Not all great bourbon comes from Kentucky, and this Old Fashioned proves it. I reach for an Old Fashioned whenever I want to know what a whiskey is really made of. Three ingredients, nothing to hide behind, so whatever is in the bottle comes through clean. First up is TINCUP 10 Year, made in Colorado on Rocky Mountain water. What sets it apart is the blend. There is Stranahan's single malt whiskey in there alongside the bourbon, so it drinks grain-forward and light at 84 proof, with cherry, pastry dough, and sweet fruit syrup carrying right through the sugar and bitters. Want a higher proof pour? Reach for Pendleton 1910 out of Hood River, Oregon at 90 proof. It brings more maple, clove, rye, and warm baking spice, with a longer oak finish on the back end. Same recipe, two very different drinks, and not a Kentucky zip code between them.

"Hey Siri, what's the Spanish translation for Vieux Carre?"

I don't know why no one has ever thought to use a split base tequila in a Vieux Carre, but together with my friends at @mijenta tequila, we're creating the Plaza Vieja, which translates to "Old Square" in English and 'Vieux Carre' in French.

It's traditionally a New Orleans-born recipe, using a split base of rye (for the bold, spicy flavor) and cognac (for the mellow fruitiness) to balance. Today we're using Mijenta's Reposado and Gran Reserva Anejo Tequilas to achieve the same balance. This split base plays perfectly with the Benedictine and spices in vermouth. All of it is tied together with a flamed lemon twist to give it a kiss of smokiness.

Give this one a try - or heck, this would be a great one to batch too, let me know if you want to see me make that recipe.

Cheers y'all.