisting the opinions of chefs and bartenders, or...

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pummel the United States, distilleries—from big household names to smaller craft producers—are feeling the brunt. “The truth is, the last four months have been a punch in the gut,” said Allen Katz, owner and distiller at New York Distilling Co. in Brooklyn, New York. Urban distilling already posed its own challenges in New York City, where space is hard to come by, but running a distillery in the pandemic's epicenter created an entirely new obstacle, which Katz discussed with Whisky Advocate on #TasteWithSpace on July 10.“It certainly has changed how we run our day-to-day operations,” Katz said of the pandemic. While New York Distilling Co. has been able to keep up production of spirits such as rye whiskey and gin, it has also started making hand sanitizer. Among other changes to the distillery's day-to-day, its cocktail bar, The Shanty, was forced to temporarily shut down when New York City's COVID-19 spread became overwhelming. The...

The right picture frame can make or break a work of art. Frames serve a practical purpose in protecting a valuable painting or print, but they also function best when careful consideration is given to scale and aesthetics. A well-chosen frame should aid the viewer's focus, enhance perception, and showcase the art. And, just like a masterwork of art deserves a suitable frame, a masterpiece of whisky demands a great glass for these same reasons.What to Consider When Trying Out Whisky GlassesIn its most basic form, a glass is simply the vessel that acts as an intermediary between bottle and lips. But a well-designed glass can do so much more. Consider our steps on how to taste whisky and the importance of a quality glass quickly becomes apparent. Most tasters prefer unadorned glasses that permit them to see the whisky without reflections or obfuscation.When it comes to swirling, the feel of the glass in the hand and the size of the bowl make all the difference. “When selecting a glass...

While no one would argue that simply getting a group together to sample and enjoy whiskies is a bad time, adding a focus can make it a much better time. Fresh, fun ideas will give your club's next tasting a clear focal point, and ensure everyone has a blast.“
The easiest and most common is for us to rally around a specific distillery,” says Josh Peters, a longtime member of several Los Angeles-area clubs, like Malt Nuts and the Southern California Whiskey Club (SCWC). And while there's no shortage of distilleries, he finds that slightly more “out there” tasting themes offer a welcome change of pace. Peters says core club members bounce ideas back and forth throughout the year to come up with creative and educational programming that brings whisky to life in new ways.
“When we have clear, interesting themes we sell out the events in under 24 hours,” he notes. “When the theme is a bit ambiguous or too similar to something we've done...

The perfect summer vacation is an escape from life's stresses, full of new experiences, and a break from our daily routine. This summer, take the same approach with whisky: Get out of the rut of your usual, rejuvenate your palate, and bask in the glory of blended scotch. For those in the know, blended scotch has always been an indisputable classic, and for those experiencing it for the first time, current trends in crafting blends make them feel fresh, breezy, and perfect for the season. Best of all, blends have remarkable versatility—they rule the day in summer, where they shimmer in a long drink, blend beautifully into a cocktail, chill comfortably on the rocks, then languish neat after sunset.Single malt elitists take note: The existence and popularity of blends is the very reason there are more than 120 whisky distilleries flourishing in Scotland today. Blended scotch is an assembly of multiple malt and grain whiskies from distilleries across Scotland. Scotch whisky blenders...

With only four ingredients, the Suffering Bastard—created by Will Elliott, bar directorat Maison Premiere in Brooklyn, New York—is easy to make. Featuring both scotch and gin, this summery duo results in a well-balanced cocktail with universal appeal.
Rejuvenate Your Palate With More Blended Scotch

INGREDIENTS

½ oz. Black Bottle blended scotch
1½ oz. Hayman’s Royal Dock Navy Strength gin
½ oz. fresh ginger (pulped or juiced) or ginger beer
¾ oz. lime juice
Garnish: lime slice and fresh lime zest

DIRECTIONS
Build and shake in a Boston tin or cobbler shaker. Fine strain over shaved ice in a 14 oz. Collins glass. Garnish with a lime slice and fresh lime zest.
FROM THE SUMMER...

Nutty orgeat, fresh mint, and lively lemon lend a tiki vibe to this blended scotch cocktail from Zac Sorensen, formerbartender at Chicago's The Violet Hour. The phrase "long pig" is borrowed from Frederick O'Brien's 1919 travelogue of French Polynesia.
Rejuvenate Your Palate With More Blended Scotch
INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Pig’s Nose blended scotch
¾ oz. orgeat syrup
¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
Garnish: a mint sprig and a dash of your favorite bitters (The Violet Hour prefers fig)

DIRECTIONS
Build in a Collins glass with crushed or cracked ice, and garnish with a mint sprig and aromatic bitters.
FROM THE SUMMER...

