Branding and bars have long gone hand in hand. But the days when cocktail napkins, swizzle sticks, cardboard coasters and matchbooks were the last word in tactile advertising are over. In today’s distracted culture, cocktail bars need something a little flashier to chisel their names into the drinker’s consciousness. Bars are now using stamped ice cubs to remind drinkers where they are but I am sure after the 2nd drink you will not remember. 
There’s something intriguing about whiskey that makes us revere it with awe — its name, after all, comes from the Gaelic uisce beatha, which means “water of life.” If it’s in fact the “water of life,” then let’s drink up! But before you lift that glass, you need to either A) buy the right kind of whiskey for your home or B) know what to order at the bar! There are several different whiskeys around the world and all are slightly different — made of different ingredients, and even given different names, like Scotch or Bourbon. So sidle up and find out what you should be looking for …
SCOTCH WHISKYS can only be produced in Scotland and are generally made from malted barley, distilled at least twice and aged for at least three years in oak barrels. Scotch typically has a smoky taste because peat (basically dirt) is used in the malting process.
There are two main types: single malt Scotch (made from malted barley) and single grain Scotch (made at a single distillery of malted barley and other grains, malted or unmalted).
Furthermore there are three blends: blended malt Scotch (a blend of single malt Scotch whiskies from different distilleries), blended grain Scotch (a blend of single grain Scotch whiskies from different distilleries) and blended Scotch (a blend of single malt Scotch and single grain Scotch).
IRISH WHISKEYS can only be produced in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and are aged for at least three years. Unlike Scotch whiskies, Irish whiskeys have a cleaner taste since peat is not used in the malting process. Most Irish whiskeys are distilled three times from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley and other grains. This produces a whiskey that is much lighter and more neutral than most others.
AMERICAN WHISKEYS are generally aged in new charred oak barrels. Some of the most popular American whiskeys include Rye whiskey, Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.
Whiskey is really best served “neat“ in a snifter at room temperature with no ice. This type of glass with its particular tulip-like shape helps the drinker enjoy the aroma and flavor. The heat of your hands also helps bring out more flavors in the whiskey.
When you get your whiskey, smell it, but be careful not to inhale abruptly as the alcohol will deaden your senses — it’s best to leave your mouth open as you smell the whiskey. Watch the video below for exact tips on drinking whiskey.
If you order a whiskey “on the rocks,” which means with ice, it will be served to you in an old-fashioned glass. It’s also quite common to order whiskey with water, which some drinkers say helps bring out the flavor of the whiskey. It’s a good idea to taste the whiskey first before adding water to see if it’s even needed. Try to use spring water instead of tap water, which contains chlorine that may react with the whiskey.
Grain whiskey refers to whiskey made from grains other than malted barley that’s distilled in a continuous column still, which produces a light-tasting whiskey. Grain whiskey is usually mixed with malt whiskey to create a blended whiskey.
Blended whiskey contains both malt whiskey and grain whiskey. It’s the most common kind of whiskey available. Brands include Dewar’s, Johnnie Walker, Seagram’s Seven Crown, and Chivas Regal.
Single malt whiskey is made from a single malted grain, traditionally barley, that is made in one distillery. The term is most often applied to Scotch whisky.
Single barrel whiskey means the entire bottle came from one barrel of whiskey instead of a blend from many barrels. This term is most often applied to Bourbons.
Straight whiskey is a term used for an American whiskey that is aged for 2 years or more in new charred white oak barrels.
Rap star Drake has officially launched his Virginia Black whiskey brand, made in collaboration with Brent Hocking, the creator of DeLéon Tequila.
With a shared passion for style, music, and the pursuit of taste; Brent Hocking, & Award-winning songwriter, rapper, and actor, Drake, have collaborated to bring you Virginia Black American Whiskey. Made from a personally selected collection of two, three, and four-year old bourbons, finished with a decadent profile. Aged for two years.
After attending the exclusive Trade tasting of Virginia Black pre release- I am happy to report it is a rich, smooth bourbon available at a decidedly reasonable price (because its founders believe that “everyone should have access to glamour, swagger and soul”).
I wish they were both here but the bottle is! Order your bottle online here to have it shipped.
In the world of whiskey, scotch has always been dominant. Elegant, complex, refined. Scotch is the drink of royalty, sitting on a throne as servants tend to their every whim.
Prince Charles drinks scotch.
Bourbon, on the other hand, has no such reputation. It is drunk in dive bars by ruffians playing pool. It is the representative “rail” whiskey the world over. It is knocked back in shots, spurring grimaced faces to hiss through their teeth as they swallow it down.
John Wayne drinks bourbon.
Scotch has no place on a dusty trail stamped flat by horses’ hooves. Only bourbon is as rugged, straightforward, and unassuming as the man who was known as The Duke.
Now, The Duke finally has a bourbon to call his own. Ethan Wayne, John Wayne’s son, has brought about a bourbon based on his father’s private collection. Well spiced, yet tempered by sweet vanilla, Duke Bourbon is what John Wayne would have been proud to drink.
Scotch may be the drink of princes, bur bourbon is the drink of Dukes. After all, :”a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” 
With Cinco de Mayo fast approaching, plans for the perfect barbeque may be derailed by a simple question: what drinks should I serve? Of course, beer is a must, but what else? Bourbon is a perfect choice. But what if you’re serving more Mexican fair to go along with the celebration? Tequila would be more appropriate. Now, there’s a way to do both.
