Whiskey — or whisky, if you prefer — is a distilled spirit that’s usually made from corn, rye, barley, wheat, or, very often, a cross combination of some or all those.
Whiskey is almost always aged in wooden casks which almost always consist of charred white oak.
The word “whiskey” is an anglicized version of the Gaelic uisce beatha (in Scottish Gaelic: uisge beatha) which means “living water,” or “water of life.”
Irish whiskey, Scottish whiskey (i.e. scotch), Canadian whiskey, and American whiskey (i.e. bourbon) are by far the most popular whiskeys in the world. But these days virtually every country produces some sort of whiskey.
In bartending, whiskey is the new vodka. It has never been more popular.
So I made the following:
Bout time.
I dont see how retailers can fit anymore fruity hybrid Vodkas on their shelves.
Man, I heard that. But the vodkas just keep on coming. Every week there’s a new one, and I must decided if I want it for the bar or not.
The latest? Fresh cut grass and Wasabi.
http://sodelicio.us/2012/10/huh-fresh-cut-grass-and-wasabi-vodka-are-real/
Sounds like something an environmentalist green freak would order.
Its all fad, started with Stoly.
Now, these days, I cant remember the last time anyone mentioned Stoly.
Then there was the Tequila craze where Cuervo Gold was the standard of excellence, along came Sammy Haggars Cabo Wabo, and then we saw all these private reserves popping up. Hell , I remember Peppermint Schnapps being a fad. Yecch.
Oh well, maybe the wussification of American men has peaked and they’re finally returning a real mans cocktail.
Theres plenty of cock in a shot of Makers with a Jack back.
Hiya Ray,
It’s been a while, but I found your site again and am glad I did. I have always enjoyed and admired your wok, and this video is another example. It is truly a public service.
I have never had one of these drinks though have enjoyed whiskey since the 70’s. I know they are classics, and probably so for a reason.
I want to run out and try each one. I will have to have the bartender watch this video first!
You are right about the ice. Simple physics right?. It is to cool the glass, and the more time you chill on the ice, the colder the glass will be, especially with stemware.
Good to see you are still helping to enlighten our big, big world.
EJ
Hi EJ!
It’s been too long, old friend. I wish I could be the one to make those drinks for you.
Thank you for dropping by.
Ok, so you know whazzup behind the bar, cuz. I’ll have to taste the Frisco and Sidecar head-to-head to make an informed decision, as I’ve always been partial to whiskey and sour together. Perhaps I’ll head up to the wide open spaces and sample your work in person.
Oh, and WTF is EJ doing on the interweb at quarter to four in the friggin morning?
Oops! Upon further review I see that it’s “Mr. Harvey” that’s up so early … no surprise there, aye?
Hello cousin Joseph!
What a pleasant surprise to see you here. Thank you.
That’s a different EJ, by the way, not the one we grew up with in Ouray.
I get off work late, and so at 4:00 am, I hadn’t even gone to bed yet. It’s when I do some of my best commenting.
Please visit me often. And thank you for dropping by.
I do have another website, incidentally, less political:
http://journalpulp.com
Hey Harvey- Just wanted to say hello- I just stopped by to catch up on “everything. Ray” :) Keep up the good work- Love,Frithy
Thank you, sweetness! It’s always good to see you.
Thank you for dropping by.
Ray! Any talk about Irish Whiskey (or the preferred “uisce beatha”) and you got my attention! Even though my love of red wine remains a constant, watching you create this libation makes me extremely thirsty! Visiting Fort Collins soon – I will make sure to stop by to see ya and saddle up for a beverage!!
Hi Mary Lee!
It’s been a long time, baby, and it’s very good to hear from you. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you for dropping by.