June 14, 2013

Buy Whiskey for Your Daddy-O (he deserves it)

Purchasing whiskey for your father can be daunting, but never fear: We've made it simple and easy! The first step of the process is to determine what style of whiskey your dad already enjoys. If you purchase a style of whiskey you know he enjoys, but one notch better than he usually purchases, you’ll be in good shape. If you don't know what whiskey your father likes, or if he’s new to whiskey, then we've got you covered, too! Below are a few common styles of whiskey (with recommendations).

Bourbon Whiskey

American Bourbon whiskey is smoother and sweeter than other whiskies. “Straight” bourbons cannot have added colors, flavors or other spirits, must be distilled from at least 51% corn grain and aged at least two years in charred, new oak barrels (plus a handful of other rules). Some whiskey (like Leopold Bros Small Batch Whiskey) cannot be called “straight bourbon” due to the minimal aging, but should not be discounted as excellent whiskey. The rules get a bit crazy, but don’t let them get in your way of purchasing good whiskey. For seasoned whiskey drinkers, we recommend unique, small-batch or single-barrel whiskies like Rowan’s Creek bourbon, Basil Hayden’s, or Leopold Bros Small Batch Whiskey. For fathers new to whiskey, we recommend Buffalo Trace, Bulleit bourbon, or Knob Creek bourbon.

• Bulleit Bourbon
  $19.99, save $12, 750 ML. bottles

Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey is sharp and spicy, and has similar rules to straight bourbon, but must be distilled from at least 51% rye grain. Rye is the classic mixing whiskey for many cocktails, including the Manhattan. Rye was popular during prohibition, since Canadian rye distillers remained open while their US competitors shut down. For seasoned rye lovers, we recommend Masterson’s rye, Whistlepig rye, or High West Rendezvous rye. For rye newbies, we recommend Redemption rye, Bulleit rye, or Templeton rye.

• High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey
  $49.99, save $6, 750 ML bottles
• Builleit Rye Whiskey
  $19.99, save $12, 750 ML bottles

Single-Malt Scotch Whisky

Single malt Scotch Whisky (the ”e” was dropped in the Atlantic at some point) is made in Scotland with malted barley and often has a strong, smoky, peaty profile not for the faint of heart. These range from light and delicate like the Glenlivet 12-year-old, to rich and peaty like Lagavulin 16-year-old. The US, Japan, and other countries produce single malt whiskey, but it can't be called “Scotch” unless it is from Scotland and follows specific rules. For seasoned Scotch drinkers, we’d recommend getting something with more smoke and peaty character, most of which will say “Islay” on the bottle (like Laphroig, Lagavulin, Bowmore or Ardbeg). For dads just beginning to explore single malts, take a look at the wide variety of Glenlivet or Glenfiddich single malts.

• The Glenlivet Scotch 12
  $19.99, save $21, 750 ML bottles

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Tovolo Sphere Ice Mold

The only downside to adding ice to a fine glass of bourbon is that normal cubed ice tends to melt quickly and dilute the bourbon’s flavor. But at last we’ve found a solution to this problem: Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds, which create ice “cubes” in a perfect, spherical shape. Because they have a larger surface area than a cube, these ice spheres chill your drink more quickly, but are slow to melt, allowing you to enjoy your bourbon from start to finish.

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BBQ + Bourbon = Pleased Pop

We love Hak’s Chipotle Bourbon and we think dad will too! It’s got a robust taste of caramelized onion and garlic, a smack of bourbon, and smoked and roasted chilies that comfort the palate with a slow–release heat. And we’re not the only ones who love this barbecue sauce! Chef Sharone Hakman wowed the judges on Fox’s MasterChef reality cooking competition with his secret weapon: uniquely crafted barbecue sauces.

Full recipe

Fresh to Market Whiskey Fennel Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Handmade in store by our talented meat specialists, this pork tenderloin has a juicy, savory and uniquely delicious flavor profile. We use PrairieFresh 100% Natural pork tenderloin, seasoned with whiskey fennel and breaded with Italian parmesan panko. Cooked to perfection with our simple cooking instructions, this tenderloin is sure to please Pop!

On special

Cabot Vintage Cheddar

This deliciously rich cheddar from Cabot Cooperative in Vermont is excellent with tart apples and it’s perfect paired with Bulleit bourbon.

• Cabot Cheddar
  $11.99/lb., save $3/lb.

Full recipe on our website

Bourbon Marinated ‘Cowboy” Steak

Steak: It’s what’s for Father’s Day. This robust marinade is perfect to accentuate the meaty flavor this big steak provides. Dig In!

• Fresh to Market Bone-In Beef Ribeye Steaks
  $7.99/lb., save $4/lb., USDA Choice