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We hope you are enjoying the Mississippi heat. Who are we kidding its July in the south where you can put burgers on an unlit grill and they still cook!. Each month we hope to have something for everyone to find interest in. This month we have a distillery tour, a summer cocktail and more. |
Cocktail Corner
Hosted by Janice Weaver
You like bourbon - but it’s not your “go-to” drink.
What if we could combine your favorite with your man’s favorite?
That’s what I’m doing today. I’m using a @starlight_distillery barrel pick from @rainescellars but you can use whatever your man is drinking.
Start with a glass of ice with a few lemon slices.
4oz White wine
1oz bourbon
1/2oz Elderflower liqueur
1t lemon juice
Sparkling water (optional)
Garnish with a lemon wheel if you’re feeling fancy.
I surprised myself at how good this is but it’s really the basis of a white sangria so can jazz it up with all kinds of fruits. Cheers!
Courtesy of Janice Weaver
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LOVE of the LEAF
Pairing by Bobby McClellan
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What can be said about a good time with friends over a nice dram and a cigar. The highlight of a busy week, the fellowship of family and friends. We see the joy in slowing down and having a dram and a cigar. The time that is set aside for many is a mind and soul cleansing.
For this month we have done something special. We have poured a dram from the Kilchoman Distillery and paired it with the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne cigar. . What can I say I am a sucker for a nice Islay. This bottling is a 7 Year Sauterne Single cask. This is a 110.2 proof release. The balance of proof, finish, and peat is a perfect summer evening dram. There is lots of fruit honey and vanilla notes thanks to the sauterne cask. The peat in the finish is soft and accentuates the smoothness of the cigar. The lighter bodied cigar works well and allows for both the creaminess of the whiskey and the cigar for work together. The cigar opens up the palate to open up for more of the honey sweetness.
The Perdomo line of cigars if available both online and at your B&M. If you can stop by you local store and grab you a stick or 2 for you next pairing.
The Kilhoman Single Cask is a limited release. If you are unable to find one of the wild take the opportunity to to try another bottling from Kilchoman.
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Who needs the blah bottle fix?
From the kitchen of Justin Monzingo
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Transforming a lackluster bottle into a beloved sauce is a skill every BBQ aficionado should master. Working in the industry means I often bring home bottles that need a second chance—a chance to shine in unexpected ways beyond their original purpose. With a collection that could drown a liver, pouring it all down the drain seems wasteful and sacrilegious.
Let's face it—we've all fallen for the hype, only to find ourselves disappointed. My guilty pleasure, a simple whiskey and coke, became the inspiration for this transformative BBQ sauce.
Here’s how to whip up my signature Whiskey and Coke BBQ sauce, elevated with a hint of adobo:
Ingredients:
● ¼ cup white onion, finely chopped
● 2 cloves garlic, diced
● ½ cup apple cider vinegar
● 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
● 2 tbsp tomato paste
● 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
● ½ cup brown sugar
● 1 cup Whisky or Rum (your choice)
● 2 cups ketchup
● ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
● 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
● 2 tsp coarse salt and pepper
● 2 tbsp honey
● 2 cups cola (like Coke)
Instructions:
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Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onions until translucent. Add the diced garlic and cook for another two minutes until softened.
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Prepare the Sauce Base: In a separate bowl, combine the whiskey (or rum), cola, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and honey. Whisk thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
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Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce base into the saucepan with the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about an hour, or until it reaches your desired thickness. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Blend for Smoothness (Optional): For a smoother consistency, transfer the cooked sauce to a blender and pulse until smooth. Be cautious with hot liquids in a blender; blend in batches if needed.
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Serve or Store: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency and flavors have melded, remove from heat. Allow it to cool slightly before using, or store it in airtight containers. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to deepen over time.
