The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining - Tips from Marfreless
Below is a very basic primer for the most popular types of hard liquor that are currently popular: vodka, whiskies (scotch, Irish, Canadian and bourbon), rum, gin, tequila, and brandy. What makes liquor what it is, is that it is a product of distillation involving water, yeast and some form of sugar, which has been converted via fermentation from a grain, sugar cane, a vegetable, or fruit, among other things. The recommended brands below have the best bang for the buck we believe. Keep in mind that brands and marketing concepts are always changing. But, the diversity and quality of spirits has increased in recent years, and expense especially when it comes to whiskies, including those from new distilleries and brands in this country and whiskies from Asia (which can be very good).
NOTE – The retail price ranges for standard-sized bottles (750 ml) of wine and spirits are: $ ($0-$10), $$ ($10-$20), $$$ ($20-$30), $$$$ ($30-$40), and $$$$$ ($40-$50). You should probably save bottles over $50 for your own consumption.
Vodka is a clear, nearly neutral spirit that has become the most popular mixer for both men and women in North America. In Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries, the lands of its origin, vodka is usually consumed straight up, served chilled in small glasses. In the rest of the world, it’s consumed mostly as part of a cocktail. The fact that it is neutral and only slightly flavored makes it a great mixer with just about anything, and is the biggest reason for its popularity. Vodka is made from mostly grains, corn, rye, wheat, and barley, and sometimes potatoes, beets or grapes. After fermentation of the sugars derived from the grains or potatoes, this “mash” is distilled at a very high proof, usually 190 (or 95% alcohol). This effectively eliminates most of its distinctive flavors, which are present in other liquors that are distilled to lower proofs. Vodka is then purified further by the treatment of the liquid with charcoal. The quality of the finished product is determined, in large part, by the quality of the water, which makes up more than half of the vodka, the method of distillation including the number of distillations, the type of charcoal used in the purification process, and the quality of the equipment used throughout.
Popular Drinks featuring Vodka – Apple Martini, Bay Breeze, Black Russian, Bloody Mary, Cape Cod, Colorado Bulldog, Cosmopolitan, Gibson, Greyhound, Hairy Navel, John Collins (i.e Vodka Collins), Kamikaze, Madras, Martini, Salty Dog, Screwdriver, Sea Breeze, Sex on the Beach, shot, Vodka & Tonic, Vodka-Seven, Vodka-Soda, White Russian, Woo Woo
Recommended Brands of Vodka – Regular – Monopolow ($$), Sobieski ($$), Smirnoff ($$), Tito’s ($$), Absolut ($$$), Belvedere ($$$), Ciroc ($$$), Grey Goose ($$$); Flavored – Finlandia Cranberry ($$), Finlandia Mango ($$), Smirnoff Orange Twist ($$), Absolut Citron ($$$), Absolut Mandrin ($$$), Stolichnaya Vanil ($$$)
Whiskey (or Whisky) – There are actually four very basic types of whiskies based on geography: scotch, Irish, Canadian, and American, of which the most important and most common is bourbon. Whiskies from each of the four areas have distinct general styles. Whiskies are also produced in other countries, most notably Japan and Australia, but these can safely be ignored unless you are traveling to either place.
NOTE – Whiskey or Whisky? – You will find both spellings on labels, and both spellings are correct. “Whiskey” is used by most of the American and Irish producers, while “whisky” is used by the Scottish and Canadian companies. No one really seems to know why this has had occurred over the years, though it does not seem to have affected the quality of the whiskies (this plural is the same for both spellings).
Scotch whiskies are an acquired taste for most, and are generally much more popular with more mature drinkers. The distinctive smoky flavor is from the fact that the malted barley is dried over peat fires. Scotch is divided into two main types, single malts and blends. Single malt refers to the fact that the whisky was made at one distillery, has not been blended with any other whiskies, and barley malt was the only grain and the only fermentable material that was used. Single malt scotches meet these criteria, and blended scotches constitute everything else. The best blends are made solely with other scotch whiskies rather than any other liquor. The cheaper blends consist of single malt whiskies mixed with less flavorful liquors made with neutral grains.
During the 1990s the number of single malts exploded, along with their popularity, and these scotches became the premium drink for many serious drinkers. Single malts have unique and more pronounced flavors, often of smoke and peat, more so than do the blends, which are generally smoother. Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s and Cutty Sark are popular blended scotch whiskies. Both single malts and blends can be very good, and most benefit from aging in wood barrels. The quality of a particular brand of scotch is generally better the longer it has been aged, often 10, 12, 18 years and longer.
