Liquor-articles 2020

Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property InsertPostAds::$settings is deprecated in /home/icohol/public_html/wp-content/plugins/insert-post-ads/insert-post-ads.php on line 425

The real trick is figuring out how many Old Fashioned cocktails you can make from one barrel of whiskey.

Creating a decent bottle of whiskey is a process — a wonderfully complex, and sometimes unpredictable process, at that. Throughout this journey, whiskey barrels play a key part in providing a stable container for maturation and also adding delicious qualities to what ends up in your glass. Perhaps you’ve wondered about these containers while sipping on a beloved rye or bourbon, and it piqued your curiosity: Once the whiskey reaches full maturation, how many standard bottles do distillers get out of a barrel?

As it turns out, that answer is just as complicated as the production process itself. While the United States doesn’t regulate distilleries’ barrel size, the most common whiskey barrel holds 53 gallons of unaged liquid. Craft spirit distilleries sometimes use smaller barrels and shorter aging stints to impart more flavor, Du Nord Social Spirits founder Chris Montana tells Food & Wine.

Before the Second World War, the typical whiskey cask could only hold up to 48 gallons. Nonetheless, as resources like lumber started dwindling during the conflict, distilleries in America opted for larger storage options to reduce the quantity of barrels needed. The challenge then becomes estimating the levels of the liquid as it begins to age.

Related: Storing Top Quality Whiskey

As alcohol ages over many years, some of its liquid evaporates naturally. This evaporation rate, often referred to as the “Angel’s Share,” varies with each batch and can even differ amongst casks in the same distillery. While the exact amount lost is generally left to nature’s whims, several environmental factors can give us a rough idea of the liquid lost during the process.

The final amount of whiskey is influenced by various factors, including the geographical location, climate, temperature variations, barrel material, and distillery conditions, as stated by Montana. Interestingly, even within the same batch, no two barrels will yield identically. However, blending and processes post-maturation ensure that the product remains consistent and of high quality.

Related: 21 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast

Given these factors, it’s difficult to determine exactly how many standard 750-milliliter bottles you’ll find in that common barrel size. Some distillers estimate that the average output shakes out to be 250 to 300 bottles, while others say it’s closer to a conservative 200.

“That’s what makes whiskey fun — unlike many spirits, whiskey is about choices, and you get to make so many of them along the way,” Montana says. “Most, if not all of those choices, will also come to bear when it comes to how much whiskey you’re going to be able to produce and what’s going to come out of those barrels.”

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.

Rum, with its storied history and a flavor profile that’s just as rich, is a staple in many classic cocktails like the tropical Mai Tai and Tasting Table’s own Cable Car cocktail. However, its bold character can be a bit overwhelming, especially for those new to rum. This can be a bit tricky if you have to make drinks for a crowd. Luckily, Tasting Table recipe developer Michelle McGlinn has a simple trick to make strong rum cocktails a bit easier on the palate: just add more sweeteners!

Whether it’s simple syrup, honey, agave nectar, or fruit juices, most cocktails have a sweet component to balance out the bite of the liquor and other flavor components. It’s an easy fix to add more of the sweetener to the drink than the recipe asks for if it’s a bit too strong otherwise. In McGlinn’s case, she likes to add an additional ½ ounce of simple syrup to dull the edge of the rum a little bit in her Cable Car or other strong rum drinks.

Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

While you can replicate the sweetener trick with virtually every rum cocktail and its primary sweetener, the key is getting the proportion just right. If you add too much simple syrup, fruit juice, or agave nectar to your drink, the sugar can overpower the cocktail’s delicate flavors. So, a bit of clever experimentation is needed — do some trial runs, gradually adding small increments (about ¼ ounce at a time) of extra sweetener until you hit the literal sweet spot.

If adding additional sweetener isn’t your preferred trick, there are other ways to make your drink easier to swallow. The type of rum you choose can significantly impact your cocktail’s taste and strength. For first-timers, dark and spiced rum might not be the best choice because they have very strong flavors. In contrast, white or light rum (which is the star of cocktails like daiquiris or mojitos) is lightly aged or not aged at all, giving it an exceptionally smooth profile. This makes it a particularly great choice if you’re serving first-time drinkers.

