Chris Stapleton has gained fame in the country music scene over the past ten years. In addition, he also enjoys a significant following among whiskey aficionados. In recent times, Stapleton collaborated with Buffalo Trace Distillery on E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bourbon single-barrel picks, selling them to raise charitable funds. The whiskey received excellent reviews. This week, the partnership between Buffalo Trace and Stapleton evolved further with the introduction of a new whiskey brand, Traveller Whiskey.

Plenty is happening here. Firstly, every new product from Buffalo Trace, the manufacturer of esteemed brands like Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and many more, generates buzz among whiskey enthusiasts. Secondly, Stapleton’s unique appeal extends to both music lovers and whiskey consumers. The collaboration takes full advantage of this dual appeal by introducing an American Blended Whiskey with a friendly price tag.

To sum up, Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller, and Stapleton evaluated 50 various blends before selecting the one for Traveller Whiskey. The most noteworthy point is that the whiskey is priced at just $39. The price, as of now, remains the same at retail stores, which is somewhat surprising considering that the distillery’s whiskeys typically have price tags several hundred times higher than the company’s suggested retail prices.

So, what is contained in this bottle of Traveller Whiskey? Let’s explore to find out!

ABV: 45%

Average Price:

$39

The newest whiskey offering from Buffalo Trace is the result of a lengthy collaboration between Country music legend Chris Stapleton and Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. After sampling 50 distinct varieties, they settled on this specific blend. The beverage inside the bottle is a unique blend of Buffalo Trace rye and bourbons that superbly fit Stapleton’s whiskey likings.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is gently invited into rich Buffalo Trace bourbon, featuring a profound vanilla buttercream atop mildly spiced brandied cherries subtly touched with dark chocolate and aged oak staves, accompanied by a hint of salted caramel.

Palate: The caramel on the palate reveals an undertone of sweet corn before the vanilla makes a comeback, presenting a creamy delightfulness and myriad of winter spices, orchard barks, and musty barrel houses typical of Buffalo Trace.

Finish: It concludes with a pleasing warmth highlighted with plenty of woody winter spice and a dash of grassy rye notes before the lush vanilla, cherry, and oak finish persists for the perfect duration.

Final Thoughts:

This is a solid new utility whiskey. It works well as a sipper over some rocks or in a cocktail. Think of it as a sturdy table whiskey to have around for everyday pours after a strenuous day of work.

Ranking:

88/100: Solid B+!

Currently, this whiskey is easily accessible online at most retailers for its actual MSRP. That was the intent for Stapleton and the brand. This is intended to be an everyday sipper for his fans – and for that to happen, his fans need to be able to purchase it.

There’s no wrong way to enjoy a single measure of good rum. You can have it straight, mix it with water or cocktails, or savor it on the rocks with ice. The latter option is perfect for newcomers or those seeking a milder taste, as it tempers the sharpness while letting you relish the sweet, nectar-like flavor without an overwhelming alcohol punch.

However, there’s a reason why lots of folks recommend using whiskey stones instead of regular ice when enjoying rum on the rocks. Accidentally adding too much water can dilute the unique flavors and nuances within the rum (especially the pricy kinds,) and it’s hard to get the balance just right when you’re dealing with varying-size ice cubes. But instead of whiskey stones, here’s an idea: coconut water ice cubes!

Made from coconut water instead of plain water, these ice cubes won’t dilute the rum’s flavors as they melt. Instead, they’ll enhance the taste of the liquor with a hint of coconut, giving neat rum a rather tasty and tropical coconut twist. They’re incredibly easy to make. Simply get some fresh coconut water — the fresher, the better — and pour it into a large whiskey ice cube mold. Pop them in the freezer, and in a couple of hours, you’ll get a trayful of coconut water ice cubes ready to go. Drop one into a neat measure of rum, sit back, and enjoy your rum on the rocks!

Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin

These special ice cubes aren’t limited to just rum on the rocks; they’re a perfect addition to a wide range of tropical cocktails! Let’s start with the classic daiquiri. It’s a simple blend of rum, lime, and sugar, but you can elevate it by incorporating coconut cream and a few coconut water ice cubes while blending. The result is a sweet, nutty, and undeniably tropical creation that evokes the essence of a Caribbean sunset. It’s perfect for sipping whether you’re lounging on a palm-lined beach or enjoying it at your kitchen island.

These versatile ice cubes can also enhance a variety of chilled or blended tropical cocktails that feature rum. Take the Caribeño, for example, which already includes coconut water as a core ingredient. Adding coconut water ice cubes doesn’t dilute the taste; instead, it’ll amplify the drink’s signature equatorial flavor and give you a drink with a far more pronounced taste.

But while these coconut ice cubes work best in rum-based drinks, they can work with other liquors, too. If you’re a tequila enthusiast, consider fortifying a coconut margarita with these cubes. They’ll introduce a smooth, robust coconut essence that will bring this classic cocktail to a whole new level. And for an extra creamy touch, try adding coconut cream to the coconut water before freezing the cubes.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (FOX 2) – Paczki, meet beer.

A Metro Detroit brewery’s Fat Tuesday tradition, “Sin Repent Repeat,” is back. This 8% ABV stout is made with dozens of paczki.

The beer is flowing at Griffin Claw’s taprooms in Birmingham and Rochester Hills. It’s also available in four packs to go.

Read more Michigan beer news here.

Griffin Claw also carries out distillation of spirits and has released a vodka named “Sin Repent Repeat”. These vodka bottles can be purchased at both taprooms until Fat Tuesday, falling on Feb. 13, or till the stock lasts.

Pouring vodka shots

Without vodka we wouldn’t have the

Dirty Shirley,

the trendy espresso Martini

or the legendary massive comopolitan cocktail

Ina Garten shared on her Instagram in April 2020. The clear spirit with the neutral flavor is a popular booze for cocktails because it plays well with many mixers,

but not all vodkas are the same, which is why you’ll see many different vodka brands at your local bar.

There isn’t just one singular type of vodka, but different ones based on location and ingredients and which one you prefer depends on what you like and

how you’re using the spirit.

“It’s all about creating a match made in *your* cocktail heaven,” says

Ashley Eldefri,

brand ambassador for

The Community Spirit Vodka.

“Price is only sometimes an indicator of quality: Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better regarding vodka. It’s always worth trying different brands and price ranges to find one you enjoy.”

To help you narrow down your choices and make your next trip to the liquor store a bit easier,

we chatted with drink experts to break down 9 of the most popular types of vodka based on their ingredients,

country of origin, flavor profile and more.

Related: 5 Different Types of Tequila, Explained

Making vodka has plenty of nuance, but for the purposes of this discussion, we’ll try to distill (pun intended) it down for you. Vodka starts with your base ingredient (often a grain, though it could be potatoes or molasses), water and yeast. That mixture is fermented for a couple of weeks, then strained. The liquid from the fermentation process is distilled, filtered, diluted with water and bottled. 

Related: 9 Popular Costco Liquors, Ranked From the Bottom(s) Up

Eldefri states that vodkas made from grains such as rye exhibit a spicier character with robust, earthy undertones. He goes on to say that in contrast to other types of vodka, this sort is typically more lean and dry.

In terms of cocktail orders, rye vodka is particularly well-suited to certain drinks. Alissa Marinello, a bartender at the Vivamee Hospitality properties of Renault Winery & Resort and LBI National in New Jersey, suggests that a dirty vodka martini is a prime example. In this instance, the subtle and dry rye vodka complements the tangy hint of olive juice exceptionally well.

Contrary to what some may expect, the vodka itself is not derived from fruit. The fruity flavor is introduced after the distillation process. Eldefri notes that many contemporary brands offer flavored varieties with the add-ons of fruits or herbs infused post-distillation. Common fruit vodka flavors incorporate melon, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, raspberry, lime, and orange.

