I survived my first “hurricane.” I feel bad putting it in quotations because there were hundreds of thousands of people in the tri-state area who were affected by power loss and flooding, but the storm lacked the bite that forecasters predicted and Bloomberg prepared for. Stores were shuttered with eerie duct taped X’s over the windows and the lines at Key Foods were reminiscent of Soviet Era bread lines – no exaggeration.
By 5pm on Sunday, the day where conditions were supposed to be at their worst, I went for a walk along the promenade in Brooklyn Heights to survey the scene. Sure, it was windy, but couples sat on benches, runners dotted the path along the East River and parents walked with kids in strollers.
Jack Daniels Old Tennessee Whiskey sets itself apart thanks to the charcoal mellowing process used during distillation and the proprietary barrels used to mature the spirit. The classic spirit is smooth and easy on the palate. No wonder it’s synomous with American, albeit Southern, culture – it’s the never ending crowd pleaser. Although the spirit is distilled in Canada, Canadian Club whisky was one of Al Capone’s favorite indulgences. During Prohibition, Capone funded the building of a tower in Canada that was used to signal when he could safely cross the Detroit River to pick-up bottles Canadian Club. Now, it’s the only Canadian whisky that’s pre-barrel blended before aging to allow the flavors to marry resulting in an exceptionally smooth and mellow spirit. Japan is making its mark with Suntory’s Yamazaki single malt whisky (12 and 18 yrs) and Hibiki (12 yrs) – two expressions that are popping up in some of Chicago’s most stylish cocktail bars. Whether it’s served neat, on the rocks or in intricate cocktails, whiskey lovers have come to enjoy the newcomers from Japan. When searching for the perfect nightcap, opt for the Yamazaki 18 year old as it complements chocolate dessert and has notes of toffee, honey and butter cream.
The Stephanie Paige 
