Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i American Whiskey Magazine

I’ve always shied away from writing an all-out festive editor’s word at this time of year. If I really think about it, somewhere in the back of my mind I’ve obviously thought it was not ‘cool’ to love the holiday season. But I want to make two things abundantly clear: number one is that I really do love the holiday season OKAY, and number two is that who even cares about what is ‘cool’ anymore — it’s exhausting. So, welcome to my holly jolly start to this edition of American Whiskey. I was very lucky to grow up in a household that made sure that Christmas was a time filled with music, laughter, loved ones, tinsel (absolutely everywhere), and a feeling of joy that has left me with a childlike…

We all have that one friend who is the most festive person on the planet. Every holiday right down to Flag Day gets its time in the spotlight, complete with festive decor and holiday cards sent out to loved ones. If over-the-top decorating isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy a festive environment, preferably with a festive cocktail, it’s time to venture out and find your friendly local Miracle Bar or Sippin’ Santa location. In 2014, Greg Boehm was building a cocktail bar in Manhattan called Mace. As the festive season approached, Boehm’s mother convinced him to halt construction and decorate for the holidays, creating a pop-up bar that drew excited visitors for holiday-themed cocktails in an over-the-top decorated space. Soon, Boehm had created a pop up bar…

I will use pretty much any excuse I can to invite folks over and make them cocktails. The holiday season is no exception to this, and I’m always thinking of new and creative ways to entertain guests in my home. A couple of years ago I had a Christmas-themed party with my best gal pals. The theme was vintage Christmas tree photos, inspired by photos of dressed up ladies throughout the decades in front of the Christmas tree, a social media post that always makes the rounds during the holidays. We all dressed to the nines, drank cocktails, and took turns taking each others’ pictures in front of the Christmas tree. It was a blast! For that party, I made Whiskey Sours and Manhattans, served in my grandparents’ crystal. I…

As the holidays approach, whiskey drinkers often turn to their favorite bottles of sweet bourbon to share with family and friends. It’s easy to see why bourbon is so popular during the holiday season — its sweetness pairs well with our favorite holiday treats. However, many overlook the historic spirit that gave birth to America’s proud whiskey industry — rye. Bourbon may be America’s official spirit, but rye holds the title of America’s original whiskey. This holiday season, I want to sing a little Christmas carol — join me on a journey of American ryes of the past, present, and future. After all, the more you understand this spirit’s storied past, the better you can understand and ultimately appreciate its future in your glass. THE RYE OF CHRISTMAS PAST To…

The holidays always prompt nostalgia — everyone thinks back to celebrations from childhood and loved ones longed passed. Quirks passed down since time immortal, the origins often long lost, see each family mark the dates uniquely. For some of the oldest heritage whiskey brands, that process is just as visceral. For this article, the cliché of whiskey companies as their own kinds of families is one that you will have to forgive me repeating. So, Christmas rolls in to companies such as Sazerac or Brown-Forman with decades, if not centuries, of traditions. Long before the Kentucky Bourbon Trail encouraged mass whiskey tourism, Christmas marked a time of year when gates and doors were flung open. Children and spouses joined their parents in the workplace, at parades, or for parties, and…

Welcome to the American Whiskey Magazine tasting pages. We guide you through a plethora of whiskeys so you are equipped to make your next purchase, whether something new or an old favorite. Whiskeys are tasted blind, with only proof and style information given to the experts. In this edition, Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler give their palates a workout. Peggy Noe Stevens Peggy Noe Stevens became the world’s first female master bourbon taster and can trace her lineage back to some of the great bourbon-making families in Kentucky. In 2011, she created the Bourbon Women Association. Susan Reigler Susan Reigler is the author of several bourbon books, including Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide, and is a former restaurant critic and beverage columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal. She…

Brendan Cook began his career in brewing at Driftwood in British Columbia, and it was there that he gained an early appreciation for fermentation and the complexity of grain. From that appreciation grew a desire to evolve his work and he moved into the world of Scotch whisky, with Brown-Forman, working across Glendronach, Benriach, and Glenglassaugh. With that experience came a deep understanding of maturation and blending, as well as the impact of diverse cask types. Cook first encountered Wyoming Whiskey when back home in Canada, during his search for a wheated bourbon. He was captivated from the first sip, struck by the character of the whiskey and also the people behind it. So, when the opportunity arose to join the team and eventually step into the role of master…

At least a few times a year someone I know will tag me in the latest gizmo being marketed to cigar lovers. These are usually things that look cool but don’t really serve their intended purpose well. I’ve seen rocks glasses with notches where you are supposed to rest your cigar (y’all know cigars burn, right?), cigar and whiskey sets that are literally just a wooden platform with a cup holder and groove to set a cigar in (again, y’all know cigars burn, right?!), and even a set that contains a nice ashtray, a cigar cutter, and, for some reason, very large whiskey stones (for people who hate their teeth, I guess?). All of these things look really cool and can totally help you make a great Instagram post, but…

Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski are co-founders of Lost Lantern Whiskey, an independent bottler. Through Lost Lantern, Nora and Adam’s mission is to discover and share whiskeys from around the country. The bottler was founded in 2018, and in 2020 released its first whiskey: American Vatted Malt Edition No 1, a blend of single malts from six American distilleries. Nora began her spirits journey as a salesperson at Astor Wine & Spirits in New York City, initially focusing on the company’s wine offerings. She was quickly promoted to sales manager, in which job she had to answer questions about everything sold in the store. It was an “amazing crash course in all things spirits,” Nora says, and also where she first fell in love with whiskey. Since then, her love…