Members of the Missouri Craft Distillers Guild recently learned how a bill becomes a law—no "Schoolhouse Rock!" cartoon necessary—as they collectively lobbied for House Bill 266. “I'm a distiller; I'm here to make spirits, as are the rest of my peers. We never thought that we'd really get into legislation on the state level,” says David Weglarz, guild president and owner and head distiller of StilL 630 in St. Louis. That involvement proved fruitful however, as on July 11, 2019, Missouri bourbon was legitimized. “All the distillers in the guild have been working toward calling their reps, traveling to Jefferson City, and really trying hard to get this passed,” Weglarz told Whisky Advocate shortly after. “So we're in a brief moment of celebration as we scramble to try and put down more Missouri bourbon whiskey.”
Missouri bourbon is a legally recognized whiskey style, based on the existing federal rules of bourbon. To be considered...

While rye whiskey doesn't have the same unique national identity that bourbon does, its identity is just as rooted in American history. First made in the northeastern U.S. in the colonial era, rye whiskey allowed farmers to turn excess grains into a shelf-stable, valuable trade good—that is, if they didn't drink it themselves. Rye was as popular as bourbon for decades, but largely fell out of favor post-Prohibition. With the arrival of the cocktail renaissance over the past two decades, a renewed interest in the spirit has blossomed, and distilleries both large and small have accommodated the demand with a flood of new ryes.Other countries, most notably Canada, make their own versions of rye, but these don't always use much (or sometimes any) rye grain. In America, rye whiskey must have a mashbill that is at least 51% rye, which makes for a spirit that is typically less sweet than bourbon, and a lot spicier. Rye is often enjoyable from a fairly young age—Kentucky Peerless's 2 year...

With its endless cobblestone streets, finely manicured gardens, bright-colored antebellum houses, and historic churches, food and beverage have a lot of competition for the attention of visitors to Charleston, South Carolina. Fortunately, the city's chefs and bartenders are up to the challenge, combining local ingredients and history into mouthwatering dishes and drinks. “Charleston's vibrant food and beverage scene is rooted in its rich agricultural diversity. Visitors can explore flavors they may not encounter anywhere else in the world, and that is true not just for its many amazing restaurants, but its whiskey makers too,” says Scott Blackwell, High Wire Distilling Co.'s co-owner and distiller. With every destination either walkable or a short ride, it's easy to indulge in Charleston's flavors, hospitality, and local pride.Day OneAllow the aroma of butter and baked goods to lure you to Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, a cozy, popular grab-and-go eatery. Grab their small, fluffy...

When the blender and ice bucket come out for the season, most push-button mixologists reach for rum or tequila. But don't put away that whisky just yet! Punchy rye, silky Irish, and smooth blended scotch are equally well-suited for creating frozen cocktails that can take the sting out of any heat wave. Each recipe below serves two, or can be scaled up for a crowd. So grab the nearest blender and discover how whisky can make all the difference in the whirled!The Killing JokeRye whiskey pairs with lime juice and a ginger-honey syrup to create this herbal, spicy cocktail.Get the Recipe: The Killing JokeIrish FrappéFans of the Irish Coffee may enjoy this smoothie-fied cocktail, which includes Irish whiskey, Kahlúa, bananas, and cold brew coffee.Get the Recipe: Irish FrappéSwede's SlushieBlended whisky meets fruity blackcurrant and nutty orgeat in this frozen concoction from San Francisco's Elixir.Get the Recipe: Swede's SlushieFruta FrescaWatermelon, blended scotch, and ginger ale...

Created by Greg Best, partner at Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta, this cocktail is bright and tart. This rye slushie has a floral hint on the nose and a touch of ginger spice.
Cool Off With More Frozen Whisky Drinks
INGREDIENTS

3 oz. Rittenhouse rye (or other rye whiskey)
2 oz. lime juice
3½ oz. ginger honey syrup (recipe below)
1 oz. Cocchi Americano
2 dashes Regans’ No. 6 Orange bitters
2 cups 1-by-1-inch ice cubes
Garnish: orange wheels and mint sprigs

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth with no large ice chunks (about 20 to 30 seconds). Pour into 14-ounce beer mugs and garnish with orange wheel and mint sprig.Ginger Honey Syrup

5½ oz. ginger juice
½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. demerara sugar
3 oz. wildflower honey
1 oz. orange flower water
1 oz. water

Combine ginger juice and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk a few seconds. Let cook...