Switching and mixing the ingredients isn’t just the only way to get a mellower drink. When you’ve combined everything in a shaker, you can add a bit more ice than what the recipe calls for. Ice chills the cocktail and dilutes it slightly, making it more approachable for the uninitiated.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

The real trick is figuring out how many Old Fashioned cocktails you can make from one barrel of whiskey.

Creating a decent bottle of whiskey is a process — a wonderfully complex, and sometimes unpredictable process, at that. Throughout this journey, whiskey barrels play a key part in providing a stable container for maturation and also adding delicious qualities to what ends up in your glass. Perhaps you’ve wondered about these containers while sipping on a beloved rye or bourbon, and it piqued your curiosity: Once the whiskey reaches full maturation, how many standard bottles do distillers get out of a barrel?

As it turns out, that answer is just as complicated as the production process itself. While the United States doesn’t regulate distilleries’ barrel size, the most common whiskey barrel holds 53 gallons of unaged liquid. Craft spirit distilleries sometimes use smaller barrels and shorter aging stints to impart more flavor, Du Nord Social Spirits founder Chris Montana tells Food & Wine.

Before the second world war, the standard whiskey barrels would only hold 48 gallons. However, with resources such as lumber becoming scarce during wartime, American distilleries started using bigger capacity containers, reducing the amount of barrels needed. The challenge lies in estimating the amount of liquid once the aging process begins.

Related: How to Store High-End Whisky

As the years pass during the maturation of a spirit, evaporation naturally causes some liquid to disappear. This evaporation, known as the “Angel’s Share,” varies from batch to batch, and can even differ between barrels in the same rickhouse. The specific quantity lost is ultimately decided by nature, though certain environmental factors can provide an indication as to how much liquid may be lost.

Factors such as the geographical location, climate, temperature fluctuations, type of barrel, and environment of the rickhouse all have an impact on the final whiskey amount, according to Montana. Notably, even within a single batch, not two barrels yield identical results. However, blending and processing after maturation ensure the end product is consistent and of a satisfactory quality.

Related: 21 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast

Given these factors, it’s difficult to determine exactly how many standard 750-milliliter bottles you’ll find in that common barrel size. Some distillers estimate that the average output shakes out to be 250 to 300 bottles, while others say it’s closer to a conservative 200.

“That’s what makes whiskey fun — unlike many spirits, whiskey is about choices, and you get to make so many of them along the way,” Montana says. “Most, if not all of those choices, will also come to bear when it comes to how much whiskey you’re going to be able to produce and what’s going to come out of those barrels.”

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.

Vodka, oh vodka. It’s one of those spirits that instantly stirs up a flavor memory, whether it’s from souvenir shot glasses or a crisp vodka-soda. In Russian, vodka translates to “little water”, and though it often gets a bad rap, the same is sadly true of vodka martinis. But I say, no more!

Even the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which once stated that, technically speaking, vodka should be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color,” has reversed its rulings. The bureau’s new amended definition provides a lot more exciting prospects for vodka martini aficionados — and it shows.

According to bartenders, various vodka brands are creating more complex martini drinks for enjoyment and mixing. If you usually go for the traditional gin martini, it’s perhaps time to mix things up (remember to stir, not shake!) with a vodka martini.

What’s the Best Vodka for Martinis?

The secret to selecting the best vodka for a martini? Know your grains! Contrary to conventional thinking, most vodkas are not made from potatoes, but from grains like wheat, barley, rye, and corn. Depending on the grain used, you’ll experience a wide range of texture, sweetness, and yes, a bit of a burn.

undefined

After interviewing over a half-dozen bartenders, one grain was the cream of the crop when it came to vodka bases: wheat. “I prefer vodka distilled from 100% wheat,” says George Krpeyan, the general manager at The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, who says that many of the signature vodka cocktails he makes are with Grey Goose, a wheat-based vodka. “For my taste, wheat vodka tastes best.” Hailed for its delicate sweetness and smoothness, wheat vodka is some of the best for mixing, while rye-based vodka is often spicier, and corn-based vodka can tend to be on the buttery side.