Each single malt scotch is an individual, often times as distinct from other single malts as they are from blends. Peat, partially carbonized vegetable material found in bogs, is the fuel for turning the barley into malt. The flavor of peat can be pronounced for some single malts, often its predominant flavor. There are four major regions for single malt scotches, each denoting certain regional characteristics: Lowlands, Highlands, Campbeltown, and Islay.
Lowland whiskies, from the areas south of the large cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, usually exhibit the pleasant taste of malt rather than the flavors of peat, or those of the coast (seaweed and brine) that can be evident in other regions. Whiskies from the Lowlands are often the most accessible of the single malts. The Highlands is the biggest region, and the whiskies vary widely among the general, unofficial areas of the west, north, Midlands, east, and Speyside. The western part of the Highlands produces whiskies that are generally firm and dry with the hint of some peatiness. The northern part of the Highlands produces whiskies that can be described as spicy (for whisky). The more temperate Midlands and East Highlands have whiskies that are comparatively fruity. Speyside whiskies are noted for their complexity and elegance, and exhibit two wide variations: the robust, sherry-flavored whiskies such as Macallan and Glenfarclas, and the lighter, subtle whiskies such as Glenlivet and Glenmorangie. Campbeltown, the smallest of the regions, consists of only three whiskies, which are distinctively briny with different levels of peatiness. Islay, which is an island off the southwestern coast of the mainland pronounced “eye-luh,” produces whiskies that are noticeably full-bodied, peaty, smoky and with the flavor of seaweed. Excellent whiskies are produced on other smaller islands, such as Highland Park from Orkney, and Talisker on the Skye, both of which are described as Highland-like in character.
Popular Drinks featuring Scotch – Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Scotch & Soda, Scotch & Milk
Recommended Brands of Scotch – Blends – Dewar’s ($$$), Famous Grouse ($$$); Single Malts – Monkey Shoulder ($$$), Glenlivet 12 Year Old ($$$$), Craggenmore 12 Year Old ($$$$$), Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish ($$$$$), Highland Park 12 Year Old ($$$$$)
Irish Whiskey describes whiskies from Ireland. These generally do not have as complex a taste as most scotch whiskies, but are still of high quality, and comparatively inexpensive. Irish whiskey is made from a fermented mash of malted barley, unmalted barley, corn, rye and other grains. The malted grains in these whiskies are dried in closed kilns, rather than open peat-fueled fires, so the smoky and peaty flavors found in most scotch whiskies are not present. Irish whiskey is distilled three times and aged for three to nine years in reused oak casks. The resultant product has a smooth malty flavor that is more easily accessible than scotch whisky. Jameson and Bushmills are the two most common Irish whiskies found in North America. For what it’s worth, Jameson was the “Catholic whiskey” and Bushmills is the “Protestant whiskey.” That difference is very insignificant now, as both are owned by the same company. With a change in formula in recent years, Jameson is now sweeter and tastier than Bushmills, and a big reason it is big among the younger drinkers.
Popular Drinks featuring Irish Whiskey – Neat, On the Rocks, Irish Coffee
Recommended Brands of Irish Whiskey – Bushmills ($$$), Jameson ($$$), Tullamore Dew ($$$), Bushmills Black Bush ($$$$), Bushmills 10 Year Irish Malt ($$$$)
Canadian Whisky is simply whiskey distilled in Canada. These are generally even more affordable than Irish whiskies, but are also usually quite well made. By law, Canadian whisky must be blended from the fermented mash of grains such as corn, wheat, rye and barley. Corn is by far the largest component for most. Canadian whiskies must be aged in oak casks for at least three years, though most are aged between six and eight years. After aging, the whiskey is blended and then aged a little longer. The final product is lighter-bodied and slightly sweeter than scotch and Irish whiskies, featuring a muted and smooth taste. Canadian whiskies generally make for good mixers, better, at least than their scotch and Irish cousins.
Popular Drinks featuring Canadian Whisky – Neat, On the Rocks, Crown & Cola, Manhattan, Old Fashioned
Recommended Brands of Canadian Whisky – Canadian Club ($$), Crown Royal ($$$), Forty Creek ($$$), Seagram’s V.O. ($$$)
The best American whiskies are bourbon whiskies and its close cousins made in a slightly different process from Tennessee. These are the pride of American spirits. Bourbon whiskey must be made from between 51% and 79% fermented corn (mash at this juncture). Bourbon is straight whiskey, meaning no blending and nothing else is added after distillation other than water. It must be aged at least two years in new charred white oak barrels, but most are aged at least four years, and are sold at 80 proof. The sour mash method, which is often mentioned in discussions about bourbon, is a fermentation technique that employs part of the previous distillation in the current batch of fermenting mash. This allows for consistency among subsequent batches.
