NYC | NYC Whiskey Review

Italian Cocktail – The Negroni

February 26, 2025 NYC

Name: Italian Cocktail – The Negroni

Color: Red

Nose: Gin, sweet syrup, medicinal spices

Taste: Gin, sweet syrup, medicinal spices, cirtus notes

The Negroni cocktail is said to originate in Italy in the 1940’s. Some records show it originating in France in the 1920’s, but I choose to believe the it came from Italy due to the use of Campari. Wherever or who ever created it, you have done a benefit to society, my thanks to you.

The Negroni is simple cocktail made with dry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It is served in a rocks glass over ice and with a twist. There are other versions of the Negroni, but I prefer the classic. This cocktail is not for everyone for three reasons. One, more people drink vodka than gin. Two, most people do not drink Campari. Three, sweet vermouth has never been as popular as dry vermouth. It is a sad truth, I never really see people ordering Negroni’s in the NYC area.

What I like best about a Negroni is it has some bite to it. It has a medium heavy, slightly syrupy, and has a sharp finish of Campari. It is an excellent substitute for a whisky on the rocks on a hot summer day.

How make a Negroni:

1/3 Dry Gin
1/3 Sweet Vermouth
1/3 Campari Bitters
Stir and Strain in rocks with ice
Add twist of orange or lemon

Negroni Tip:

Make sure you use a quality dry gin. Fruity, earthy, or experimental gins will not blend well with the other mixers. Trust me I have tried it. For the “Anthony Bourdain “Big Ass Negroni” use an 8-ounce rocks glass, one big ice cube, and 3x the measures of booze.

I recommend you try one this summer. They do taste better in Italy for some strange reason.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Harry’s Bar – Venice, Italy

February 19, 2025 NYC

Name: Harry’s Bar

Location: Venice, Italy

Website: Cipriani | Harry’s Bar Venice | Venezia, Italy

Harry’s Bar is located around the corner from St. Mark’s Plaza in Venice, Italy and was founded in 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani. If the name “Cipriani” sounds familiar, it’s because it is hotel/restaurant worldwide company that has many properties and few locations in NYC. The history of Harry’s Bar is very interesting and I recommend you look it up.

My first visit was about 15 years ago in October and my second visit was 2 years ago in July. I suggest you visit for an afternoon drink from 2:00-5:00pm. I recommend their Bellini, Martini, or a Negroni along with some small snacks. HOWEVER, buyer beware, this place is very expensive. Even the late Anthony Bourdain was quoted saying “Harry’s Bar costs a fuck lot”. He is not wrong.

If Harry’s Bar is out of your price range, you can opt to go to St. Mark’s Plaza and sit outside for a drink, but it’s really just a little cheaper. If St. Mark’s is not going to work for your budget, I recommend you walk 10-15 minutes away from St. Mark’s up the canal. You will find several outdoor cafes on the water that have great views and reasonably priced drink and food.

Tip for first time travelers to Venice:

Summer is ridiculously busy and can be brutally hot. The city is all stone so it holds and radiates the heat at the same time regardless of being on the water. Most places do not have ice cold air conditioning so you can feel exhausted walking around no matter how much water you drink. I recommend to everyone to see Venice in the early Fall. There are less people, cooler weather, and it is easier to get seat at Harry’s Bar.

Harry’s Bar is absolutely worth a visit if you are in Venice and it fits your budget.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Campari

January 29, 2025 NYC

Name: Campari

Color: Candy Red

Nose: Herbs, floral, sugar notes

Taste: Herbs, medicinal, sugar, orange peels

Campari an Italian liqueur infused with herbs, fruit, alcohol and water. It was invented in 1860 and is used primarily as a mixer in cocktails, but it is a type of bitters and is considered an aperitif. It is best known to be mixed with soda water, citrus juice, and in Negroni, American, Boulevardier, and a few other less known cocktails.

When I started traveling to Italy many years ago, I used to treat myself to a “Campri on the Rock’s” on each visit. It was more like punishing myself. I look back and laugh on my younger self for trying to enjoy such an unpleasant drink in a beautiful country. However, today in wiser years, I keep a bottle on my bar for my favorite summer cocktail the “Anthony Bourdain Big Ass Negroni”.

This year I will be expanding my cocktail reviews to add a few Italian cocktails and I will be doing some bar reviews in Italy for any readers heading over this summer for a vacation.

Priced around $40 and a necessity on your bar for certain cocktails.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Rye

November 28, 2024 NYC

Name: Taconic Rye

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye, wood, caramel, light spices

Taste: Rye, wood, caramel, light spices, orange/citrus zest

Taconic Founder’s Straight Rye Whiskey is from the Taconic Distillery which was formally the “Millbrook Distillery”. This expression is bottle number 4/143 and is at 45% abv. The mash bill is 95% rye, 5% malted barley, and it is aged 3 for years in virgin American oak barrels. Taconic distillery states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails

This rye is smoother than I expected and can be drank neat or on the rocks. I think an improvement would be a higher abv so it would hold its flavor profile better in a cocktail.

