Whiskey

Flavored Whiskey – The Next Big Thing in Spirits

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
Ready for the Unique World of Flavored Whiskeys?Like their name suggests, flavored whiskey is a type of whiskey that has been infused or blended with natural or artificial flavors. Contrary to what some ‘serious’ whiskey drinkers might tell you, flavored whiskeys are indeed making a big splash in the community. It all started when the big names like Wild Turkey and Jack Daniels added honey into their drinks to make them sweeter. Then others joined in and now, we’re in a flavore... Read More
Top Ten Peanut Butter Whiskeys - Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top 10 Peanut Butter Whiskeys

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
Estimated Reading Time: 3 MinutesPeanut butter whiskey is about as American as a spirit can get! The combination of whiskey and peanut butter may seem unconventional, but it makes delicious sense once it hits your tongue. The United States boasts the largest concentration and greatest diversity of whiskey production globally. Meanwhile, peanuts and peanut butter are widely available across the world, but no other country has integrated them into their cuisine as extensively as America has. So…... Read More
Essential American Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's

Essential American Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

It may be hard to hear, much less comprehend, but not everyone is a fan of sipping straight whiskey. Personal preference aside, there will come a time when even a diehard whiskey purist must admit a whiskey cocktail is what’s called for. It could be you end up hosting a gathering where not everyone drinks straight spirits. It could be one of those lovely 104 degrees days in Texas. Or you might have ended up with a bottle of something you don’t particularly care for on its own. This is when k... Read More

Evolution of The Whiskey Sour - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Evolution of The Whiskey Sour

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

First appearing in Jerry Thomas’ The Bartender’s Guide in 1862, the Whiskey Sour had been around decades earlier as a way to combat scurvy in sailors. Ships would stock up on citrus fruits on shore while the sailors brought liquors like rum or whiskey on board, so they had something safe to drink during months at sea. The citrus (typically lemon) was mixed with a liquor and water to create a drink that would not only quench thirst, but also effectively prevent the onset of scurvy.

Sailors... Read More

Whiskey & Cigar Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Whiskey & Cigar Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings, Spirits

Pairing a cigar with a tumbler of whiskey can be a delightful experience…as long as you pair the right cigar with the right bourbon. There are a few key things to keep in mind when pairing tobacco and alcohol, but the main thing is to enjoy yourself!
The keys to a good pairing

You want your cigar and alcohol flavors to be opposing flavors that balance each other and enhance each profile.
You don’t want to pair similar flavors/notes together, as it can wash out the flavor profile and... Read More

The Best Whiskey For Any Occasion - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

How To Choose The Best Whiskey For Any Occasion

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits

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 som... Read More

American Whiskey - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

History of American Whiskey & Top Rated Recommendations

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits

The History of Whiskey
The history of whiskey dates back to Medieval monks in Scotland and Ireland whose monasteries, lacking the vineyards and grapes of the European continent, turned to fermenting grain mash, resulting in the first distillations of modern whisky.
The Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world, opened in Northern Ireland in 1608, but it would take nearly 200 more years for America to put its own whiskey on the map.
American Whiskey Is Born
Whiskey mad... Read More

Whiskies of The World - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Whiskies of The World

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits

When you think whiskey, you typically think of countries like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the U.S., but there are actually over 25 whiskey-producing nations around the world.
These different regions of the world have different spellings – whiskey or whisky, and neither is technically wrong. Whiskey is generally used in the US and Ireland, while whisky is used in Scotland, Canada, and Japan.
Whiskey is made by distilling fermented grains and evidence of this process can be traced as far back... Read More

Cozy Winter Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Cozy Winter Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Relaxing with a whiskey by the fire doesn’t have to mean sipping on a sniffer-full of scotch. We’ve put together a collection of fireside-appropriate whiskey cocktails that’ll have you pulling your recliner closer to the hearth and indulging in the delights of a cozy whiskey cocktail.Hot ToddyIngredients2 oz. whiskey4 oz. hot water, to top½ oz. lemon juice1 tbsp. honeyCinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)Ground nutmeg, for garnish (optional)Ground cloves, for garnish (optional)Star anise... Read More

Newbies But Goodies

Entertain, Spec’sology Blog

We all have our go-to labels when we’re picking our poison. We’ve found a brand we like, or are just plain familiar with, and it becomes our proverbial formula from which we don’t want to stray. And for an easy in-and-out trip to Spec’s, that makes sense! But every now and then, it can be a lot of fun to mix it up when you’re mixing your drinks. Finding a new favorite might come in the form of your regular watering hole being out of your typical pick so you try something new, by the su... Read More