Bourbon can be distilled anywhere in the U.S., but the great majority of it comes from Kentucky. The distillers claim that the very best water for their whiskey is why they stay at their original locations. Tennessee whiskey includes one more step in the production process than used for bourbon. After distillation, the liquid is filtered through charcoal made from maple trees to remove impurities before aging. This process either makes Tennessee whisky a smoother product than bourbon, or removes the flavor according to some bourbon partisans. Jack Daniel’s and the boutique George Dickel are the only two distilleries left in Tennessee. In addition to bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, there is rye whiskey, in which rye makes up over half of the fermentable grains. Rye whiskey is the original American whiskey. It’s similar in color to bourbon, but has a different, heavier and coarser taste. Then there is “blended American whiskey,” which is not unlike the Canadian blended whisky. Seagram’s 7 is the most popular brand of American blended whiskey and similar to the Canadian Seagram’s V.O.
Popular Drinks with American Whiskey – Neat, On the Rocks, With a Splash of Water, Bourbon Old Fashioned, Bourbon Sour, Hot Toddy, Kentucky Cooler, Mint Julep, Sazerac, 7 & 7, Whiskey and Cola, Whiskey Sour
Recommended Brands of American Whiskey – Jack Daniel’s Black ($$), Jim Beam ($$), Weller’s 90 Proof ($$), Wild Turkey 101 Proof ($$), Makers Mark ($$$)
Rum is distilled from sugar cane or sugar cane molasses, and is popular for a wide range of drinks, including one of the easiest and most popular, the Rum & Cola. It’s produced in tropical areas mostly around the Caribbean. There are three main types of rum: light, dark, and flavored. Light rums are usually produced in column stills to 160 proof and higher. The lowest level, white rum, spends at least one year in oak barrels. The second level, amber or gold, is aged for at least three years and has caramel added for the color. It’s generally smoother and more flavorful than the basic white rum. The third level, añejo, is aged at least four years, and is the most flavorful of the light-bodied rums. The full-bodied dark rums are produced with a slightly different process, which includes capturing only the middle part of the distillation column, between 140 and 160 proof. This results in the most flavorful kind of basic rum, which is helped by an aging of at least five years in oak barrels. The popular rums from Jamaica are usually blended to achieve consistency. Flavored rums are typically light-bodied rums that are flavored with fruit juices or spices. These are generally more popular with younger drinkers.
Popular Drinks with Rum – Cuba Libré, Frozen Daiquiri, Hurricane, Mai Tai, Mojito, Piña Colada, Rum & Cola, Rum & Orange Juice, Rum & Pineapple Juice, Rum & Soda, Rum Runner, Rum Sour
Recommended Brands of Rum – Light – Castillo ($), Bacardi ($$), Pampero ($$$), Diplimatico ($$); Dark – Barbancourt 5 Star ($$$), Myers ($$$); Flavored – Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum ($$), Malibu Coconut Flavor ($$)
Gin lost supremacy to vodka in the world of spirits years ago, even in the classic Martini, but it remains an essential for any well-stocked or somewhat-stocked bar. And, it has been making somewhat of a resurgence. The long-popular London dry gin style, for which “gin” now usually refers, was created by distillers in England in the 19th century. This style is made with fermentable mash consisting of 75% corn, 15% barley malt, and 10% other grains, and is flavored with a number of spices, herbs and botanicals. The distinctive London dry gin flavor comes primarily from juniper berries, but many other items are used, including orange peel, cardamom, cassia bark, coriander, and angelica root. These are added to the liquid during the distillation process to produce the final product. After distillation, water typically is added to bring the gin to its marketed strength at 80 proof. There is not a huge taste difference among dry gins. Most gins sold are of this London dry style. The other, original, and somewhat rare, style is the Dutch sweet gin. In terms of value, dry gin remains a good buy, with acclaimed brands selling for under $20 per 750 ml bottle.
