Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. and Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. are producing some of the most interesting spirits to come out of Kentucky in ages. It got even more interesting and innovative when the…
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When it comes to fledgling American bourbon brands, there are really only two options–source whiskey from established producers like MGP or wait at least four years until you have great distillate of your own. In…
Since many of us are still home, we decided to do some digging to find useful products to help stay productive, occupied, entertained and fit while you’re At Home. When it comes to alcohol, there…
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Four Roses Small Batch Select
Good news from the world of whiskey: Four Roses Distillery will increase the distribution of its critically acclaimed bourbon Small Batch Select, reports Beverage Dynamics. More than a dozen states (Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin) join California, Georgia, Kentucky, New York and Texas, where bottles of the whiskey were previously limited.
Small Batch Select follows a trend in American whiskey-making; the juice is non-chill filtered, giving it a full, oily mouthfeel. In designing the bourbon, Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot opted to blend six of the distillery’s 10 base recipes, four of which were also used in the award-winning 130th Anniversary Small Batch that can go for as much as $500 on the secondary market. Both whiskeys have Goldilocks proofs that clock in just above 100.
Expect a fair retail price of $55 to $60 for bottles of Small Batch Select. We recommend it neat with a few drops of water.
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The fifteenth dram in my flight of French whisky is Armorik Double Maturation Single Malt, and I’m slightly relieved it’s the last. It looks delicious, especially golden thanks to the copper hue inside New York City’s Brandy Library, and tastes even better. Owner (and Frenchman) Flavien Desoblin hints that he’s got a few more bottles stashed away, but my palate is tapped out. “We don’t sell many French flights,” he laments, gesturing to a near-full Brenne 10-Year Limited Edition bottle that he’s had for a few years. “It’s a shame because this is a very exciting time. Soon, French whisky could be as big as Japanese whisky.”
It’d be easy to mistake Desoblin’s giddiness for the burgeoning French whisky category as national pride, but when you consider that France is the number one consumer of whisky, per capita, of all countries, and that there are currently 60 active distilleries in France, while another 40 have applied for licenses in the past year alone, you can see where Desoblin is coming from. We’re about to get hit with a crush of French juice, right as Japanese distillers are forced to discontinue age statements — and even some blends — because we drank it all.
Between cognac, Armagnac and brandy, French distillation has deep generational roots, but the demand for whisky is far higher. “French law limits cognac production to specific months so the distillers started making whisky in the off-seasons,” Desoblin shares. “When cognac wasn’t doing great, farmers got government subsidies to uproot grape vines to plant barley and other grain fields. Now everyone’s realizing the terroir in many regions where smaller distillers are cropping up is really suited for the grains.”
Now a hotbed of distilleries, Brittany is considered the origin of French whisky. Home to makers like Armorik, a distillery that’s been churning out under-the-radar, pot stilled single malt juice that rivals any scotch in a blind tasting for decades. Desoblin notes that the terroir not only factors in the glass — a whisky from Charente (a cognac region) or Gers (an Armagnac region) will have a different flavor profile than an Alsace (a riesling region) offering — but it’s used as a vital marketing tool to differentiate brands since the French whisky is still too nascent to have a distinct style unto itself.
Common traits do emerge, evident after my too-expansive flight. Generally, French whisky isn’t big and bold, like American offerings; it’s elegant and silky, soft and round, palatable and balanced. If this all sounds like Japanese whisky, you’re on the right track. “The French palate likes substance and complexity,” Desoblin says. He points to Alfred Giraud Heritage, a triple malt blend aged in extremely rare ex-cognac casks that is so absurdly divine, I attempt to lick any remnants from the empty dram. “This is the turning point of French whisky,” he beams. “It’s incredible. When we look back in fifteen years, we’ll say [owner and founder] Philippe Giraud changed the whole game.”
The kicker: the liquid in the bottle is a mere three years old, far less than high-end whiskeys made Stateside. If you were French, or you knew Philippe Giraud, you might not mind.
The whisky inside the Alred Giraud Heritage bottle is the result of decades of blending and aging knowledge. Giraud is a renowned name within the cognac community. Philippe’s great-grandfather Alfred, for whom the brand is named, was the cellar master of Remy Martin for more than 30 years, while Philippe’s uncle was a master cooper (a barrelmaker). “We’ve since built a distillery,” Giraud says, “but we started buying the best distillates we could find. We debated because we could have a single malt in a few years, but we have four generations of blending knowledge. We wanted to use it.”
Those choice single malt selections, including Rozelieures from Lorraine and Armorik from Brittany, were perfect for Georges Clot, the brand’s master blender (another former Remy cellar master, too). They’re placed into new oak casks, made from a Giraud family forestry operation. “We cut our trees and split the wood because the wood has to stay outside in the rain and the cold for one to two years,” Giraud explains. “You want the rain and weather to wash away the strongest tannins, but you still need enough to give the whisky structure.”
Twelve to 18 months later, the first marriage happens and the blend heads into the ex-cognac casks, all of which are at least 30 years old, with plenty pushing 50. “[Ex-cognac casks] gives it sweetness and a gourmand touch that’s typical of old cognac,” Giraud says. “You can taste a hint of it and it’s even in the nose, to some extent.” The rareness of the casks means the whisky is rare, too; a mere 5,000 bottles of Heritage are produced annually (a subtly peated iteration, Harmonie, is limited to a scant 2,000), and it’s only for sale in New York, though a few additional states will see it in 2020.
Recently, the distiller became the first French whisky to malt its own barley, after outsourcing frustrations abounded. By growing, picking, and malting its own barley, Giraud believes complete control over the process will enable a higher quality product. Downfield, Giraud is experimenting with different kinds of wood and casks that contained Armagnac or white wine, hoping to have a new innovation on shelves by the winter.
Desoblin notes that hurdles and headwinds still exist for French whisky. “Japanese food, particularly sushi, has become integrated into our lives, so whisky as an extension of that was something we can easily understand,” he says. “French food and culture don’t have that same level of penetration, so it’ll take a bit to catch on.” Our bet: it won’t take long.
Editor’s Note: Due to limited production, distribution in the United States isn’t widespread, meaning few French whiskies are widely available. Check for availability at your local liquor store.
The one to beat. Floral and spice notes meld well and hints of pear pop on your palate. The new oak creeps in slightly but is balanced by the sweetness from the cognac. If you can find it, it runs between $150 and $200.
