When it comes to whiskey, the most expensive isn’t necessarily the best. The price can be directly related to the distilleries marketing expenses, the amount they created, or any other business-related factor besides the quality of the whiskey. The best whiskey can vary depending on what you’re using it for. Some are excellent in cocktails while others are best sipped on a special occasion.
We’ve put together some simple ways to help you figure out what you’re looking for as well as some recommendations to get sipping on.
Get to know your tastes
You don’t have to dive into the most expensive bottle to see if you like it when the same company probably makes more affordable options with only slight differences. Sampling these will help give you an idea of whether you like how the distillery tastes in general without breaking the bank.
Go for higher proof whiskies
The higher the proof the less it’s been diluted. The less it’s been diluted the more flavor it has. If it’s too strong you can always dilute it yourself. Look for the words “bonded” or “bottled-in-bond” which means it was bottled at 100 proof. You can go lower, just not too low. 93 or higher is a good proof to work with.
Check out what it’s made out of (the mash bill)
The grain components that are mashed together, fermented, and distilled to make whiskey can tell you a lot about the flavor profile. Typically, rye is spicier, malted barley is drier, and corn means more caramel notes.
Cocktail Whiskeys
Rye
This rye features more complexity than many pricier options and shows hints of chocolate, spice, dried fruit, and orange peel. Due to its high proof, the flavor can stand up to some heavy mixing. Try it in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or a Sazerac.
Bourbon
Four Roses has a nice round profile of vanilla and tannic oak that somehow feels both soft and robust. It works well in shaken cocktails as the bourbon integrates well with citrus juices and other fruits.
Sipping Whiskeys
Sipping whiskies are going to be more expensive and are typically the ones you give as a gift on a special occasion, but nothing says you can’t indulge at your leisure if you’ve have a bottle at home.
Redbreast Lustau Edition was born of a unique collaboration between the Bodegas Lustau and the Midleton Distillery. The result is the ultimate sherried style of Redbreast. Creamy Pot Still with spices balanced with richness of sherry finish and contribution of Spanish oak.
Westland Peated Whiskey uses peated malt and several other kinds of malt to create this whiskey, which then gets aged for at least three years in oak casks. When you sip this one, you’ll get some smokey flavors before some hints of coffee, and the finish brings up so distinctly chocolate notes. But the smoke from the peated malt makes this one special.
If your looking for great deals on whiskeys in the Houston area, visit one of Spec’s Houston liquor stores for a wide variety of whiskeys to try.
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