Like a present we can't unwrap

-but we know how fantastic it is! That's how we feel about the Upstairs venue as we day by day, hour by hour, get closer to completion.

Heather Garrett of Heather Garrett Designs (313 W. Main St Durham, NC) has done it again as the designer for this project. If you think downstairs is dapper... just wait. The Upstairs is truly exceptional, a place to relax and enjoy yourselves- whether alone or with a group. Leather chairs, chianti red walls, and a bar this time from a bygone era of the Midwest, Heather worked wonders to meld our vintage finds with modern design pieces to create a perfect ambiance. We think Heather is absolutely amazing, check her out at www.heathergarrettdesigns.com and you will think so too!

New on the shelf-

New this week:Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon- Made in Bardstown, Kentucky. Aged 8 years. 88 Proof.
Don't let the wine bottle deceive you, it's all Bourbon in this brown bottle. On the palate it is light with lots of citrus, mild corn, wheat and rye tones, finishing crisp and clean. A great beginner's Bourbon at a good price too!

Redemption Rye Whiskey- Distilled in Indiana, Bottled in KY. Aged 2 years. 92 Proof. Rye is making a come back! Once a popular spirit in the US, Rye Whiskey was a key ingredient famed classic cocktails such as The Manhattan, The Whiskey Sour, Sazerac, and The Old Fashioned. By the time Prohibition was repealed, Rye's popularity had suffered greatly.

Redemption Rye Whiskey vies to change that. With a bold 95% Rye in the mashbill (as opposed to the standard at the very least 51%), this Rye has a "feisty" flavor profile with prominent notes of cinnamon, clove, and dark chocolate, blended with hints of crisp evergreen with a spicy, vibrant finish.

Eagerly awaiting....

As those of you frequent patrons already know there's been some movin' and shakin' being done upstairs of Whiskey.

You also probably know that we are putting in a gorgeous retro bar from WI as well as other salvaged and meticulously restored goodies!

What you may not know however is how just to get upstairs once it opens up officially.........

Check your inboxes soon! If you are not a member of Whiskey yet become one!

Bond... Bottled in Bond

We at Whiskey often get asked this question- What the hell does Bonded mean? (Yes, in that manner too!)

Bonded in this case does not have to do with a mullet sportin' bondsman or a reference to the classic Bond series (that would be a Vesper). The term "Bottled in Bond" in the Whiskey arena means an American-made spirit that has been aged and bottled according legal regulations set by the US govt's Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.

To be labeled as "Bottled-in-Bond" or "Bonded," the spirit must be the product of 1 distillation season and 1 distiller at 1 distillery. It must have been aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision for at least 4 years and bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). The bottled product's label must identify the distillery, where it was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled.

While the regulations apply to all spirits, in practice, most bonded spirits are whiskeys.

Currently In-house:

• Evan Williams White Label Bonded
  
• Heaven Hill Bourbon
• Henry McKenna Single Barrel
• JTS Brown Bourbon
• Mellow Corn Whiskey
• Old Fitzgerald Bourbon
• Old Grandad Bourbon
• Rittenhouse 100 Rye Whiskey

WYSIWYG

(What You See is What You Get)

This blog basically serves as a forum for us here at Whiskey to pass along bits of knowledge, histories and general excitement we have for the Spirit of our namesake. We also love to talk Cocktails and Beer (esp. NC Beer!)

Most of the time the questions will come from honest-to-goodness customers asked at a most unfortunate ill-opportune time in which we couldn't give the answer due breath.

So ask a question here, you may get an answer.

Rye not?

Q of the Day: What is the difference between a rye and a bourbon?

A: An American rye whiskey is made from a mash of no less than 51% rye grain where as Bourbon is made up of no less than 51% corn in the mashbill. Corn tends to be sweet, rye has a bite- do the math and you find a spirit with a peppery and slightly bitter flavor very distinct onto its own. Rye not try it?


New In House...

Copper Fox Rye
From Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, VA. A unique Rye made with a mashbill of 2/3 Virginia rye grain and 1/3 Virginia Thoroughbred barley grain, hand-malted the old-fashioned way using a screen kiln over apple wood and cherry wood smoke. This rye is double pot-stilled to between 150 and 160 proof and aged with a series of new and used apple wood and oak chips inside used bourbon barrels.
www.copperfox.biz

Our notes...
Smoke onsets the nose with a hint of oak. Taste is of fruit, spice, smoke and a little fire.. finish is spicy, slightly sweet though relatively mild. -WD

As the Whiskey pours...

Welcome!
Wow what a year! We've finally taken a breather from stocking our shelves and serving you the best spirits in Durham to spend a little time online. Follow us on Twitter @whiskeydurham for happenings and musings. Check back here often for libation lore, tasting notes, new products in house and general whiskey wonderments! Cheers!