Fill your whiskey glass this evening with the Cascades. The area is known for its vineyards, but Westward Whiskeys’ loyalty to the West brought these two industries together. Let’s dive into this single malt whiskey,  what makes the Westward Way — and their American Single Malt Pinot Noir Cask Whiskey — unique.

Single Malt Distillation

For a whiskey to be considered a single malt, the grain used must be 100% malted barley, at a sole distillery, and aged in an oak cask for a minimum of 3 years. A single malt can blend whiskeys from separate casks, but they all must come from the same distillery.

The Westward Whiskey Way

The Westward Whiskey way follows the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission’s standards and then goes a step further to highlight the American West’s fruitful vineyards. Westward Whiskey begins its journey to becoming an American single malt with 100% two-row barley. Two-row, preferred for its lower protein content and high sugar (great for fermentation), is grown and malted in the Pacific Northwest and produced exclusively in the Westward distillery in Portland, Oregon.

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission states that aging must occur in oak barrels, but the barrels’ newness and general condition are entirely up to the distiller. The Westward Way uses lightly charred, new American Oak barrels exclusively for maturation. Distilled in pot-stills to 142 proof and matured to 90 proof or 45% ABV, these parameters exceed the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission’s requirements.

Safe to say, the Westward American Single Malt Whiskey compliments the influence of pinot noir casks of the famous Willamette and Cascade valley vineyards in the Pacific Northwest.

Pinot Noir Cask Whiskey

Oregon is known for its pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris grape varietals, and the Willamette Valley is responsible for 88% of Oregon’s pinot noir. Willamette Valley subdivides into different regions, and flavor profiles vary accordingly.

Following the Westward Way, the distillery partnered with award-winning producers in this region and used French oak pinot noir casks to mature its original Westward American Single Malt Whiskey into the Westward Pinot Noir Cask Single Malt Whiskey.

Uncasking the single malt releases aromatic notes of apricot, plum, and chocolate. The flavor profile gathers hints of golden apple, plantain, nutmeg upfront; it finishes in a subtly sweet melange of raisin, dark stone fruits, and sweet malt.

Sommelier Meets Distiller

Plenty of distillers have reused wine casks for limited edition whiskeys and luxury barrel bourbons but rarely do you see the production manifest from a single local area. Westward Whiskey distinguishes its position in American Single Malt Whiskey’s realm and pays homage to the Willamette Valley as a world-class destination for wine connoisseurs and sommeliers.

The Westward American Single Malt Pinot Noir Cask Whiskey is available for $90. Save yourself a trip to the liquor store and order the Westward Pinot Noir Cask online now; this collaboration between industries in the PNW surely deserves a place in your whiskey glass.

Rum lovers, watch out. Bundaberg’s small batch of Australian spiced rum has stepped out as our new favorite cold-weather liquor, and we’re fully committed to enjoying it one sip at a time. Bundaberg blended their signature dark rum with 13 spices, citrus zest, and fruit nectars, then aged it all in charred American Oak barrels for additional sweet and spicy notes. Even better? It’s actually affordable.

Bundaberg Small Batch Spiced Rum is a great rum for mixing or sipping on its own — Bundaberg even provides recipes for “Spiced and Stormys” and spiced rum Old Fashioneds. Customers even claim it kicked their holiday rum and cokes up to a whole new notch. If you’re looking for a kick-butt host gift, a quality yet budget-friendly bottle to keep handy for family gatherings, this award-winning bottle should be at the top of your list.

The History of Small Batch Perfection

The Bundaberg Distillery has survived a fire, a depression, and piss-poor rum standards to make it to its 2020 glory. While its original rum is nothing to sneeze at, this small batch of spiced delight will make your cocktails an unforgettable part of parties to come. This spiced rum will add warm, soulful notes to your cold-weather cocktails.

The smaller the batch of spirits distilled, the better. Smaller batches of rum are more carefully and beautifully crafted by the unique distillers themselves. Much like “craft” beer now has a cult following, so does small-batch liquor. This particular batch of spiced rum has been carefully concocted to reflect the best blend of dark rum’s natural sweetness with the spices included. It rocks a 40% alcohol content in its 700-milliliter bottle, which can produce about 22 standard drinks, less if you have a heavy hand. It’s the best solution to “what do I bring to the neighborhood party?”

Spiced Rum That’s Flavor Forward

The distillers came up with the perfect blend of sweet, citrus, and spice. According to the professional noses, the aroma comes forth with notes like cinnamon, nutmeg, orange marmalade, vanilla, and dark caramel. The palate notes taste earthy and sweet with hints of cacao and gingery spice. The rum rounds out with a snap of black pepper and dark licorice for a unique and poignant finish.