This single malt from Loraine was the first from the region to open, back in 2000. It matures in old sherry, cognac, and sauternes casks, and the resulting liquid is rich and luscious, with plenty of dried fruit notes. Rozelieuers’ Smoked version, made with local peat, is equally divine. You can find it for about $50.
Champagne producers Moutard age this two-year-old whisky in ex-champagne barrels and ex-ratafia barrels. The latter is a fortified wine produced from champagne grape remnants. You can taste the youth in the glass but it’s lively and delicious. It’ll come to the US later this year.
Aged for at least 12 years, this drinks like a single malt scotch. Some notes of the sea seep into the maturation process from coastal Brittany distiller Warenghem, who only uses local oak and grains, giving it a wholly unique and full flavor with a long, welcome finish. Where available, it’s typically around $80.
Four perfectly blended single barrels comprise this soft, fruity, super-drinkable ten-year-old. Hints of honey and cherries shine through. While it’s light-bodied, it’s heavy on flavor. You can drink this one all night.
Matthew McConaughey being named Wild Turkey Creative Director was certainly alright, alright, alright on a number of levels, but we would be the first to admit we weren’t quite sure exactly how that was going…
Beyond Oak
Making whiskey is closer to designing clothes than building the new iPhone. The whiskey of today is more varied, more plentiful and likely of a higher quality than it has ever been, but it is still whiskey. The years-long process required to create whiskey means innovation comes slow, but when distilleries latch on to something new, they go all-in.
In recent years, that something new is barrel finishing, the practice of dumping mature whiskey into new barrels for a short period of time with the intent of imbuing the whiskey with touches of something different. The technique is not unique to one type of whiskey or one type of distiller (though it is somewhat more popular with craft distillers) and mashbill, maturation and barrel type matching is essentially endless. But, like any experiment, not all turn out for the better. From rum to Syrah to orange curaçao, here are recent examples that hit the mark.
Mizunara oak grows at half the pace and covers much less ground than its American or French counterparts, and it’s much more porous (and therefore prone to leaking). This adds up to an extremely expensive barrel (in 2018, Wine Enthusiast reported a single barrel costs more than $6,000). Chivas’ scotch finished for a few months in Mizunara is still predominantly scotch, but its hints of coconut and sandalwood only come from one place.
High West makes weird whiskey. The Utah distillery uses rye whiskeys from two to 16 years of age in this blend, and finished the whole batch in former vermouth and Syrah barrels. There is nothing on the liquor store shelf to compare it to.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s “Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon” of 2019 is a pun. In distilling patois, the honey barrel is a cask of whiskey so perfectly balanced in age and location in a rickhouse that it is the platonic ideal of a whiskey barrel. Bellemeade’s Honey Cask Bourbon takes it literally, finishing its barrel strength bourbon in casks used to store honey.
Created by a food scientist with more than 20 years of whiskey blending experience, Blood Oath releases, called “Pacts,” are all different and all put a premium on barrel finishing. The fifth pact is a blend of 13-year-old bourbon, 11-year-old wheated bourbon and 8-year-old bourbon finished in Caribbean rum barrels. Expect something a bit sweeter than you’re used to.
Port-finished whiskeys are more common than most barrel finishes, but this one is easily the most talked about of late. Winner of a few “Best Rye Whiskey” awards, Sagamore Spirit’s ported rye leans heavily into the jam, plum-like qualities of a good port while its spicy rye base still cuts through.
WhistlePig’s Boss Hog series is the Canadian rye whiskey sourcing masters highest-end whiskey. A 13-year-old straight rye finished in ex-Calvados barrels. Calvados, a pear or apple brandy distilled from cider, is best known for its flavors attachment to the land it’s produced on. The result in this case is a mature, easy-sipping rye with a swell of apple on the nose.
This won’t be easy to find. Heaven Hill Distillery’s Parker’s whiskey releases annually and usually sells out shortly after, but if you’re able to track down last year’s release, you’re in for a treat. Classic Kentucky bourbon finished in former Orange Curaçao barrels, this is about as strange a barrel finish as you’ll find. Expect an enormous citrusy pop with a slightly bitter followthrough.
Fall is whiskey season. Not just for drinking, but for new whiskey releases, too. From September to November, the biggest bourbon makers in the world have made fall whiskey’s unofficial drop season. Here’s what you need to know about Autumn’s five most hunted-down bourbons.
Short of paying inflated secondary market prices, there are no sure things in the search for any of the whiskeys below. These methods are used to increase odds, not guarantee you a bottle.
Get on the List: Many liquor stores receiving higher-end, allocated whiskeys dole out the bottles they get using a raffle method. It may not be as exciting as finding a choice bottle collecting dust at the back of a shelf, but a score is a score.
Location, Location, Location: Liquor stores in population centers are more likely to get both coveted whiskey and huge crowds. Stores out in the boonies have less foot traffic and are allocated less of the good stuff in turn. In whiskey hunting, the edge of suburbia is fertile ground — where stores receive the bottles you’re looking for, and the odds you’re the only person on the premise who knows what to look for improve (marginally).
Buy More Whiskey: Being a good customer is the simple and sagely advice of all experienced whiskey collectors. You give your business to a store over a period of time, befriending managers and employees, and the odds of a store clerk throwing you a bone increase exponentially.
Release Date: September 2
Retail Price: $100
Street Price $500+
Birthday Bourbon marks the beginning of bourbon hunting season. According to Campbell Brown, it was launched in 2002 as a means for the brand to re-establish itself as a premier whiskey making operation. Its timing couldn’t have been better. In the coming years, the bourbon market erupted, and Birthday Bourbon became a flagbearer for the ultra-premiumization of the category. It has continued to fly off shelves since.
Release Date: September
Retail Price: $150
Street Price Varies by release, $350+
Named after the late, legendary Master Distiller Parker Beam, Parker’s Heritage Collection is Heaven Hill’s most experimental line of whiskey. Released annually, the only consistency from year-to-year is that there is no consistency. Past bottles have been filled with straight wheat whiskey, 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond whiskey, curaçao-finished bourbon and other weirdness. Each release is hunted to retail extinction.
This year’s Parker’s sticks to the status quo of not having any semblance of a status quo. It’s a rye whiskey aged for eight years and nine months made with Heaven Hill’s standard rye mashbill — the same it uses to make its Rittenhouse and Pikesville ryes — and it will retail at its usual $150. But where most Heaven Hill products (and most whiskey in general) is aged in Level 3 char barrels, the new Parker’s rests in Level 5 char barrels. Expect a spicy, woody, smokey, vanilla-heavy whiskey.
