We’ve done the cliched thing. We discovered cocktails and whiskey, we (over-)stocked the bar, and now realize we’ve gone too far.
So now, the task is to slowly rid ourselves of the medicore; the overpriced, underwhelming “bangers;” the very low proof whiskeys that neither produce an optimal cocktail nor a pleasant neat dram. It was super fun while it lasted but now’s the time to keep and get only the stuff we really look forward to drinking.
But except for super rare occasions we don’t believe in the drain pour and only have mild affection for the infinity bottle. So what’s on the chopping block? How about a selection of stuff we won’t be buying again?
- Anything 1792, including Kirkland Small Batch. [update: I just finished a 1792 Full Proof store pick and it was fantastic. I may be changing my mind]
- Stuff that’s less than 90 proof (Old Granddad, Elijah Craig come to mind)
- Hidden Barn (if you can’t say something nice…)
- Bardstown Bourbon or Barrel Craft. They’re very good but not enough to make me want to replace what we have.
- Most/all crafty whiskeys. We want to support the locals like Fire Oak, As Above So Below, Fierce Whiskers (RIP)… But the stuff just needs to be way better.
- Dickel. ‘Nuff said.
- Garrison Brothers (sorry Texans)
- Maker’s. It took a while but we finally realized it’s just not our jam.
- The W’s: Weller, Willett, Woodford. It’s gonna take a while to finish what we have but then, highly unlikely we’ll return to them
Back in the cheffing days we favored the clever, the super well designed and plated, all the fussy stuff. Then Chef Sandra re-introduced us to the greatest compliment you can give to food: yummy. Not clever, not inspiring… yummy. That’s where we are with whiskey and cocktails. Sure, challenge me a little. But overall, do I look forward to drinking it again? That’s the question.