Don’t be deterred by the barrage of flavors named above — customer reviews assure us that the taste isn’t overwhelming. Smooth flavors won’t scare away spiced rum newbies, but seasoned rum drinkers will appreciate the new flavors associated with this Australian delicacy.

The Buy

Each bottle retails for $70 and settles into a great low- to mid-range budget. If your local liquor store doesn’t carry this rum, you can have the Bundaberg Small Batch Spiced Rum 700 mL shipped directly to your door. Mix yourself a spicy-sweet drink and prop your feet up by the fire — it’s rum time.

Purchase

New Year’s Eve 2021 – Pandemic Style

This year is not the year for huge parties, popping bottles, and midnight kisses with that stranger you met four hours ago. What will we do without the chaos that is the NYE parties when New Year’s Eve 2021 rolls in amidst a pandemic?

Often one of the biggest partying nights of the year will be a bit dull compared to years past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have loads of fun ringing a new, hopefully, better and less disease-ridden year. To keep you from spending your evening curled up drinking straight from a bottle of champagne (no judgments though if you do), we’ve compiled a list of COVID-friendly ways to celebrate the occasion.

Virtual New Year’s Eve Pandemic Parties

As the second round of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders makes their way around the country, everything is virtual, again. We know you’ve spent nearly a whole year doing virtual meetings, work, and maybe even virtual dating, but bear with us here. Virtual parties offer a chance to connect with those you love for some celebration, without ever having to leave your home.

Why not try a themed party? Ditch the sparkly dresses and heels and don your favorite pajamas for a virtual pajama party. Tired of pajamas because they are your new work clothes? Try an 80s themed party. Still, want to rock that sparkly dress that hasn’t seen the light of day since before the first lockdowns in March? Go big, pull out the biggest screen (we suggest getting an at-home projector to fill the room!), have everyone in your virtual rendezvous wear their favorite party attire, make a Spotify playlist to share, and get boogie-ing!

Cocktail Clubs

Want to try new drinks but unable to visit your favorite bar? Try a DIY cocktail club with your friends!

To get started, find a new drink recipe online and grab some mini-liquor bottles and any other ingredients your recipe needs. Pack the elements and little liquor bottles into small gift bags, so each recipient has enough to make a drink or two and drop them on their porch. Next, set a time, prep your drinks, and enjoy your new culinary creations together over FaceTime while you ring in the new year.

Not a drinker? This activity also works with mocktails or specialty hot chocolates so drinkers and sober folks alike can include everyone.

Having an activity for all to do together will give your virtual party a focus and show your loved ones how much you care! My roommate started a women’s whiskey club similar to this and passed out Christmas cocktails; she’s been the virtual hostess with the mostest lately! The unifying social lubricant and focus have been a great way to bring people together.

Netflix Parties

Netflix Party is a website that allows you to watch a movie with others. The chrome plug-in is easy to install and will enable you to all watch a movie together and chat about it in the chat room. I did this during the summer with coworkers and was surprised by how fun it was!

Pandemic-Friendly Games

Want to spice up your virtual celebration with games? You could do a virtual scavenger hunt. Send out a list of items and set a timer; everyone must search their house and bring back as many things as possible. Virtual games like Jackjox.tv allows you to play silly games with loved ones, no matter where they are.

Pandemic-Friendly Gatherings

If you simply must gather, remember to keep gatherings small and within CDC guidelines. Have everyone wear their masks, wash their hands, and stay distanced. If the weather in your area isn’t too chilly, an outdoor gathering or bonfire could be a safer option for enjoying the evening with those you love. Break out the sparklers and spell out your love for your friends from six feet away.

Oh, and maybe avoid finding your midnight kiss that evening. Sorry other single folks, it’s best we don’t go kissing strangers this year.

New Year’s Eve: The Pandemic Version

We know this year has been a rough one, and we are all excited to celebrate its end. My New Year’s Eve will likely be a cozy, quiet evening curled up with my dog, face-timing with loved ones, and maybe a bottle of champagne. Whatever activities you choose, be safe, have fun, and have a delightful night.

All of us at Improb hope the new year brings you joy, opportunity, and health!

Sources

15 Festive Quarantine New Year’s Eve Ideas to Ring in 2021 – Good Housekeeping

Peruse the shelves of your local liquor store these days, and you might notice a significant portion of the premium shelving (look up) is chock-full of whiskey. The revivification of the craft cocktail owes its start in the United States to the legendary Rainbow Room at New York’s Rockefeller Center, all the way back in 1988. Back then, Dale DeGroff created an extensive cocktail list filled with the classics from the prohibition era. American bourbons featured prominently on that list, and savvy travelers from around the world got a glimpse into the American past.

