The North American Whiskey Guide from Behind the Bar: Real Bartenders' Reviews of More Than 250 Whiskeys--Includes 30 Standout Cocktail Recipes

by Chad Berkey, Jeremy LeBlanc

Overview

A Must-Have Guide for Every Whiskey Lover

Whiskey has become one of the most popular spirits, and with so many different kinds it’s hard to keep track of them all and select great new ones to try. With reviews of 250 different whiskeys, the historical background of each type, 30 of the best cocktail recipes and even the perfect cigar pairing, this guide has everything a person needs to find some of the most interesting whiskeys available.

Chad Berkey is the general manager of The Aero Club Bar in San Diego, which boasts one of the largest collections of whiskey of any bar in America, with over 900 different kinds. With his help, you’ll discover the best whiskeys to try, many that won't break the bank.

Top bartenders blind taste-tested every whiskey, so you get real, honest comments for each listing. Not only will this help you find whiskey similar to ones you already like, but it will also allow you to pick the best-tasting whiskey for your palate and preference.

Packed with all the information you’ll ever need on whiskey, this book is what every whiskey enthusiast should have in his or her library

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624146879
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	11/20/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	680,284
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Chad Berkey is the general manager of The Aero Club Bar, a San Diego bar that features over 900 different kinds of whiskey. Aero Club was named one of America’s Top Bars by Maxim and was featured in the New York Times travel piece “36 Hours in San Diego.” Chad is the co-owner of TIN PLAY Precision Pour Flair Tins. He lives in San Diego, California.

Jeremy LeBlanc is the senior bartender and head mixologist at ALTITUDE Sky Lounge, named one of the top 10 rooftop bars in the world by Condé Nast. He is also co-owner of TIN PLAY Precision Pour Flair Tins. He lives in San Diego, California.

Read an Excerpt

The North American Whiskey Guide from Behind the Bar

Real Bartenders' Reviews of More than 250 Whiskeysâ"Includes 30 Standout Cocktail Recipes

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By Chad Berkey, Jeremy LeBlanc, Tamara Lee-Sang

Page Street Publishing Co.

Copyright © 2014 Chad Berkey and Jeremy LeBlanc
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-62414-084-6

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CHAPTER 1

BOURBON

Bourbon is easily the most popular whiskey in America. Stroll into any bar in the country and order a whiskey and chances are the bartender is going to pour you a delicious amber-colored liquid that is made primarily from corn. Contrary to popular belief, bourbon can be produced anywhere in the United States. It must, however, be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. Other requirements include aging in new, charred oak barrels. It must be distilled no more than 160 proof or 80% alcohol by volume, and enter the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof or 62.5% alcohol by volume. It also must be bottled at 80 proof or more (40% ABV). If the whiskey reads "straight bourbon," the whiskey must be aged at least two years. There can be no funny business of mixing in any coloring or adding flavor enhancers, so if you're looking for the real McCoy, make sure the label doesn't say "blended whiskey."

Kentucky produces over 90% of the bourbon on the market, but there are many great smaller craft distilleries across the country that are making a name for themselves by distilling quality whiskey. Many of them use organic products and take great pride in their "farm to bottle" small batch whiskeys. They are experimenting with different ages and styles that produce many different flavor profiles.

In this chapter we cover many of the most popular bourbons that you will find in your local whiskey bar, and we do our best to relay what the countless amounts of people who belly up to our copper bar top are saying about them as they sip away. So, whether you enjoy it straight up, on the rocks, mixed in your favorite cocktail, or even slammed into the back of your throat, we're sure we can help find the bourbon that's right for you! We welcome you to read the tasting notes from the bartenders, four professionals with very different palates who had absolutely no idea what the whiskey was as they tasted and commented on it. We held nothing back in the hopes of finding you some delicious bourbon to enjoy, for it truly is "America's Native Spirit."

