As you face the sobering news that “Mad Men” is in its last episodes, there are a few ways to hold on.
Consider a cocktail mixer. And update the concept with the Rabbit Electric Cocktail Mixer ($20), which takes away all the strain and efficiently does the job powered by two AAA batteries. Rabbit also contributes to the mix with a three-piece bar tool kit ($30), which includes a double jigger, a mojito muddler, and a cocktail strainer. They’re available at metrokane.com.
You’ll find a long finish and considerable subtlety in the honey-hued Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey ($38). It makes a snappy, balanced Old Fashioned, with suggestions of spice. If you think Don Draper really is more of a single-malt guy: Bowmore 10 Year Old Devil’s Cask Whisky ($185), a mahogany-shaded Scotch from the Islay producer. Hints of dried fruit and dark chocolate come through.
Between sips, enjoy the new edition of “Imbibe!” (Perigee, $17.50) by cocktail authority David Wondrich. It’s a smart, smooth guide to the shaken and stirred, full of recipes and stories, as well as history. You’ll get to know the revered 19th century “old-time bartender” and mixologist Jerry Thomas.
And peruse “Whiskey: What to Drink Next” (Sterling Epicure, $19.95) by Dominic Roskrow. It covers almost all you’ll want to taste, from the familiar to Italian three-grain whisky (wheat, barley, rye) and quinoa whiskey, South African solera whisky to Irish poitín. Very good charts, playing off his “periodic table” of the whiskies.
Cheers, Don.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.