Blanton proclaims that their whiskey is the “original single barrel bourbon whiskey,” a claim that we cannot certify, nor can we disprove. However, we can say that Stagg is their distiller, and they have the oldest, continuously-running bourbon distillery in the United States. Let’s take a look and see if age truly is a work of art.

Original and Straight

Blanton’s Original used to serve exclusively to ambassadors, dignitaries, and Colonel Blanton’s family to drink. These days you can pull a bottle from the shelf of many liquor stores that carry premium bourbon. Their claims about the tasting profile denote that the Original hits your nose with a waft of vanilla. Across the palate, they say you’ll sense citrus and oak hints, which is unique to Blanton’s. And of course, it’s 93 proof, so be careful about how many Old Fashioneds you down.

Blanton’s Straight is their cask-strength whiskey that is un-filtered and un-cut. The distiller is shooting for a caramel flavor on the nose, and then across the palate, you’re supposed to pick up oak and vanilla. Given that this is a cask-strength whiskey, the proof can be as low as 80 through the low 100s. As before, proceed with caution!

Gold and Reserve

The Gold and Reserve bottles in Blanton’s lineup are designed specifically for the seasoned bourbon veteran and the category newcomer, respectively. At 103 proof, and with intense flavors of rye and tobacco on the nose, it is clear that the Gold Edition is for those who know their way around a bottle of brown. Though the proof is sky-high, the palate is a smooth oak and honey that many aficionados say mellow out the alcohol by volume.

If Gold seems too steep a hill to climb for you, Reserve might just do the trick. Blanton’s 80-proof Special Reserve is a perfect introduction to the world of single-barrel bourbons. Many whisky reviewers note that soft floral tones on the nose and vanilla on the palate make this a very approachable bottle that can be appreciated by all.

Price and Availability

Blanton’s can be a bit of a challenge to find, especially if you live in the Western states. Some high-end liquor stores go out of their way to pull down bottles for their customers, but Original Single Barrel and Gold are the only bottles technically allowed in US markets. Some retailers who are a bit more aggressive and passionate about their dedication to Blanton’s sell the remaining bottles (Reserve & Straight) through their online store, and you can have it shipped straight to your door.

Pricing ranges from $60 to well over $100, depending on where you pull this bottle off the shelf, digitally or otherwise. Some of the bottles not intended for sale in the US can fetch a real premium, but that’s what drinking high-end alcohol is all about. So get out there and track a bottle down for yourself, and let us know what you think!

Beer is great. We can pretty much all agree on that. But there are lots of cases where you might not be able to partake of this ancient and (sometimes) holy beverage. Perhaps your religion restricts your alcohol intake. Maybe you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant. Maybe you are weaning yourself off of booze and towards sobriety. Perhaps you just don’t like the feeling of being drunk or tipsy (hey, we get it.)

If any of this is the case for you, why not consider non-alcoholic beer? Yes, NA beer can be expensive, and sometimes the flavors can be off. But we think with a little experimentation (and the help of this handy Buyer’s Guide), you might be able to find a non-alcoholic beer that meets your needs from both a taste bud and a wallet perspective.

So buckle up. We’re about to drive you through a wonderland of some of the top non-alcoholic beers on the market. We scoured the internet for the best deals, the best tastes, and the best brands. And we did the research to back it up. And if some of that research took the form of crisp lager on our desk next to the ol laptop…can you blame us?

The Best Non-Alcoholic Beer

Heineken Case Of 24 Cans Non-Alcoholic Beer (BEST CHOICE)

The best non-alcoholic beer in our Buyer’s Guide is a name that should be familiar to most people – Heineken. This completely alcohol-free brew comes in cases of 24, so there is plenty to go around at a party. But this is the best tasting non-alcoholic beer because of Heineken’s attention to detail. Heineken Non-Alcoholic Beer is made from A-Yeast and natural ingredients and has notes of fruit balanced by a malty body. It’s as close to real beer as you can get. Let the party begin.

You may also be interested in these quality cheap domestic beers from our list. Check them out.

Purchase

Non-Alcoholic Beer Variety Pack (Case Of 12)

Can’t decide which alcohol-free beer you’d like to try? Non-Alcoholic Beer Variety Pack (Case Of 12) is here to save the day. It features offerings from some of the best non-alcoholic beer brands around. Looking for a non-alcoholic dark beer? Crack open an Erdinger. Or cool off with a crisp, refreshing Clausthaler non-alcoholic beer after a hard day’s work. Other top non-alcoholic beer brands featured here include Beck’s, Bitburger, Buckler, Coors, St. Pauli Girl, Einbecker, Kaliber, and O’Douls.

