5 No-Nonsense Whiskies for No-Shave November
It’s November, so let’s get something straight – No-Shave November is as much about growing a manly beard as it is about sparking a conversation about cancer and the millions around the world that it afflicts. The movement started sometime around 2004 and has since evolved into an annual event that encourages men to forego the blade for the fuzz.
And, since no great conversation can ever start over a salad, we’d encourage you to pick up a glass, sit down with friends and accomplices, and pick a great whisky from the list below to start talking.
Method and Madness Single Pot Still
The latest expression from the house of Jameson, this unique blend exudes notes of sweet spices and wood. Unlike its direct Irish cousins from the Middleton Distillery, Method and Madness is reassuringly smooth and soft on the palate. However, the master distillers had an ace up their sleeves and made sure that this blend stood out among the crowd – instead of maturing them in ex-bourbon barrel, they chose to age the blend in chestnut casks.
Basil Hayden’s Rye
Although the master craftsmen at Basil Hayden had always chosen to lean towards bourbon, their first foray into making rye whiskey is devastatingly good. Wonderfully spicy because of the high rye content of the mash bill, this whiskey leaves a lingering trace of menthol and wild fruits on the tongue long after it has slid down the throat. The whiskey has also been rebarreled in freshly charred oak casks, lending it a rather unique character.
Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017
Although the Yamazaki distillery has been making waves since the early 2000s, the latest blend from this house is particularly notable as an expression of tsukuriwake – the art of diversity in whisky making. Matured in rare mizunara Japanese oak for at least 18 years, it exhibits unlikely depth and character and reeks of soft honeyed sweetness, dry fruits, and heavy spices.
Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch
This particular blend makes the list simply owing to its lineage. Crafted from a blend of single malts from Kinivie, Glenfiddich, and Balvenie, this whiskey opens up after you add a splash of water and a drop of soda. You can also sip it neat on ice or even choose to make a mean Scotch and Lime if cocktails are how you like your whiskies.
Hudson Baby Bourbon
Unlike the birthplace of most bourbons, this one doesn’t come from Tennessee. Born in a distillery off the cost of the Hudson River in New York, it carries on American whiskey tradition by maturing itself in freshly charred American Oak casks. This lightly sweet whiskey is rich in notes of roasted corn and is a great find for those who are into collecting craft blends.
Aberfeldy 12-Year-Old
The house of Aberfeldy has been distilling and bottling whisky since the 1800s in the Scottish Highlands. Like a lot of other distillers, they rely on a single source of pure water – the Pitilie Burn – to give their blends a distinct degree of purity. If you’d like, sip it neat to soak in the light notes of honey and spice or if you prefer, just shake together a Hair of the Dog to cut down its strong smokiness.
Mix Like a Master: 10 Essential Bar Tools to Own
A home bar is a nifty addition to your newly done up living area. It affords you the convenience of entertaining guests at the comfort of your own home, without having to venture out into bars in the city. You can avoid spending a pile on overpriced cocktails, and the headache of figuring out who drives back. A sophisticated home bar is a neat way to jazz up your interiors – and it does not have to be a hassle to set up. Here is a list of equipment to help you shake up the perfect cocktail. These are indispensable for running your bar smoothly, and without a hiccup.
Read More
Traversing the Journey of Jameson Irish Whiskey
In the premium liquor industry, Irish whiskey has made a monumental comeback and is overtaking Scotch whisky in terms of popularity. The world’s highest selling Irish whiskey brand is Jameson. Although an Irish brand, it was first created by a Scotsman, John Jameson, as well as relatives of his wife, a member of the famous Haig family. Jameson purchased the distillery in 1780 and started to produce top-notch liquor. Three main ingredients which he used to make this whisky were barley, pure Irish water, and maize. For a considerable period of time now, this brand has been enjoying the position of the market leader in whisky exports.
Read More