ANCIENT AGE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: This brand has been around 60 plus years offering up three whiskeys to choose from: Ancient Age, Ancient Age 10 Star and the much harder to find Ancient Age 10 Year. Distilled from corn, high rye and barley malt, it can be described as sweet. It's dry on the palate but has a pleasant burn. If you do add ice, we recommend only a cube or two as the whiskey is light not only in color but in flavor as well. It is one worthy of being on your shelf at home; just be sure the teenagers aren't adding any extra water!

FUN FACT: Ancient Age was the brand of choice for Kurt Dussander, fugitive Nazi war criminal and villain in Stephen Kings Apt Pupil.

VARIETY/STYLE: Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: New American Oak

AGE: 3 years

ORIGIN: Kentucky

BOTTLE: 750 ml, screw cap

ALCOHOL: 40%

PROOF: 80

PRICE: low-range

RELATED: Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Fighting Cock, Old Crow, Old Taylor

Age International, Inc., 229 West Main Street, Suite 202, Frankfort, KY 40601, [phone], [e-mail] Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Franklin County, Frankfort, KY 40601, (800) 6548471, [e-mail], www.buffalotracedistillery.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Super sweet like sugar cookies.

JEFF: Nice sweet taste. That went down easy.

JOHN: Definite Sugar, almond in the front with a nice finish.

BRANDON: Perfect for beginners. Soft and smooth with sweet caramel, oak in the finish.

ANGEL'S ENVY KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: The whiskey of angels. Born in 1938, Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson passed away in 2013. This family-run distillery continues the tradition of crafting premium bourbons. Angels Envy is aged up to six years in charred white oak barrels and finished at least six months in ruby port wine casks. These hand-blended batches consist of eight to twelve barrels at a time. To keep up the family tradition and assure quality, each barrel is tasted throughout the process of distilling. Because of its intense maple, vanilla and dried fruit flavors, we often recommend this bourbon to the beginner who is ready to spend a little bit more to try a premium bourbon. It's great straight from the bottle to the glass. Try dipping the tip of a good cigar in to enhance the flavor of both.

FUN FACT: Unique tall sleek bottle, bearing angels wings

VARIETY/STYLE: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: White Oak Barrels/Port Cask

AGE: 6 years

ORIGIN: Kentucky

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 43.3%

PROOF: 86.6

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Colorado Gold Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10 Year, Big Bottom Port Cask, Basil Hayden's, Elijah Craig 12 Year

Louisville Distilling Company, LLC, 7202 Highway 329, Crestwood, KY 40014, [phone], [e-mail], www.angelsenvy.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Spice on the nose. Tastes fruity—like sugared apricots.

JEFF: This one seemed to have a little bitter taste that isn't suited for my palate. Dried fruit flavors were also noticeable.

JOHN: I definitely get fruit and leather. There's spice on the end. I love it and will recommend it to my lady!

BRANDON: Nose is sweet vanilla; it's unexpectedly spicy with a short bitter finish of dark fruit.

BAKER'S KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: Baker's is an award-winning small batch whiskey that is handcrafted in limited quantities dating back two centuries. According to Baker Beam, grandnephew of Jim Beam, Bakers Bourbon embodies over six generations of distilling experience and a tradition of putting their best secrets inside the bottle and not on the label. This bourbon has a pleasant start with aromas of vanilla and toffee. It continues on to give a combination of oak and vanilla sweetness and finishes fast with a rye bread, caramel flavor. Its a good, high-alcohol bourbon, but we generally recommend Bookers over Baker's because customers tend to prefer it.

FUN FACT: It's named after Baker Beam, the grandnephew of the distiller's namesake.

VARIETY/STYLE: Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: Oak

AGE: 7 years

ORIGIN: Kentucky

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 53.5%

PROOF: 107

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Michter's Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bulleit 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Knob Creek Single Barrel Straight Bourbon, Pure Kentucky, Prichard's Double Barrel

Beam Suntory Inc., 510 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, [phone], [e-mail],www.beamglobal.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Big burn with great classic bourbon flavors. A real powerhouse whiskey.