Purchase

Coors 6-Pack Low Cal & Carb Non-Alcoholic Beer

If you are training for a marathon, trying to shed some pounds, or simply trying to stay in fighting trim for bathing suit season, we might have a good non-alcoholic beer choice for you. Coors Edge has only 8G of carbs and 41 calories and comes in a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles. With Coors 6-Pack Low Cal & Carb Non-Alcoholic Beer, you might be well on your way towards your own six-pack, though that requires more crunches than the average human being is willing to endure.

Reviews of this top non-alcoholic beer call attention to its crisp finish and smooth, not-very-hoppy taste. That’s good news for folks who don’t like a hoppy beer.

Purchase

Heineken 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

You’ve seen this beer before. That’s right – it’s our Best Choice for beer without alcohol, Heineken 0.0. The difference with this Heineken 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer is that the brew comes in six 11 oz glass bottles instead of cans. And we think that makes a difference. A nice cold bottle on a summer day just seems to make drinks taste better than a can. Don’t believe us? Spend a little time talking to Coke aficionados, a group of people known for going out of their way to buy their beverage of choice in glass bottles instead of aluminum cans.

Our guide to top breakfast beers offers more drinks worth trying. Check them out.

Purchase

Erdinger 24-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

There’s just something about a hefeweizen – lemony, grassy, and of course, that glorious golden pour. Erdinger 24-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer doesn’t disappoint in that department, offering plenty of citrus notes with slight undercurrents of banana. The result is, to quote Erdinger, “sweet, but a little tart and earthy.” Like most non-alcoholic beers, this brew is a good choice if you are counting carbs, calories, or both. Erdinger even goes so far as to bill this as a “recovery drink,” which, hey, if it works for you, why not? We wouldn’t recommend chugging a bottle in the middle of a pick-up basketball game, but afterward? Go for it.

Purchase

Clausthaler 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

What do you get when you combine world-famous Cascade Hops with Germanic brewing know-how and a dry-hop process? One of the best alcohol-free beers we can think of. Clausthaler Non-Alcoholic Beer is imported from Germany, which you can tell by its full-bodied complexion and amber color. The taste is malty with notes of caramel. Sounds good to us, but then again, we’ve never turned up our nose at a German beer. This beer comes in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles.

Purchase

Buckler 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

You know what’s magical about beer? Just about every country in the world has its own beer tradition. That’s why you can get sloshed fairly easily while touring Epcot. But you won’t get sloshed on Buckler 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer, because, well. You know.

Anyway, Buckler is brewed in Holland by the Heineken company. Like a lot of beer from Holland, Buckler is bright gold and medium-bodied. The foamy head is crisply white, and the taste starts off with biting hops and finishes dry. So if you are in the mood for something light and crisp, give Buckler a try.

Purchase

Bitburger Drive 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

Another offering from Germany, Bitburger Drive 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer has all the hallmarks of a classic German lager – crisp, refreshing, and best served ice-cold. Lagers take the longest of any beer to brew, and Bitburger is no exception. The mature taste shines through in this six-pack of glass bottles.

Purchase

Busch 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

We’ve been on a bit of a world tour, but let’s bring it back home to the good old U.S. of A. Busch NA is the non-alcoholic version of Busch Beer, a brew that’s been around since 1955. Busch uses premium hops, cereal grains, and barley malt. Busch’s low-temperature alcohol removal process retains the crisp taste Busch is known for. Like all beers of this type, make sure you serve Busch Non-Alcoholic Beer cold!

Purchase

St Pauli 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

Here’s a fun fact for you – think of it as a reward for reading this far. You’d think that Americans would be more fond of British style beer because of our colonial roots. Not so. German-style beers are by far the most popular in the States. Why? Two reasons. In the early 1800s, Americans rejected British-style beer because they didn’t want to have anything to do with their former rulers. Being British just wasn’t in fashion. During the same time, America saw a huge influx of German immigrants. These newcomers brought their brewing traditions with them, and Americans hopped (ahem) on board.

All of which to say, you should give St Pauli Non-Alcoholic Beer a shot. It has a “strong taste of grains and corn with a perfect touch of sweetness.” Apparently, the finish tingles on the tongue, which, okay!

