Drink the Bottles

Celebrating Dad Doesn't Have to Include Alcohol Father's Day has long been associated with a familiar lineup of gifts: neckties, grilling tools, golf balls, and, increasingly, a bottle of whiskey or bourbon.   And while many dads enjoy a well-made cocktail, not every father is looking for alcohol these days. Some are focused on fitness goals. Others are training for races, watching their calorie intake, managing health concerns, serving as designated drivers, or simply choosing to drink less than they once did. Many have discovered that moderation doesn't mean sacrificing the rituals and experiences they've always enjoyed. That's where brands like Fluère are changing the conversation.  Rather than asking consumers to give something up, Fluère offers an alternative way to participate. The ritual remains. The cocktail remains. The social experience remains.  The alcohol simply doesn't have to.  For Father's Day, that makes Fluère Spiced Cane Dark Roast one of ...

One of the things we've always appreciated about Penelope is that they aren't afraid to experiment.  In fact, some might argue that they paved the path for many other distilleries for blending and creating unique spirits.   In an era where every new whiskey release seems to promise bigger proof, older age statements, or increasingly exotic finishes, Penelope has managed to find a balance between innovation and drinkability. That philosophy is on full display in the Cooper Series, a collection that allows the brand to explore unique finishing techniques while still keeping the whiskey approachable and enjoyable. Enter Riviera .  Part of Penelope's popular Cooper Series, Riviera takes a blend straight bourbon and 8-year American light whiskey and finishes it in rosé wine casks. On paper, it sounds like a whiskey designed for warmer weather and outdoor gatherings. In the glass, it turns out to be exactly that. The Cooper Series has become one of the more interesting pro...

Woodinville Whiskey: From Washington Startup to American Whiskey Standout Let's get one thing out of the way right from the start: Woodinville Whiskey isn't trying to be Kentucky bourbon.   That's probably one of the biggest reasons it has become one of the most respected craft whiskey producers in America. For decades, bourbon drinkers have been conditioned to believe that the best whiskey comes from Kentucky. While there's certainly plenty of truth behind that reputation, distilleries like Woodinville have shown that exceptional bourbon can come from places most enthusiasts never expected. In this case, the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2010 by longtime friends Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen, Woodinville Whiskey began with a simple but ambitious goal: create world-class whiskey using local ingredients and traditional methods without taking shortcuts. Rather than sourcing whiskey from elsewhere and putting their name on it, they committed themselves to building somet...

  ASW Distillery: How Atlanta's Whiskey Pioneer Became One of America's Most Innovative Bourbon Producers There are certain distilleries that consistently find their way back onto my shelf. Not because they're trendy. Not because they're impossible to find. And certainly not because they're backed by massive marketing budgets.  They earn their place because they make whiskey that I genuinely enjoy drinking. For me, ASW Distillery falls squarely into that category. Over the years I've tasted countless bourbons from every corner of the country. Some have been excellent. Some have been forgettable. A select few have become bottles that I actively seek out whenever I see them. ASW's Fiddler line belongs in that latter group.  These bottles are nothing short of incredible! What makes ASW so fascinating is that they're not simply following the blueprint laid out by Kentucky's legacy distilleries. They're creating something uniquely their own in Atlant...

  Summer and citrus have always gone hand in hand, but this June, New York City is taking things a step further. From June 15-22, National Pallini Lemon Week is bringing a celebration of Italian flavor, cocktail culture, and creative culinary experiences to the city, highlighting one of Italy's most beloved exports: limoncello. For many, limoncello evokes memories of leisurely meals along the Amalfi Coast, where the bright yellow liqueur is often served chilled as a digestif after dinner. Yet in recent years, limoncello has found new life beyond the traditional after-dinner pour, becoming a versatile ingredient in refreshing cocktails, frozen treats, and modern aperitivo culture. At the center of the celebration is Pallini Limoncello, a family-owned Italian brand that has spent generations perfecting the art of capturing the essence of sun-ripened lemons in a bottle. Pallini's story dates back to 1875, when the family began producing spirits and liqueurs in Italy. Today, Pallin...

When most bourbon enthusiasts think about great whiskey, their minds immediately drift toward Kentucky. It's understandable. The Bluegrass State has earned its reputation as bourbon's spiritual home.  But every so often, a distillery outside Kentucky reminds us that exceptional whiskey can come from unexpected places.  Middle West Spirits has quietly become one of those distilleries. Located in Columbus, Ohio, Middle West has spent years building a reputation for producing grain-to-glass spirits with an emphasis on transparency, local agriculture, and meticulous craftsmanship. While many brands source whiskey from elsewhere and focus primarily on marketing, Middle West has invested heavily in making whiskey from the ground up. Their Michelone Reserve Straight Wheated Bourbon is a perfect example of what happens when a distillery takes its time and lets quality lead the conversation.  This isn't a bourbon trying to shock you with massive proof or extreme oak influence. In...