Whiskey

Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash. I'm partial to a good rye whiskey— the spiciness and complexity make it perfect for sipping or mixing in an Old Fashioned.

History of Whiskey 1100s-present

The art of distillation arrived in Ireland and Scotland around the 11th-13th century, brought by monks. The word "whiskey" comes from the Gaelic "uisce beatha" meaning "water of life."

~1100-1300 — Distillation techniques reach Ireland and Scotland
1405 — First written record of whiskey in Ireland
1494 — First written record of Scotch whisky
1600s — Whiskey spreads to America with Irish/Scottish immigrants
1791 — Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania
1800s — Bourbon emerges in Kentucky; rye dominates in Pennsylvania
1920-1933 — Prohibition nearly destroys American whiskey
2000s-present — Craft distillery boom revives rye

Rye Whiskey Go-To Spicy & Bold

Rye is my go-to. It has more spice and bite than bourbon, with peppery, fruity notes that make it the perfect base for classic cocktails.

Definition: Must be made from at least 51% rye grain
Flavor Profile: Spicy, peppery, fruit and herb notes
Aging: Must be aged in new charred oak barrels
History: Was the dominant American whiskey before Prohibition

Rye vs. Bourbon: Rye is 51%+ rye grain (spicier), Bourbon is 51%+ corn (sweeter). Rye is traditional for Old Fashioned and Manhattan.

Black Feather Whiskey Favorite American Whiskey

Black Feather is one of my favorites—an American whiskey with a bold, smooth character that works great neat or in cocktails.

Type: American Whiskey
Character: Bold, smooth, with depth and complexity
Best Served: Neat, on the rocks, or in an Old Fashioned

What I appreciate is the balance—enough character to sip but doesn't overpower a cocktail.

Casamigos Tequila Fav Tequila George Clooney

My favorite tequila. Smooth enough to sip and makes an excellent base for a tequila Old Fashioned.

Founded: 2013 by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, Mike Meldman
Origin: Jalisco, Mexico
Name Meaning: "House of Friends"
Sold: To Diageo in 2017 for up to $1 billion

Varieties:

Blanco — Unaged, crisp, pure agave flavor
Reposado — Aged 7 months, smooth with hints of caramel
Añejo — Aged 14 months, rich and complex, perfect for sipping
Mezcal — Smoky, artisanal, from Oaxacan agave

They originally made it just for themselves—a tequila smooth enough to drink all night without a hangover.

Whiskey Types Reference Quick Guide

Bourbon — 51%+ corn, sweet, American (mostly Kentucky)
Rye — 51%+ rye, spicy, American
Scotch — Malted barley, aged 3+ years in Scotland
Irish — Triple-distilled, smooth, lighter
Japanese — Scotch-influenced, refined, balanced
Canadian — Often rye-based, smooth, lighter bodied
Tennessee — Like bourbon but charcoal filtered (Lincoln County Process)

Resources