This Whiskey and Coke BBQ sauce isn’t just a solution for unwanted bottles—it’s a flavorful revelation that turns a classic drink into a culinary masterpiece. Whether brushed on ribs, slathered on burgers, or used as a dipping sauce, it promises to elevate any BBQ experience. Cheers to turning every bottle into a sauce worth savoring!
| The Sippers will be pairing spirits with the gang at The Country Squire for The Aganorsa Experience. This is a special tasting event. Lean to taste like professionals. Aganorsa will provide "Fumas" , small tasting cigars, consisting of the component leaves used in cigar-making. You'll sample tobaccos like a real cigar blender. | |
SAVE THE DATE: July 26-27, 2024
The Sippers will be in attendance at the Natchez Food and Wine Festival.
Come see us at the event
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Hakata 18 Year
Hikari Shuzo Distillery
Japanese Whisky
Umami & Oak Distilled at the Hikari Shuzo Distillery Hakata-ku Fukuoka Japan / 84 Proof 42%ABV 18 Year / Sherry Cask
Distillery tasting Notes:
CHARACTER - Glorious and decadent. Become completely immersed within lavished luxury delivered by massive essence, style, and flavor.
NOSE - This Whiskey is massive. Dark Cherry, cola, incredible Sherry influence, roses.
PALATE - Tart cherries, dates, Sherry, graham cracker, exceptionally smooth, Umami dominates the palate.
FINISH - Vanilla, very old Oak, fresh berries. The longest finish of the range.
Sippers Take:
It is rare to find distillery notes that will really explain a bottling. This is one of those rare exceptions. Yes the proof is low but the flavors are not for the faint at heart. The first time that was sampled we had to step back and try to describe this. We have all had whiskey that has been finished in Sherry. Do not, we repeat, do not expect what you have had in the past in this. The Sherry in this is very full on this. We like to say that his drinks more like a Sherry that has been bourbon barrel aged than a whiskey that has been sherry barrel aged. This is a heavy pour. and we suggest that you actually pair this with desert. Go out and if you can get a dram of this please have one. This is truly a favorite.
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WOLFBURN
Aurora
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Unpeated / 92 Proof 46 %ABV / 100% Natural Colour
Distilled, Matured, and Bottles in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
Distillery tasting Notes:
CHARACTER - This beautiful sherried whisky is made from spirit laid down in a combination of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Benefitting from long fermentation and slow, gentle distillation, the spirit is laid down on-site in our purpose-built warehouses. At the end of the maturation process, the casks are brought together to create an exceptionally smooth and perfectly balanced dram.
NOSE - Sherry sweetness is followed by aromas of freshly cut grass and autumn fruits, with just a hint of coffee and dark chocolate.
PALATE - Floral tones come to the fore, with overtones of spice and vanilla. Fruity sweetness coats the palate, with fruit and nut flavors leading to a warm, soft finish.
FINISH - The finish lingers gently; sherry tones are present to the very end. Beautiful.
Sippers Take:
This was a wonderful find. The Malt on this bottling is bright and light. The perfect for Mississippi summers. the fruit notes are for us more citrus zest that you would expect from a sherry finished single malt. Though the proof comes in at 92 proof it works perfectly to accentuate the flavors. This was tried neat and with a little ice. Honestly it works well either way
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Bardstown Bourbon Company
Collaboration series - Amrut
Bardstown Distillery
American Whiskey
Straight rye whiskey finished in Amrut Indian malt whisky barrels blended with straight bourbon whiskey / 110 Proof 55%ABV
Distillery tasting Notes:
CHARACTER - Baked cherry, campfire, and vanilla are enveloped by cinnamon and herbal tea.
PALATE - Waves of ginger and malt complex lasting finish.
FINISH - Complex and lasting..