Purchase

AfterShift IPA 6-Pack Non-Alcoholic Beer

Most of the brews on our list are lagers or other German-style beers. This limited-edition beer from Athletic Brewing Company is an IPA, and for that reason alone we feel it’s worth a try! Cascade hops give it that traditional IPA citrus flare. Athletic Brewing Company claims it has a “delicate malt profile made of Triticale and Organic Vienna.” If that sounds too fancy for you, don’t worry. We bet it drinks just fine. We love a crisp IPA to cool down after a long run, and AfterShift IPA Non-Alcoholic Beer sounds like the perfect choice for that use!

Purchase

Non-Alcoholic Beer Buying Guide & FAQ

Features to Look for in Non-Alcoholic Beers

Flavor – There are lots of ways to describe beer. According to www.winning-homebrew.com, you should use most of your major senses to experience beer: smell, sight, taste, and touch. We suppose you could listen to beer as well. Why not?

As you may know, smell and taste are closely related. Close your eyes and inhale deeply before you ever take a sip (but hurry, because a beer’s aroma changes quickly, especially as its temperature drops!)

Got the aroma locked into your nostrils? Now take a sip.

Professional beer drinkers have a slate of descriptive vocabulary that rivals that of the finest sommeliers. The basic flavor notes in beer (again, according to winning-homebrew.com) include malty, grainy, sweet, caramelly, toasty, roasted, coffee, burnt, tobacco, leather, fresh-cut grass, and (our favorite) pine.

But that’s just the start. You might experience dark fruit aromas like figs, blueberry, and blackberry. Light fruits are often in there as well – pear, apple, banana. Citrus notes are not uncommon, especially in hefeweizens.

Beer tasters also talk about intensity. Is a beer robust? Is it mild? Is it hearty? Maybe it’s assertive.

The final tasting note to be aware of us finish. The finish is the last note of flavor you experience as a sip of beer high-tails it for your esophagus. A finish could be dry, fruity, warming, buttery, lingering, and so on!

Type of Beer – As we mention later in this article, one of the wonderful things about beer is how varied it is. It seems like if you’ve been around for more than three minutes as a culture, you’ve figured out how to domesticate hops and turn them into beer. As a result, there are tons of beer styles – pale ales, lagers, brown ales, IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, porters, pilsners, lagers, sours, and so on!

Because it would take us more page space than we have to describe each type, in this explainer, we will focus primarily on the three types of beer found in the Buyer’s Guide.

• Lager – Lager might very well be the first type of beer most people try. Pale lager is, according to Wikipedia, the “most widely consumed and commercially available style of beer.” It ferments and matures at cold temperatures and is crisp, clean, and highly carbonated.
• Pilsner – A pilsner is a type of lager that hails from Germany but is now available the world over due to its accessibility and drinkability. It’s a well-balanced beer with a short finish, very low hop bitterness, and a malty aroma and flavor.
• Hefeweizen – You have to hand it to the Germans – they can brew beer. Hefeweizen is a cloudy, refreshing, crisp beer with yeast-driven flavors that lean into the citrus.

Non-Alcoholic vs. Alcohol-Free – This can be a bit of a tricky distinction, but it matters, particularly if you are obtaining alcoholic beer for reasons of sobriety or religion. It’s also important to note that what follows applies to the United States only. Different countries have different regulations and ways of measuring these things.

If you want a truly alcohol free experience, look for a label that says non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic beverages have anywhere from 0.0% to .05% alcohol. Even this latter is not enough to chemically affect you in any way.

Alcohol-free products, on the other hand, often have 0.5% alcohol content. You’d have to drink eight alcohol-free products to get the equivalent of a shot of vodka.

Non-Alcoholic Beer FAQ

What is non-alcoholic beer made of?

Non-alcoholic beer is made of the same thing normal beer is made of: water, yeast, hops, and various flavorings. Once the beer is fermented and matured, it undergoes a process to remove the alcohol. Some companies use a high-heat process to remove alcohol, but as you might imagine, that has some serious effects on the flavor. A secondary method is to strain the beer using ultra-fine filters so that only water and alcohol pass through. The result is a kind of beer sludge. Brewers add water and other ingredients back into the sludge, re-carbonate it, and hey-presto – non-alcoholic beer.

Are non-alcoholic beers bad for you?

Not any worse for you than regular beer, and in some cases, they are better for you. Because the alcohol is removed, there are generally fewer calories and fewer carbs in non-alcoholic beer. We wouldn’t recommend drinking a whole case at a time, but that goes for anything.

Is there a completely alcohol-free beer?

Yes. See our section “Alcohol-free vs. Non-alcoholic” in the “Features To Look For In Non-Alcoholic Beers” section.

