NYC | Page 2 | NYC Whiskey Review

Hawksmoor Steakhouse NYC

August 23, 2023 NYC

Hawksmoor Steakhouse NYC opened in September 2021 and is part of a chain founded in East London in 2006. The restaurant is located at 109 East 22^nd (22^nd & Park) in the Gramercy Park. For readers not familiar with the layout of NYC, it is in the Midtown area and 20 blocks South of Grand Central down Park Ave.

The bar is on the left when you walk in the door and dining room is just behind it. The dining room has impressive antique and high ceilings. When I walked in, I assumed it used to be a bank due to grand space. I was told it was a meeting place for Noble Prize winners hosted by JP Morgan back in the 1890’s. So I was kind of right, it was a bank.

On Hawksmoor’s website it states: “Our menu revolves around all-natural beef from family-run farms, many based in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, simply seasoned with flaked sea salt and seared over live-fire charcoal.”

I would say this is an accurate description from what I experienced. The bar is set up well, has a nice vibe, and the bartender was very professional. We started night with Michters Old Fashions. The drinks were well made and poured in oversized rock glasses with a oversized clear single ice cube and lemon twist. A well-mixed and served cocktail, but as expected, $18+ drink. I prefer drinks at that price to come with a NYC skyline view but no one gives a shit what I think.

Hawksmoor Bar – NYC

We sat in a curve booth in the back right side of the dining room and share a couple of steaks (T-bone & Strip), along with some sides and wine. The menu is not very large when it comes to the choices of food or wine. This is nice to keep the selections simple and high quality but lends to higher prices. I recommend you check the menu ahead of you visit if cost is a concern. Reservations are strongly recommended and there is no stated dress code, but you should dress up a little bit to dine a Hawksmoor.

Hawksmoor Dinning Room – NYC

I have only one complaint, the noise level.

The high arched ceilings are hard plaster, the walls are hard wood, and the floor and table are solid wood. The chairs are wood with some soft cushioning on the back of the chairs. The interior designer did NOT do a good job with noise control. The space needs some soft panels on the walls or fabric art. Any column or odd low wall needs soft panels or cushioning to absorb noise. As the dinning room filled up the noise raised to a level where it became difficult to hear people at my table who were 2 feet from me. If someone from Hawksmoor reads this, do not rely on the interior decorator, get an acoustical engineer to look at this as well.

Overall, I was very impressed. I enjoyed the drinks, wine, food, and desert. I highly recommend Hawksmoor to anyone looking for a steakhouse styled dinner in NYC.

If you like it, drink it (or eat it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Rye

July 27, 2023 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! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Dead Rabbit (Bar) Grocery & Grog (& Whiskey)

February 2, 2023 NYC

Name: The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog (& Whiskey)

Location: 30 Water Street, New York, NY

Hours: Monday thru Sunday, 11:00am-4:00am

Style: Pub/Cocktail

Review:

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in New York, NY has been voted the worlds best bar in 2015 and 2016. They also won Best Bar in North America in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Named after the gang from back in the day in NYC and the name of how an illegal bar (aka grocery) was advertised the Dead Rabbit now has its own whiskey.

As far as all the awards and titles go; I have been in bars that do not have awards that are fantastic and others that are top rated and are shit. It is the owner and the bartender that make the place not the title.

The Dead Rabbit has 3 bars on 2 levels and is a hybrid between a pub and cocktail bar. It is a good place to take a rest when touring downtown or after getting off the tour boats and ferries at the waterfront. Here is my quick review of Dead Rabbit Whiskey:

Name: The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey

Color: Gold

Nose: Vanilla, orange, citrus cream

Taste: Cream, vanilla, white pepper

Review:

Basic blended Irish Whiskey supplied by major distillery. Reminds me of a softer Proper 12 but, a bit flat in flavor profile. Whiskey is priced around $45 a bottle or $13 per 2oz pour. Same price as the Famous Grouse so that should tell you something. It was served to me in mini snifter glass. That drives me absolutely bat-shit crazy when I get whiskey in cognac glass. It’s a personal thing. Whiskey goes in whiskey glass.

There was a fire a while back and the bar has undergone some rebuilding. The rebuilt area on the first floor is nice and cozy and still has that new wood smell. The upstairs area small with a few tables and a small bar. There are no televisions so do not go to watch a game. The Irish Whiskey selection is the largest selection on the menu but there is plenty of Bourbon, Scotch and International Whiskeys.

