Straight, No Chaser

So last night I treated myself due to a grueling first week on the phones, yet two successful sales (and top sales in my class!) I bought a bottle of Wild Turkey's new American Honey Bourbon and it was fabulous. It was beautiful.

The honey balanced the bite of the liquor nicely and left a long smooth finish. There's no particular need for ice cubes or added water; I enjoyed it at room temperature, straight from the bottle. It was an enjoyable introduction to the world of hard spirits. Perfect for sipping along with some jazz music and reading Tolstoy.

I've always admired the suave appeal and classic tradition tied to drinking hard liquor straight or as a strong cocktail, like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned (both very good!). On one level it is attractively reminiscent of popular characters who are original, confident, and part of an educated elite class. Think Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Don Draper, Humphrey Bogart, Sean Connery... Rick's American Cafe in Casablanca, the Cotton Club or Hollywood's Brown Derby. A man took pride in his home liquor bar and how well he could mix a drink. Cocktail culture is a tale of elegance and austerity long forgotten by many.

The second half of my admiration is because it implies a refined taste. There is a sense of culture in the simplicity of preferring hard liquors overly sugar-laden cocktails that our bland American palates have become addicted to. One discovers a unique beauty in sorting out the complexity of flavors in a sip of Bourbon, Scotch, Whiskey or any other crafted hard liquor. Much like fine Wine and artfully crafted Beers, Liquor presents an experience that takes concentration, patience and appreciation. Very much like the quip "Less is More," drinking hard liquor not only enables you to consume less in volume or calories, but encourages consumers to focus on the balance of competing flavors like oak, molasses, caramel, smoke etc. It's something you experience. Rather than a means to an end, it can be an end in and of itself.

Old Fashioned

1 Sugar Cube

2 Dashes Bitters

1/2 oz Water

2 oz Rye Whiskey

Maraschino Cherry

Mash the sugar, bitters and water in a rocks glass until the sugar is dissolved. Fill half the glass with ice and pour in the Rye. Garnish with a cherry. Go forth and enjoy!