Can non-alcoholic beer be sold to minors?

It depends on the state and region, but mostly – no. This is because bars, restaurants, and grocery stores go out of their way not to sell alcohol to minors. And even though non-alcoholic beer is technically legal for a minor to drink, nobody wants to be accused of being a gateway product or service for abuse of alcohol by minors.

Will non-alcoholic beer show up on a breathalyzer?

Remember how we said some non-alcoholic beers are actually alcohol-free beers, meaning they might contain up to 0.5% alcohol? And remember how at that level of alcohol, if you drink eight of these beverages, you might get about the same amount of booze as a shot of vodka? Given these stipulations, you can imagine that there might be scenarios where you could drink enough alcohol-free beers to trigger a breathalyzer. But it would have to be quite a bit – maybe as much as a case. So you should be fine.

Does non-alcoholic beer dehydrate you?

Here’s some good news – the non-alcoholic beer will not dehydrate you! It is, after all, mostly water and flavoring. There’s simply nothing going on at a chemical level that will cause dehydration. So drink up!

Does non-alcoholic beer have yeast?

It does indeed. As we mentioned earlier, non-alcoholic beer IS beer, just with the alcohol removed. That means it is brewed with yeast, just like every other beer on the planet.

Deep in the heart of old Kentucky lies a massive distillery that has been cranking out American bourbons long before most states’ ratification. Heaven Hill Distillery is a stalwart in the whiskey world, sticking with what it knows and doing it better than almost anyone on the market. And when twice-barreled whiskeys began popping up over the last few years, Heaven Hill decided to let the trend play out a bit before they took a swing. Eventually, it was time to step to the plate, and they chose their Elijah Craig line to take the first bat.

The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Small Batch Bourbon is the stalwart brand’s submission to the category, and it promises to deliver big taste through their selective barreling process.

Flavor Saver

Though adding a second barrel to the aging process isn’t the only way to create tasty booze, it is a fantastic method for adding additional layers of complexity to the flavor. With that in mind, the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Small Batch Bourbon spends its lifespan in two separately treated barrels before making its way to you.

Heaven Hill describes the process and flavor this way: “Made with 18-month air-dried oak, the finishing barrel is first toasted and then flash-charred using a moderate toast temperature and toast time. An extensive research and development process resulted in a final barrel toast profile bringing forward dark sugar flavors within the wood to balance smokiness and sweetness after months of finishing. The resulting taste is big, rich, and complex with spice and pepper notes that fade into milk chocolate with a hint of smoke as the finish lingers with chocolate and baking spices.”

It’s important to note that “toasted” and the term “charred” are indeed two separate things. “Toasting” is essentially applying a lower heat level for a more extended period, which is said to bring out very different flavors in wood than charring it. Heaven Hill has developed its proprietary toasting process and then given the barrel a light char to finish it before aging.

Pleasure Delayer

At $50 a 750ml bottle, you might want to take it slow with this unique blend. And given its special flavor, it would make sense to stretch it out over time. Many expert reviewers see the flavor profile as well developed, complex, and worthy of the price. However, there’s a slight disconnect between the oak’s presence in the flavor and the other tasting notes, so a little time and aeration may do the trick.

Save a glass for us. We’ll be right over.

Purchase

Look, we have no problem with Tesla and it’s ilk. We are totally on board with electric cars for the sake of less smog and less noise. But we do sort of wish they were a little more…hmm…aggressive. We don’t need every vehicle produced in the next fifty years to look and feel like a four-door mid-sized sedan. That’s why our engines started revving when we saw the Aviar R67. This electric vehicle is a throw-back to the muscle cars of yesteryear: an eye-catching electric coupe with a cherry-red finish, creamy-white trim, combined with the speed and acceleration to make your passenger potentially start thinking about drafting a will.

The Specs

Let’s run the numbers. Do you want power? Try 840 HP. Do you want acceleration? Prepare to subject your face to uncompromising Newtonian physics by reaching 60 mph in 2.2 seconds. The powerful 100 KwH battery will get you about 155 miles down the road. Crank it up to 967 RPM, and when you run out of juice, you can charge your faithful steed at a Tesla charging station–because the Aviar R67 is made with Tesla components and to Tesla specifications. The future is modular.

The future is also carbon fiber. Super-strong and super-light, carbon fiber elements pair with aluminum and other re-enforcing elements for a vehicle that saves energy even as it rips down the highway at ludicrous speeds.

Upgrades

What about that lovely V8 sound? Isn’t half the point of driving a muscle car to get noticed? To that, we say–of course! Aviar has you covered with an external sound system that replicates the rumbling growl of all the classics.