Krpeyan is not alone in loving wheat-based vodkas, either. “My favorite vodka brand is Grey Goose. I’m French, so it is a plus, and I love the way the product is being curated and the full process and minds behind it,” says Simon Sebbah, the beverage director of Grand Tour Hospitality. “All of the vodka cocktails you can find at American Bar, Saint Theo’s, and Holiday Bar are based with Grey Goose.” Made from French winter wheat and brought up to proof with demineralized spring water from the nearby town of Cognac, Grey Goose has a crisp flavor that makes it the perfect backbone for a spirit-forward cocktail like the martini.

Buy: Grey Goose Vodka, $27.59 for 750 mL at Drizly

Grey Goose isn’t the only brand known for its crisp flavor profile. Other bartenders and beverage directors I interviewed sang the praises of other wheat-based vodkas, like Stoli Elite, Chopin, and Ketel One, all well-known for their crisp, clean finish with light hints of citrus.

How to Make the Best Vodka Martini at Home

With a cocktail as simple as the martini, the quality of all your components really matter. You’ll need dry vermouth, your vodka of choice, and perhaps some orange bitters or olive juice, all of which should be very much chilled. If you have enough time, freezing your glasses and stirring your martini will keep the cocktail ultra-silky — almost creamy, even.

From there, most classic martini recipes will call for a 2:1 or 3:1 vodka to vermouth ratio, a quick 30-second stir in your mixing glass with a large ice cube, and then strain into your martini glass. Add garnish (like a lemon twist, olives, or cocktail onions) and you’re done.

While martinis might seem intimidating to make, there’s one method that makes it almost too easy while also maintaining an ambrosial texture: just make a large freezer batch. “The freezer martini method builds on that texture,” says Pete Vasconcellos, beverage director for Albert’s Bar in New York. “Get a one-liter glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Figure out your favorite martini ratio (of vodka to vermouth) and scale it up to 750 milliliters (until it almost fills the bottle). Multiply the total volume by 20% (150 milliliters) and add that amount of distilled water. Put your martini batch in your glass bottle and in the freezer. When you’re ready to drink, just pour it into a chilled martini glass. No need to stir!”

Advertisement

Rum, molasses, nutmeg and clove might sound like seasonal flavors this time of year, and they are, but they’re also the flavors of the Joe Frogger cookie, a regional delicacy that connects Gingerbread Hill in Marblehead all the way to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

We spoke with Lauren McCormack, executive director of the Marblehead Museum, and Kabria Baumgartner, dean’s associate professor of history and Africana studies at Northeastern University, to shed new light on the story of these cookies in 2022. We revisit the conversation as part of WBUR’s Field Guide to Boston.

On Joseph and Lucretia Brown, the creators of the Joe Frogger:

McCormack: “Joseph was essentially born as a slave in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to a man named Beriah Brown. However, after serving his master’s son’s time in the Revolutionary War, Beriah allowed Joseph his much-deserved freedom. After obtaining freedom, which he earned from his loyalty during the war, Joseph relocated to Marblehead, Massachusetts. It is there that he met Lucretia, who was born either in Marblehead or Salem around 1773. They eventually tied the knot and bought a building on Gingerbread Hill in Marblehead for their tavern. The town of Marblehead famously remembers them for the marvelous cakes and gingerbread cookies, or Joe Froggers, that they once served in their tavern.”

Baumgartner: “The Brown’s tavern was said to be a favorite hotspot for sailors and other visitors in Marblehead. One intriguing event that took place in their tavern was the Black Election Day celebrations every May.”

“Despite being called Election Day, this event extended across a full week and was a jovial affair filled with dance and music. To paint a picture, one could imagine Joseph Brown playing the fiddle while the crowd around him enjoyed the rhythm. The Black Election Day holds historical significance as it was celebrated annually from the 18th century to the early 19th century. On this day, African Americans often elected their official representative. This history carries weight not only because it marks the beginning of African American entrepreneurship but also because it brings to light the significance of African American participation in the Black Election Day festivities. Therefore, the Brown’s story becomes a crucial part of North Shore’s, Boston’s, and Massachusetts’ history.”

On Lucretia Brown and her skills in entrepreneurship:

McCormack: “Sometimes she gets lost behind Joseph Brown for various reasons, but I love to talk about her because like you say she is a female entrepreneur in a time when that in and of itself amongst white and Black individuals is relatively rare. She’s known for picking roses all spring and summer long so that during the winter she can distill them into rose water and that was a pretty amazing. It’s very popular for perfume and also something you would use in food back in the mid 19th century. So she’s doing that. She is known far and wide for her wedding cakes and various types of cakes. It’s told decades later, people remember her. And if you wanted a wedding cake in the Marblehead, Salem area, you went to Lucretia Brown.”