Release Date: October
Retail Price: $99 a bottle
Street Price $300 to $1,000
The dream haul. Its hype levels exceeded only by only the likes of Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace’s annual bottle drop is perhaps the most-awarded collection of booze in the world. Comprised of the staggeringly high proof George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller (which shares a mashbill with another whiskey on this list), Eagle Rare 17-Year and a pair of older Sazerac ryes. Finding bottles in stores in hard enough; finding bottles at retail prices is virtually impossible. The most valuable of the lot are generally the George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller.
Release Date: September
Retail Price: $140
Street Price $300+
It gets less mainstream coverage than others on the list, but it’s no less revered by those in the know. Every bottle is a little different, with Master Distiller Brent Elliott and team tinkering with aging and Four Roses’ trademark dual-mashbill, variable yeast whiskey making process (it’s not as confusing as it sounds). It’s particularly popular with Four Roses completionists for very obvious reasons.
Release Date: October
Retail Price: $60 to $270
Street Price $1,000 to $3,000
What more is there to say? The poster bottles for the most ridiculous parts of the bourbon boom are, perhaps more than any other whiskey, known within and without bourbon collecting circles. Every piece and parcel of Van Winkle mythology has been dissected and analyzed, but one truth remains: finding any of the bottle in the Van Winkle lineup at or near retail price necessitates purchasing. Its price, while painful, is reflective of its status as the sole über-limited bourbon to break into the mainstream. Pappy is a grail for more than just whiskey nerds.
It’s still just June but Old Forester is jumping the gun by releasing initial details of this year’s Birthday Bourbon. It won’t come out until Sept. 2, of course, but now is a good time as any to get whiskey lovers hyped up for its forthcoming offering.
The 2019 Birthday Bourbon will be 11 years old and bottled at 105 proof. That’s the highest proof tot date in the product’s 19-year existence, just so you know. The full allotment represents one day’s production of Old Forester. Here’s Jackie Zykan, Old Forester Master Taser, on the new lot:
“When selecting the barrels for this year, we found something truly exceptional in this lot and we’re proud to call it our 2019 Birthday Bourbon.”
Old forester bottled 120 barrels on May 15, 2008. But because evaporation year after year, only 2,200 six-bottle cases will be released nationwide. That is if you’re lucky enough to snag one. We’re sure this won’t stay shelves too long after coming out, so act fast. Each bottle will retail for a cool $99.99. As for the taste, Zykan says it’s rich in oak, blackcurrant, and caramel cake. There might even be traces of floral notes in there if you’re really degustating.
The birthday Bourbon has been an anticipated annual release ever since 2002. That was when Old Forester decided to release its first-ever celebratory bourbon marking its founder’s birth. It’s highly sought-after, selling at prices ranging from $500 to as much as $5,000. Hit the link below to know more.
After 12 years of nothing new but limited editions and one-offs, Small Batch Select is joining Four Roses’s small and highly praised permanent collection, and it has a lot in common with one of the brand’s most coveted drops ever.
According to Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot, the brand wanted the new expression’s flavor profile to mirror that of its domineering 130th Anniversary Small Batch — a bottle that earned the title “World’s Best Bourbon” from the World Whiskies Awards. Thanks to Four Roses’ unique approach to recipes, bourbon blending and penchant for total transparency, we know this isn’t just smart marketing.
Where most distilleries select a mashbill and start distilling, Four Roses reaches into its toolbox of recipes. Each of the 10 recipes appears as a four-letter code that clues you into what the stuff is — the first letter tells you it’s made in Kentucky, the second tells you the mashbill, the third tells you it’s straight whiskey and the fourth tells you the specific yeast strain. (If you’re confused, Four Roses has a handy explainer on its website.)
Small Batch Select’s predecessor, the 130th Anniversary bottle, features OBSV, OBSF, OESV, OESK recipes. Small Batch Select is a blend of six Four Roses recipes, including every one of those found in the award-winning bottle — OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK and OESF. Both bottles are cut to similar proofs, too, with Small Batch Select at 104 and the 130th at 108 (Small Batch Select has the highest proof of any mainline Four Roses).
From there, differences emerge. If you’re able to find the 130th Anniversary bottle, it can run you more than $500 — Go Bourbon is reporting Small Batch Select will run you between $50 and $60 and will eventually become.
Small Batch Select is also a non-chill-filtered bourbon, meaning it isn’t subjected to filtration processes that remove some residual fat and protein compounds in the juice (sort of like a natural wine). The effects of non-chill filtration are controversial — some say it’s just murkier bourbon, others say it gives the whiskey a more rounded mouthfeel. Elliot says it’s mostly a matter of preference. Finally, Small Batch Select is a mixture of six- and seven-year-old bourbon, significantly lower age statements than its pricey relative.
Four Roses says Small Batch Select is available now at the Lawrenceville, Kentucky distillery and will roll out to Kentucky, New York, California, Texas and Georgia soon in the coming weeks. Elliot also confirmed that the bottle will be pushed nationwide over the next couple years. No information on pricingn is available yet.
Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. Read the Story
You’ll never guess what was named the best bottle of whiskey at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For 19 years, only one bourbon has ever claimed that honor. The $30 Henry McKenna Single Barrel just took the crown this year, making that two.
So, what’s so special about this dirt-cheap bottle? In years past, factors like affordable pricing, widespread availability, and Bottled-in-Bond status have become so spare in the bourbon world. Not only does this bottle has all that, it’s also got a significant 10-year age statement and very high flavor marks.
Heaven Hill Distillery, makers of this sophisticated bottle of whiskey, also made the only other bourbon to win the competition’s best swig. Their Parker’s Heritage Collection took the title way back in 2009. 10 years later, the distillery proves it’s still one of the best in the business.
If you’re still not impressed, note that the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the most prestigious and authoritative voices when it comes to spirit judging. Over 40 judges take part in this liquor bonanza every year, tasting over 3,000 expressions. Bottles that win “Best In Show” titles earn a badge that guarantees both quality and quick sell-through.
You can find this bottle in most places, even your local spirits shack might be sticking a couple or several. Depending on where you are, the pricing can go as high as $40. Needless that that’s a small price to pay for what’s now a highly prestigious and soon-to-be sought-after bottle of whiskey. Get while you still can, is what we’re saying. Check out Heaven Hill Distillery’s website below for more information.