And when you get the Aviar R67 up to high speeds, an adaptive air suspension system will help you maintain control of the car. Speaking of performance, the Aviar R67 features an anti-wing spoiler that extends when you hit 75 mph and returns down when you drop back to 50. And you can lock it out using the car’s built-in Sport and Race modes.

One interesting upgrade to a classic muscle car performance is the all-wheel-drive capability. Aviar installs one motor per axle to allow for superior traction and torque monitoring. Suddenly you’ve got a muscle car that you aren’t afraid to drive in the winter. Forged-alloy wheels made specifically for the R67 also add to the performance and handling capabilities.

The Looks

Performance is only half of a muscle car’s attraction. You know the rest. The powerful lines. The sloping roof. The aggressive crouch. The Aviar R67 incorporates all the classic muscle car styling into this electric beast, and they don’t slouch on the finishing touches either. Dig that glossy-red finish and white leather interior. Plus a sunroof!

The Trimmings

The Aviar R67 has a bunch of stuff your uncle’s half-finished project car never will. Backup camera? Check. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth? Check. HEPA air filtration system? Check. Not to mention the heated steering wheel, voice control, keyless entry, and dual-zone climate control. And don’t forget about the custom seven-speaker audio system, LED-lit interior, or heated seats.

Let’s circle back around to that keyless entry for a second. It’s even better than you think. When sensors in the car detect a key’s presence, they activate sliding door handles to pop out for your convenience.

The Buy

You’ll need to fill out an inquiry form on the Aviar R67 to get information on how to obtain one of these beauties. But if we had the dough to drop on a premium electric car, we’d at least check this one out before going the Tesla route. Let the thunder roll…

Purchase

Fake Whiskey? Really? In the age of fake news, fake profiles, and deep fakes, it’s no surprise that counterfeit whiskey, especially single malt scotches, has been on the rise. The current global pandemic caused an explosion, presumably from home-bound high-end whiskey aficionados seeking tasty diversions.

Physicists at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland recently developed a laser that can test the authenticity of fine scotch whiskey without ever opening the bottle, potentially paving the way to eradicating this crime against humanity. What a gut punch it must be to invest hard-earned funds for a high-end whiskey, save it for a worthy occasion, and then find out that it is an imposter. Indeed, the “whiskey laser” deserves efforts of the highest order.

Is Fake Whiskey a Problem?

A 2018 study used radioactive carbon dating to test 55 randomly chosen whiskey bottles from auctions, private collections, and retailers. Incredibly, 21 of them were outright fakes or had a falsified year of distillation.

Ten of these fakes were labeled as single-malt scotches from 1900 or earlier, prompting Rare Whiskey 101 co-founder David Robinson to declare, “It is our genuine belief that every purported pre-1900 bottle should be assumed fake until proven genuine, certainly if the bottle claims to be a single-malt Scotch whiskey.”

So yes, 21 out of 55 signals a problem.

Aren’t There Ways of Detecting Fake Whiskey Already?

The University of Glasgow developed an “artificial tongue” that can discern between different brands of whiskey. It uses gold and aluminum nano-metal particles and measures their response to light, which changes when contacting specific chemicals in liquids.

The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture uses gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry and gas-chromatography-olfactometry to differentiate between Tennessee whiskey’s incredibly complex aroma-active compounds responsible for the distinctive flavor profiles.

But as high-tech as these methods are, they still require pouring the whiskey from the bottle, which does not help the prospective buyer.

Enter the “Whiskey Laser”

The St. Andrews physicists have cracked the code; their latest paper describes an ingenious method to overcome lasers’ issues penetrating the glass in bottles. These potential saviors of whiskey connoisseurs form the laser light into a ring instead of a beam, suppressing the noisy signal produced by the glass. A cone-shaped lens focuses the circle of light on the glass; the glass then refocuses the light into the whiskey in the bottle.

This workaround allows using lasers to test the authenticity of whiskey without sacrificing a single precious drop. And the same technology can be used to scrutinize gin and vodka as well.

Maybe we do not always drink expensive single-malt Scotch. But potentially, we will be guaranteed that it’s the real deal before we lay down our cash in the future. We will drink to that.

Related articles on Improb:

Best Single Malt Scotches under $100

Best Scotch Whiskeys under $250

Best Whiskeys from Tennessee

Source: It’s now possible to detect counterfeit whisky without opening the bottle – Ars Technica

Segway-Ninebot KickScooter Air T15: Ride Into Your Childhood Memories

A long time has passed since Segway introduced the Segway HT back in 2001. The “HT” model, which stands for “human transportation,” has had its ups and downs as a consumer product. Since the introduction of its first model, consumers have been waiting patiently for a – dare we say it? – segue into a more attractive personal transportation device that doesn’t leave your co-workers questioning your sanity when roll in at work.