I picked this expression up the 14th Street Green Market a while back and got a chance to meet one of the owners and we had a nice chat. I hope to get up to the distillery soon now the world seems to have returned to normal.

Priced around $45 and worth the money for the taste and to support a New York State distillery.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Straight Wheated Bourbon

November 21, 2024 NYC

Name: Taconic Straight Wheated Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt/wheat, wood, orange, vanilla

Taste: Wheat, dry cedar wood , dark fruits (black cherries)

Taconic Distillery Straight Wheated Bourbon is from the Hudson Valley area of New York and was sent to me a surprise gift to review. This is the second whiskey bottle sent to me as a gift to review so many thanks to Taconic!

Taconic Distillery is formally the “Millbrook Distillery” and was established in 2013. This expression is “Straight Bourbon Whiskey – New York’s Wheated Bourbon” and is bottled at 45% abv. This expression is non-aged stated, but is aged 3 years in American Oak barrels char #3 and the mash bill is 70% corn / 25% wheat / 5% barley.

Taconic states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails. This expression is more on the dry side due to the percentage of wheat in the mash. The taste is may be dry, but the finish is a little hot on the tongue at the lower proof. When ice is added it opens up nicely and the flavor profile comes out more. This expression works well on ice if you like the dryness and would do well in a cocktail but the taste would dissipate quickly due to the low proof.

I wanted to thank Taconic again for sending this bottle to me. I don’t go hunting for free stuff as I try to be self-funded so this was a very nice surprise. I enjoy their whiskey very much and I really need to get off my ass and get up to their distillery this Spring and meet the team!

Priced around $50 and worth it if you like wheated whiskey and supporting a local American business.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond

November 14, 2024 NYC

Name: Taconic Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, dark fruits, orange, oak

Taste: Corn, caramel, vanilla, apricot/orange, cream, dry oak

Taconic Distillery’s “Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond” is from the Hudson Valley area of New York and was sent to me to review. Straight Bourbon is non-aged stated, but is aged 4.25 years in Independent Stave cooper select Char #3, and bottled at 50% abv. The mash bill is 70% corn / 25% rye / 5% barley. The barrels are rested in shipping containers which increase the temperature swings during the aging process. The higher temperatures created more intense flavors and at 100 proof it is well balanced and easy to drink. The expression is “bottled in bond” is a legal term that requires three conditions to be met:

Produced in a single distillation season by a single distillery.
Matured in a US Bonded warehouse for a minimum 4 years.
Bottled at 50% abv.

The reason for this method originates from the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act which was created to protect the authenticity and integrity of American spirits. Boot leggers were getting creative back in the day and producing gut rot dog shit whiskey and the government wanted to protect actual hard working distillers’ products. Ironically, 23 years later, alcohol sales would be banned under Prohibition for 13 long years. This led to more boot legging and a massive rise in criminal organizations. The road to hell has always been paved with good intentions.

I was in Kentucky a couple of weeks ago doing my yearly visit and tasting and I can state for certain that Bottled in Bond can give any Kentucky Bourbon a serious run for their money. Taconic states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails. This expression definably works as a sipping whisky. The profile is well balanced, the finish is smooth, and it has a nice Kentucky chew. A little ice opens the whiskey up nicely and the 100 proof holds the flavor. This expression will work well in a cocktail due to the proof, but it is just as good to drink neat or on the rocks.

I want to thank the owner of Taconic Distillery Paul Coughlin for sending this bottle and bag of coffee to me. We had a nice chat on the phone last week and I expressed my appreciation for his consideration and the support as an independent whiskey reviewer. I am going to make a point to visit in the next few months.

Priced around $60 and a very good tasting New York Whiskey. Not sure if it will be easy to find on the shelves so you might have to take a ride up the Hudson River to Taconic Distillery.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Distillery

November 7, 2024 NYC

Taconic Distillery is situated in the Hudson Valley region, but its official location is at 179 Bowden Rd. Standfordville, NY. The distillery is a former farm and is now owned by Paul Couglin, who used to be a Wall Street guy. He made the switch to the whiskey world in 2013 and has been making is mark ever since. Taconic is approximately 100 miles North of NYC so plan your travel time and transport method on the country roads. I recommend staying in Rhinebeck, NY at one of the many Bed & Breakfasts and having dinner in the downtown area.

After receiving a few bottles over the last couple of years Paul and I spoke and he invited me up for a behind the scenes tour. I visited on a Saturday in late October 2023. He showed me the distillery, rickhouses, bottling, and packing area. I was impressed to see the amount of volume produced in what would be considered a “small location”. It was very refreshing to go on a tour, even behind the scenes, where the owner shows you everything and is so full of passion. I have been on a few distillery tours before and they can get very dull very quickly. In the rickhouse I got to sign a barrel and in my excitement I spelled whiskey incorrectly on the barrel. I feel like a dumbass, I think I should probably buy that barrel. Paul, give me a call please.

