Best Apple: Clyde May’s 11
The apple essence-infused Clyde Mays 11-Year Alabama Style Cask Strength is definitely a sipper, though you certainly could use it in a number of cocktails. Whats truly cool about this bottle is the subtlety of the apple flavor. It won’t smack your taste buds around, like so many others in the genre, rather it intricately plays off notes of vanilla, brown sugar, wood, and spice for a harmonious imbibing experience that even the snootiest whiskey drinker can appreciate.
For a lovely flavored whiskey that you can sip or build as part of a cocktail, we recommend our top pick, Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon Whiskey . Sweets lovers best not pass up on the one-of-a-kind Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey .
Best Extra Aejo: Gran Patrn Burdeos
Courtesy of Reserve Bar
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder, Dates, Caramel
Añejos and extra añejos should embody the flavor of the wood with the soul of the original spirit, says Hurley, so that the cooked agave flavor shines, complemented by notes of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla and cocoa powder.
This bottle from Patrón exemplifies the style. It is far too tasty, says Chasse. In part, thats due to the barrel program. A combination of used American and new French oak casks gives it a deep amber color that looks great in a snifter. Plus, a velvety mouthfeel and a drying and nearly tannic finale compels you to take another sip. But the pièce de résistance is the old Bordeaux barrels the spirit is finished in they lend a touch of the raisinated flavor youd expect from a wine.
It also does pair nicely with food, says Chasse, and if youre having a fancy day, with a fine cigar.
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Olives, Earth, Orange
If you want to know what tequila tasted like 100 years ago, Fortaleza is your go-to, says Hurley. At his estate in the town of Tequila, master distiller Guillermo Sauza makes the spirit the way his great-great-grandfather made it, using an old stone tahona and brick ovens. Bottled straight from the copper pot still without dilution, this blanco has an alluring earthy, olivey quality, says Chasse, with plenty of bright citrus, too.
Which Is Better Silver Or Gold Tequila
When it comes down to it, silver tequila is better for margaritas than gold tequila. They are aged differently, with silver tequila boasting a stronger, purer taste while being clear in color. Its simplicity makes it the perfect companion to mixed drinks, as it matches beautifully with other flavor profiles.
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What Is The Most Expensive Whiskey
The Most Expensive Whisky Ever Sold at Auction
- The Macallan Red Collection $975,756. …
- The Macallan Lalique Six Pillars Collection $993,000. …
- The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60 Year Old $1.04m. …
- The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 Year Old $1.07m. …
- Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series $1.52m.
The Best Bourbon For Cocktails
Bourbon obsessives empty their wallets for rare bottles, but you can make delicious bourbon cocktails with much more affordable whiskeys. Here are five widely-available options to get you started.
When considering bourbon for cocktails, I want something that has a nice round profile of sweet vanilla and tannic oak. It should feel both soft and robust, a challenging dichotomy to achieve, says Jared Hirsch of Sidebar in Oakland and Nickel Dime Syrups. Four Roses Yellow Label fits the bill, says Hirschand many other bartenders agree. I like it for shaken cocktails, notes New Yorkbased bartender and educator ms. franky marshall. It integrates well with citrus juices and other fruit-based modifiers. She says its a bourbon thats great for beginners who are initially hesitant about drinking brown spirits too.
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Best Rye: Pikesville Straight Rye
Drizly
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 55% | Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Oak
Two styles of rye whiskey dominate the whiskey market these days: rye made from a 95% to 100% rye mash bill and the Kentucky-style mash bill that usually contains just above 50% rye, the minimum legally required to be classified as rye whiskey. Pikesville, which falls into the latter category, was originally made in Maryland and is now distilled in Kentucky by Heaven Hill. Try this in a classic cocktail like the Manhattan, where those characteristic spicy rye notes will harmonize beautifully with the rich sweetness of the vermouth.
Pikesville is my favorite rye because it provides a great symphony of flavors from the rye spice, baking spices, the high proof and maturation from the six years in the barrel. The strong taste of cherries, vanilla and baking spices gives it a really fun take on a cherry Coke. Paul Gonzalez, head bartender for the Allegory Bar at D.C.s Eaton Hotel
How Do You Pick A Good Sipping Whiskey
When choosing whiskey, remember that price will oftenthough not alwaysreflect quality. The less expensive to mid-range whiskeys are good for everyday drinking and probably your best choices for whiskey cocktails. The high-end whiskeys are typically reserved for sipping straight or with a splash of water.
Also Check: Very Expensive Tequila
What Is The Cleanest Alcohol To Drink
7 Healthy Alcoholic Drinks
- Dry Wine Calories: 84 to 90 calories per glass. …
- Ultra Brut Champagne. Calories: 65 per glass. …
- Vodka Soda. Calories: 96 per glass. …
- Mojito. Calories: 168 calories per glass. …
- Whiskey on the Rocks. Calories: 105 calories per glass. …
- Bloody Mary. Calories: 125 calories per glass. …
- Paloma.
Himalayan Salt Shot Glasses
Looking for an experience thats a little different when it comes to sipping?