Sippers Take:
Sippers lover their single malts. Amrut is no exception. We always say international single malts do not get the attention they deserve. We are so excited to see that Bardstown Bourbon feels the same way with this collaboration series release. It is a perfect combination of all of the flavors we love in our bourbon and the flavors we love when we have a dram of Amrut single malt. The proof is just right to not push the malt to overtake the palate. We suggest if you can get your hands on one of these you also pick up an Amrut single malt to do a side by side with. We think it will open up your mind to worldly juice.
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Tequila Ocho
Plata
Single Estate Tequila
80 Proof 40 %ABV / 100% Natural Colour
Distilled in Los Altos De Jalisco
Distillery tasting Notes:
CHARACTER - UNAGED, CRYSTAL CLEAR COLOR, DELIGHTFULLY EXPLOSIVE TO SIP
NOSE - CRISP, BRIGHT AGAVE WITH LIVELY CITRUS NOTES AND A FRESH HERBACEOUSNESS INCLUDING WHITE PEPPER AND MINERALITY.
PALATE - FULL AND COMPLEX COOKED AGAVE NOTES, DEVELOPING FRONT-TO-BACK WITH NOTES OF FRESH CUT GRASS AND A TOUCH OF EARTHINESS.
FINISH - THICK, VISCOUS MOUTHFEEL WITH A LONG HARMONIOUS FINISH.
Sippers Take:
We are always on the hunt for something to surprise us. Tequila Ocho does this. We find this to be one of the truest to taste tequilas It is not a Mezcal but give you the smokey peppery notes that we love in a Mezcal. This is a nice alternative to sip on. and we must say it amazing in a cocktail!.
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Featured Retailer of the Month
Spillway Wine and Spirits
Spillway Wine and Spirits is located at 1925 Spillway Rd. Brandon, MS 39047. The store has been in business for 3 Years.
Here at Spillway we are known for our vast wine and spirits selection, our Whiskey selection and our barrel picks
What makes your bourbon/scotch/spirits selection unique?
- We aim to have as many options that are available to the Mississippi market as we can fit on our shelves. We pride ourselves on having the most knowledgeable staff in the industry, all Spillway employees are educated on the flavor profile of every whiskey that is offered in our store.
Do you focus on rare finds, local distilleries, specific flavor profiles, etc.?
- We focus on unique local expressions and seek out as many southern distillers we can find to showcase their spirits and craft styles
What are some of your most popular bottles?
- Other than Fireball, our most popular bottles are our custom barrel and blended options from Crittendens, followed by Dettling and Distillery Acadian.
Do you have a staff member with a particular expertise in bourbon, scotch, spirits?
- Josh, Justin and Ben delve deep into rum, tequila, and bourbon. Justin, Shanna and Andrew are our resident Gin experts, Kaitlyn is all things cocktails and sweeter profile wines. Our staff are trained in all facets of the Wine and Spirits industry.
Do you host any tastings or special events focused on bourbon, scotch, and/or spirits?
- We host our annual Bourbon Block Party the first Saturday in April every year. We offer what we call our “Featured Friday” selection where we showcase a new product or one that just has yet to receive the love it deserves. On Wednesdays we do the same with “Wine Wednesday” and offer a tasting plus case discounts.
What are some bottles you’d recommend for someone new to bourbon, scotch, spirits?
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I always try to start with a question of what do you like? Sweet, Savory, Smoky, Sour. Then we will go from there, most people tend to lean towards sweet so if it is their first sample I will go with a Blended or 4-Grain option leaning more towards wheat, and we will serve them a sample along side of it with a touch of water to soften the palate, and with scotch we do the same but always start with a sweeter Highland then go to a more savory Speyside next and explore onto Islays with a smoky Ardbeg for those braver palates.
What’s a “hidden gem” on your shelf that customers might overlook?
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.Dickel rye, TX Blended, SoLou Gin, and MiCampo tequila. All of these are affordable options that often get overlooked just because they are all under the $40 range, most people think its not quality if it is not over that range or is not “allocated”
Do you have any tips for pairing bourbon, scotch, spirits with food, cigars, etc.?