JEFF: Can I get some cubes, please! Pretty alcohol forward with a nutty taste. Good for a sipper but not for an all-night event.

JOHN: It tastes just like it smells: delicious. A bit hot, I would prefer some water or ice.

BRANDON: The nose is that of a typical bourbon, but it's really full and robust. The finish is long and seems to hang out on the back of my tongue, and not disappointing at all.

BASIL HAYDEN'S KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: In 1796, Master Distiller Basil Hayden Sr. broke the rules by mixing small grains into the mash of a traditional corn base, which sprung what is now called Basil Hayden's Straight Bourbon. This small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon is known for being light bodied and easy to drink. It has a sweet corn start with a solid hint of peppercorn and a warm, smooth finish. Guests often use this as a reference point: "I like Basil Hayden, what else can you recommend?" People know the name for a reason; it's good.

FUN FACT: Basil Hayden's grandson, Raymond B. Hayden, founded a distillery and named it "Old Grand-Dad," after his grandfather. It's also James Bonds bourbon of choice in the novel Carte Blanche.

VARIETY/STYLE: Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: New American Oak

AGE: 8 years

ORIGIN: Kentucky

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 40.0%

PROOF: 80

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Evan Williams Single Barrel, Eligah Craig, Knob Creek, Blanton's, Four Roses Small Batch

Beam Suntory Inc., 510 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, [phone], [e-mail],www.beamglobal.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: This smells like a whiskey sour, but it tastes like pears and cinnamon. I'd drink this on Christmas with my Grandma.

JEFF: Fruity with a hint of spice. The fruit flavor hangs around.

JOHN: Nice spice! Long-lasting flavor. I would read a book by the fire with this one.

BRANDON: Smooth oak, cinnamon tastes not too robust, but delicious!

BELLE MEADE SOUR MASH STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: This historical bourbon dates back nearly 100 years from the family of Charles Nelson. Prior to Prohibition, Belle Meade Bourbon was one of the most popular whiskeys in production. Known for its light color and body, this bourbon's old-school label tells a story. This small batch bourbon is high in rye and is known for its long legacy. They have plans on building their own distillery and producing some powerhouse whiskeys.

FUN FACT: The horses on the front label have a history that goes back to the days of the famous Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tenn. The horse on the right-hand side of the label is Bonnie Scotland, one of Belle Meade's leading sires. Some of Bonnie Scotland's descendants include War Admiral, Man O' War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat, along with most of the horses that run in the Kentucky Derby today. Appropriately enough, one of Bonnie Scotland's fillies was named Bourbon Belle. The horse on the left-hand side of the label is Brown Dick, whose great-great-grand sire was simply named Whiskey.

VARIETY/STYLE: Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: Oak

AGE: 5½ and 7½ years, depending on the barrel chosen

ORIGIN: Tennessee

BOTTLE: 150 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 45.2%

PROOF: 90.4

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Blanton's, Berkshire Mountain Small Batch Bourbon, Angels Envy, Fighting Cock, Buck Ranch Hand, Old Petrero

Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, 1200 Clinton Street, Nashville, TN 31203, [phone], [e-mail] [e-mail], www.greenbri erdistillery.com Producer: MGP Ingredients Inc., Cray Business Plaza, 100 Commercial Street, P.O. Box 130, Atchison, KS 66002, [phone], www.mgpingredients.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Leather, oak and spices. Not overly complex. A solid juice!

JEFF: Vanilla on the nose. For sure, some woody notes like cedar planks with some nice sweetness.

JOHN: From the smell you'd think just another sweet whiskey, but the flavor is spicy and oaky. Too bad it fades fast.

BRANDON: There's definitely rye present on the nose and palate, but it's really well balanced with a little sweetness on the back end.

