Taster’s Tips

Aside from its undeniable beauty, the first thing you notice after stepping onto the grounds of Hillrock Estate Distillery is the sweet, scotchy smell. A distinct smokiness hangs in the air, begging you to try whiskey giant Dave Pickerell’s latest craft spirits. Like the very best couture, Hillrock whiskey is painstakingly difficult to make and impossible to replicate. And, as is the case with a hand-tailored getup, Hillrock whiskeys have the remarkable ability to be both highly specific and agreeable to anyone.

Frankly, we’ve heard enough about wine and food pairings. Everyone and their uncle know the general rules of pairing wines with foods. Let us tell you, folks, there’s some other tasty drinks out there that pair well with food. May we suggest… whiskey?

If you’re new to bourbon, you might not know much about this whiskey that’s very popular down south. In fact, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon. Here, you’ll learn about what makes this spirit unique, the different types of bourbon, ideas for tasty bourbon cocktails, and ways to enjoy this classic American liquor.

Since we know a lot of you folks are big TV fans, we are proud to announce that we have partnered up with the Showtime hit series Ray Donovan to offer all our members in the month of June a free bottle of Johnnie Walker—Ray’s personal choice—free of charge. Pretty cool, right?

We’re finishing off our Fall Food and Spirits Pairing series with Whiskey Apple Cider – no food to pair with this one though. This drink will round off your cozy autumn night. Enjoy and sleep well!

The time is upon us once again to purchase a gift for the one you love! With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching (at the end of this week in case you needed a reminder) these are a few gifts that you can get that will surely warm your whiskey loving Valentine’s heart.

These are the golden days for Irish whiskey. Not so long ago, laying your hands on a bottle of Irish whiskey that wasn’t plain old Jameson or Bushmills could feel like searching for that imaginary pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Oh, how times have changed.

Britain has long punched well above its weight when it comes to distilled spirits. For many consumers, Scotch and Irish whisky and English gin are the standard bearers for their global categories. But there’s more to U.K. distilling than those giants, and this month, Taster’s Club members found out firsthand just how delicious whisky made in another corner of the United Kingdom can be.

Business and life partners Therese Agnew Chevedden and Jake Chevedden founded Mosswood Distillers in 2013 after falling in love with whiskey—and each other. “One of my college professors taught me to distill,” explains Therese, “which is right around the time I met Jake.”

With cold winter nights on the horizon, nothing warms you up quite like a hot drink. Most people associate the Hot Butter version with rum, but with the right whiskey, it’s quite a treat and will keep you cozy. This Hot Buttered Whiskey recipe is one that will quickly become a favorite with friends and family and is perfect for any holiday gathering no matter how big or small. It’s easy to make and your after dinner drinks will never be the same.

The DIY ethos is alive and well in craft spirits. Producers around the world are excited to tell consumers how they grind the grain themselves each morning, how they make cuts by smell and taste, and how they lovingly fill and label each bottle by hand. Yet few producers take that philosophy quite as far as New York’s Olde York Farm Distillery and Cooperage.

No drinking experience is complete without a fitting glass. Bourbon glassware is meticulously designed to help you enjoy your spirit to the fullest. However, bourbon glasses come in different shapes and names, so buying one can be a rather confusing process. In this buying guide, you’re going to boost your spirit knowledge by learning about the different types of bourbon glassware, how they differ from each other, and some of the best bourbon glasses you can buy. To fill your glasses with rare, top-quality bourbon regularly, consider joining our Bourbon of the Month Club.