“If you like it, drink it!“ – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: Old Fashioned vs. Manhattan

January 25, 2023 NYC

Whiskey cocktails have had a massive revival since the first season of Mad Men when we saw Don Draper sucking down those Old Fashioned’s for creative inspiration. Now, 15 years later, the battle of the cocktails continues on every fucking menu in a trendy bar with a “mixologist” behind the counter. News flash…you are a bartender, not a fucking chemist. After all the retro cocktails and new crazy ones created two remain on top. The Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. For the various receipts I recommend you look them up as if you go down the rabbit hole to the 1880’s bartender books they are very different form the 1960’s to modern times.

The Old Fashioned was one of the simpler and earlier versions of a cocktail that dates back the early 1800’s. It has been mentioned from the 1830’s to the 1880’s from NYC to Chicago to Kentucky with various people claiming ownership to the drink with various receipts but all about the same.

The Manhattan was said to originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the mid-1870s. Another account it was invented in the 1860’s at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street.

History varies so much that I don’t really care who or when it was created. Just glad someone was creative enough to come up with the drink.

Which one to have? When to have it? How to enjoy it? What to put in it? It all depends but maybe we should consider the overall taste profile of what you get when you order the drink.

Old Fashioned

Served: On the rocks
Smells spic and of oranges
Tastes spicy and rough
Sandpaper but snappy
Overall: Fresh tasting with a little burn, citrus flavors, and not as much flavor or smooth as a Manhattan.

Manhattan

Served: Straight up
Smells sweet
Tastes a bit sweet but sharp on the tongue
Overall: Smooth and sweet, doesn’t burn that much and easier to drink than an Old Fashioned.

In my opinion drink the Old Fashioned for regular drinking and drink the Manhattan when you need class it up a little.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Hudson Whiskey NY – Bright Lights, Big Bourbon

January 12, 2023 NYC

Name: Hudson Whiskey NY – Bright Lights, Big Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, oak

Taste: Corn, oak, vanilla, dark fruits

Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is from Tuthilltown Spirts Distillery in Gardiner, New York. The distillery was founded in 2003 and was acquired by William Grant & Sons in 2010. The acquisition brought in an influx of cash and changes to the brand from its previous name, bottle style, price, and flavor.

The name of this whiskey sounded familiar to me when I first noticed a marketing push in the NYC area. This expression was previously titled “Baby Bourbon” and the “Manhattan Rye” is now “Do the Rye Thing”. The label colors are based off the NYC Subway lines and is probably designed to stand out on the store shelf. The bright colors should help with the marketing push, but not so much when it comes to the flavor profile.

The mash bill is 95% corn and 5% malted barley. It is aged 3 years in new charred American oak barrels and bottled at 46% abv. On my first taste I was not impressed. It is a very basic corn bourbon that is young and harsh. On my second taste it was less harsh, but I was even less impressed.

Priced around $50 and overpriced for the taste profile. I remember the previous version tasting better. If you want a mixer at this price I recommend FEW or Sagamore.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Black Dirt Straight Rye

January 5, 2023 NYC

Name: Black Dirt Straight Rye

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye, wood, pepper notes

Taste: Rye, honey, malt, spices, white pepper

I visited the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery in Warwick, NY in the Fall of 2021 to pick apples and enjoy the fresh country air as I do each year. Warwick produces several different types of spirits such as; single barrel bourbon, crown maple bourbon, apple jack brandy, gin, wine, cider, and dessert wines. On the shelf I noticed the Black Dirt Rye and thought I got to give this a try.

The Black Dirt Straight Rye Batch No. 003 mash bill is 90% rye and 10% malted barley. It is aged 3-1/2 years in new charred American oak barrels and bottled at 50% abv. The name “Black Dirt” refers to the fertile soil in the farming area and local rye is used in the distilling process.

The flavor profile is good and well balanced. This rye expression is not too spicy or too light and has a smoother finish.I am not a fan of drinking rye whiskey neat or on the rocks. I like it in cocktails and this one would be even better if it had slightly higher percentage of abv.