According to Esquire, Good Housekeeping, The Evening Standard and a whole lot of UK-based sites, an $18 Scotch won the World Whiskies Awards “Best Scotch Whisky” crown. This is probably not true, but it’s still a pretty great bottle to hunt down.
Sold by Lidl, a supermarket chain based in Germany with locations scattered across the US, the Queen Margot 8-Year-Old blend claimed the title of best blended scotch whiskey under a 12-year age statement, according to the team of more than 40 industry experts (beating out whiskies of record like Johnnie Walker Black Label in the process).
Lidl’s website notes the 80 proof whisky is made “using traditional methods and only the finest ingredients” and is aged in oak casks.
In past years World Whiskies Award hasn’t awarded any one bottle “Best Scotch Whisky.” Instead, it’s broken winners into smaller categories. This means that, barring a change in the format of the World Whiskies Awards themselves, it isn’t the world’s best whisky — it’s just a damn fine value bottle.
This is the type of news that tends to trigger the masses to seek out every case of Queen Margot 8 that they can get their hands on, so act quickly.
A bourbon myth for you, briefly: any 120 proof bourbon is somehow inherently better than your run-of-the-mill 80- or 90-proof stuff.
“There is a falsity that’s in the consumer base that cask strength is better,” says Fred Minnick, a spirits writer and the Editor-in-Chief of Bourbon+ magazine. “What’s really happening is, a lot of people can’t taste flaws at that strength. If they were to cut it with water and get it down to 90 or 80 proof, they would detect notes they wouldn’t necessarily care for.”
Don’t go pouring the strong stuff in your liquor cabinet down the drain, though. High-proof bourbon (it’s called “cask strength” when it’s unwatered, and therefore the same strength it was when it exited the bourbon cask) remains a beautiful spirit.
Weller first bottled a bourbon at “barrel proof” in the 1940s, but it was only 107 proof. The first bottles to breach the 115 mark came from Booker Noe, at Jim Beam, and a less-remembered bourbon from Willet called Noah’s Mill. Those bourbons weren’t just about firepower. They gave drinkers a chance to taste the bourbons like their blenders had, straight out of the barrel; they added a new tool to the bartender’s cocktail kit; and they introduced a new route — albeit a difficult one for distillers and blenders to traverse — to flavors intensified by the higher alcohol content.
Science backs this up. Ethanol, the alcohol in spirits, is an immense flavor enhancer, but its effects on the taste of a drink are not always straightforward. For instance, scientific studies have found that an increase in ethanol content in a spirit tends to decrease the release of aromatic compounds — higher alcohol, less smells. To a point, a well-balanced high-proof bourbon can amplify certain flavors, like caramel, Minnick says. When distillers control the beast, “you get those special bourbons, where the concentration of the flavor notes are much more powerful.”
It’s a fine line to walk for distillers, let alone buyers. The final lesson? Don’t buy high-proof bourbon for high proof’s sake, but prospect carefully and you’ll unlock liquid pleasures beyond the vale. Here are some high-proof bourbons that walk the line beautifully.
The OG: Booker Noe was a visionary in the high-proof world, one of the first to bottle bourbon at cask strength, unwatered. (Booker’s also claims that he coined the term “small batch” when, really, he popularized it.) That bourbon was called “Booker’s True Barrel Bourbon.” Today, every bottle of Booker’s is bottled at barrel proof, and they pack a serious punch — usually, upward of 125 proof.
Proof: 128 (barrel proof)
Age: 6 years, 8 months, 7 days
Tasting Notes: honey, rye, molasses, spice
Juicy Bomb: Also the doing of Booker Noe, Knob Creek comes from the Beam Suntory distillery. It’s aged nine years, just like every other Knob Creek bourbon, which drinkers will find reflected in its classic vanilla and caramel notes. The extra ethanol seems to amplify the sultry caramel flavor without overwhelming the juicy, light citrus that comes from the rye.
Proof: 120
Age: 9 years
Tasting Notes: vanilla and caramel, with a touch of citrus
Award Winner: Heaven Hill’s ubiquitously distributed gem has won serious awards. Elijah Craig small batch variety has been lauded by Whiskey Advocate, Whiskey Magazine and The Whiskey Bible, while the Barrel Proof version was Whiskey Advocate’s 2017 Whisky of the Year. It’s an incredibly dark bourbon, representative of a serious interaction between bourbon and barrel.
Proof: 131 (barrel proof)
Age: 12 years
Tasting Notes: caramel, butterscotch, spice
The People’s Champion: Even the widely accessible bourbons on this list cost upward of $80. Wild Turkey’s version goes for around 50 bucks. It’s been around since 1991, a blend of 6-, 8-, and 12-year-old bourbons. Its spiciness follows with Wild Turkey 101s.
Proof: 118 (barrel proof)
Age: 6 – 12 years
Tasting Notes: spice, rye, pepper, oak
Dream Bottle: Much like Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. — more on him in a moment — George T. Stagg was not known as a great distiller or blender, but rather a salesman. He’d be happy to see a bourbon with his name on it that goes for upward of $800, if it can be found. But inflated as its price may be, this is truly a dream bottle for collectors, fawned over by experts worldwide: winner of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible World Whiskey of the year from 2004 to 2006, and second in 2012, it was awarded three golds and three double gold medals by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition from 2006 to 2012.
Proof: 124.9 (barrel proof)
Age: 15 years
Tasting Notes: rye, coffee, fudge, dates, dark berries
Gentle Giant: Colonel Taylor was a benefactor of sorts for the bourbon industry in the 19th century — first as a banker and then as a modernizer of distilling equipment at what today is Buffalo Trace. The standard E. H. Taylor, Jr. bottle and the small-batch version are both bottled-in-bond without an age statement, which means they are at least four years old; the Barrel Proof version also has no age statement. All three use the distillery’s ubiquitous “mash bill no. 1,” shared with a number of other bottles, including Buffalo Trace and Stagg Jr.; get your hands on all three and you can compare how different barrels and proofs make for drastically different bourbons.