Taconic has a nice outdoor patio with a view of the hillside and a smaller indoor space to order or enjoy drinks. Depending on the weather there will be food trucks and live music. The indoor bar has all the Taconic expressions to enjoy as a drink or purchase to take home. There are also other whiskeys, merchandise, coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks available to purchase. Since it was late October I thought it would be best to sample a Maple Old Fashion. They two were mixed by Carol Ann and they were very good. I really enjoyed them listening the music as the sunset over the farm lands hills.

Taconic expressions: Dutchess Private Reserve, Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey, Founder’s Straight Rye Whiskey, Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey, Double Barrel Maple Bourbon Whiskey, New York Wheated Bourbon, Bottled in Bond Bourbon, New York Single Malt Whiskey, Horse & Jockey Bourbon, Fox & Hare Rye Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, Rolling Hills Rum, Stubbornly Different Gin, Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, and a few other specialized expressions.

I am glad I finally got up there and I look forward to going back soon. I highly recommend a visit if you are in Upstate area of New York or you should do an overnight trip!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Christmas Edition

November 6, 2024 NYC

Name: Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Christmas Edition

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, malt, vanilla, oak, caramel

Taste: Corn, malt, vanilla, oak, caramel, orange notes

Taconic Distillery’s “Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve” is from the Hudson Valley area of New York and was sent to me last year to review. I could not get it into the schedule for 2023, but I am making a point to get it into the 2024’s as the Holiday Season and shopping approaches!

This expression is titled, “Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Dutchess Private Reserve” and is bottled at 50% abv. It is non-chill filtered and is non-aged stated, but aged 5 years in charred American Oak barrels. The mash bill is 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% barley. When tasted side by side with Taconic Bottle & Bonded, you can notice the aging has smoothed out whiskey more even though they are the same abv. Taconic states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails. This expression is very good for sipping neat. It is well balanced, smooth, and has no burn on the finish.

A main point I would like to make is that Taconic makes several whiskies, spirits and merchandise and with Christmas past approaching any of their products would make a great gift! You can check out what can be ordered online or take a ride up to the distillery to enjoy a drink and their bar/store. Many thanks to Paul at Taconic for sending this bottle to me.

Priced around $60 and worth money. Merry Christmas!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Headless Horseman Edition

October 31, 2024 NYC

Name: Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Headless Horseman Edition

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, malt, vanilla, oak, caramel

Taste: Corn, malt, vanilla, oak, caramel, orange notes

Taconic Distillery’s “Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve” is from the Hudson Valley area of New York and was sent to me in October 2023 to review. This the third bottle sent as a gift for me to review. Again, many thanks to Taconic!

Taconic Distillery is formally the “Millbrook Distillery” and was established in 2013. This expression is titled, “Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Dutchess Private Reserve” and is bottled at 50% abv. It is non-chill filtered and is non-aged stated, but aged 5 years in charred American Oak barrels. The mash bill is 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% barley. When tasted side by side with Taconic Bottle & Bonded, you can notice the aging has smoothed out whiskey more even though they are the same abv. The extra aging helps.

Taconic states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails. This expression is very good for sipping neat. It is well balanced, smooth, and has no burn on the finish. The “Kentucky chew” is very nice and I am very impressed. Dutchess Private Reserve reminds me that you do not need to be hundred-year-old distillery to produce a good product. I can count on one hand how many distilleries fall under this statement and I have fingers left over.

Dutchess works well on ice as it is 100 proof so the flavor holds. I will have to try it in a cocktail too!!!!

Again, I wanted to thank Taconic for sending this bottle to me. My review next week will be on the distillery as went upstate for a visit last weekend.

Priced around $50+ and worth money. Happy Halloween!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Toki Cocktail Series # 1 – The Old Fashioned

September 25, 2024 NYC

Toki is produced by Suntory and is a blend of their Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita whiskey’s. It is a clean tasting whiskey, but does not have any real complexity or interesting flavor profile. I find it a little boring and too rough to drink neat or on the rocks. In my opinion, Suntory created this as a cocktail mixer so I thought I would put it to the test with a series of Toki Cocktails.

Toki Cocktail Series #1 – The Old Fashioned

2.0 oz Toki Whiskey
¼ part Honey Syrup
Grapefruit Bitters
Slice of Grapefruit

Well, this tasted like absolute fucking dog shit. I will admit, I did not have grapefruit bitters because I was not going to spend $20 bottle on bitters for one cocktail. I substituted half orange and half regular bitters, but that was not the main problem. The grapefruit did not help either due to the bitterness of grapefruit. Toki’s flavor profile does not work for me when I am used to high proof rye or bourbon Old Fashioneds. I do not recommend this Toki cocktail.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Italian Cocktail – The Negroni

Harry’s Bar – Venice, Italy

Campari

Taconic Rye

Taconic Straight Wheated Bourbon

Taconic Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond

Taconic Distillery

Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Christmas Edition

Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve – Headless Horseman Edition

The Toki Cocktail Series # 1 – The Old Fashioned

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