Popular Drinks with Gin – French ‘75’, Gibson, Gimlet, Gin & Tonic, Gin Fizz, Gin ‘n Juice, Gin Sour, Martini, Negroni, The Perfect Cocktail, Ramos Gin Fizz, Singapore Sling, Tom Collins
Recommended Brands of Gin – Bombay ($$), Boodles ($$), Beefeater ($$), Citadelle ($$), Bombay Sapphire ($$$), Tanqueray ($$$), Hendricks ($$$$)
Not just the firewater with a worm in the bottle, mezcal describes the broad category of distilled spirits from the roasted heart of the agave plant. Tequila is a specific type of mezcal that was originally produced near the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. Tequila is legally produced in Jalisco and four other Mexican states. Tequila is made primarily from a specific variety of agave, the Agave Tequilana Weber, Variety Blue. Agave is not a cactus, but comes from its own botanical family called agavacea. Tequilas are generally divided among mixto, which can include joven (for “young” and to which caramel and sugar have been added for color and taste), that consists of at least 51% distilled agave juice blended with neutral spirits, and the three categories that are made with 100% distilled agave juice include blanco (that is bottled within 60 days of distillation), repsosado (which is aged from two to eleven months in oak), and añejo (aged for at least a year in small oak barrels). The more agave, the better. If in doubt, look for tequilas that are labeled “100% agave.” The longer the tequila is aged, the darker the color becomes, the taste of the agave mellows, and the more noticeable the flavor of the oak becomes. Aged is not necessarily better, though aged tequilas are more expensive, and much more popular for drinking straight, or neat.
Popular Drinks with Tequila – Shot, Neat, Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise
Recommended Brands of Tequila – Blanco – Centenario Blanco ($$), El Tesoro Platinum ($$$$), Herradura Silver ($$$$), Reposado – Centenario Reposado($$); Puerta Vallarta Reposado All Agave ($$$), Cazadores ($$$), Chinaco Reposado ($$$$$), El Tesoro Reposado ($$$$), Añejo – Centenario Añejo ($$), Don Eduardo Añejo ($$$$$), Don Julio Añejo ($$$$$),
Brandy is the fermented juice of a fruit that is distilled and aged in wood. The most famous are made from grapes, but brandies are made from a wide range of fruits and even from the oils of flowers. It’s a popular digestif and winter warmer. Brandies are made worldwide. The most famous are cognac and armagnac, both made from grapes.
Cognac is from the Cognac region of southeastern France, and is the benchmark for brandies worldwide. It’s made almost entirely from the Ugni Blanc grape (Trebbiano in Italy) in a three-tier production system. With this, there are distinct companies for wine-making, distillation, then aging and blending. For this reason cognacs show a great deal of similarity across the various brands. The designated categories refer to the amount of aging, though all cognacs are distilled twice in small copper potstills. Cognac is referred to as “Yak” in the hip-hop community. The term “Fine Champagne” that appears on some labels has nothing to do with the sparkling wine champagne. Instead, it refers to the fact that the cognac originated in the Petite Champagne districts of the Cognac region and contains at least 50% of its blend from the Grande Champagne district. Cognacs come in three basic quality designations based upon the time spent in oak casks. VS or Three Star are aged for a minimum of two-and-a-half years, though most are aged between four and seven years. VSOP, VO (Very Old), or Réserve have a minimum aging is four-and-a-half years, however, most are aged between five and thirteen years. XO, Extra, Napoleon, and Vielle Réserve have a minimum aging of six years, but most are aged between seven and forty years.
Armagnac is similar to cognac, but is made in the smaller Armagnac region, is distilled only once instead of twice, made with one to four different grapes instead of just one, and often carries a vintage date. Though its production is much smaller than cognac, there is a comparatively greater range in tastes among the labels. Calvados is another notable type of brandy from France. From the cold and windswept Normandy where grapes will not readily grow, this distinctive brandy is made from apples. Calvados might be the most easily accessible brandy due to its comparatively mellow flavor. Other brandies include excellent brandies that are made in Spain and California.
Cognac, the best known and probably the best type of brandy, is both enjoyed by most sophisticated drinkers, and the least sophisticated. It is best reserved for the former, since if you are going to mix it with something, a lesser brandy will work. There are also brandies made with a variety of other fruits such as peach and apricot that are common in Eastern Europe.
