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Are you a bourbon lover? Or did you recently get a nice bottle of birthday bourbon from someone who knows you really well? Perhaps it’s a high-end label from the Buffalo Trace lineage. Or even one of the Beam labels. Whatever the reason you should probably have something off this list to go along with it. Nothing crazy, just some great ways to enjoy our favorite ‘shine.
Glencairn Whisky Glass
You can do a lot of good for your bourbon with some great stemware. These are special because they’re not rocks glasses. They’re intended for use when you have your whisky like a man: straight up. Here’s a fun fact: If you go to Kentucky and hit a distillery tour they will tell you that a drop or two of water will actually help your drinking experience because it helps open up the smell and taste; but they’ll also tell you that ice is the work of the devil. Ice is for losers. These glasses will help concentrate the “nose” of the whisky.
Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses
Despite what I just said, sometimes a rocks glass is what you need. It’s got to have heft to it. Has to have some weight. It should take effort to bring your rocks glass to your lips. These rocks glasses are a great option.
Large Square Ice Cube Trays
OK, listen up. I do actually use ice in my beverage sometimes. That doesn’t make me a girly-man. It won’t do that to you either. Usually if I make a Manhattan, I’ll use a rocks glass and some ice. But there’s a catch. I always have some giant ice cubes in my freezer ready to go. Giant ice cubes take longer to melt because there’s less surface area (that’s just a guess at the science behind the whole thing, but I think it’s a pretty smart guess and that’s good enough for me). They look cool in the glass, they last longer and don’t water your drink as much. That’ll do, that’ll do.
The Birth of Bourbon: A Photographic Tour of Early Distilleries
This coffee table book is the perfect thing for a bourbon lover in your life. It’s like taking a visual tour of great Kentucky bourbon distilleries without having to hear that darn twangy accent all day long. Really well photographed, a cool memento for sure. Fun to page through while sipping from a glass!
The Bourbon Bartender: 50 Cocktails to Celebrate the American Spirit
If you’re like me, you moved beyond The Manhattan a long time ago and you’ve started dabbling in the mixology of Bourbon. There’s a lot of great classic beverages and some great modern cocktails that have been making the rounds at my house when special people come over. Get yourself the right tools and you’ll have a good time creating these masterpieces.
Tillen Farms Bourbon Bada Bing Cherries
Almost twenty bucks for cherries? Are you high, Carl? No. No, I’m not. I don’t always use fruit on my Manhattan, in fact most times I don’t. But ever since receiving these as a gift from my brother a few years ago… when I do use fruit, this is my go-to. I know some people swear by others… but try these, you’ll like ’em.