Marinello advises against using artificial ingredients and coloring and suggests creating a homemade flavored vodka. She says, “Rather, empty any standard vodka into a jar with your preferred fruit.” She also suggests allowing the vodka to soak for at least three days, and up to seven. After infusing the vodka with fruit, strain it into a jar or bottle and start concocting cocktails!

While corn is a widely enjoyed dinner item for many, this sweet vegetable is also a well-liked component in vodka. Eldefri describes, “Corn-based vodkas are acclaimed for their calm and slightly sweet taste, which pairs well with a silky mouthfeel and hints of vanilla or buttery nuances.”

If you’re in the mood for a martini, Eldefri suggests using a corn-based vodka for a timeless cocktail like the martini, allowing the drink to truly shine.

As you may wonder, no, potato vodka doesn’t taste like fries or mashed potatoes. Eldefri states, “Potato-based vodkas are valued for their creamy, heavy texture, contributing a subtly earthy and nutty flavor.”

Potato vodka is a perfect match for savory foods, which includes certain types of cheeses and meats. So consider this pairing the next time you’re dining out or throwing a dinner party.

If looking for a smooth vodka experience, you could consider trying a spirit made from molasses. Molasses-based vodkas, often seen in rum production, deliver a slightly sweeter and more layered taste. It features hints of molasses and caramel, and these caramel notes make this vodka variety pleasant in a creamy cocktail, like a white Russian.

According to expert opinion, flavored vodka can be fun to experiment with since you can come up with more complex cocktails using fewer ingredients. However, it’s advisable to avoid this vodka type if you suffer from gluten allergy as it often has artificial flavorings added after distillation, which can include this common allergen.

As for the variety of flavors, there’s a wide range, but several fit into the citrusy (such as lemonade, grapefruit) or fruity (like strawberry, blueberry) categories.

In addition to the base ingredients, vodkas can vary based on where they’re made because different areas are known for specific styles of the spirit. “Russian vodkas, traditionally crafted from wheat or rye and subjected to multiple distillations, are celebrated for their pure and smooth qualities,” says Eldefri. Some of the most popular Russian vodka brands include Beluga Noble, Husky, Marmot Siberian and Smirnoff.

Eldefri says that American vodkas span from smooth neutrality to a focus on unique flavors driven by various base ingredients. American vodka is generally made with rye, wheat, potato or corn to create a unique flavor profile with a velvety texture and earthy, warm taste. This will vary based on the bottle, but the best way to think about it is the best of both worlds made from different types of ingredients.

According to Marinello, Poland and Russia both claim ownership of introducing the first spirit. That said, Polish vodkas, made from potatoes or grains, offer a slightly more robust flavor with hints of earthiness or sweetness.

Up next: Celebrity Chef Pati Jinich’s Simple Formula for Making the Perfect Cocktail

As Daley proclaims, “Irish is the future of whiskey.””

Mike Daley has a large personality. And he’s got one of the largest private collections of whiskey in the United States to match.

Despite owning a sprawling estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the boisterous multi-millionaire is running out of bar space to display his liquid bounty, which currently amounts to several thousand bottles of scotch, American, and Irish whiskies. So he squirrels some of it away in filing cabinets, office drawers, and his beach house in coastal Delaware.

“Some of that effort is just to hide it from my wife,” he admits. “She seems to think I have a hoarding problem.”

Related: 21 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast

Nevertheless, his latest outsized purchase is one he’ll want to keep prominently displayed for all visitors to see. It’s a walnut-ensconced treasure chest featuring a solitary ovular decanter of the Emerald Isle from The Craft Irish Whiskey Company. Alongside the 30-year-old juice in the box is a bespoke Fabergé egg — containing an actual emerald gem — a custom timepiece, and even a couple of Cohiba cigars. Only seven such sets are in existence. Daley just paid a whopping $2.8 million to call one his own.

Last month, a 1926 vintage expression from The Macallan grabbed international headlines as the world’s most expensive whisky ever. It nabbed $2.7 million at auction. Daley outspent that unknown buyer by $100,000, which would mean that he is, in fact, in possession of the priciest aged spirit of all time. Critics argue, however, that The Emerald Isle doesn’t qualify for the title because it comes packaged with all those other not-so-insignificant luxury trinkets.