Irish Coffee meets a smoothie—lightly sweet, silky smooth, and refreshing, in this cocktail, created by Joshua Haddock, bar manager at The Nest at Thompson in Seattle. “It's a perfect little pick-me-up on a hot day,” says Haddock.
Cool Off With More Frozen Whisky Drinks
INGREDIENTS

3 oz. Slane Irish whiskey (or other Irish whiskey)
1 oz. Kahlúa
1 oz. Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile liqueur
3 oz. cold brew coffee
2 small slices banana
1 oz. half and half
1 pinch salt
2 droppers Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters
2 cups ice cubes
Garnish: orange peel and grated chocolate

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until everything is smooth and looks like a slushie. Pour into large Zombie or Collins glasses. Grate dark chocolate over the top and finish with an orange twist.
FROM THE SUMMER...

Created by H. Joseph Ehrmann, proprietor of Elixir in San Francisco. “The currants, almonds, and nutmeg highlight the caramel and vanilla notes of the whiskey, but it's all brightened by the lemon juice,” says Ehrmann.
Cool Off With More Frozen Whisky Drinks
INGREDIENTS

4 oz. J.H. Cutter whisky (or other blend of American or Canadian whiskies)
1 oz. Briottet Crème de Cassis
1½ oz. lemon juice
1 oz. orgeat syrup
Garnish: fresh nutmeg and dehydrated lemon wheel

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into double Old Fashioned glasses. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and lemon wheel.
FROM THE SUMMER...

Created by Gabe Orta, co-founder of Bar Labin Miami, this drink was inspired by Orta's Mexican travels, and uses fresh watermelon to balance the spicy, salty Tajín and tart lime juice.
Cool Off With More Frozen Whisky Drinks
INGREDIENTS

12-14 watermelon chunks
3 oz. Johnnie Walker Red Label (or other blended scotch)
2 oz. ginger ale
Garnish: lime wedge and fresh watermelon cubes dusted with Tajín

DIRECTIONS
Blend watermelon chunks in a blender (to make 8 ounces of juice). Divide watermelon juice and scotch into two frozen rocks glasses. Stir for 2 seconds. Top with ginger ale and garnish with fresh watermelon dusted with Tajín and lime juice.
FROM THE SUMMER...

Much of the world is reeling from the COVID-19 crisis as countries step gingerly toward reopening in the wake of lockdowns. Amid the uncertainty, some whisky distilleries are carefully moving forward with reopening plans of their own—in fact, some already are underway. But others are proceeding more cautiously.In Scotland, the whisky industry has significantly scaled back operations; nearly 90% of production sites are either operating at reduced capacity or have closed entirely, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). A number of major distilleries have shifted production capacity to making hand sanitizer or providing ethanol to other manufacturers. All sites that are still operating have implemented strict social distancing, and visitor centers remain closed since initially shuttering in March, in line with Scottish government recommendations. They would be allowed to reopen in the third phase of the country's four-phase reopening plan, but there's no specific date for...

When we were kids, teachers would send us home with lists of books to read over the summer. No one is assigning required reading to grown-ups, but many of us still want some recommendations. If you're looking for great whisky books, check out these four newly published tomes, covering everything from serious whisky geekery to planning a great whisky party. Whether you're stuck at home, sunning on the beach, or hiding away in a mountain retreat, crack the spine and enjoy a few hours deep in the pages.4 New Whisky Books to While Away the SummerWhiskey Master Class: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, and Moreby Lew Bryson ($27)Whisky writer and former Whisky Advocate managing editor Lew Bryson follows up his first whisky book with this new volume, equally comprehensive but with a different approach. Where “Tasting Whiskey” offered a broad survey and introduction to the art and practices of whisky appreciation, “Whiskey Master Class” takes a deep dive into...

Whisky lovers are a varied bunch—just take a glance at the different whisky clubs that have sprung up around the country. But whisky producers, even those with diverse employee makeup, don't necessarily reflect the same diversity at the ownership level.That doesn't mean there aren't any Black-owned whisky makers, though. They're out there, and they want to share their whisky with you! If you're looking for a Black-owned whisky distillery or company to support, check out the folks below.We plan to continuously update this list as we learn of Black-owned whisky producers. Are we missing someone? Send us an email.
California
Shadow Ridge Spirits Co.
Sean Hallman is a former Navy surface warfare officer, and currently a federal civilian employee for the department of Navy. An interest in homebrewing led Hallman to explore the world of distilling, and now he and his wife, Lisa Ireland, run Shadow Ridge Spirits Co., which is registered under Oceanside Distillers in...