Proof: 125 (barrel proof)
Age: NAS
Tasting Notes: vanilla, citrus, plum
Wheated Winner: There are few barrel-proof bourbons on the market that use wheat rather than rye. When Maker’s Mark Cask Strength was introduced in 2014, it gave wheated bourbon fans their first crack at a reasonably priced, widely available option. The home-run version for high-proof wheated bourbons is William Larue Weller, which is closer to 130 proof, wins loads of awards but it also costs an arm and a leg. Maker’s Mark is bottled at a much lower proof, which helps balance its sweetness, spice and alcohol heat.
Proof: 111.3 (varies)
Age: NAS
Tasting Notes: cherries, cinnamon, vanilla, dark fruit, molasses
Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. Read the Story
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icture the scene, you’ve just got home after a hard day’s work at the office and are looking to unwind with your favorite whiskey. Think about when you have a delicious blend of Johnnie Walker Black Label that you love. It would be disappointing if all you have in your cupboards are normal, standard glasses. If you were drinking champagne in style, you’d be using a flute – so why not whiskey? You need proper whiskey glasses for men. Seriously, dude.
Ya know, whiskey isn’t called the elixir of life for no reason! There’s more to choosing the right glass than just ensuring your Glenmorangie or Jack Daniels receives the star treatment it deserves. It actually plays a big part in the tasting side of things. The right glass can elevate the experience.
While on the flip side, the wrong glass could expose your nose to too much of the harsh ethanol and even burn it.
You want a drink to come to life in the right glass and the right whiskey glasses can do this. There’s far more of them than you ever imagined too. If you’re completely new to whiskey tasting or are only starting to take your passion seriously, we at Men’s Gear are here to help.
We’ve researched and found the very best whiskey glasses for men available, all so that you don’t have to.
Before we get started on looking at the awesome glasses we’ve thrown the spotlight on, it’s worth discussing the different types of glasses you can choose from. Each glass has its own purpose. It’s a good idea to look for the glass that provides the experience you’re looking for.
The different types, volume, and weight are prime in importance.
As hinted above, there are quite a few different whiskey glasses for men out there. For those that are new to the world of drinking, the variety can be daunting. For those that are experienced in the game, you may still not be aware of some prime whiskey glasses for men out there.
We cannot let either of you go through life the way you have when it comes to whiskey glasses. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most common whiskey glasses today.
Tumblers are beloved and also referred to as the lowball, old-fashioned glass, or rocks glass. This is the most common type of whiskey glass. Therefore, the one that’s featured most heavily in our list. This is the kind that’s for sitting back and enjoying a whiskey or two with.
These whiskey glasses for men are known for their wide rim, so no good for nosing/tasting. Whether you prefer lots of ice or neat, the drink is allowed to shine. This is likely due to the common plainness of most Tumbler glasses.
Following on nicely from the tumbler, we come to the highball. This is essentially a taller version of the tumbler. It also has the distinct honor of being associated with the simplest, but tastiest of all whiskey-centered cocktails. That, my friends, is the great Scotch and soda.
Due to its size, there’s room for whiskey, ice, and your preferred mixer for longer drinks and cocktails. As you can tell, these whiskey glasses for men are often used for more than just whiskey. Their multi-function capability makes them a useful buy.
This and the following tulip style are often considered to be one and the same thing. However, the tulip is regarded to be a sturdier vessel. Thanks to its size and thick glass, it’s perfect for beginners learning to swirl. This is something you need to know if you really want to open those aromas up to get the most out of your whiskey.
As it has a narrower rim than the tumbler, for instance.
The bowl-shaped base sends the aromas upwards while the body prevents ethanol from reaching your nose. While this may not seem like a big deal, the Glencairn glass is truly helping your taste buds. Since smell, basically your nose is responsible for a great deal of taste in a food or drink, the right glass is important.
Keeping ethanol out of your nose, taste buds, allow that lovely whiskey to taste just right.
This takes inspiration from the Spanish sherry glass known as “the copita.” It’s popular as the go-to glass for true whiskey connoisseurs, blenders, and master distillers across the globe. The long stem stops your hand from coming into contact with the nose.
Similarly, to the above Glencairn, the bowl-shaped base sends the concentrated aromas through the rim. This is, of course, minus the harsh portion of the alcohol. If you’re looking to truly appreciate the fine details of single malt, this is the glass you need.
This is relatively self-explanatory really. This is the one you opt for when you want to down quick bursts of whiskey with your buddies. It’s also useful for those who don’t intend for it to hang around in the glass for more than 10 seconds. It’s also the most popular thing a guy drinks from in movies to show off partying or depression drinking.
Of course, shots are not just used for this.
Often, they’re used just to have smaller levels of alcohol in your system. This is better than multiple big glasses filled with the stuff that’ll get you terribly drunk. To be fair, the movies use it because it looks better for a shot to see a person down alcohol quick.
Yet the shot glass has an intention of just being good for the guy who just wants a drink or two and still can manage to drive home after. This is likely why shots are incredibly popular whiskey glasses for men these days.
Now that we’ve covered some of the different types of glasses, it’s time to address another important issue. That is the weight of glasses. As you’ll note from the selection of glasses we’ve highlighted, they all have different weights. While it’s fair to say that the difference in weight, numerically at least, is not massive.
The proof is in the tasting, as the saying goes. Just as choosing the right type of glass is vital for getting the experience you want. The same can be said about finding the right weight.
You don’t want to feel as if your glass is going to break the moment you place it down, that‘s for sure. On the other hand, if the glass you pick out is particularly heavy, it means there’s more glass and possibly a thicker design.
Thicker doesn’t always mean better (your girlfriend may disagree). However, the thickness is particularly useless if you want to warm your elixir before sipping it.
There may not be a world of difference between 5 and 8 ounces if you just want to drink some bourbon while you play poker. However, some might be looking to turn every mouthful into a spectacle where you swirl, then nose it before sipping a little at a time. If that is you, then you’ll need one that’ll help you achieve that.
This is a very valid question, as there’s quite a variety of sizes and capacities out there. The amount of liquor a glass can hold is obviously important and should be appropriate for the type of drink you’re wanting to enjoy. Most draft beers are normally served in pint glasses or half pints.
This is because it’s often how they are enjoyed by most. Cocktails tend to be served in bigger glasses than spirits served on the rocks or neat. This is mainly due to the need to carry the mixer, ice, and poison of choice.
When it comes to whiskey, it again all depends on what you’re looking to get out of your experience. If you just want a bourbon and coke with a decent amount of ice, a small but wide tumbler, with a capacity of around 10-ounces, will suffice.
