Every big name in the spirits and cocktail industry comes down to the city I call home (okay, so I live 15 minutes away) to partake in a week-long event known as Tales of the Cocktail, a spirits & cocktail convention held yearly at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. There are tastings, seminars, private events, networking and a whole lot more. Although all spirits are celebrated, Tales is a whiskey lover’s paradise. A lot of whiskey brands, major players and craft distillers alike, are represented. Besides tasting whiskey, the best part is meeting and talking to whiskey makers and/or brand ambassadors. There were definitely some whiskey-geek moments during my time there.
Four Roses
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas – 2015 Edition
Haven’t picked up a gift for the old man yet? With Father’s Day just a few days away, I thought I’d give some whiskey and whiskey-related gift recommendations, in no particular order. I’ve linked to a full review where available.
Whiskey
- Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2015-02 – Big bourbon flavors in this barrel-proof offering from Jim Beam. $55
- George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Whisky – A no-nonsense whisky with caramel, vanilla and oak flavors. $30
- Forged Oak Bourbon – A limited release from Orphan Barrel, but still available, bourbon that’s big on oak. $65
- Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch – A little added sherry gives this Canadian rye whisky an interesting flavor profile. $30
- The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch – A full review coming later. This is a great transition to Scotch for the bourbon drinker. The rum cask maturation really sweetens things up. $65
- Johnnie Walker Platinum Label – Full review coming in a few weeks. One of Johnnie Walker’s newest releases, this 18 year old expression turns up the fruit and adds a little smokiness. $99
- Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon – A robust 100 proof bourbon full of caramel, spice and fruit. Look out for a barrel proof version from your liquor store. $50
Whiskey-related
- Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler – A great read. Mitenbuler covers bourbon’s history, unraveling those tall tales we read about all the time. $19 at amazon.
- Glencairn Whisky Glass – There’s no better way to nose and appreciate whisky than drinking out of a Glencairn glass. It’s how I sample my whisky. glencairnwhiskyglass.com
- Tovolo Ice Sphere Mold – Looks cool in your glass, but more importantly the ice dilutes very slowly. tovolo.com
Last Minute Holiday Gifts 2014
The holidays are right around the corner, and if you still have gifts to buy, here’s a handy little guide. I’ve listed some of my favorite bourbons of the past year. I’ve posted about some of these here on AdventuresInWhiskey.com. What you won’t find on this list are super-rare, ultra-premium releases. The bourbons listed here are widely available, for the most part, in most higher-end liquor stores. Each entry in the list contains two bourbons of different price points from the same family. Want to buy something other than whiskey? I’ve got some non-whiskey holiday items that I’ve enjoyed throughout the year.
Whiskies, in no particular order:
1. Bulleit 10 year old bourbon ($45) is a slightly more mature version of Bulleit. The extra time in the barrel helps bring out more of the vanilla and oak notes. If you’re looking for something cheaper along those lines, you can’t go wrong with Bulleit bourbon ($30). It’s great neat and makes for a old fashioned.
2. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof ($50) is a monster of a bourbon. Not for the faint at heart. It’s barrel proof, so that means no added water. In this case, that equates to a delicious full flavored bourbon. Elijah Craig 12 ($27) is a nice substitute for the budget-minded. Its the one I generally refer people to when asked which bourbon to buy.
3. George Dickel 9 year old ($40) is a single barrel offering of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky. You’ll have to check with your local store to see if they carry it. Full of caramel, vanilla and oak. My bottle has become one of my favorites. George Dickel No. 12 ($25) is one of the better whisky values on the shelf.
4. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked ($50) offers more of that great oak flavor in your bourbon while still staying young and vibrant. Woodford Reserve ($32) is no slouch and comes recommended as a nice everyday whiskey. This is the first premium bourbon I fell in love with.
5. Four Roses Single Barrel ($35/$50) comes in two slightly different versions. There’s the standard single barrel bottled at 100 proof, and the more expensive private selection bottled at barrel strength. Really, you can’t go wrong with either one. Four Roses Yellow Label ($20) is a budget-priced, lighter style bourbon that’s great as a daily sipper.
Non-whiskey items:
1. Noble jeans from Noble Denim. Everything from these guys is handmade. I can attest to the quality and fit of their raw denim jeans (I received a pair of their small batch barrel-aged jeans. While not completely broken in, they fit like a glove).
2. Books. Nothing like reading a whiskey book while drinking a little whiskey. “American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s Favorite Spirit” by Clay Risen profiles more than 200 American whiskies. Another one aimed at the whiskey novice is “Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life” by Heather Greene. This one is full of stories and is a nice guide through the world of whiskey.
3. Ice Spheres mold. The larger surface area on these ice spheres melt slower, diluting your whiskey less. Plus they look great in your glass.
Adventures In Whiskey 