Posts in Spirits
10 Ways To Pair Metallica's Blackened Whiskey With Each of Their Albums
10 Ways To Pair Metallica's Blackened Whiskey With Each of Their Albums

AS PUBLISHED BY KERRANG!

Metallica’s new whiskey is crafted by spirits legend Dave Pickerell (former master distiller for both Makers Mark and Whistle Pig who, sadly, only very recently passed away), and blasted with “black noise” via Metallica’s music while aging in black brandy barrels. The obvious musical accompaniment to drinking such a dram is, of course, a Metallica album – but which one?

Storied spirits journalist Ethan Fixell and tipsy Metallica fanboy Chris Krovatin sat down together and created a comprehensive pairing of Blackened drinks and Metallica albums.

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SpiritsEthan FixellWhiskey, Heavy Metal, Metallica
Whiskey Lovers, Here's Why You Should Be Drinking Cognac Instead
Whiskey Lovers, Here's Why You Should Be Drinking Cognac Instead

As published by Food & Wine

I fell in love with Cognac not only for its similarities to barrel-aged whiskey, but also for the importance its provenance contributes to its identity. It’s a craft product that can be imitated, but not replicated anywhere else in the world. If you’re as intrigued as I was, check out the following tips – and product suggestions – for enjoying your Cognac like a well-informed pro.

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SpiritsEthan FixellCognac, Brandy, Whiskey, Food & Wine
What makes a Scotch worth $25,000 may surprise you
What makes a Scotch worth $25,000 may surprise you

As published by Quartz

David Stewart, The Balvenie’s master of malt, and the longest-serving master blender in the Scotch industry, claims that roughly 70% of whisky flavor comes from wood. Over the last half of a century, he has discovered, through trial and error, just how different types of oak containers can drastically shape the profile of a whisky. Now, Stewart is taking all that he has learned—and distilled—over the years to create some of the highest quality, rarest Scotch ever produced. And while the drams can be described in myriad ways, “affordable” isn’t one of them.

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SpiritsEthan FixellQuartz, Balvenie, Scotch, Whisky
What’s the Ultimate Steakhouse Dinner Cocktail?
What’s the Ultimate Steakhouse Dinner Cocktail?

As published by Supercall

As a cocktail lover in a steakhouse town (New York City), I’m often wracked with doubt when deciding which blended, stirred or shaken concoction to order with a beef-based meal. As I know there are others with the same problem, I convinced five friends of mine to accompany me to five different Manhattan steakhouses to determine the ultimate cocktail for pairing with steak. Classics, modern twists and experimental inventions were all fair game―so long as the liquid contender was high in alcohol and had the potential to taste wonderful alongside a Flintstones-sized slab of charbroiled cow. This was my journey—kidneys and liver be damned.

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SpiritsEthan FixellSteak, Supercall, Cocktails, Whisky
A Utah distillery proudly drags the whiskey industry’s dirty little secret out of the shadows
A Utah distillery proudly drags the whiskey industry’s dirty little secret out of the shadows

As published by Quartz

Thirty minutes outside of Park City, Utah, High West Distillery’s brand new 25,000-square-foot compound sits amidst vast stretches of open wilderness and magnificent mountain views. Blending modern and rustic aesthetics, the stunning construction set on a 3,500-acre luxury cattle ranch called Blue Sky Utah is any whiskey distiller’s dream-come-true. And yet, the apparent irony of this gorgeous new state-of-the-art facility–complete with a built-to-order Scottish Forsythe Copper pot still–is that High West has best come to be known for blending whiskey, rather than distilling it.

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SpiritsEthan FixellWhisky, High West, Quartz, Bourbon
The Budget Guide to Single Malt Scotch
The Budget Guide to Single Malt Scotch

As published by Men's Journal

We all dream of amassing a Scotch collection worthy of Ron Burgundy, but the required cash is cost prohibitive for most of us. Fortunately, one need not sell a kidney to enjoy some of the finest whisky on Earth. Single-malt producers in each of the five major Scotch regions put out legitimately top-notch spirits that retail for $50 or less. Here are our favorite affordable options from the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Islands. Pick up all five bottles for a tour of Scotland that lays out the different flavors and character that define each. 

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SpiritsEthan FixellMen's Journal, Whisky, Scotch