Du Nord Craft Spirits, located in Minneapolis and owned by former American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) president Chris Montana, was damaged in the early hours of Friday, May 29, as protests responding to police brutality against black Americans and the killing of George Floyd swept the city. According to the ACSA, several fires were set inside the distillery's warehouse, triggering Du Nord's fire suppression system which dumped “more than 26,000 gallons inside the facility over the course of four and a half hours.”The ACSA has since started a GoFundMe page to assist Du Nord's recovery, with nearly $50,000 raised at the time of publication, just short of the $60,000 goal. Montana has similarly started a crowdfunding campaign, with his initial goal of $40,000 eclipsed in less than 24 hours.Update 6/5/20: By week's end, the crowdfunding total from both campaigns has reached a combined $447,205, with the Montanas' GoFundMe alone amassing more than $358,000. As a result, Du Nord...

Infusing whisky with fruits, herbs, and spices can impart new layers of flavor to an already complex drink. When an infusion involves fatty ingredients—like brown butter, bacon fat, or coconut oil—the result of the “fat wash” is even more profound. “When you fat-wash a whisky, you aren't just adding the flavor of the fat to the spirit, you're also adding texture and weight,” says Alex Jump, lead bartender at Death & Co. Denver. “That oily texture can translate in really cool ways when putting that whisky in a cocktail.
”Just about any fatty ingredient can be used. “I usually go for tasting notes” when thinking about what ingredient to fat-wash a whiskey with, says Valentino Longo, head bartender at Le Sirenuse at the Four Seasons Miami, and Bombay Sapphire's Most Imaginative Bartender 2020. “For example, some bourbons, on the nose, have a nutty, caramel, exotic fruit taste, so I'd do a fat wash with hazelnuts or...

Though bourbon often has peanut notes, fat-washing with hazelnut butter unlocks new dimensions of flavor. This cocktail, and its custom fat-washed bourbon, were created by Valentino Longo of La Sirenuse at Four Seasons Miami. Learn more about fat-washing with our beginner's guide.
INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Chocolate Hazelnut Butter-Washed bourbon (recipe below)
½ oz. Pedro Ximénez sherry
¼ oz. Bonollo OF amaro or Lucano amaro
½ oz. demerara syrup (2:1)
3 dashes chocolate bitters
Garnish: Orange twist

DIRECTIONS
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, then stir. Once chilled and diluted, strain into a double rocks glass over a large cube and garnish with an orange twist.
To Make Chocolate Hazelnut Butter-Washed Bourbon

1 liter Bulleit bourbon
7 oz. Justin’s Organic Chocolate Hazelnut & Almond Butter

Melt the nut butter in a saucepan over low heat, then add bourbon. Heat...

Created by the team at Death & Co. in Denver, this cocktail starts with a base of Rittenhouse rye that's fat-washed with nutty sesame paste. Learn more about fat-washing with our beginner's guide.
INGREDIENTS

1¼ oz. Tahini-Washed Rittenhouse rye (recipe below)
½ oz. Westward single malt whiskey
¼ oz. Giffard Crème de Framboise liqueur
1 tsp. cane syrup (2:1 cane sugar to water)
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Garnish: Orange twist

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir with ice and strain into an Old Fashioned glass over a large cube. Garnish with an orange twist.
To Make Tahini-Washed Rittenhouse Rye

750 ml bottle Rittenhouse rye
1 oz. tahini

Blend or whisk the rye and tahini to mix thoroughly. Transfer to container and seal. Store in the freezer for at least 24 hours, then strain through cheesecloth or coffee filter and store in a fresh...

Louisville, Kentucky whiskey bar Hell or High Water uses this fat-washed bourbon in cocktails like the Hot Toddy. It adds weight and mouthfeel to the drink, transforming what would otherwise be a familiar experience into something utterly unique. Learn more about fat-washing with our beginner's guide.
INGREDIENTS

16 oz. of bourbon (Buffalo Trace recommended)
1 stick of butter

DIRECTIONS
Melt butter in a small saucepan, stirring frequently until butter starts to brown and smell nutty, then remove from heat. Let cool and transfer to a sealable container. Add bourbon and whisk the two ingredients together.
Let mixture sit at room temp for 1-2 hours, then freeze for 24 hours, until the fat is solidified. Remove from the freezer and strain through a fine strainer and cheesecloth until clear; it may require several passes to remove excess fats. Transfer to a fresh container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2...