Meanwhile, if you’re wanting to enjoy a full-on whiskey and soda with all the frills, you’ll want something that has double the capacity.
For swirling, nosing, and tasting, the weight is not actually as big a deal as the shape. 10-ounces or even less than that is usually best. Shot glasses tend to be even less again. All this said and to address the question, the average is 10-ounces.
However, you really need to choose the right capacity for the type of drinking experience you’re looking to enjoy.
Now that we’ve answered those questions for you, it’s time to get down to business and look at some truly remarkable and exceedingly stylish whiskey glasses for men.
First on our list is a truly sophisticated piece of masterful glass work. Ashcroft Fine Glasswares are behind this work of art that takes the humble whiskey tumbler and elevates it into something sublimely beautiful. The name twist is certainly perfect.
Rather than it having a more uniform structure, it has a simple but effective twist to it. There’s a brilliant clarity to these whiskey glasses for men that makes every part of drinking from it, an experience.
With a capacity of 10-ounces, the glasses in this set will hold enough of your favorite amber nectar to savor and enjoy it. Ashcroft wanted to design a glass to feel masculine in your hand, without being too much for your lady friend. It seems they did just that.
The glasses are something all whiskey aficionados should consider for their home bar.
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Sometimes, you need a real dragon to put fire in your belly. With these tilted old fashioned-style tumblers from Dragon Glassware, tasting your favorite blend or single malt will be a magical experience. Want to feel as if you’re sitting in a gentleman’s club with the rest of the upper echelons of society?
Perhaps you prefer to think of yourself in a comfortable chair in a study surrounded by books, fine mahogany furniture, and a globe? Either way, sniffing, sipping and tasting whiskey with this glass will transport you there.
The curious but satisfyingly different shape of these whiskey glasses for men takes its inspiration from diamonds. However, it’s more than just a handsome thing to hold. The tilting allows your favorite nectar to aerate perfectly as you pour it and swirl it in the glass, musing on the world.
That expensive bottle of Jameson’s or Glenfiddich deserves a beautiful vessel to deliver it to your mouth. You can do just that with this 10-ounce stylish tilted tumbler you may have that vessel.
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If you’re looking for a classy bourbon glass that really WOWs, look no further than the JoyJolt Carre square glasses. Just look at them, with their unique, almost architecture-inspired shape. The sturdy base gives them a strong foundation.
Meanwhile, the offset square of the main body provides a nice smooth ledge around one side of the base. This happens to be perfect for resting your thumb on.
These whiskey glasses for men are handmade with the kind of expertise and care you’d expect from a famous artist. This glass is a marvel to behold when empty. However, it’s when it’s full of that wonderfully harsh liquor that it comes alive.
Whether you’re a dark and sweet bourbon fan or prefer a peaty Speyside from Scotland, that’s up to you. Either way, this glass does what it was designed to do – lets your whiskey sing.
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There has been a lot of talk regarding unique design and style. That said, we thought we’d showcase a perfectly executed, traditional rocks whiskey glass. That’s exactly what we have with this excellent piece of glassware from Taylor’d Milestones.
They are simple and elegant with very clean lines and crystal-clear appearance. Truly your 20-year old malt will look utterly captivating in these whiskey glasses for men.
Aside from how liquor looks in the glass, the design ensures that your whiskey will stay at the right temperature for longer. This won’t win any design awards. However, it does deliver where it really counts. That’s in how comfortably it sits in your hand, and the clarity it offers to really let your whiskey steal the show.
In terms of expert craftsmanship, it is clearly among the best you’ll ever find.
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We thought we’d push the boat out a little (sorry, not sorry) with our next item. More than just a single glass or even a set of two, this is a whole glass and decanter set. Set sail for a sea of delicious flavors with the nautical themed decanter set.
This is a really fun glass set, while still being classy. Regarding the whiskey glasses for men in the set first, they are two bourbon tumblers. As you can see, it comes with a beautiful diamond cut pattern that’ll feel amazing in your hands.
The star of the show really is the decanter. Made from glass crystal, it has a nice transparency to it, which helps show the glass ship on the inside off to perfection. As you use the easy pour tap-like spout, and more whiskey is consumed, more of that hand-blown glass work is revealed.
It’ll make you want to get to the bottom.
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If you’re looking for something that F. Scott Fitzgerald and ole’ Jay Gatsby would be proud of, check this awesome old-fashioned glass out from Corkcicle. What makes this perfectly executed, if subtly magic square tumbler, stand out is the cigar rest built-in to its side.
Hilariously, blatantly, but honestly, billed as a ‘two vice device,’ this is perfect for dabbling in both passions.
These whiskey glasses for men give you that air of confidence like you’re a king, while also incredibly practical. We’ve not personally had experience of it, but we have it on good authority that trying to juggle a cigar and tumbler can make you look anything but a distinguished James Bond type.
Heck, even he knew when to juggle stuff, stir, and shake!
This crystal-clear glass and its handy little cigar ledge will make you want to dust off that suit and head to the nearest gentleman’s club. Just make sure you’ve got a membership or invite because the last thing you want to do is take the walk of shame back to your car.
That said, Men’s Gear would like to point out that drinking and driving is a bad idea. Call a Taxi, Uber, or Lift. Heck, call your best bro or your dad. Your father’s disappointment in his drunk offspring won’t be too bad, considering he has a living one to be upset with.
Trust us, he’d prefer it that way.
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The next potential vessel for your favorite liquor we want to tempt you with is this stunning creation from the masters at KANARS. This is a traditional rocks glass with a difference. The iceberg design around the bottom of the glass’ main body gives, what would otherwise be a dignified but plain glass, a dramatic look, and feel.
It definitely feels very bold and masculine. It’s perfect for showcasing that deep and dark bourbon or almost apricot-orange hued single malt you love. These whiskey glasses for men are perfect for a drink at home or out with your friends at a party.
As with most on our list, this set of glasses is free from lead, so they’re not harmful. If you’re an understated, but quietly assertive type of guy, we think you’ll love this glass a lot.
The iceberg styling not only gives it a nice finish but also plays a vital part in ensuring that your delicious nectar is kept colder for longer. This allows you to savor it, and that is never a bad thing.
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The rain is pouring, you’ve had a depressing day retiring those replicants. You’ve done a frankly poor attempt of seducing that delicious date you’ve landed yourself. What’s left to do but to take a sip of your fave tipple like Rick Deckard? Perhaps some of the tasty Johnnie Walker that was specially released for the Blade Runner: 2049.
