Just in Time for Derby Day

Back before rye whiskey was the darling of fancy cocktail bars, it led a rather solemn existence. Banished to dusty shelves, it was considered an old man’s drink, the purview of drunks and louses who were to too cheap to afford scotch whisky. Few serious whiskey lovers even knew of Rye’s illustrious past, its development as the drink of choice for Irish and Scottish settlers, and its rampant popularity, especially in its spiritual homes of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Prohibition changed all that, and after it ended in 1933, most distillers used their scant resources to make Bourbon, a sweeter whisky that was more appealing, and cheaper to make than Rye.Today, Rye has exploded, with most of the main players and countless microdistillers developing new products fast enough to make your head spin.

+/- Just in Time for Derby Day Dad's Hat Rye 750ml 90%abv $45.99

In 2012 friends Herman Mihalich and John Cooper launched Mountain Laurel Spirits and Dad’s Hat Rye. Dad’s Hat is an homage to the whiskey their fathers drank, what some call a Monongahela-style rye made popular in Western Pennsylvania. In keeping with tradition, this whisky is made with locally-sourced grains from a mash bill that mostly rye, with some malted barley and malted rye. Their fermentation through a new CARL still is low and slow in order to bring out as much nuance and personality as possible. It is then aged about nine months in heavily charred quarter cask barrels before bottling. The resulting Rye is dry and complex, much spicier than many corn-heavy versions made in Indiana, with a pleasingly smooth mouthfeel. Flavors of pickling spice, cinnamon and cloves last into a really long, smooth finish that is impressive for such a young whiskey.

Recipe: Remember the Maine

While this recipe has a few moving parts, it is an absolute classic, and should be a staple of any cocktail repertoire.

• 2 ounces rye
• ¾ ounces sweet vermouth
• 2 bar spoons Cherry Heering (can substitute any cherry liqueur)
• ½ bar spoon absinthe ( can substitute pastis or other similar anisette)

Build into an ice-filled shaker. Add all the ingredients and then stir briskly with a bar spoon. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Can garnish with a brandy cherry.