Enter the Segway-Ninebot KickScooter, a human propulsion device that you may find more recognizable in today’s scooter environment. This model looks like a highly modified version of the aluminum scooter you rode as a teen that nearly ended your shinbones every weekend. But this scooter comes with a lithium-ion battery and electric motor.

What Makes It Different?

Unlike the scooter that you aggressively kicked up hills in your youth, this battery-powered wonder will propel you up a 15% grade with ease. It makes the grocery run that much easier when you’ve frantically realized you forgot one key ingredient in tonight’s dinner. As you wheel back down the hill to your apartment, cilantro tucked neatly into your shopping bag, the wheels charge your waning battery, an innovation known as regenerative braking.

Wait. What? How Fast Can I Go?

When it comes to cross-town cruising, and you’re not in a pinch for time, you have the luxury of utilizing four riding modes, which allow the rider to switch between Pedestrian Mode, Energy-saving Mode, Standard Mode, and the coveted Sport Mode. These modes will generate a forward momentum of 3.7 mph, 6.2 mph, 9.3 mph, and 12.4 mph, respectively.

The Fine Print

There is, of course, a smart app that controls it all. The Segway-Ninebot App is available on iOS and integrates via a Bluetooth connection. The app gives you the option to switch up the LED ambient light colors (to match the night’s outfit, of course), live riding stats dashboard, and cruise control. The built-in front and rear LED lights will keep you visible during late-night rides. And after you’ve spent the whole day out on this thing, having the time of your life, you’ve got to recharge it. Another upside of the KickScooter is that it collapses down into a package the size of a large umbrella, and docking it into its charging station – made of recyclable materials – makes it only marginally larger.

Let’s Get Down to Business

At an entry-level price of only $569, this Kickstarter ware is a bargain. It can potentially fix much of your commuting worries and saving you time, all while giving mother nature a slight reprieve from resource-wasting traffic congestion. If cycling or driving in a big city doesn’t sound appealing, the Segway-Ninebot KickScooter Air T15 is a substitute for traditional transportation methods.

Not only that, but the fond childhood memories recalled on each ride will perk up every day.

Purchase

What is it about flying cars? We’ve been trying to make them since we switched over from horses. The flying car is about as close to visual shorthead for “the future” as one can get. 

According to Gonzalo Espinoza Graham, founder of Watfly, it’s all about democratization. Flight, he says, is limited to the wealthy – especially solo flight. And so the dream of flying cars is, “…an aircraft that is similar to a car: affordable to most, as easy to pilot as cars are to drive, as safe as commercial air travel, and with convenient, practical use.” 

Watfly’s first product, the Atlas, aims to take a step in that direction. This electric single person vehicle will be powered by four powerful electric rotors, capable of vertical take-off and landing, and promises 60 minutes of flight time. 

Graham calls his engines “Electric Ducted Fans.” If you’ve ever driven a hybrid car, you know electric equals quiet. The EDFs register 87 dBA from 15 meters away. And while that’s not exactly silent (it’s about as loud as a gasoline-powered lawnmower) it’s still a lot less noisy than a prop-plane or a jet engine. 

An active gimbal suspension, carbon fiber frame, and powerful onboard battery complete the design, while the cockpit provides 180 degrees of visibility. And you’ll have plenty of time to look around because an onboard computer will be doing the flying for you (Graham calls this autonomous flight, or AF). 

In fact, you won’t even need a pilot’s license to fly the Atlas. It’s a Certified Ultralight Vehicle, so no years of training or expensive courses needed (Watfly has a tailored training course to help you learn the ropes). You will have to stay in Class G airspace though – no urban flying allowed. But that’s fine – the storage compartment is perfect for skis, snowboards, or other oblong outdoor toys. 

Watfly knows the Atlas doesn’t exactly promise on the dream of the flying car. By their own admission, it’s too limited, too expensive, and too bourgeoisie to appeal to the masses. But they consider the Atlas their Model N – the automobile Ford produced just prior to the famous Model T. In other words, it’s the technology just before the technology that changes the world. 

All revenue generated from sales of the Atlas will go towards research and development of Watfly’s next model – a two-seater licensed for controlled airspace. It’s with this next model, produced on a scale designed to drive consumer costs down, that Watfly hopes to revolutionize travel. 

Until then, we can keep dreaming – and maybe put in an order for the Atlas. 

Learn More