What about shot glasses made from pink Himalayan salt? While sipping tequila, you might be concerned that it will become much too salty.
The salt does not dissolve in these tequila glasses because of a plastic insert.
This rose colored glass adds a new level of taste to the tequila without the inserts, enhancing the overall experience. The antibacterial properties of pink Himalayan salt give you the peace of mind youre looking for, so drink up!
The pink salt shot glasses made from Himalayan salt are an exotic option for a shot glass. With these glasses, the rim wont need to be salted, and theyre naturally disinfectant. However, you can just rinse them after a quick rinse, as you cant put them in the dishwasher. Nevertheless, they will eventually wear out.
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Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata
Courtesy of Drizly.com
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pepper, Citrus, Grass, Stone fruit
The beautiful story and unique process behind this tequila really help it shine, says Chasse. The family that makes Tequila Ocho Plata has been distilling for generations. They use traditional brick ovens to slow-roast extremely ripe agave, which is chosen from specific fields each year, so that the nuances of the terroir and weather come out, especially in the blanco.
It changes depending on the field and year, says Chasse, but in general, it offers crisp, clean peppery notes, bright citrus and grassy flavors, along with the fruitiness of the extra-ripe agave. The finish also offers a nice balance between floral and earthy notes.
Good to Know: How should you drink a sipping tequila? Hurley and Chasse suggest trying it neat in a tequila glass . Add a few drops of water to open up the flavor. Medina prefers to sip his aged tequila in a snifter with one large cube of ice, which melts slowly, keeping the spirit cool but not diluting it.
How To Find The Best Sipping Bourbon
- Post category:Bourbon
Did you know some bourbons were made just for sipping and some for drinking? In this guide, I will discuss what sipping bourbon is, how its made, and what makes good bourbon so good. Ill also suggest my top 7 favorite sipping bourbons for you to try based on their tasteprofiles, pricerange, and quality. Ready to relax and learn about bourbon? Take out a glass, and lets get started.
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Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Prohibition was a tough era for bourbon but we dont have to tell you that. What is notable about the time period, however, is how the methods of distribution via American mobsters and corrupt politicians actually paved the way for modern and legal distribution logistics once alcohol was legalized once again in 1933. A bit of a history lesson, yes, but we hope that sheds some light on Old Foresters intentions with this Prohibition Style bourbon. Here, we have a 155 proof expression that pays homage to the era and hosts a flavorful palate complete with notes of caramel, cinnamon, toffee, dark chocolate, and cherry. Its probably being enjoyed at a speakeasy-influenced bar near you.
Key Specs
The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old
Photo: Courtesy of The Balvenie
The inimitable David Stewart has been at The Balvenie going on 60 years. Hes the longest-tenured and most highly decorated malt master in the business and has had a hand in the development of some legendary whiskies, from the Tun 1401 series to the DCS Compendium, a collection of 25 handpicked casks curated by Stewart that include vintage single malts spanning his illustrious career. But of all the whiskies hes made, Stewart once told me, hes most proud of DoubleWood 12 Year Old, which changed the way the industry approached spirit maturation. Its aged in two types of barrels: American oak and European oak sherry. Today, virtually every whisky distillery in the world has similarly aged whiskies in their portfolio, but only one is the true original.
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Stagg Jr By George T Stagg
Stagg Jr. Has a lot to offer when it comes to the best sipping whiskey out there. This bourbon has won multiple awards from the International Sports Challenge, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and much more. Perhaps it can be your next favorite bottle of whiskey.
This bottle is rich in sweet chocolate and brown sugar that perfectly balances out with the bold rye spice. As for the finish, there are hints of cherries, cloves, and smokiness.
Naked Grouse Scotch Whisky: Best Blended Malt
Price: £26 |
A no-nonsense blended malt from the makers of The Famous Grouse, this is a smooth but robust all-malt whisky matured in sherry casks. Rich, heavier than a grain/malt blend and with a slightly sweet aftertaste, Naked Grouse comes in a clean and unfussy bottle that we find rather attractive. At £19, its also great value.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Scotland
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Best For Sipping: Wild Turkey Longbranch Bourbon Whiskey
Whether youre a whiskey enthusiast or just learning to love the dark spirit, Wild Turkey Longbranch is one youll want to experience. Designed to be extra smooth, its perfect straight or on the rocks, and could easily become a regular fixture in your favorite whiskey glass.
Playing off the great Kentucky straight bourbons that Wild Turkey is known for, this unique whiskey is a collaboration between master distiller Eddie Russell and Matthew McConaughey. Its the finish that makes it special: the eight-year-old whiskey is filtered through both oak and Texas mesquite charcoal to give it a smooth, rounded edge. Its a whiskey that will appeal to anyone and is available at the average price for premium whiskey, which makes it a great value, too.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Straight from Lawrenceburg, KY comes one of the smoothest yet full-bodied bourbons around for the under $50 price point. Odds are youre already familiar with Four Roses in some regards, so it would certainly behoove you to give their single barrel try. Again, all the blending we know and love about Four Roses is still intact, the distillery just opted for a more refined model this go-around. Here, enjoy complex notes ripe plum and cherry that give way to fruity and spicy aromas, yielding a discoverable palate full of rich vanilla, more spice, and floral notes.