Although you probably know a lot about Blade Runner, did you know the glasses ol’ Deckard sipped whiskey from were not props? Seriously!
Those whiskey glasses for men were actually exquisitely handblown by artisan glass crafters in Italy. This glass is the exact same type that Deckard sipped from. It’s by no means a replica (ha-ha) from Arnolfo di Cambio, based in Italy.
This is more than just a great piece of movie memorabilia. It’s also a finely crafted vessel for that delicious elixir of life you’re looking to drown your sorrows in. We think it absolutely screams depressed and beaten down agent in a dystopian future, but that’s just us!
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We felt it was our civic duty to all active whiskey connoisseurs and wannabe newbies to talk about this awesome looking creation from The NEAT Glass. First things first, we know it looks bizarre. It really does. However, its design is what makes it perfect for nosing and tasting.
Especially that Glenmorangie 20-year old single malt of yours, or even Jameson’s and Balvenie Doublewood.
Taste and aroma are key factors when it comes to quality. As alcohol burns your nose, it makes it harder for you to really appreciate the delicate balance of aromas crafted into a deliciously blended whiskey, Scotch, or even bourbon.
These whiskey glasses for men eliminate the problem and offer a great glass for you to use.
How does the NEAT Experience glass help? The shape has been constructed to make swirling easier, sending the aromas upwards. Meanwhile, this reduces the burn from the alcohol. If you think you’ve tasted whiskey at its purest, we’d argue that you really haven’t until you’ve done so from the NEAT.
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Back to business as usual with the Sagaform rocking whiskey tumbler. This is another intelligently, yet subtly designed glass that sits nicely in your hand. That is thanks to the rounded bottom. If you love to cradle a glass of the amber-colored or dark brown-hued liquor, this might give you the drinking experience you desire.
Rocking glasses often fill people with worries that they might fall over. Sagaform’s won’t and has been made precisely to avoid any spillages. Whiskey glasses for men made to help eliminate spilling or dropping is a huge favorite for most. You never want to lose that sweet nectar of life.
Roger Persson helps with this wonderful glass.
The aforementioned Roger Persson is the Swedish designer behind the glass and he is famed for his work involving curves and lines. Looking to stand out from the crowd and to be highly regarded for your discerning and sophisticated taste?
Want your dinner parties and whiskey and gin soirée, shin-dig, or whatever the heck you call it, to be the talk of your social circle? Men, you need this divine piece of glassware.
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Look, we know we’re most definitely going to catch some heat from readers for the inclusion of this particular tumbler. Yes, we know it’s not crystal or even glass. Come on though- it’s natural ox horn! Guys, if you’re not even slightly intrigued as to how it may feel to sip from this might glass, you’re not the same guys we fell in love with!
Joking aside, you’re welcome to think what you like, but we think these whiskey glass for men are badass. It is a rule breaker, trendsetter, and enough to make the other guys at the mythical gentleman’s club in your head raise an eyebrow or two.
It really is made from genuine and natural ox horn that has been chosen for the intricate variety of color and grain along with its amazing durability. Live life a little, imagine you’re Springfield Stonecutter or one of the odious residents of Westeros and sip whiskey like a legend!
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No, we didn’t! Well, yes, we did, sir! We’ve done it again. Stoking the fires of controversy with these definitely stylish, yet eye-catching glasses. They are not clear or as transparent as you may be used to with whiskey glasses. That being said, picture yourself back in the 1960s.
You’re about to take a sip from that Macallan that’s just been poured by the barkeep.
In walks that hot lady, think Marilyn Monroe mixed with a bit of Rita Hayworth. Maybe Margot Robbie for you younger bros. Do you think she’ll give you a second glance if you’ve got an ordinary crystal-clear glass? We think not, sir. In fact, we’re certain! Harley Quinn fell in love with The Joker due to his crazy, rule-breaking style.
She wants a real man! Phew, we got carried away there. Anyway, these whiskey glasses for men are perfect for you in nearly every situation.
The truth is if you want to make a lasting impression when you have guests over or just want to drink your whiskey the way you damn please, this glass does both. Forgetting the divisive color for a moment, the actual design of the glass is spot on. It works to concentrate the flavor and aromas of the best whiskeys.
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We’re back in a more familiar territory with this encapsulating piece of glass work from Final Touch. You’ll notice from the image that there’s a rock actually in the glass. The base peak has been incorporated into the tumbler to encourage the liquor to move naturally. That increases the nosing of the whiskey’s aromas.
We think the combination of the glass peak and the swirling of either your dark brown or yellowy-orange nectar will look spectacular together. We’re certain these whiskey glasses for men will allow you to make a great impression with guests.
They allow the look of class without being overkill or too “in your face.”
In addition to the glass peak on the inside, there’s also a mold for an ice ball included. Simply fill that up to the marking and then stick it in your freezer. When it’s properly set you then have a long-lasting perfectly spherical ice ball. To cool your favorite tipple, you simply tilt the glass a little.
Then just watch, listen, and experience the ball rolling around the glassy mountain.
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Compared to most of the whiskey glasses for men we’ve featured in this guide, this piece from Riedel is quite different. Namely, the base. It has a tulip or thistle shape as it comes up from the flat base. The fine crystal is showcased pleasantly with this design.
It allows your imported Jura, Dalmore, Lagavulin, Balvenie or something completely different to take center stage.
Riedel has really taken a considered approach to the crafting of this charming glass. The lip is ever-so-slightly and delicately out-turned. This is so that when you tip the glass against your lips, salivating with need, the heady liquid will roll directly onto the tip of your tongue.
After the nose, the tongue is where a lot of the tasting process begins. It is where you’ll note the sweetness and creaminess of any drink, especially whiskey. Simple, yet effectively executed. If you’re looking for something a little different to the average tumbler, the Riedel Vinum could be perfect for you.
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If you don’t know who Jim McEwan is, and love Scotch, you should. He’s been involved in whiskey for over 50 years. McEwan famously worked at Bruichladdich Distillery as Master Distiller until 2015 when he moved onto Ardnahoe Distillery.
Clearly, the man knows a thing or two about Islay and what he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing!
Why are we telling you this? The penultimate whiskey glasses for men in our guide are from Norlan, who perfected it over four days with the great man himself.
We consider this to be the perfect marriage of modern design. Happening with an old and wise head that results in a truly remarkable piece of glassware. Just take a few moments to drink it in.