Popular Drinks with Brandy – Neat, Stinger, Brandy Alexander, B & B, Brandy & Cola, Brandy & Soda, Grasshopper, Incredible Hulks, Sidecar
Recommended Brands of Brandy – Fundador (Spain - $$), Courvoisier VS ($$$), Gabriel & Andreu Borderies ($$$), Hennessy VS ($$$), Martell VS ($$$), Courvoisier VSOP ($$$$), Hennessy VSOP ($$$$), Pierre Ferrand Ambré ($$$$), Cardenal Mendoza (Spain - $$$$$)
You can have all of this information handy, and much more, by purchasing The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining which is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.
NOTE – The retail price ranges for standard-sized bottles (750 ml) of wine and spirits are: $ ($0-$10), $$ ($10-$20), $$$ ($20-$30), $$$$ ($30-$40), and $$$$$ ($40-$50). You should probably save bottles over $50 for your own consumption.
Vodka is a clear, nearly neutral spirit that has become the most popular mixer for both men and women in North America. In Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries, the lands of its origin, vodka is usually consumed straight up, served chilled in small glasses. In the rest of the world, it’s consumed mostly as part of a cocktail. The fact that it is neutral and only slightly flavored makes it a great mixer with just about anything, and is the biggest reason for its popularity. Vodka is made from mostly grains, corn, rye, wheat, and barley, and sometimes potatoes, beets or grapes. After fermentation of the sugars derived from the grains or potatoes, this “mash” is distilled at a very high proof, usually 190 (or 95% alcohol). This effectively eliminates most of its distinctive flavors, which are present in other liquors that are distilled to lower proofs. Vodka is then purified further by the treatment of the liquid with charcoal. The quality of the finished product is determined, in large part, by the quality of the water, which makes up more than half of the vodka, the method of distillation including the number of distillations, the type of charcoal used in the purification process, and the quality of the equipment used throughout.
Popular Drinks featuring Vodka – Apple Martini, Bay Breeze, Black Russian, Bloody Mary, Cape Cod, Colorado Bulldog, Cosmopolitan, Gibson, Greyhound, Hairy Navel, John Collins (i.e Vodka Collins), Kamikaze, Madras, Martini, Salty Dog, Screwdriver, Sea Breeze, Sex on the Beach, shot, Vodka & Tonic, Vodka-Seven, Vodka-Soda, White Russian, Woo Woo
Recommended Brands of Vodka – Regular – Monopolow ($$), Sobieski ($$), Smirnoff ($$), Tito’s ($$), Absolut ($$$), Belvedere ($$$), Ciroc ($$$), Grey Goose ($$$); Flavored – Finlandia Cranberry ($$), Finlandia Mango ($$), Smirnoff Orange Twist ($$), Absolut Citron ($$$), Absolut Mandrin ($$$), Stolichnaya Vanil ($$$)
Whiskey (or Whisky) – There are actually four very basic types of whiskies based on geography: scotch, Irish, Canadian, and American, of which the most important and most common is bourbon. Whiskies from each of the four areas have distinct general styles. Whiskies are also produced in other countries, most notably Japan and Australia, but these can safely be ignored unless you are traveling to either place.
NOTE – Whiskey or Whisky? – You will find both spellings on labels, and both spellings are correct. “Whiskey” is used by most of the American and Irish producers, while “whisky” is used by the Scottish and Canadian companies. No one really seems to know why this has had occurred over the years, though it does not seem to have affected the quality of the whiskies (this plural is the same for both spellings).
Scotch whiskies are an acquired taste for most, and are generally much more popular with more mature drinkers. The distinctive smoky flavor is from the fact that the malted barley is dried over peat fires. Scotch is divided into two main types, single malts and blends. Single malt refers to the fact that the whisky was made at one distillery, has not been blended with any other whiskies, and barley malt was the only grain and the only fermentable material that was used. Single malt scotches meet these criteria, and blended scotches constitute everything else. The best blends are made solely with other scotch whiskies rather than any other liquor. The cheaper blends consist of single malt whiskies mixed with less flavorful liquors made with neutral grains.
During the 1990s the number of single malts exploded, along with their popularity, and these scotches became the premium drink for many serious drinkers. Single malts have unique and more pronounced flavors, often of smoke and peat, more so than do the blends, which are generally smoother. Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s and Cutty Sark are popular blended scotch whiskies. Both single malts and blends can be very good, and most benefit from aging in wood barrels. The quality of a particular brand of scotch is generally better the longer it has been aged, often 10, 12, 18 years and longer.
Each single malt scotch is an individual, often times as distinct from other single malts as they are from blends. Peat, partially carbonized vegetable material found in bogs, is the fuel for turning the barley into malt. The flavor of peat can be pronounced for some single malts, often its predominant flavor. There are four major regions for single malt scotches, each denoting certain regional characteristics: Lowlands, Highlands, Campbeltown, and Islay.
