Whiskey

  • Presidential Cocktails

    ByJonas Halpren

    It’s Presidents Day!

    Not all of out Commanders-in-Chief have been drinkers but many (actually most) have. Several, such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington ran distilleries as part of their households. After signing the Declaration of Independence, the delegates drank heavily. As they did back then. The trend continues today.  

    Here’s some of the libations enjoyed by our presidents  

      Gerald Ford: Gin and Tonic Herbert Hoover: Martini Richard Nixon: Rum & Coke Franklin D. Roosevelt:
    … Read more

  • How Long Does Liquor Last?

    ByThe Barkeep

    Q: My sister gave me several bottles of Seagram’s VO. The tax seal says it was put on in 1982. It is still sealed, and the bottles says its 6 years old, that would make the whiskey 30 years old. How good is this whiskey? Is it drinkable?
    Jim G

    A: Sealed bottles of whiskey and other spirits should last indefinitely when still sealed. Unlike wine, however, liquor does not age in the bottle, so … Read more

  • Happy Repeal Day

    ByThe Barkeep

    Every December 5th we pause to remember the passing of the 21st Amendment, thus ending Prohibition. Yea, FDR!

    The nice folks at sent us this fun bit of history. Dewar’s Scotch was the first legal whisky to arrive in the US, hitting New York’s South Street Seaport docks the moment the law was put into action. Joseph Kennedy, Sr. (JFK’s father) happened to be the US agent for the brand.

    We found this cool video … Read more

  • Johnnie Walker Gives

    ByThe Barkeep

    Johnnie Walker is giving back to the community this holiday season and whisky drinkers can help. The whisky maker is donating $5 from every personalized label ordered from johnniewalkergives.com. The money will go to building housing in New Orleans, which is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The company has pledged $150,000, which will build 2 houses.

    “Johnnie Walker personalized label is an easy way to make a truly impactful holiday gift,” said Bill Topf, Johnnie … Read more

  • Jameson Comedy Tour

    ByThe Barkeep

    Last week I had the opportunity to learn a bit more about Jameson and the Comedy Tour they are sponsoring. The tour will stop in 10 cities over the next several months.

    I spoke with Jameson Brand Director, Larry Neuringer, about the brand and it’s relation to comedy. Turns out that John Jameson fought pirates before he started making his famous Irish whiskey in 1780. In reference to his dangerous past, Jameson made “Sine Metu” … Read more

  • WhiskeySchool.com Video Contest

    ByThe Barkeep

    Whiskyschool.com is holding a video contest. The competition is calling for people to pick up their cameras and mobile phones and start shooting a video around fine spirits such as gin, single malt, vodka, etc! We will able to watch the video as the contest entries roll in.

    The winner will receive a membership in the Ladybank Company of Distillers Club (www.whisky.co.uk). Membership in this club receive 6 exclusive single malts a year for the … Read more

  • Diageo Tests Ready-to-Drink Cocktails in 12-Ounce Cans

    ByThe Barkeep

    Diageo, the spirit giant, is testing mixed cocktails in 12-oz cans. These drinks are about the same alcohol content as beer and sport real booze, not clear malt. 

    The Tampa-area test involves four brands: Captain Morgan and cola, Smirnoff vodka and lemon-lime soda, George Dickel whisky and cola, and Seagram’s 7 American Whiskey and lemon-lime soda.

    So far, sales have been strong and retailers are pleased. Canned cocktails have been popular in Europe and Australia, … Read more

  • Suntory Hibiki Whisky Review

    ByThe Barkeep

    Last time we were in Japan, we brought back a bottle of Suntory Hibiki Whisky, and discovered one of the best blended whiskeys around! It is smooth without the sweet and warms you nicely.

    Suntory Whisky is the product that brings Bob “Bill Murray” to Japan in the movie Lost in Translation. Which gives this brand some much deserved attention, they have been making whisky and other liqueurs in Japan since the 1850s. Suntory … Read more