Whether it’s the most expensive or just one of the most expensive alcohols of all time, what compels a collector to pay such an exorbitant price for a single bottle of whiskey?

“I was on a luxury yacht during the Monaco Grand Prix, surrounded by billionaires engaged in poker,” Daley reminisces about the instance he chose to make the purchase. “They continually wagered on hands, even if they were well aware they weren’t going to win. It wasn’t about losing, but losing face was the critical aspect they aimed to avoid. This level of people will always crave what others can’t possess. Hence, there will always be a market for something as extravagant and rare as this whiskey.”

Courtesy

By chance, a brand ambassador from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was on that identical yacht and happily ensured the passionate collector left Monaco with something exceptionally extravagant and rare.

Daley, who labels himself as an opportunistic collector, sees Irish whiskey, in particular, as the category of spirit with the greatest potential upside. It’s no coincidence that the majority of his stockpile consists of limited edition releases from Teeling, Midleton, Redbreast, and various other expressions from Craft Irish.

“The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor,” he explains. “Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we’re only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself. I guarantee you that in the years to come, it will get to where scotch is today.”

His powers of prediction have already reaped remarkable dividends. Daley made his fortune in the pharmaceutical space by investing heavily in hyaluronic acid in the previous decade, before it became a hot trend. His big bet in the spirits sector isn’t a shot in the dark, either. It’s supported by prolonged movement observed on Irish whiskey shelves. Data from the Distilled Spirits Council shows that some super premium spirits within the category have soared by nearly 2,800% in price over the past twenty years.

He sees Craft Irish leading that charge in the next twenty years, hence why he’s spent millions on their products. Thankfully, for those with more limited budgets, that brand has been veering into more accessibly-priced offerings. Earlier this year, it released The Donn, a dynamically aged single malt brimming with dark chocolate, prune, and cinnamon notes. The bottle, which is expected to retail in the U.S. for around $200, recently won double gold at the John Barleycorn Awards, an international spirits competition. It even inspired one judge to say, “I literally have to stop tasting now because following this pour would be like following Hendrix at Woodstock.”

And that might serve as even loftier praise than someone spending $2.8 million on a luxury set piece. Because, ultimately, it all ought to come down to how the whiskey tastes, not how much it costs. And not how it looks displayed on a countertop — or in a filing cabinet, as the case may be.

“Irish is the future of whiskey,” Daley proclaims. “And I’m excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker.”

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.

After the holiday excitement, we all seek something to brighten those dreary, cold winter days. Equiano Rum offers a 100 percent natural rum with no added sugars or colorants, and void of spices. It also holds the unique distinction as the very first African and Caribbean rum. A hot chocolate spiked with this authentic rum seems just fitting to warm one on a cold evening.

The Equiano Holiday Gift Box is the perfect antidote to a freezing winter.

Founders Aaisha Dadra and Amanda Kakembo explain, “Being dubbed the world’s premier African & Caribbean rum, the unique liquors from each location play a significant function in our mixture. In Equiano Original, the African element from Mauritius, tropically aged in former Cognac barrels, gives a naturally sweet flavor to the blend. Equiano Light introduces a freshness with sugar cane juice rum from Africa, adding a grassy touch to the mixture. And considering Barbados is a producer of some of the world’s best rums, we feel privileged that it’s a vital component in both Equiano Original and Equiano Light.”

Are you prepared to concoct Equiano Spiked Chocolate? Here’s what you require:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 2 cups 2% milk

• 3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 pinch cinnamon

• ¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips

• 2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum

• Whipped Cream (Optional)

Method:

The Equiano holiday gift box is available for purchase online – for both the Equiano Original and the Equiano Light. Looking into 2024, Equiano is looking forward to more exceptional rum being enjoyed around the world, more unique blends from Africa and the Caribbean, more limited-edition blends and more support of emerging African distilleries as they venture beyond the 30 countries they are in today.