A good whiskey cocktail keeps you nice and warm in Pittsburgh, but you don’t have to be in Steeler Nation to enjoy this one.

Inhabitat has an interesting post about Maker’s Mark.

With all the attention smaller, boutique spirits makers have garnered for “green” offerings, a nationally distributed “corporate” brand surprises us all by using locally sourced grain and engaging in many other sustainability initiatives.

I was also surprised to learn that the Maker’s Mark Distillery functions on less than 200 of its 620 acres of land. The remaining land is operated as a nature preserve, where Maker’s Mark

… Read more

One of my favorite things about bourbon: It is possible to find great bourbon at nearly every price point. And while there definitely are $400 bottles of bourbon out there that will knock your socks off, it’s possible to find something impressive that fits a normal person’s budget. Here are picks in a few price ranges:

Under $25

Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, 100 proof

Wine Enthusiast praised this bourbon’s “buttery feel on the palate” and “tangy … Read more

My holiday picks for scotch are not for the faint of heart. While they are very different from each other, they both are cask strength and neither is chill filtered. They are, well, strong. But hey, if you’re going to drink a scotch, why not go for it. These are great to serve at an intimate holiday gathering or to give as a gift to a real scotch lover. Both picks will run you about … Read more

Liquor and wine are a big part of many holiday dishes. Here are some of the most delicious recipes I could find that get a boost from the bottle and could be a part of your special holiday meal. Enjoy!

Starters

Sweet Potato Bourbon Soup
Drunken Crab Bisque
Roasted Beet and Smoked Sturgeon Salad with Vodka Vinaigrette

Meats

Grilled Molasses and Rum-Glazed Fresh Ham
Red Wine Braised Beef Brisket
Roasted Goose With Apple Rum Stuffing… Read more

Asylum reports that Brown-Forman, the makers of Jack Daniels and many other brands, posted a 13% increase in profits. I’m not surprised, people drink good times and even more in bad times. Brown-Forman’s CEO Paul Varga attributed the growth “the strength and resiliency of our brands and people.” I am leaning towards a combination of great brands and lots of newly-unemployed Americans.

To help get you through these trying times, Asylum put together their Top … Read more

Brown Forman released Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash Whiskey.

The significance of this is that the process used to make this new bourbon hasn’t been used commercially since before Prohibition. The bourbon we all know and love is “sour mash.”

In very basic terms, “mash” is the mixture of fermented grain and water used in making bourbon.

The sour-mash method involves holding back mash from one fermentation to use it in the next batch to … Read more

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is offering free engraving for the holidays.

For around $190, this premium blend already comes in a silk-lined box with a certificate of authenticity.

But the added touch of personalized engraving to the bottle would make it an awesome gift.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label engraving

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary 21st Amendment, or the repeal of the 18th, Double Cross Vodka created “Amendment 21.” A combination of Double Cross Diamond Filtered Vodka (yes, diamonds), Maderia, scotch and honey, Amendment 21 is robust, refreshing and retro. Cheers! 

Courtesy of Double Cross Vodka.

This champagne cocktail is inspired by ri(1) rye whiskey, which I used in this recipe. It has a light flavor without being too sweet or too weak, which is the downfall of some champagne cocktails.