Lowland whiskies, from the areas south of the large cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, usually exhibit the pleasant taste of malt rather than the flavors of peat, or those of the coast (seaweed and brine) that can be evident in other regions. Whiskies from the Lowlands are often the most accessible of the single malts. The Highlands is the biggest region, and the whiskies vary widely among the general, unofficial areas of the west, north, Midlands, east, and Speyside. The western part of the Highlands produces whiskies that are generally firm and dry with the hint of some peatiness. The northern part of the Highlands produces whiskies that can be described as spicy (for whisky). The more temperate Midlands and East Highlands have whiskies that are comparatively fruity. Speyside whiskies are noted for their complexity and elegance, and exhibit two wide variations: the robust, sherry-flavored whiskies such as Macallan and Glenfarclas, and the lighter, subtle whiskies such as Glenlivet and Glenmorangie. Campbeltown, the smallest of the regions, consists of only three whiskies, which are distinctively briny with different levels of peatiness. Islay, which is an island off the southwestern coast of the mainland pronounced “eye-luh,” produces whiskies that are noticeably full-bodied, peaty, smoky and with the flavor of seaweed. Excellent whiskies are produced on other smaller islands, such as Highland Park from Orkney, and Talisker on the Skye, both of which are described as Highland-like in character.
Popular Drinks featuring Scotch – Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Scotch & Soda, Scotch & Milk
Recommended Brands of Scotch – Blends – Dewar’s ($$$), Famous Grouse ($$$); Single Malts – Monkey Shoulder ($$$), Glenlivet 12 Year Old ($$$$), Craggenmore 12 Year Old ($$$$$), Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish ($$$$$), Highland Park 12 Year Old ($$$$$)
Irish Whiskey describes whiskies from Ireland. These generally do not have as complex a taste as most scotch whiskies, but are still of high quality, and comparatively inexpensive. Irish whiskey is made from a fermented mash of malted barley, unmalted barley, corn, rye and other grains. The malted grains in these whiskies are dried in closed kilns, rather than open peat-fueled fires, so the smoky and peaty flavors found in most scotch whiskies are not present. Irish whiskey is distilled three times and aged for three to nine years in reused oak casks. The resultant product has a smooth malty flavor that is more easily accessible than scotch whisky. Jameson and Bushmills are the two most common Irish whiskies found in North America. For what it’s worth, Jameson was the “Catholic whiskey” and Bushmills is the “Protestant whiskey.” That difference is very insignificant now, as both are owned by the same company. With a change in formula in recent years, Jameson is now sweeter and tastier than Bushmills, and a big reason it is big among the younger drinkers.
Popular Drinks featuring Irish Whiskey – Neat, On the Rocks, Irish Coffee
Recommended Brands of Irish Whiskey – Bushmills ($$$), Jameson ($$$), Tullamore Dew ($$$), Bushmills Black Bush ($$$$), Bushmills 10 Year Irish Malt ($$$$)
Canadian Whisky is simply whiskey distilled in Canada. These are generally even more affordable than Irish whiskies, but are also usually quite well made. By law, Canadian whisky must be blended from the fermented mash of grains such as corn, wheat, rye and barley. Corn is by far the largest component for most. Canadian whiskies must be aged in oak casks for at least three years, though most are aged between six and eight years. After aging, the whiskey is blended and then aged a little longer. The final product is lighter-bodied and slightly sweeter than scotch and Irish whiskies, featuring a muted and smooth taste. Canadian whiskies generally make for good mixers, better, at least than their scotch and Irish cousins.
Popular Drinks featuring Canadian Whisky – Neat, On the Rocks, Crown & Cola, Manhattan, Old Fashioned
Recommended Brands of Canadian Whisky – Canadian Club ($$), Crown Royal ($$$), Forty Creek ($$$), Seagram’s V.O. ($$$)
The best American whiskies are bourbon whiskies and its close cousins made in a slightly different process from Tennessee. These are the pride of American spirits. Bourbon whiskey must be made from between 51% and 79% fermented corn (mash at this juncture). Bourbon is straight whiskey, meaning no blending and nothing else is added after distillation other than water. It must be aged at least two years in new charred white oak barrels, but most are aged at least four years, and are sold at 80 proof. The sour mash method, which is often mentioned in discussions about bourbon, is a fermentation technique that employs part of the previous distillation in the current batch of fermenting mash. This allows for consistency among subsequent batches.
