Cocktail Culture

If you notice industry trends, you'll have seen that "mixologist" has often replaced "bartender," as we're experiencing a wave of new cocktails, re-imagined classics, and a resurgence of old-school drinks that feature modern ingredients.

For those who like to make cocktails at home, recipes are easily found on the internet. Joe Canal's also sells the kind of bartending books that are often found, hidden away, at local watering holes. But all of the better recipes will recommend you use a high-quality spirit base. So let us introduce a few of the new products that will help make your cocktails stand out.

Jack Daniel's Rested Rye

Jack Daniel's just keeps producing top-selling spirits. The Unaged White Rye was a big hit when it was released, and you had to figure that an aged Rye Whiskey wasn't going to be too far behind. Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge currently have the Jack Daniel's Rested Rye in stock.

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye has been “resting” quietly in barrelhouses these past few years and you're invited to watch it mature with this limited release. The spice character from the rye grain remains from the original Unaged Rye, but the barrels have begun to assert their toasted oak and vanilla notes into the rye whiskey.

Charcoal mellowed, matured in a new white oak barrel and offered only in this small batch. We think you will appreciate how Mr. Daniel's Tennessee Rye is maturing. Available for $52.99. This is an allocated item.

What cocktails might you make with Jack Daniel's Rested Rye as a base spirit? Consider the Manhattan, the Brooklyn (using Amaro instead of vermouth), Sazerac (a personal favorite), Diamondback, or an Old Fashioned.

Elmer T. Lee Commemorative Edition

Although Mr. Lee passed away recently, he was one of a very few individuals to have a bourbon carry his name during his lifetime. This whiskey is hand selected and bottled to the taste and standards of Elmer T. Lee himself.  Perfectly balanced and rich, as declared by the man who knew how great bourbon should taste.

The nose brings notes of clover, vanilla, and old leather. The flavor balances fruit, honey and vanilla with a light spiciness. A long and warm finish.

5 Stars - Highest Recommendation - "A fitting liquid tribute to a genuinely great whiskey man and a true pioneer."  --Spirit Journal/June 2014.

Some might consider this a sippin' whiskey, to be enjoyed either neat or with a splash of water. Considering that the 750ML bottle is priced at $34.99, you can enjoy this as a sipper, or in a cocktail. This is also an allocated item.

Bowmore 15 Year

Now we're really into "splash of water" territory, but the Rob Roy, Blood and Sand, The Penicillin (invented in 2005, and also includes blended Scotch), the Modern #2 and the Rusty Nail can all be made with Bowmore 15. I'll just ignore the Scotch purists arguing against cocktails.

Founded over two centuries ago in 1779, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in the whole of Scotland. Islay malts are renowned for their peaty smokiness and Bowmore is no exception. They carefully smoke their malt in a peat-fired kiln, just as their ancestors did over 200 years ago.

Matured in an inspired combination of both bourbon and sherry casks, it's the final three years spent in Oloroso sherry casks that gives Bowmore 15 Years Old 'Darkest', one of the most beautifully balanced Bowmores, the rich, deep color reflected in its name, and its warming finish.

To the eye, treacle dark amber.

On the nose, delicious dark chocolate, sun-dried fruits and a tell-tale wisp of Islay smoke.

on the palate, wonderful cedar wood and rich treacle toffee.

Savor the robust and complex finish with a hint of sherry tannin.

Yeah, maybe just a splash of water for this one. $65.99.

Buffalo Trace, Canal's Family Selection

The recently-launched Canal's Family Selection series allows us to offer you some incredible spirits, coming from hand-selected barrels. By their nature, they are available only in limited quantities. A Canal's Family Selection product will offer a higher quality experience than the same item otherwise would. And they all start with a high-quality product, like this Buffalo Trace bourbon.

Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led America's first pioneers and explorers westward. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years. In tribute to the mighty buffalo and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them westward, they created their signature Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

This deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak,  toffee, dark fruit and anise. This whiskey finishes long and smooth with serious depth. $31.99.

Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey, Canal's Family Selection

Distilled in Bristol, PA, Dad's Hat doesn't have to travel far to reach our shelves. Like the other Canal's Family Selection items, these come from hand-selected barrels, with each bottle being numbered.

The Dad's Hat recipe uses only rye grain and malt to deliver a pure expression of the taste of classic Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey, which then evolves by way of barrel aging at least six months in charred, new oak quarter casks to reach the right balance between complexity and smoothness. The result is a very smooth whiskey that delivers that up front spice that rye is known for, while finishing with a full and round mouth feel.

Floral and spicy on the nose with a well-balanced mouth feel and flavor — up-front and back-end spice, cinnamon on the mid-palate. Underlying notes of dried fruit and black cherry with hints of tobacco, vanilla and oak. $42.99.

With Father's Day coming up soon, this is a good time to grab one of these limited-release items, as they make great gifts.