Key Specs
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Contrary To The Snobbiest Drinkers They’re Actually Delicious
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Many seasoned whiskey drinkers turn their noses to the sky at the mere mention of “flavored whiskey”and with good reason. Most expressions on shelves at your local liquor store are less than good, despite being immensely popular.
Heres the rub: Not all flavored whiskeys are lousy. Some are even quite delicious. If you want to experience new and exciting flavors, keeping an open mind is a smart idea. After all, there was a time not long ago when people thought the only good single malts came from Scotland.
To be clear, all whiskey is flavored. Makers use different grains, water sources, yeast variants, wood, and time to give their bottles different tastes, but when makers and labels use less traditional methods of seasoning their spirits, we enter the realm of flavored whiskey. That said, a large number of the expressions that form the genre dont meet the technical minimum requirement of being bottled at 80 proof to actually be considered whiskey in the U.S. But does it really matter? If it pleases your palate, we say drink it.
Here are the best flavored whiskeys.
What Is The Smoothest Whiskey To Drink Straight
- Next Luxury / Food And Drink by Jared McMahon
Whiskey drinking is an art, a delightful art that you can learn. We purposefully dedicated this article: How to Drink Whiskey Like A Man: Bourbon Guide to teach men the art of drinking whiskey like a real man.
Even without our guide, you can still enjoy the smooth, delicious taste of good whiskey. Good whiskey should be sipped it matters not if you are drinking alone or with a company, drinking hardcore, or on the rocks. You will enjoy the balance of various aromas and flavors.
Whiskey is of the most versatile spirits with different brands from different cities, countries, and continents, with each bottle having its unique profile and character. So, you will find Scottish, Japanese and American whiskey on this list. Note that only Americans and the Irish spell Whiskey with the e, other countries spell it as whiskey.
There is something for the big spenders and great pocket-friendly options. Limited release and more matured bottles are usually pretty expensive and hard to come by. However, they are not necessarily the best, and some people prefer a younger bottle, especially if the age difference is small. If you are interested in classy, expensive drinks, then check out our top 7 brands of cognac.
Of all the smooth whiskey types out there, here are five great options.
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Lagavulin 16 Years Old
The most celebrated of the five whiskies in the Lagavulin range is the stuff of legend, for peats sake. Peat, of course, is the lifeblood of Islay whisky, and theres nary a dram produced on that scotch-soaked isle that is as peat-forward as Lagavulin 16. Its a smoke show, simple as that. Okay, maybe not so simple. Theres a bit of sweetness to this whisky, and some seaweed and bacon notes, as well. Mouthfeel is slightly oily, the juice chewy. Its the spiritual kin of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and a source of great warmth.
Sit Back Relax And Enjoy One Of These Deliciously Malty Tipples
Are you looking for the best whisky to buy? Or do you want to know more about how to choose the finest whisky for your budget? We’ve got all the information you need to make an informed decision, whatever your preferences.
Whisky has long been a popular tipple in the British Isles, with a history dating back to at least the 15th century. Empire and emigration took the spirit worldwide and whisky is now globally popular in three distinct types: peaty, double-distilled Scotch whisky lighter, triple-distilled Irish whiskey and the sweeter bourbon-style whiskies produced in the US.
While the drink fell out of popularity for a short while in the late 20th century, whisky has recently overtaken vodka as the UKs most popular spirit and most local pubs will offer a good selection of malts and blends.
But how do you find the best whisky? Weve sipped our way through a selection to help you find the whisky that will best suit you.
- Best blended whisky | Naked Grouse Scotch
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How To Drink Whiskey
Whiskey isnt a spirit you guzzle for the fun of it like you did tequila in college. Whiskey demands appreciation. A good whiskey is greatly enhanced by ice. Though experts suggest resisting the urge to toss ice into your glass of whiskey straightaway, adding one or two cubes to your first dram will help. It will lighten the harshness many complain about and will eliminate some of the burn, making it easier for you to enjoy your first sip. Obviously, as you begin to develop your appreciation for whiskey, you will most likely want to stop drinking it on the rocks. Note that, when using ice, its ideal to use an ice ball or one large cube rather than standard cubes, since it melts slower and wont completely water your dram down. Also, if you are using cubes, try and avoid using more than two.
Robertson recommends introducing a few drops of water to the dram. Like a garden on a dry day, rainfall opens the aromas. A drop of water will allow the aromas and flavours in your whisky to reveal themselves. A drop at the time, until you find a level that suits you, says Robertson.
You could even ease into whiskey through a great whiskey cocktail suggests Nikhil Agarwal, CEO of All Things Nice. I know many people who love their whiskey with water, soda, ginger ale or loads of iceand thats fine. Id recommend a small drop of cool water or a tiny cube of ice if you are new to whiskeys.