BERKSHIRE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERS BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: This New England—style bourbon is expertly crafted in small batches from locally grown ingredients. Berkshire Mountain Distillers Bourbon Whiskey is a balanced, harmonious spirit matured in virgin American white oak barrels. It has bright notes of spicy rye, vanilla and mature fruit. It ends with a lingering finish of caramel and toasted nut. Not much on this small distillery in Massachusetts, but definitely good bourbon for the novice of bourbon drinkers. Got to start somewhere!

FUN FACT: Berkshire Mountain Distillers is Massachusetts's first legal distillery since Prohibition.

VARIETY/STYLE: Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: American White Oak

AGE: N/A

ORIGIN: Massachusetts

BOTTLE: 150 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 43%

PROOF: 86

PRICE: low-range

RELATED: Bulleit, Acient Age, Cyrus Noble, Evan Williams Single Barrel

Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Inc., P.O. Box 922, Great Barrington, MA 01230, [phone], [e-mail], www.berkshiremountaindistillers.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Nose of caramel and butter corn, tastes like caramel corn at the fair.

JEFF: Toasted and spicy in the beginning but ended with more of a caramel flavor.

JOHN: Dude, sweet all the way through, a guy could get used to this.

BRANDON: Complex, smooth finish; I recommend it if you want to try something different.

BIG BOTTOM AMERICAN STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

SUMMARY: Ted Pappas was inspired by the craft spirit movement in Oregon so much so he opened his own distillery in Hillsboro, Oregon, in 2010. Big Bottom produces a standard straight bourbon as well as some unique extra-aged expressions, including some bourbons doing time in port, cabernet and Zinfandel casks. The American straight bourbon whiskey consists of 36% rye and is proofed at 91. The whiskey has a cult-like following in the Pacific Northwest that is spreading fast. Guests visiting our San Diego watering hole are often asking us if we carry it. The answer, of course, is yes. It's a pretty reasonably priced craft whiskey that we suggest you try—to see if you agree with the hype.

FUN FACT: The Big Bottom name is a tribute to 128,000 acres on and around Mount Hood.

VARIETY/STYLE: Small Batch Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: New Oak

AGE: 3 years

ORIGIN: Oregon

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 45.5%

PROOF: 91

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Angels Envy, Hirsch, Cyrus Noble, Ballast Point, Wasmund's

Big Bottom Whiskey, 21420 NW Nicholas Court, Suite D-9, Hillsboro, OR 97214, [phone], [e-mail], www.bigbottomwhiskey.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Alcohol burn first, baking spice, toasty and warming. Good for winter.

JEFF: This has a softer nose, good whiskey burn with all the usual flavors with no standouts.

JOHN: Very light burn. I would drink this all day. Mild, sweet; nice finish.

BRANDON: Smooth, easy sipper. Easy sell.

BIG BOTTOM AMERICAN STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY PORT CASK FINISH

SUMMARY: This is our bestseller out of the Big Bottom distillery lineup. It spends another six months in 10-year tawny port barrels before reaching its beautifully labeled bottles. Distribution is limited because they are completely dependent on the wine industry. With an increase in demand for their whiskey, the squeeze is on to get the wine out of barrels and the bourbon into the still wet casks. This bourbon is a must try, especially if you like Angel's Envy. This is like its big brother.

FUN FACT: This whiskey has won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and at the Micro Liquor Spirit Awards.

VARIETY/STYLE: Small Batch Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: New Oak/Port Casks

AGE: 2 years

ORIGIN: Oregon

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 45.5%

PROOF: 91

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Angel's Envy, Wasmund's, Ballast Point, Anchor, High West, Prichard's Big Bottom Whiskey, 21420 NW Nicholas Court, Suite D-9, Hillsboro, OR 97214, [phone], [e-mail], www.bigbottomwhiskey.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

NOTES FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: A subtle vanilla. Pretty sweet and quietly complex. Some cereal, some sweet grain.

