April 2009

Rye Cocktails

legacy/oldoverholt_logo.jpg

When I set out to sample American Rye whiskey, I thought I'd probably be able to find three or four in a range of ages and prices. I knew that there were a number of smaller distilleries and even a few bottlers. Alas, after trying several local stores, I was only able to come up with two examples of American Rye. Old Overholt, and Jim Beam Straight Rye. I confess, that was more than a little disheartening; worse, though, was that I discovered both are now owned by a very large corporation Fortune Brands (they're big on spirits, and golf equipment) and both Old Overholt and Jim Beam Straight Rye are made by Jim Beam distillers. After hunting through several different liquor stores in vain and consulting with Rye-drinking friends on the East Coast, it became apparent that I would have to content myself with the limited choices available.

The Importance of Origin: Whiskey

It's all too common for a well-informed drinker to be called a snob because he or she refuses to refer to that sparkling wine from Napa Valley as "Champagne" and scoffs at the friend who traveled to Japan and brought back a bottle of so-called "Scotch" produced in a rural village just outside of Nagasaki. The truth is that where an alcoholic beverage is produced can and often does affect how it tastes. And yes, an educated palate can tell the difference between the genuine article and those spirits merely inspired by it. Take, for instance, the oft-misunderstood variations of whiskey. Any culture that has grain and a few wooden barrels in which to age it has whiskey, so there are countless varieties of the stuff. For beginners and enthusiasts alike, a good reference point are what I'm calling The Big Three: Bourbon, Scotch and Irish Whiskey. There are two very important factors that make these three variations distinct. First and most important is actual chemical content. For Bourbon, it's not the real stuff unless it's made with at least 51% corn. This creates a significantly sweeter, thicker whiskey that could never be mistaken for any other.