“So she really did develop this amazing business and was such a part of the community that decades later, people who remembered her were writing about her in the newspapers and in the reminiscences. And just the fact that they gave so much to the community that years later people remembered that, and centuries later we still talk about them.”

On the Joe Frogger cookie:

Baumgartner: “The cookies preserved fairly well. So sailors were able to take them with them and keep them for a couple of months and they would have them at sea.”

McCormack: “They’re fabulous, right? A lot of people have said they’re sort of gingerbread in a cookie form. So you have that little crunch that you don’t always get with gingerbread. And like you said, they’ll last. And that’s what’s great. And what’s also interesting about them is that they’re made with rum and molasses. And those things are products that were produced by enslaved people. And so here you have two people touched by enslavement themselves in various ways who are known for this cookie.”

Baumgartner: “Yeah, I think it’s delicious. It’s a fairly large cookie, chewy, but still soft, and flavored with these spices. It was thought that Lucretia invented the recipe and she named the cookie after her husband, after Joe. So they have Joe Frogger’s cookies. But it is part of New England history. It’s part of African American food ways that we have this recipe and that we can now make a cookie like this.”

This recipe was provided through the Town of Marblehead website.

Ingredients:

Baking Instructions:

Vodka, oh vodka. It’s one of those spirits that instantly brings a flavor memory to mind, whether it’s from souvenir shot glasses or a neutral vodka-soda. Meaning “little water” in Russian, vodka certainly gets a bad rap, and the same is sadly true of vodka martinis. But to that end I say, no more!

Even the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which previously stated that, technically speaking, vodka should be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color,” (ouch!) has gone back on its rulings. The bureau’s new amended definition gives vodka martini drinkers a lot more excitement to look forward to — and it shows.

Plenty of vodka brands are making far more complex martinis to enjoy and mix, according to bartenders. If you often opt for the more classic gin martini, it’s time to stir things up (literally, please don’t shake!) with a vodka martini.

What’s the Best Vodka for Martinis?

What’s the trick to picking the best vodka for a martini? Know your grains! Contrary to popular belief, most vodkas are not made with potatoes, but from grains like wheat, barley, rye, and corn. Depending on the grain, you’ll get a wide variation in texture, sweetness, and, yes, a little burn.

undefined

After interviewing over a half-dozen bartenders, one grain was the cream of the crop when it came to vodka bases: wheat. “I prefer vodka distilled from 100% wheat,” says George Krpeyan, the general manager at The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, who says that many of the signature vodka cocktails he makes are with Grey Goose, a wheat-based vodka. “For my taste, wheat vodka tastes best.” Hailed for its delicate sweetness and smoothness, wheat vodka is some of the best for mixing, while rye-based vodka is often spicier, and corn-based vodka can tend to be on the buttery side.

Krpeyan is not alone in loving wheat-based vodkas, either. “My favorite vodka brand is Grey Goose. I’m French, so it is a plus, and I love the way the product is being curated and the full process and minds behind it,” says Simon Sebbah, the beverage director of Grand Tour Hospitality. “All of the vodka cocktails you can find at American Bar, Saint Theo’s, and Holiday Bar are based with Grey Goose.” Made from French winter wheat and brought up to proof with demineralized spring water from the nearby town of Cognac, Grey Goose has a crisp flavor that makes it the perfect backbone for a spirit-forward cocktail like the martini.

Buy: Grey Goose Vodka, $27.59 for 750 mL at Drizly

Grey Goose isn’t the only brand known for its crisp flavor profile. Other bartenders and beverage directors I interviewed sang the praises of other wheat-based vodkas, like Stoli Elite, Chopin, and Ketel One, all well-known for their crisp, clean finish with light hints of citrus.

How to Make the Best Vodka Martini at Home

With a cocktail as simple as the martini, the quality of all your components really matter. You’ll need dry vermouth, your vodka of choice, and perhaps some orange bitters or olive juice, all of which should be very much chilled. If you have enough time, freezing your glasses and stirring your martini will keep the cocktail ultra-silky — almost creamy, even.