Bourbon can be distilled anywhere in the U.S., but the great majority of it comes from Kentucky. The distillers claim that the very best water for their whiskey is why they stay at their original locations. Tennessee whiskey includes one more step in the production process than used for bourbon. After distillation, the liquid is filtered through charcoal made from maple trees to remove impurities before aging. This process either makes Tennessee whisky a smoother product than bourbon, or removes the flavor according to some bourbon partisans. Jack Daniel’s and the boutique George Dickel are the only two distilleries left in Tennessee. In addition to bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, there is rye whiskey, in which rye makes up over half of the fermentable grains. Rye whiskey is the original American whiskey. It’s similar in color to bourbon, but has a different, heavier and coarser taste. Then there is “blended American whiskey,” which is not unlike the Canadian blended whisky. Seagram’s 7 is the most popular brand of American blended whiskey and similar to the Canadian Seagram’s V.O.
Popular Drinks with American Whiskey – Neat, On the Rocks, With a Splash of Water, Bourbon Old Fashioned, Bourbon Sour, Hot Toddy, Kentucky Cooler, Mint Julep, Sazerac, 7 & 7, Whiskey and Cola, Whiskey Sour
Recommended Brands of American Whiskey – Jack Daniel’s Black ($$), Jim Beam ($$), Weller’s 90 Proof ($$), Wild Turkey 101 Proof ($$), Makers Mark ($$$)
Rum is distilled from sugar cane or sugar cane molasses, and is popular for a wide range of drinks, including one of the easiest and most popular, the Rum & Cola. It’s produced in tropical areas mostly around the Caribbean. There are three main types of rum: light, dark, and flavored. Light rums are usually produced in column stills to 160 proof and higher. The lowest level, white rum, spends at least one year in oak barrels. The second level, amber or gold, is aged for at least three years and has caramel added for the color. It’s generally smoother and more flavorful than the basic white rum. The third level, añejo, is aged at least four years, and is the most flavorful of the light-bodied rums. The full-bodied dark rums are produced with a slightly different process, which includes capturing only the middle part of the distillation column, between 140 and 160 proof. This results in the most flavorful kind of basic rum, which is helped by an aging of at least five years in oak barrels. The popular rums from Jamaica are usually blended to achieve consistency. Flavored rums are typically light-bodied rums that are flavored with fruit juices or spices. These are generally more popular with younger drinkers.
Popular Drinks with Rum – Cuba Libré, Frozen Daiquiri, Hurricane, Mai Tai, Mojito, Piña Colada, Rum & Cola, Rum & Orange Juice, Rum & Pineapple Juice, Rum & Soda, Rum Runner, Rum Sour
Recommended Brands of Rum – Light – Castillo ($), Bacardi ($$), Pampero ($$$), Diplimatico ($$); Dark – Barbancourt 5 Star ($$$), Myers ($$$); Flavored – Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum ($$), Malibu Coconut Flavor ($$)
Gin lost supremacy to vodka in the world of spirits years ago, even in the classic Martini, but it remains an essential for any well-stocked or somewhat-stocked bar. And, it has been making somewhat of a resurgence. The long-popular London dry gin style, for which “gin” now usually refers, was created by distillers in England in the 19th century. This style is made with fermentable mash consisting of 75% corn, 15% barley malt, and 10% other grains, and is flavored with a number of spices, herbs and botanicals. The distinctive London dry gin flavor comes primarily from juniper berries, but many other items are used, including orange peel, cardamom, cassia bark, coriander, and angelica root. These are added to the liquid during the distillation process to produce the final product. After distillation, water typically is added to bring the gin to its marketed strength at 80 proof. There is not a huge taste difference among dry gins. Most gins sold are of this London dry style. The other, original, and somewhat rare, style is the Dutch sweet gin. In terms of value, dry gin remains a good buy, with acclaimed brands selling for under $20 per 750 ml bottle.