JEFF: Flavors on the nose are hard to read. Taste is dry and sweet somehow—a lot going on.

JOHN: No burning sensation! Sweet and grainy with no after taste.

BRANDON: No nose. Soft, sweet flavors with some funky oak flavors, craft whiskey for sure.

BIG BOTTOM AMERICAN STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY ZINFANDEL CASK FINISH

SUMMARY: Big Bottom distillers are known for their cask finish bourbons, a process where whiskey is put into freshly emptied wine barrels for a further aging of around six months. There are many things that factor into doing this right, from the type of wine cask to the type of bourbon that needs to have high rye and wheat content. Scoring the winning combination is tedious and time-consuming, but I bet they had some fun, too. The ultimate goal is for the bourbon to soak into the casks, forcing the wine that is left over in the staves out into the bourbon. The Zinfandel finish is overshadowed by their port finish. Most of our customers only like experimenting with this, so it is rarely reordered.

FUN FACT: Ted Pappas served time in the Air Force and worked in the healthcare industry before moving his family to Oregon. He is currently serving as vice president of the Oregon Distillers Guild.

VARIETY/STYLE: Small Batch Straight Bourbon

BARREL TYPE: New Oak/Zinfandel Casks

AGE: N/A

ORIGIN: Oregon

BOTTLE: 750 ml, cork top

ALCOHOL: 45.5%

PROOF: 91

PRICE: mid-range

RELATED: Stein, High West, Angel's Envy, Cyrus Noble, Wasmund's, Wathen's

Big Bottom Whiskey, 21420 NW Nicholas Court, Suite D-9, Hillsboro, OR 97214, [phone], [e-mail], www.bigbottomwhiskey.com

PROPELLERS: !!!!

COMMENTS FROM THE BARTENDER:

ANNIE: Sugary and sweet. Lots of maple and toffee—candy whiskey!

JEFF: I know we're not doing flavored whiskeys but I think one may have snuck in.

JOHN: Yay for candy whiskey! Love it! Sweet, sweet candy.

BRANDON: This would make a great after-dinner sipper.

BLACK MAPLE HILL KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON

SUMMARY: You always want what you can't have. Van Winkle worked this marketing to perfection. Why not Black Maple Hill? Well, they're well on their way. We have a lot of people ask us if we have Pappy, and more often than not the answer is no. A very popular second choice has become Black Maple Hill. It's good bourbon with a lot of rich flavors of corn, fruits and vanilla, but it's often not picked first in our blind taste tests. The price per shot of Black Maple Hill keeps rising due to supply and demand, but we can honestly say that more guests than not are saying it's "Okay" or "Good" not "It's the best whiskey I've ever had."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The North American Whiskey Guide from Behind the Bar by Chad Berkey, Jeremy LeBlanc, Tamara Lee-Sang. Copyright © 2014 Chad Berkey and Jeremy LeBlanc. Excerpted by permission of Page Street Publishing Co..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Bourbon 9

Tennessee 65

Rye 73

Canadian 97

Blended/Other 111

Wheat 127

Corn/White 131

Malt 139

Cocktails 147

Whiskey and Cigars Pairing Chart 182

The North American Whiskey Drinker's Bucket List 184

Acknowledgments 186

About the Authors 187

Index 189

Editorial Reviews

This book is a combination of years of experience and a true love of whiskey. It’s a must-have for any whiskey drinker!” —Bill Lutzius, owner of The Aero Club Bar

“Combine professionalism, knowledge and a love for the true art of mixology and the by-product is a must-own book from Chad and Jeremy for any consummate whiskey lover, mixologist or entertainer.” —John Green, host of Food Network’s On the Rocks

“An informative and inspired read.” —Skip Stegmair, Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits

“Chad and Jeremy are industry professionals. Their passion and years of experience shine through in this incredible book about whiskey.” —Liz Edwards, San Diego Spirits Festival

From the Publisher