From there, most classic martini recipes will call for a 2:1 or 3:1 vodka to vermouth ratio, a quick 30-second stir in your mixing glass with a large ice cube, and then strain into your martini glass. Add garnish (like a lemon twist, olives, or cocktail onions) and you’re done.

While martinis might seem intimidating to make, there’s one method that makes it almost too easy while also maintaining an ambrosial texture: just make a large freezer batch. “The freezer martini method builds on that texture,” says Pete Vasconcellos, beverage director for Albert’s Bar in New York. “Get a one-liter glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Figure out your favorite martini ratio (of vodka to vermouth) and scale it up to 750 milliliters (until it almost fills the bottle). Multiply the total volume by 20% (150 milliliters) and add that amount of distilled water. Put your martini batch in your glass bottle and in the freezer. When you’re ready to drink, just pour it into a chilled martini glass. No need to stir!”

For a grocery store, Aldi has an impressive fanbase. That’s partly because it’s cheap and partly because of all its in-house offerings, like its chicken that tastes like Chick-fil-A or Friendly Farms cheese. But if you’re in America, you don’t see everything at your local Aldi. The supermarket chain has a long list of spirits for sale, including two types of award-winning whiskey, and none of them are for sale in the United States.

Back in 2018, Aldi’s private-label Highland Black Scotch Whisky and Glen Marnoch Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky both won gold medals at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters competition, which crowned them the best whiskies in the world (alongside several other winners). Highland Black won gold again in 2023, while Glen Marnoch took a silver medal.

Both are relatively cheap, too, selling for the equivalent of around $20. But U.S. liquor laws have prevented either variety from gracing the shelves of any American Aldi, alongside its many other liquors, and that’s unlikely to change soon.

Read more: The Most Beloved Products At Aldi, According To Shoppers

U.S. Aldi stores carry a select assortment of beers and wines, guided by less restrictive United States laws. Policies regarding alcohol sales in grocery outlets differ from state to state. Approximately 21 states, including California, Washington, and Louisiana, permit grocery stores to sell different types of alcohol without restriction. Nevertheless, most U.S. states enforce some restrictions, like only allowing beer or only beer and wine.

Aldi operates conservatively and its corporate policy in the United States is to abstain from selling any hard alcohol. Accessories to this policy, it sells only beer and wine in stores where eventually permissible. As a result, Aldi’s booze selection in America is visibly meager compared to its European counterparts. Customers of a German Aldi, from where the company originated, can purchase a wide array of private-label whiskies, rums, vodkas, and other spirits. Several of these products are reportedly quite commendable according to experts.

While award-winning whiskies may likely attract the most attention due to affordable pricing, the store also has other majestically decorated booze for sale. In 2022, Aldi’s Saint Gérmont Premium vodka was designated “Best Vodka of the Year” at the World Vodka Awards and retailed at a modest price of just £15. In 2023, the Haysmith’s Rhubarb and Ginger gin earned recognition at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Also, the Glen Marnoch Highland whiskey bagged an award.

For those residing in America, Aldi still offers some award-winning wines. Broken Clouds pinot noir, Broken Clouds chardonnay, and Outlander meritage have received honors at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star awards. Recently, its South Point Estate Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir earned a double gold award at the Melbourne International Wine Competition in 2022. Would it surprise you that a bottle sells for just $4.99?

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

Continually refining their craft, Holmes Cay, the boutique rum blenders/bottlers, are seeking to diversify their offerings. Not only are they working on making more affordable blended expressions and single origin rums from exotic locations, but they remain true to their core, centering around their initial focus of single cask rums. A testament to their persistence in generating brilliant bottles routinely, the Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Premier Cru emerges as one of their most intriguing and extraordinary expressions to date, a standard we’ve now come to expect from the brand.

A single cask release, the Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Premier Cru boasts a traceable lineage – distilled by Foursquare in Barbados, and later bottled by Holmes Cay. The distillate was a blend of copper pot still rum and Coffey column still rum from 100% molasses, aged tropically for 8 years in Barbados within ex-bourbon casks, then matured for an additional 4 years in the UK in ex-bourbon casks. Its final two years of aging occurred in New York within a unique finishing cask – a Premier Cru (First Growth) Bordeaux wine cask from France. The final product, unfiltered and bottled at cask strength of 55% ABV (110 proof), is nothing short of exquisite.