- There are no good rules of thumb for pairing in my opinion, successful pairings depend on the person’s preferences.
Have you noticed any recent trends in spirit popularity?
- Here recently we have noticed more people trending to tequila and sweeter wines with higher alcohol by volume (abv%) as well as an uptick in Cognac drinkers switching to more peated single malts.
What are some challenges you face as a liquor retailer?
- ? Trying to educate clientele on items they are influenced to buy that are not available in our market or are rarely available and finding them a suitable everyday replacement
What excites you most about the future of bourbon, scotch, spirits?
- Excited to see where the allocation game goes from here as we see it starting to be less restrictive in other markets and more and more of those items just sitting on shelves.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your store or your passion for bourbon, scotch, spirits?
- We absolutely love our job and everything we have to offer. We are thankful to the network of customers, employees, friends, and family we have made in the industry and in our community; they have offered us the opportunity to source and taste a vast selection of products that we may not have known about otherwise.
Would you be interested in offering a discount or promotion to our newsletter readers?
- To anyone who has made it this far into our insert of this issue we are pleased to offer 10% off any in stock single malts
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Discovering the Heart of Bourbon in Bourbon, MO
Through the Eyes and Palate of Gerad S. Hardy
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Nestled in the picturesque town of Bourbon, Missouri, lies Barrel King, a whiskey blendery that epitomizes the spirit and craftsmanship of American whiskey making. On vacation in the Ozarks, I decided to make a stop by this hidden gem to get a glimpse into the art and passion behind the bottle, and had the pleasure of meeting the dedicated team that brings Barrel King to life. Upon arrival I was warmly greeted by founders, Jared and Rachel Record, the dynamic couple whose shared love for whiskey and entrepreneurial spirit led them to create something truly special. Their journey began years ago during a visit to Scotland, where they were captivated by the rich heritage and meticulous process of whiskey blending. Inspired by their experience, Jared and Rachel returned to the United States with a dream: to craft exceptional whiskey that would stand out in a crowded market. From that experience, Barrel King was born and has quickly gained a reputation for unique and high-quality blends. Central to Barrel King’s success is Matt Porter, the master blender whose expertise and discerning palate have elevated their whiskey to new heights. Matt is known for his YouTube channel “ADHD Whiskey”, is a judge for Fred Minnick’s ASCOTS, and is a national two-time Blending Champion. During my visit, he shared his passion as he explained the delicate balance of flavors and the importance of patience and precision in achieving the perfect blend. The highlight though was the outgoing and friendly Guest Service Manager Sidney, who lined me up with samples from the past five blends. Sydney was such a great host and guided me through the blendery, sharing stories of the founding and the meticulous process behind each bottle. Her personal anecdotes about Jared and Rachel’s journey and Matt’s blending artistry added a rich layer of context to the experience. I ended choosing Batch 84 a Bourrye for my first BK bottle. Batch 84 is 117.4 proof and is a blend of 4-8 YO 95/5 Rye MGP with 5-6 YO 21% Rye Bourbon. The blend was finished in Bourbon MO local maple syrup barrels, filthy cherry syrup barrels, and bitters barrels. It’s full of flavor!
Tasting notes:
- Nose - Faint Maple Pancakes, Rye Funk, Citrus, Mint Julep, Red and Yellow Trix cereal
- Palate - Fruit Stripe Gum, The Best Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, Buttered Pancakes with Black Cherry Syrup on top
- Finish - Coffee Cake Pastry with candied oranges and cherries, has an intense finish that lasts about a minute.
My visit to Barrel King was not just an exploration of whiskey but a journey into the heart and soul of those who make it. Jared, Rachel, Matt, and Sydney have created something truly special, and their story is as compelling as the whiskey they produce. If you ever find yourself in Bourbon, Missouri, a visit to Barrel King is a must. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the art of whiskey blending and memories that linger as pleasantly as their finest dram.
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