Popular Drinks with Gin – French ‘75’, Gibson, Gimlet, Gin & Tonic, Gin Fizz, Gin ‘n Juice, Gin Sour, Martini, Negroni, The Perfect Cocktail, Ramos Gin Fizz, Singapore Sling, Tom Collins
Recommended Brands of Gin – Bombay ($$), Boodles ($$), Beefeater ($$), Citadelle ($$), Bombay Sapphire ($$$), Tanqueray ($$$), Hendricks ($$$$)
Not just the firewater with a worm in the bottle, mezcal describes the broad category of distilled spirits from the roasted heart of the agave plant. Tequila is a specific type of mezcal that was originally produced near the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. Tequila is legally produced in Jalisco and four other Mexican states. Tequila is made primarily from a specific variety of agave, the Agave Tequilana Weber, Variety Blue. Agave is not a cactus, but comes from its own botanical family called agavacea. Tequilas are generally divided among mixto, which can include joven (for “young” and to which caramel and sugar have been added for color and taste), that consists of at least 51% distilled agave juice blended with neutral spirits, and the three categories that are made with 100% distilled agave juice include blanco (that is bottled within 60 days of distillation), repsosado (which is aged from two to eleven months in oak), and añejo (aged for at least a year in small oak barrels). The more agave, the better. If in doubt, look for tequilas that are labeled “100% agave.” The longer the tequila is aged, the darker the color becomes, the taste of the agave mellows, and the more noticeable the flavor of the oak becomes. Aged is not necessarily better, though aged tequilas are more expensive, and much more popular for drinking straight, or neat.
Popular Drinks with Tequila – Shot, Neat, Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise
Recommended Brands of Tequila – Blanco – Centenario Blanco ($$), El Tesoro Platinum ($$$$), Herradura Silver ($$$$), Reposado – Centenario Reposado($$); Puerta Vallarta Reposado All Agave ($$$), Cazadores ($$$), Chinaco Reposado ($$$$$), El Tesoro Reposado ($$$$), Añejo – Centenario Añejo ($$), Don Eduardo Añejo ($$$$$), Don Julio Añejo ($$$$$),
Brandy is the fermented juice of a fruit that is distilled and aged in wood. The most famous are made from grapes, but brandies are made from a wide range of fruits and even from the oils of flowers. It’s a popular digestif and winter warmer. Brandies are made worldwide. The most famous are cognac and armagnac, both made from grapes.
Cognac is from the Cognac region of southeastern France, and is the benchmark for brandies worldwide. It’s made almost entirely from the Ugni Blanc grape (Trebbiano in Italy) in a three-tier production system. With this, there are distinct companies for wine-making, distillation, then aging and blending. For this reason cognacs show a great deal of similarity across the various brands. The designated categories refer to the amount of aging, though all cognacs are distilled twice in small copper potstills. Cognac is referred to as “Yak” in the hip-hop community. The term “Fine Champagne” that appears on some labels has nothing to do with the sparkling wine champagne. Instead, it refers to the fact that the cognac originated in the Petite Champagne districts of the Cognac region and contains at least 50% of its blend from the Grande Champagne district. Cognacs come in three basic quality designations based upon the time spent in oak casks. VS or Three Star are aged for a minimum of two-and-a-half years, though most are aged between four and seven years. VSOP, VO (Very Old), or Réserve have a minimum aging is four-and-a-half years, however, most are aged between five and thirteen years. XO, Extra, Napoleon, and Vielle Réserve have a minimum aging of six years, but most are aged between seven and forty years.
Armagnac is similar to cognac, but is made in the smaller Armagnac region, is distilled only once instead of twice, made with one to four different grapes instead of just one, and often carries a vintage date. Though its production is much smaller than cognac, there is a comparatively greater range in tastes among the labels. Calvados is another notable type of brandy from France. From the cold and windswept Normandy where grapes will not readily grow, this distinctive brandy is made from apples. Calvados might be the most easily accessible brandy due to its comparatively mellow flavor. Other brandies include excellent brandies that are made in Spain and California.
Cognac, the best known and probably the best type of brandy, is both enjoyed by most sophisticated drinkers, and the least sophisticated. It is best reserved for the former, since if you are going to mix it with something, a lesser brandy will work. There are also brandies made with a variety of other fruits such as peach and apricot that are common in Eastern Europe.
Popular Drinks with Brandy – Neat, Stinger, Brandy Alexander, B & B, Brandy & Cola, Brandy & Soda, Grasshopper, Incredible Hulks, Sidecar
Recommended Brands of Brandy – Fundador (Spain - $$), Courvoisier VS ($$$), Gabriel & Andreu Borderies ($$$), Hennessy VS ($$$), Martell VS ($$$), Courvoisier VSOP ($$$$), Hennessy VSOP ($$$$), Pierre Ferrand Ambré ($$$$), Cardenal Mendoza (Spain - $$$$$)
You can have all of this information handy, and much more, by purchasing The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining which is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.