Sourcing such a rare barrel for a fairly long finishing period escalates the product’s cost, resulting in a hefty MSRP of $170, consistent with other single cask offerings from Holmes Cay.

I was eager to sample this, mainly due to my limited experience with rum finished in red wine casks. While we regularly encounter rum that has been in contact with a variety of fortified wines such as sherry, port, and madeira, I’m interested in the impact this particular cask has on an already well-aged Bajan rum. With that in mind, let the tasting commence.

The aromatic profile of the Holmes Cay Barbados 2009 Premier Cru is characterized by a complex blend of spices and wood, with an undercurrent of savory and earthy tones. A detectable hint of butterscotch gives it a quirky edge, transitioning to the smell of earth and red fruits. There are nuances of currant combined with dominant spices like cinnamon and allspice, all brought together by the French oak which adds a rich layer of spice to the nose.

The taste is a repetition of the spice, a medley of baking spices, particularly allspice, complemented by a fruity pepperiness and some toasted oak. Concurrently, one can detect dark stone fruits like plums and darker jammy flavors, coupled with nutty cocoa and a chocolate-pecan bar. This combination might paint the picture of a dessert-like spirit, but as the sips continue, it leans more toward the dry side, with the oak becoming more pronounced as the drying tannin increases in potency. The elusive earthy tones make it intriguing but challenging to decipher, hinting at still undiscovered flavors.

Summarily, this is among the most intriguing and intellectually stimulating rums I’ve had lately. The wine casks have guided this rum on an intricate journey, resulting in a final product that stands out for its uniqueness.

Distillery: Holmes Cay (Foursquare)

Country: Barbados

Type: Single cask rum

Alcohol Content: 55% (110 proof)

Availability: Limited, 750 ml bottles, priced at $170

Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident beer and liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing.

GET PASTE RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX

The best music, movies, TV, books, comedy and more.

I first learned about rye whiskey in the mid ‘90s, when my twin obsessions with American history and Eisenhower-era lounge music led me to explore retro cocktail recipes — many of which were made with rye. One of the first things I discovered about rye was that it had fallen out of fashion. When I tried to buy some at my local liquor store in Upper Manhattan, there were only two bottles available. One of them was, I believe, Wild Turkey. The other was labelled Old Overholt, featuring an antiquated-looking label with the portrait of a stern-looking 18th or 19th century man. I bought it for about $15, tax included.

As I later found out, rye whiskey’s popularity had been in decline since as far back as the 50s, largely due to shifts in tastes after Prohibition ended in 1934. Consumers began preferring lighter Canadian whiskies and later, vodka. I also learned about the history of Old Overholt; it had been around since 1810 and had survived Prohibition by selling its product as “medicinal whiskey”. It was originally distilled in Pennsylvania until the 1980s, when Jim Beam bought the brand and relocated its operations to Kentucky. It had always been 80 proof and was aged for only three years.

Despite its low proof and young age, I fell in love with Old Overholt from the first sip. It had a unique flavor profile, characterized by light nuttiness, caramel sweetness, a touch of leather, and a noticeable spice. It quickly became my liquor of choice. Being a bachelor at that time, I would attempt to impress dates by concocting retro rye cocktails such as the Ward 8 and the Brooklyn. It was always fun evangelizing about the charm of rye and recounting stories of its cocktail glory days.

The newest expression in Old Overholt’s 210-plus year history is its first cask-strength bottling in eight decades.

In the 21st century, the resurgence of rye gained momentum slowly, accelerating significantly with the introduction of brands such as WhistlePig, a robust, 100 proof, 100% rye whiskey that excelled in cocktails and impressed whiskey enthusiasts in search of something fresh and thrilling. However, due to a limited advertising budget, Old Overholt remained a cult favorite frequented by bartenders, even if it didn’t exactly fly off the shelves. But in recent years, Beam (now Beam Suntory), led by Bradford Lawrence, the company’s rye whiskey specialist, has made efforts to give it a more distinguished spot in the rye whiskey world and restore its former grandeur.

Flagship Old Overholt is now aged for four years instead of three and bottled at 86 proof instead of 80. A bonded expression, was reintroduced, and limited edition one-offs were released to appeal to collectors. Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength Rye, the first cask strength Old Overholt since the 1940s, is now available. It’s bottled at an uncanny same strength as the ’40s edition, 60.5% ABV, and aged for 10 years.

