American Whiskey
It is the summer of 2015 and there has never been a better time for American Whiskey. Bourbon is on fire. Rye has gone prime time. And just about every state in the nation is now home to an amazing craft distillery.
I want to officially thank my college buds from Kentucky who eased me away from vodka and beer and brought that first bottle of Makers Mark up to Philadelphia.
I have never enjoyed research so much. Here are my current recommendations:
The House Bottles:
- Makers Mark
- Knob Creek
- Bookers
- Old Forrester
- Bulleit
- Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel
The Call Brands:
- Makers Mark 46
- Woodford Reserve
- Whistle Pig 10 Rye
- Michters Rye
- Rowan’s Creek
- WL Weller 12
- WL Weller Special Reserve
- High West
- Colonel Taylor Small Batch
- Blade & Bow
- Widow Jane
- Knob Creek Single Barrel
- Blanton’s Original Single Barrel
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout
- Barrell Whiskey
- Few Bourbon Whiskey
Top Shelf:
- Makers Mark Cask Strength
- Hillrock Estate
- Lock Stock and Barrel Rye
- Whistle Pig Boss Hog Rye
- Whistle Pig Old World Rye collection
- Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project
- Forged Oak
- Angel’s Envy Rye
- Colonel Taylor Single Barrel
- Stagg Jr.
- Jefferson Select Presidential
- Jefferson Straight Rye
- Orphan Barrel Barterhouse
- High Wire Jimmy Red Corn
If you are lucky to find it:
- Mic Drop Straight Bourbon Whiskey (my new favorite)
- Pappy Van Winkle 23
- Pappy Van Winkle 20
- Rip Van Winkle 12
- William Larue Weller Cask Strength
- Old Forrester Birthday Barrel
- Lost Prophet
- Anything from Parker’s Heritage
- Angel’s Envy Cask Strength
- George T. Stagg
- Black Maple Hill 21
- Black Maple Hill Rye
- Rittenhouse Very Rare Straight Rye 21