The first notable thing is the double wall of glass, which makes it look like a piece of architecture rather than just a simple Scotch glass. The real ingenuity comes into play though with the inner protrusions that reduce the risk of ethanol nose burn.
Along with the protrusions, the outside rim is a concave shape that has been created to fit comfortably onto your lower lip as you take a sip. Every step of the process of making this glass has been done with the end user in mind.
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Ashcroft Fine Glasswares are behind this work of art. They take the humble whiskey tumbler and elevate it into something sublimely beautiful. The name twist is right for sure. Rather than it having a more uniform structure, it has a simple but effective twist to it.
There’s a brilliant clarity to the glass that makes every part of drinking from it an experience.
With a capacity of 10-ounces, these whiskey glasses for men will hold enough of your favorite amber nectar to savor and enjoy it. Designed to feel masculine in your hand, without being too much for your lady friend, these are something all whiskey aficionados should consider for their home bar.
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That was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? Is anyone else thirsty? If you are, you now have all the information you need to choose the right whiskey glass to quench that thirst. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to add to your existing collection of whiskey glasses.
It doesn’t even matter if you’re just starting out on your whiskey exploration journey. We’ve given you plenty of variety to choose from.
We know how intimidating it can be to search through thousands of different whiskey glasses for men. Many do sound the exact same, trust us, we’re right there with you. We hope, however, that we sorted the wheat from the chaff. Hence, making it easier to make an informed decision.
We tried our best to appeal to the wide spectrum of whiskey drinkers. From the tasters who like to swirl, nose, and just taste to the cocktail lovers and those hard-bitten cops that reside in all of us.
Don’t let the fact you are not bothered about nosing your nectar before gulping it down deter you from one of the beauties above. Whiskey drinking, we feel, is a very personal experience. Maybe there‘s supposedly right ways and wrong ways, tasting tips, and a plethora of courses you can go on.
Even tutorials are out there.
However, none of that really matters, does it? Just like the argument of whether you have it on the rocks or neat. It’s down to personal taste. Enjoy a drink or two together with a friend or partner at the end of the day. Heck, get the most out of that 20-year old Taliskan.
Regardless, we’re sure that you’ll find the right whiskey glasses for men to use for that here at Men’s Gear.
Bourbon. One of those exquisite, tantalizing liquids we can drink any time, in any weather, in any place on Earth. Sometimes we like it neat, sometimes we like it on rocks, and hell, sometimes we…
If you’re a whiskey guy, then we have a treat for you. Today we will take a snapshot look at Glenfiddich Fire and Cane Whiskey. This liquor is a combination of sweet rum and bourbon peat to make an exquisite drink for a fine occasion. The whiskey bottle is practically wearing a suit of its own!
The tipple has a honey hue and an agglomeration of flavors to swirl around your palette – creating a fire storm of deliciousness. Upon the first sip you will taste oak and smoke which parts way to an intense fruity and toffee flavor. You’ll feel like you just had a lovely piece of apple pie next to a roaring camp fire.
The whiskey’s lingering taste of smoke and sugar will be having you bending your elbow for round two within a matter of seconds. This drink was first an experiment and has fast become the go-to tipple for any dinner party and a staple of any whiskey lover’s drinks’ cabinet.
Unless it’s mixed in a refreshing cocktail, you won’t find straight whiskey among our favorite drinks to sip on during the hot summer. Combining the sweetness of pear, nutmeg, and vanilla with Highland Park’s signature peat smoke aroma, ‘The Light’ Whisky may just be the exception to that. We’ll have it with ice, please.
A follow-up to ‘The Dark’ whisky released a year ago (aged in European oak sherry seasoned casks), the new summer-celebrating tipple was aged exclusively in refill American oak casks, hence the bright natural color.
The 17-year-old Scotch whisky clocks in at 52.9% ABV. It arrives in a pale green bespoke bottle embossed with a Viking-inspired serpent dragon and housed in an oak cradle. A limited edition of 28,000 bottlings available worldwide, with 4,500 of them reserved for the US.
The Macallan Distillery is on a roll this year. After releasing a couple of very old, rare bottlings and opening a high-tech, $186 million facility, they’ve now announced their oldest Scotch whisky to date, the 72 Years Old in Lalique.
Set to be released this August in a limited run of 600, the special concoction arrives in a recipient that’s worthy of its exquisite contents–a unique and bespoke crystal decanter (called the Genesis Decanter) and presentation case, both inspired by the architectural complexity of The Macallan’s new brand home.
The 1940s-distilled whisky has a golden amber color, a delicate peat nose leading to a soft, aged oak smoke, and a palate that is slightly smokey with vanilla hints fading “to leave a viscous mouth coating of citrus fruits and subtle green apples.”
Learn More From The Macallan $60,000
Famed maker of premium small batch Kentucky bourbon Woodford Reserve has just introduced its first Straight Malt Whiskey–a unique blend that contains 51% malted barley, 47% corn, and 2% rye.
With a 45.2% alcohol content, this “rebirth of the concept of malt whiskey” is not for the faint-hearted. Thanks to its high content of corn and an aging process that takes place in new charred oak barrels, the new concoction is sure to be appreciated by bourbon drinkers, while its rich and complex flavor, make it a perfect spirit to enjoy neat or on the rocks. We think it would make a tasty variation of the Old-Fashioned or Manhattan, too.
The umber-colored whiskey has tasting notes that include a nose of “soft nutty notes drizzled with light caramel,” “hints of brown spice, savory mint,” taste of “dark chocolate and caramel coated nuts,” and a “nutty and subtly sweet chocolate malt” finish. Available nationwide starting June 2018.
If it’s got whisky and Tabasco in it, we’re game! A deliciously spicy tipple, made by hand and finished in barrels used to age tabasco peppers for three years, George Dickel Tabasco Whisky is the spicy concoction we’ve all been waiting for.
“Best enjoyed as a shot with celery salt on the rim, pickle juice, or an ice chaser,” Hot Dickel (yes, they call it like that) is produced by letting George Dickel Tennessee Whisky rest for 30 days in ex-Tabasco barrels. The resulting spirit is then blended with an essence made of distilled Tabasco pepper sauce for even more kick.
The newly-released spirit (a gold medal winner at San Francisco’s World Spirits Competition) clocks in at 35% ABV. We can’t wait to get our hands on a bottle and get away with asking: Hot Dickel anyone?