This is not the Old Overholt of your grandparents’ era. It’s not crafted in Pennsylvania anymore, and the three-chamber stills that gave it its unique taste have largely disappeared into history, although Todd Leopold of Leopold Bros. has recently built one and is producing some remarkable whiskey with it. Upon tasting pre-Prohibition Old Overholt, there’s a clear familial likeness, with notes of sweet, peanut brittle, and honey being present in both old and new versions, along with finishes of dry spice, hints of oak and cinnamon.

Despite the high proof, the cask strength is easy to drink. At $99.99, it’s fairly priced for a 10-year, cask-strength rye, although limited supply and secondary market factors could potentially raise the price. According to the brand, cask strength Old Overholts will become a regular feature, although this specific batch from 2012 is a one-off.

Oh, and I pledged to spotlight the elderly man on the label. This prominent figure is Abraham Overholt, the visionary who initiated the legacy for the brand in 1810. His stern, frowning face once adorned Old Overholt’s bottles for a plethora of years. As mentioned by Bradford Lawrence, during the 1960s, when brown spirits and especially rye whiskey were fading, a decision was taken to remodel Grumpy Abe’s image and soften his stare. When I purchased my first bottle, Abe seemed kind and almost fatherly, though not exactly cheerful. However, with the revival of the whiskey, Grumpy Abe has returned, now appearing as dour as he did over a hundred years ago. His glance seems to pierce through the years, reminding us that the process of creating excellent whiskey isn’t always filled with laughter and enjoyment.

GO3 Vodka achieves the highest rating at this year’s USA Spirits Ratings

Vodka, although it is the most consumed spirit in the United States, is often misunderstood. A common misconception is that it’s always produced from potatoes, when it can actually be distilled from any fermentable base ingredient. Also, many discerning drinkers often state that vodka, as a neutral grain spirit, lacks any distinctive taste. However, back in 2021, the federal labeling authority removed the qualifier requiring that it must be distilled “without distinctive taste”.

Currently, there is an interesting shift happening within the craft vodka industry. However, not all craft vodka is created equally. This is made evident by the results of various prominent judgings throughout the year. Some brands and bottlings consistently rise to the top, making a name for themselves in a highly competitive market. It’s obvious that these standouts are doing something distinct and successful.

This is especially true for GO3, a craft vodka distilled in the heart of Houston, Texas. Even though the brand is just over a year old, it has already earned the title of Vodka of the Year at the 2023 USA Spirits Ratings. With a score of 98 out of 100 points, only one other product across all categories scored higher.

Imagine a $30 premium product earning such a striking honor. The secret to achieving excellence in vodka production is simple – start with superior ingredients. GO3 employs a unique blend of Texas sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and russet potatoes in its recipe. The final product is then diluted with pure glacial water from the Teton Mountains.

The critical steps of distilling, rectifying and allowing the spirit to rest result in unique flavor profiles and pleasantly smooth textures. GO3 presents a full-bodied vodka, rich in butteriness, and hinting at butterscotch in the lengthy aftertaste. For those who consider vodka bland and odorless, this 80-proof sipping beverage offers an intriguing argument to the contrary. The enjoyable experience doesn’t have to come from a cocktail; it is equally delightful neat or over ice.

Beyond the product, there exists an inspiring story. A group of friends and entrepreneurs initiated this venture to contribute positively to their community via the spirit. The label “GO3” corresponds to General Orders Number 3, the historic proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, which officially abolished slavery. This significant event is now celebrated as the Juneteenth national holiday. Accordingly, the creators of this brand have pledged a fraction of all sales to historical Black colleges and universities for the cause of supporting freedom, equality, education, and economic liberty.

GO3 proudly carries the slogan, “Independence never tasted so good,” and is rapidly gathering medals to substantiate this claim.

TOPSHOT – A man sleds down a snow covered hill in Houston, Texas on February 15, 2021. – Much of the United States was in the icy grip of an “unprecedented” winter storm on February 15 as frigid Arctic air sent temperatures plunging, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations, making driving hazardous and leaving millions without power in Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the White House has issued a Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas in response to severe winter weather across the state. (Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)