Over 100 whiskies are reviewed in the Spring 2020 Buying Guide, and this group of bourbons accounts for some of the highest scores, and highest proofs, in the bunch. All bottled without water added, these heavy hitters provide big flavor and flexibility: You can drink them as-is, enjoy them with ice or water, or even use them in a hefty cocktail. If adding water, do some experimentation to find your personal perfect proof—our proof calculator makes it easy.No matter which way you drink them, though, these bourbons are all a must-try.7 BARREL-PROOF BOURBONS TO SEEK OUTWeller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon93 points, 57% ABV, $50Fragrant lemon and dried herbs on the nose, along with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a hint of licorice. The palate offers deep notes of blackberry compote, tiramisu, and milk chocolate, all underpinned by earthy tones of cedar and polished oak. A rich symphony of flavor punctuates the long, impressive finish—mocha, almond, and cooked dark fruit...

When made using a pot still, whisky generally needs to be distilled at least twice, but some distillers opt for a third distillation on top of that. The process of triple-distilling is complex, and typically associated with Irish whiskey—though it appears across many other styles too. Distillers across the U.S., Scotland, and Ireland are turning to that third distillation more frequently, creating even more whiskies and unique flavors to enjoy. If you want an introduction to the world of triple-distilled whisky, reach for one of these bottles.triple-distilled irish whiskeys to tryBushmills 21 year old Single Malt—96 points, $249Forest honey, banana bread, nuts, browned butter, sultana, date, and blackberryRedbreast 12 year old Single Pot Still—96 points, $60Honey, toffee, toasted marshmallow, maple syrup, banana bread, and toasted coconutPowers John's Lane 12 year old Single Pot Still—94 points, $70Fruit, chocolate, marmalade on buttered toast, barley sugar, and a finish of...

The Collins is one of those classic cocktails that started out featuring one base spirit but has evolved to encompass a range of variations—including the popular and tasty Whiskey Collins.“Collins cocktails rank among the oldest cocktails of all time,” says Brent Rosen, president and CEO of the National Food and Beverage Foundation. In the mid-19th century, single-serve cocktails replaced communal punches as the drink du jour, he says. In turn, the Gin Punch created by London bartender John Collins in the 1830s—a mixture of gin, sugar, citrus, and water—was later dubbed the “Tom Collins”—as mixologists began using Old Tom gin (a sweeter style) as the base spirit.But gin wasn't the only base for this refreshing drink. Bartenders experimented with other spirits, including whiskey since at least the 1870s, according to Rosen. Today, Whiskey Collins recipes exist using bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey, and pretty much every other style as a base.“It's a great cocktail because...

Vinegar can be made from apple cider, wine, beer—and whisky. Whisky vinegar isn't common, but it offers potent flavor and has both cocktail and culinary applications. And it's something you can make at home, provided you have the patience to wait for the fermentation to complete. Whether in a non-alcoholic drink, as a base for a shrub to mix in a cocktail, or as an ingredient in the kitchen, whisky vinegar offers new dimensions for enjoying your favorite beverage.“Bourbon vinegar is a great way to taste the flavors without the alcohol,” says Jori Jayne Emde, founder of Lady Jayne's Alchemy and fermentation consultant for Fish & Game in Hudson, New York. “Low-to-no-alcohol drinks are popular these days, and building a drink with bourbon vinegar and a little simple syrup, maybe some muddled fruit, a little bitters, and seltzer is an awesome booze alternative.” Bourbon vinegar can enhance traditional cocktails too; Emde suggests adding a splash to a classic Mint Julep. It's...

We all welcome that rare guest who's able to happily mingle with others. Likewise, a whisky mixer with personality really enlivens an evening compared to yet another dull soda or ho-hum ginger ale. These sodas and cocktail ingredients are so tasty and original they might end up being the life of your whisky party.Put some pep in your cocktail with these top-shelf whisky toppersBittermilk Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned—$20/250 mlTastes like: Gingersnaps and root beer-like earthiness; gentian root and cinchona bark lend bitterness, balancing golden cane sugar, orange peel, and spices.Mix this: An elevated Old Fashioned, using high-proof rye or bourbon such as Wild Turkey 101.Fentimans Dandelion & Burdock—$6.50/750 mlTastes like: A medicinal yet balanced blend of fermented ginger root extract, beet sugar, pear juice concentrate, and other herbal infusions.Mix this: Herbal intensity pairs well with big caramel flavors of a high-proof bourbon.Fentimans Ginger Beer—$6.50/750...