Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey (Black Liqueur and Whiskey Blend)

When I first laid eyes on this bottle, my immediate reaction was: what in the world is this? Is it a liqueur? A whiskey? Somehow both? Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure—but I can tell you this: the taste was nothing like I expected. Shanky’s Whip is an Irish brand crafted in Cavan, Ireland. It…

Crown Royal Whisky Lemonade

Crown Royal has been in the ready-to-drink cocktail game for a while, but I recently discovered their Whisky Lemonade—and naturally, I had to give it a try to see if it could be my go-to refreshment on those hot summer days. The pack I picked up included four flavors: Peach, Lemon, Mango, and Blackberry. It…

Vermont Ice Maple Bourbon

My husband and I went to college in Vermont, so when I spotted this adorable 50ml bottle of Vermont Ice Maple Bourbon, it was an instant ‘add to cart’ moment. Let’s dive in! Crafted by Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits in Cambridge, Vt. This expression features their four-generation, 100% pure wood-fired Vermont maple syrup. Aged…

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin: California Orange Citrus and Sardinian Citrus

I first discovered this brand when they launched their original Blue Bottle Gunpowder Tea Gin. They’ve since expanded their lineup, and instead of committing to two full-sized bottles, I picked up this mini trio sample set for just $9.99. It includes 50ml bottles of three gins, including the original. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is crafted…

Akashi Japanese Whisky Highball

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and the heat is on—literally. So, when I spotted this Akashi Japanese Whisky Highball, I couldn’t resist grabbing one. If you didn’t know, the Highball is Japan’s most popular whisky cocktail, and honestly, this Akashi cocktail just makes sense. A highball is traditionally made with whisky,…

Tip Top Proper Cocktails: Whiskey Sour

It’s scorching on the East Coast right now, so straight whiskey? Not happening. But a whiskey cocktail? Absolutely. Let’s talk about Tip Top Proper Cocktails ready-made Whiskey Sour. I’ve already tried their Manhattan and Old Fashioned—both solid choices. Now let’s see how this one measures up. I picked up a 4-pack of 100ml cocktails for…

Jameson Orange Spritz

The warm weather has finally arrived here in Massachusetts, and you know what means – it’s time to swap out the whiskey for something more refreshing. Well, sort of. Let’s bring out the whiskey cocktails! A little over two years ago, I tried the Jameson Ginger & Lime ready-to-drink cocktail and really enjoyed it. So,…

Craftmix Black Cherry Old Fashioned 

I’ll admit it – Instagram ads got me. I ended up buying the Craftmix Black Cherry Old Fashioned cocktail packets. We spent $14.99 for a packet of 12, which breaks down to about $1.25 (alcohol not included). If you are not familiar, these are cocktail or mocktail packets that you can mix with either alcohol…

Update: Jameson Orange

After enjoying this bottle for over 2 years, we finally finished it last month. The question now, would we repurchase it? And the answer is a resounding yes. Now let’s dive in. Nose: oranges, sweetness and zest Palate: oranges, sweet, light vanilla Finish: citrus and oranges Cost: $30 (what we paid) ABV: 30% Personally, I…

Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye

Catoctin (Ka-tock-tin) Creek is the first legal distillery in Loudoun County Virginia since before Prohibition. It was founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009. I had the opportunity to sample this brand back in November, and I must admit that I’m not typically a fan of sweet whiskies or drinks. I found the samples…

Holiday Coconut Whiskey Cranberry/Orange Cocktail

It’s the holidays! To add some extra cheer to your gatherings with family and friends, here is a delightful, quick and easy cocktail recipe to enjoy together. Ingredients:.75 oz Cranberry liqueur (I used Craneberry).75 oz Coconut Whiskey (I used Watertown Whiskey)1.75 oz Jameson Orange WhiskeyTop off Seltzer (I used Poppi Cranberry Fizz)Optional Garnish: cranberries and…