This bottle is a hoot. The labels sports classy Medieval stylings, and the back label proclaims, “The Zenith of possibility in Whiskey Quality.” Mind you, it is 51% straight whiskey, and 49% grain neutral spirits—making it pretty cheap stuff. But,Continue readingAlcohol archeology: Bourbon de Luxe
What a whiskey world we live in. This 80-proof spirit is a combination of two Kentucky straight rye whiskey and two Kentucky straight bourbons. The rye to bourbon ration is about four to one. This whiskey is sweet and spicy.Continue readingTonight’s Tipple: Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye
Thirty years ago, most whiskey distilleries were lonely places — industrial factories in remote rural areas. For the most part, the proprietors of these places saw themselves as manufacturers, the first tier in the three-tier system. They made whiskey, whichContinue readingTouring the American Whiskey Trail, Day 4
It was difficult to feel anything but awe standing in front of the still at Jim Beam’s main distillery. It is six-stories tall, and 200 gallons of beer pour into the still each minute. The still pours forth 30 gallonsContinue readingTouring the American Whiskey Trail, Day 3
We all have heard the story: manufacturing is dying in America. All the good blue collar jobs are moving to Mexico and China. America’s middle-class employment has been hollowed out — the few get lucrative white collar jobs, and prettyContinue readingTouring the American Whiskey Trail Tour, Day 2