The perfect cocktail?

My destiny = Whisk(e)y Your Way.

Imagine developing your very own brand of whiskey and selecting each and every component that goes into it. Our expert distiller guides you through the process of developing the mash bill, the distillation specifics, the type of oak and level of char for your barrel and every other aspect of whiskey creation. We will source and procure top quality ingredients from around the world, ensuring that the end result is worthy of the care and effort that you put into developing your personal recipe.

When you are satisfied that your whiskey is sufficiently aged, we proof, bottle and label the contents of your barrel.  The end result?  You take home about 100 bottles of custom crafted, one of a kind whiskey for around $50 per bottle.  Your perfect whiskey.  Whiskey your way.

I think I’d substitute bourbon for vodka, but I present to you Mr. Stinky Pants. And, it’s worth pointing out that pickle juice is the “must have bar ingredient” of 2010. In fact, I have some pickle pops in the freezer I’m going to be adding to a Bloody Mary in the very near future.

• 1 oz. Vodka Bourbon
• 1/2 oz. Pickle Juice
• Beer (chaser)

I can’t decide if I’m in love or totally grossed out. One thing is for certain, I will try to make my own bacon bourbon.

First, you fry up several thick slabs of bacon. Keeping the pan on the fire, you remove the meat and pour in a few cups of bourbon–Patterson House uses Four Roses–and stir. Then you set the mix aside to cool. As the temperature drops, the fat congeals, creating a thick film on top of the liquor. Once it’s done, you cut a hole in the grease, pour out the liquid, et voila!

I’m thinking you use the cooked bacon as a stir rod. Oh, I almost forgot, the best part of the whole thing is the description from the author.

I expected it to taste greasy and salty; instead, it was dry and smoky, with a hint of meat.

A few weeks back my friends at Jim Beam forwarded along a care package with some samples of Red Stag. I thought I’d share my thoughts of it since I’ve had a chance to sample the product. Short answer: it’s a sweeter alternative to bourbon and I like it. In the package were some recipes to try (Red Stag and Cola, Red Manhattan, Brass Buck). I decided I drink Red Stag neat and in a Brass Buck.

Drinking it neat is self-explanatory and I found it rather perfect after work on a warm evening. It’s surprisingly smooth when compared to how I like my bourbon (with three ice cubes). The Brass Buck is made with 3 parts Red Stag and 4 parts ginger ale and lime wedge. Being a fan of whiskey and Dark N Stormies, I knew this would be right up my alley. I can easily see myself sucking back a few of these on a night I don’t want to end.

I tend to be a bit of a classic cocktail guy and one who doesn’t like things too fruity, but Red Stag has hit a perfect balance for me. If you stop by, I’m likely to have a bottle in my cabinet.

This past Christmas at my house I was flipping through one of my mom’s cooking magazines and found this recipe that I want to try soon (I would have tried it sooner, but just found the scrap paper in the back of a closet).

Ingredients

• 12 cups water
• 2 cups dark roast coffee
• .5 cups powder creamer
• .3 cups cocoa
• .35 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 10 tablespoons bourbon
• 10 tablespoons whipped cream

Directions

1. boil water
2. add coffee
3. remove from heat, let stand for 15 min
4. pour through strainer into large saucepan
5. combine creamer, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and red pepper
6. add combination to pan, stir and whisk
7. add bourbon and whipped cream

I’ll skip the gin and opt for a Bourbon Rickey, like it was meant to be.

The Rickey is a category of mixed drinks made from a base spirit, half of a lime squeezed and dropped in the glass, and topped with carbonated water. Little or no sugar is added to the Rickey. Originally made with Bourbon whiskey, the Rickey was invented in Washington, D.C. around 1883 at Shoomaker’s bar by bartender George A. Williamson, purportedly in collaboration with Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey.

I’ve had Portland General Store Men’s Collection bookmarked for a bit as something to try. Seeing their packaging recently, I may have to move it to a try sooner than later. I love the repurposed cigar box and think it would be awesome to have a reason for smelling like whiskey in the morning (I normally don’t have a good one).

In case anyone is interested in getting me a birthday present in 11 days, I wouldn’t mind this Titanium Round Flask.

With the Kentucky Derby only a week away, I’d recommend getting the prep work out of the way for mint juleps. Slashfood suggests infusing your bourbon with mint so no muddling (read: mess) is necessary.