The Whiskey of the Month Archives

Seasoned. Smooth. Unexpectedly layered.

This is not the smoky, brooding Scotch most people expect.
Balvenie 12-Year DoubleWood is something more refined—light where others are heavy, sweet where others bite, and always a few steps ahead of the conversation.

Aged first in American oak, then finished in European sherry casks, this single malt builds complexity without arrogance. It’s the Scotch for bourbon drinkers, the spring pour for winter sippers, and the bottle that reminds you not all maturity comes with weight.

Nose:
Warm honey, soft vanilla, dried fruit, and just a touch of cinnamon.

Palate:
Delicate oak layered with sherry sweetness, baking spice, and a whisper of nutmeg. Smooth, balanced, and quietly deep.

Finish:
Long and soft with a fade of dried orange peel and sweet almond.

Serve Balvenie 12 in a Glencairn glass to appreciate the subtle aroma shifts between oak and fruit. For less formal nights, a lowball will do fine—this Scotch doesn’t demand ceremony, only your attention.

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Smooth, earthy, and complex enough to walk beside this Scotch without stepping in front of it. A classic Dominican that plays nice with the sherry finish in the pour.

Alternate: Oliva Serie V for a bit more power without overpowering.

• Cheese: Manchego or a mild blue (Roquefort, Maytag)
   
• Cracker: Rosemary crispbread or toasted walnut rounds
   

The subtle fruit in the Scotch lifts the salt and richness without losing itself in the pairing.

This isn’t the heavy coat, leather chair, winter-night kind of Scotch.
This is sleeves-rolled, dusk-settling-in, open collar confidence.
Simple ring. Clean watch. The jacket’s on the back of the chair—not the shoulders.

The first open-window evening of the season.
You’re not rushing summer, but you’re not clinging to spring either.
The playlist is low. The lighting’s low. The expectations are even lower.
Just a good pour, the right chair, and time to enjoy both.

“Blue in Green” – Miles Davis
Cool jazz that walks slow, says little, and gets remembered anyway.

The Balvenie 12-Year DoubleWood doesn’t shout.
It doesn’t try to impress.
It just delivers—every time.

If May needs a soundtrack, this is the bottle that plays quietly in the background while everything else starts to bloom.

Aged intention. Spiced resolve. The pour for the moments that matter.

This is not a casual sip.
WhistlePig 10-Year Rye is a declaration—bold, dry, and quietly commanding. A decade of patience distilled into one of the most iconic ryes on the shelf.

It’s the whiskey equivalent of a well-worn leather jacket and a slow blues record—unapologetic, seasoned, and sharper with time.

Nose:
Fresh-cut oak, orange peel, toasted marshmallow, and a trace of spearmint.

Palate:
Rich rye spice, burnt sugar, leather, and dried apricot. A warm undercurrent of cinnamon and cedar.

Finish:
Long, dry, and assertive. Black pepper, dark fruit, and a lingering rye edge that refuses to be rushed.

This pour belongs in a cut-crystal rocks glass—heavy, clean, and masculine. Let the weight of the glass balance the edge of the rye. This is not a pour to hide behind delicate stems or trendy shapes. It stands on its own.

Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Bold yet balanced, with cocoa and cedar notes that echo the rye’s sweetness without overpowering it. The Maduro wrapper brings warmth and depth, making this pairing feel like a conversation between equals.

• Cheese: Aged white cheddar or clothbound sharp
   
• Cracker: Cracked black pepper water crisps or rosemary flatbreads
   

The salt cuts through the heat. The sharpness keeps the pour honest.

Dark denim. A casual button-down. Leather boots that know the sidewalk and the field. No branding. No flash. Just function and presence. This pour pairs with quiet strength, not loud trends.

Twilight. A back porch. The scent of wood smoke in the air and something simmering inside. The music low, the phone face down. You’re not performing. You’re settling in.

“The Thrill Is Gone” – B.B. King
Laid-back blues with just enough ache to match the whiskey’s slow burn. The kind of track that lets the rye unfold on its own time. Every note earned. Every word meant.

WhistlePig 10-Year is not a party pour. It’s not for blending, and it doesn’t chase approval. It is for the quiet nod, the long sip, and the man who knows what he’s holding.

When the night slows down and the world shuts up—
this is what you pour.

The Don Carlos line is everything a gentleman’s cigar should be—complex, aged, and quietly authoritative. Handcrafted with Dominican filler and a rich Cameroon wrapper, it offers layered flavor without overwhelming the palate.

• First Third: Toasted cedar, soft earth, a subtle sweetness
   
• Middle: Nutty undertones, light coffee, restrained spice
   
• Final Third: Dark chocolate, a hint of leather, deeper wood
   

This cigar doesn't shout. It whispers well-earned wisdom.

The Balvenie 12-Year DoubleWood brings honeyed malt and sherry sweetness—pairing effortlessly with the Cameroon wrapper’s natural spice and nutty character. Together, they create a long, reflective finish without clashing.

This isn’t about domination. It’s about dialogue.
 

Late evening.
Quiet music—maybe a bit of Coltrane left in the speaker.
After dinner, after talk, after the noise settles.