Drink the Bottles

National Rum Day: A Journey Through the History, Styles & Flavors of Rum August 16 is National Rum Day.   And while we certainly don't need much of an excuse to pour a glass, rum might be one of the most interesting spirits to actually have an excuse for. Rum can be light and crisp, dark and brooding, funky and earthy, sweet and spiced, grassy and vegetal, or rich and contemplative after years in a barrel.   It can be the backbone of a Daiquiri, the soul of a Mai Tai, the tropical star of a Piña Colada, or something you pour into a Glencairn and contemplate for a while.   It can even spend some time in a rum barrel and make a whiskey more interesting. That's exactly what we found when we gathered a collection of bottles specifically for National Rum Day. Our tasting lineup included traditional rums, spiced rums, aged rums, a non-alcoholic rum alternative—and even a Kentucky rye whiskey that spent time in Caribbean rum barrels. So before we get to the bo...

  Let's address the elephant in the room right away.   Yes, it's called Chicken Cock. The name inevitably gets a smile, a raised eyebrow, or a joke from nearly everyone who encounters the bottle for the first time. But behind the playful branding lies one of the most intriguing stories in American whiskey history—a story that stretches back 170 years and includes saloons, Prohibition-era smuggling, organized crime lore, and a remarkable modern revival. While many whiskey brands spend millions trying to create heritage, Chicken Cock actually has it.  And once you get past the name, you'll find a surprisingly well-crafted bourbon that delivers exactly what many enthusiasts are looking for: bold flavor, respectable proof, and a profile that remains approachable enough to enjoy neat. Chicken Cock Whiskey traces its roots back to 1856 in Paris, Kentucky, making it one of America's oldest whiskey brands.  Long before today's bourbon boom, Chicken Cock had already esta...