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They originally made it just for themselves—a tequila smooth enough to drink all night without a hangover.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