Corozan’s Expressions Tequilas. Three impressive tequilas barrel-aged in ex-bourbon barrels, from esteemed distillers Buffalo Trace, George T. Stagg, and Sazerac Rye, and a special Artisanal Blanco as their bases. Each bourbon imparts complex flavors to the tequila, turning an already noteworthy drink into something truly remarkable.
Corazon Artisanal Edition Blanco Tequila is tequila in its purest form: un-aged and crystal clear. Powerful agave scents lead the nose towards more subtle citrus and spice notes. But on the tongue it is more subdued, with more agave and touches of vanilla and spice. Not overly harsh, the mid-palate brings out some warmer spice and depth, without becoming harsh. The finish is soft and smooth, ending with clean and refreshing agave flavor.
Corazon Buffalo Trace Reposado Tequila starts off life as Artisanal Blanco before aging in ex-Buffalo Trace barrels for ten and a half months. This short ageing period is only enough to impart a pale-gold hue, but it more than makes up for this in flavor. Buffalo Trace, a complex and powerful whiskey, is first apparent in the nose, where heavy oak and spice leads before giving way to the tequila’s natural agave. But on the tongue, the oak is balanced well by the bourbon and tequila’s spice, which intermingle in delightful ways. It expands during the mid-palate, without becoming overpowering, into bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla. The tequilla ends superbly with the clean agave flavors balanced by the bourbon’s sweetness in a long and lingering finish.
Corazon George T. Stagg Anejo is aged for a longer 22 months, but is only marginally darker than the Buffalo Trace. The tequila opens with a simple nose, primarily oak with hints of citrus and caramel. But this is not a tequila for sniffing; it is for drinking. The agave is balanced well by more caramel, expanding nicely into oak and bourbon sweetness. It ends cleanly, but richly, far closer to a bourbon than a tequila.
Corazon Sazerac Rye Anejo is the darkest of the three (but still very pale), aged for 24 months. It opens with oak again, but is tempered by curious fruit and butterscotch notes. It’s higher alcohol content creates more classic tequila spice and heat, with agave holding its own against caramel and subtle citrus. Though it burns noticeably initially, the finish cools substantially into lasting caramel sweetness.
Whether you enjoy tequila, bourbon, or both, there is something special in each of these fine tequilas. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Bourbon and Scotch may be best-sellers, but why do so many whiskey connoisseurs increasingly asking for rye whiskey?
ANGELS ENVY RYE WHISKEY – BRECKENRIDGE BOURBON –BREAKOUT RYE WHISKEY- WILD TURKEY RYE
Up until last year, this iconic American spirit was fading into obscurity. We usually stocked just a few old, dusty bottles. Popular ones such a Jack Daniels were being poured with coke, but there has been a extraordinary resurgence of the rye whiskey category, and drinkers now prize its big, spicy, and impetuous flavors. Our suppliers are now struggling to keep up with demand.
Rye has a lot in common with that other American whiskey, bourbon, and the two spirits are usually produced in the same Kentucky distilleries using similar methods. Both are typically made from corn and rye, but the ratio of ingredients is very different. Rye whiskey is made from at least 51%—you guessed it—rye, while bourbon is made from at least 51% corn. The higher percentage of corn makes bourbon sweeter and smoother. (You can easily taste the difference if you make one Manhattan with bourbon and another with rye.) Both spirits are also aged in new, charred, American-oak barrels.
To make things a bit more complicated, Canadian whisky is sometimes also called rye. The distillers to our north use the same grains, but the finished product is usually a smooth blend instead of a straight whiskey.
Here’s a shot of spelling with your glass of rye. Whisky from Scotland, Canada and Japan is spelled without an “e.” Whiskey from Ireland and the United States is usually spelled with an “e.”
HOW TO DRINK RYE WHISKEY:
You can’t make a proper Old Fashioned, Sazerac or Manhattan without rye. The spirit also can be paired with club soda or ginger ale, or drunk straight, neat or on the rocks
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
One of our favorite Fall cocktails that you’ll love is the crisp, bubbly & refreshing Apple Cider Bourbon drink. This autumn evening drink has 3 simple ingredients:
*1 oz bourbon http://www.melandrose.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=10&class=3
*2 oz sparkling apple cider
*2 oz ginger beer
Pour cider and bourbon over ice, add ginger beer. Stir, and garnish with apple slice.
Looking for a party-sized cocktail recipe? Try this:
1 Pitcher (6-8 servings)
1/2 bottle W.L. Weller Antique 107
1 1/2 cans ginger beer
1/2 bottle sparkling apple cider
Enjoy!
Mel and Rose is now offering a combined services of custom glass bottle engraving and a huge selection of whisky, single malt scotch, bourbon including a personalized, etched bottle for a whiskey enthusiast makes the perfect gift for the holidays, a birthday, or a thank-you present, and is a memorable gift that your gift recipient will keep for years to come. Imagine your custom message artfully engraved on a beautiful bottle of scotch or bourbon!
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Engraved bottle
An etched whiskey bottle with a personalized message makes a memorable gift for family, friends, clients, and for almost any occasion, including Father’s Day, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Thank-You Presents, and more! This engraving on a bottle of Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey has a filled font style with added silver color.
Glenlivet Single Malt 15 years Engraved bottle
t Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This engraving is an example of the added silver color option.
This is just a portion of our large selection of whiskies that you can choose from! We also carry gin, vodka, cordials, glasses, and barware that can be engraved. For a full item inventory, visit
http://www.melandrose.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=10&class=22
Don’t forget we do nationwide shipping.
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