Priced around $50 and good valve for the money and supporting local farming.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Coppersea Single Barrel

December 8, 2022 NYC

Name: Coppersea Single Barrel (Batch No. 415)

Color: Copper

Nose: Green malt, spices, orange, wood, dry sherry

Taste: Malt and rye, sherry, vanilla, cream oranges, almond

17 Days until Christmas! Do you have your bottles ready for the Holiday Season?!

Coppersea Single Barrel is produced by Coppersea Distilling, in New Platz, New York. Founded in 2011 and derives its name from an old saying that there was a “Sea of Copper stills along the Hudson River Valley in the 1800’s…” Today there is only a few distilleries in the Hudson Valley area.

The Single Barrel expression is a straight rye whisky, aged 3 years finished in Amontillado cask and bottled at 49.4% abv. The mash bill is 60% rye, 20% malted barley, and 20% corn. The flavor profile on this expression is very good to borderline excellent. It is well balanced, very flavorful and not too hot for such a high proof. I get a little of the Angus Green Malt on the finish but that is my personal note. There is a wonderful balance of flavors going on with this whisky.

Single Barrel one is the best expression they produce, and I am sure the Spanish sherry cask helps push this whisky to the #1 position. I purchased this for my friend in Kentucky as a thank you for letting me drink all is good bourbon up every year when I visit. He was very impressed with Coppersea as he knows his bourbons.

Other expressions: Bonticou Crag Straight Rye Malt & Bottled In-Bond Rye Malt, Excelsior Bottled In-Bond Rye Straight Bourbon, Big Angus Green Malt, Pedro Ximénez Cask Single Barrel Rye, Amontillado Cask Single Barrel Rye, and Sauternes Cask Single Barrel Rye.

Priced around $125+ and worth the money and a drive up to visit the distillery.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary – Whiskey & Cigars

November 30, 2022 NYC

Opinions Vary – Whiskey & Cigars

The classic scene in any movie, tv show, novel, etc. is the man with a glass Whiskey in one hand and Cigar in another. Either he is a fat cat billionaire, a bad ass, or a super hero with metal claws that come out his knuckes. For the rest of us, the regular folk it is either a get together with friends or some quite time to relax.

Cigars and Whiskey pair well and poorly depending on what cigar/whiskey you choose your state of mind and environment you enjoy them in. I do not think there is any right or wrong was to match them, but I have some thoughts I have settled on after years of enjoying them together.

Thought #1: Do not put them together. If the whiskey or cigar is of high quality, it needs nothing else.
Thought #2: Do put them together. Have either a smokey whiskey or a lighter whiskey with strong/lighter cigar. You will have to figure out the mix and match that you like.
Thought #3: Do put water in front of you. Cigars can take a while to smoke, the whiskey might get drank far faster and with some good conversation time seems to fly. Take a water break between whiskey refills.
Thought #4: Do be in the right frame of mind. Be with friends, be in a good mood. Don’t sit and smoke and drink unless you are going to relax and enjoy yourself.
Thought #5: Don’t listen to me. Go figure it out for yourself.

For me, if the whiskey is over $75 or the cigar is over $15 for a cigar you really may want to consider not making them a combo. I have noticed that I have prefer separating them in the last few years and have enjoyed them just as much.

My 1st NYC rooftop setup in Midtown, NYC

As I mentioned in my Nub Cigar review, try a cigar with a nice cup of black coffee in the morning. I do not recommend drinking whiskey in the morning. Unless you are stuck in a hotel flying back home and there is The Macallan 18 Year Old to finish up before your flight home. (You know who you are! Ha!)

If you like it, drink it! (or smoke it!) – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Whiskey

August 31, 2022 NYC

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Distilleries

Starting this month, I am trying something new, an opinion piece once a month.

One thing I have noticed over the last few years is the rise in “new” whiskey distilleries. New meaning they are less than 10 to 15 years old, they aren’t part of the big boys clubs with hundreds of years of history, and they were created for a reason. The reason seems to be either passion, vanity, or market share.

New distilleries have to source their whiskey for a few years until they are up and running. Old distilleries can provide the supply as they can mass produce. It is a balancing game of business. Some distilleries get it right straight out of the gate and some just rush to market and don’t seem to care. Some whiskey is so bad they tell you what inspired them more then they tell you how they make their whiskey. It can be hilarious and sad at the same time. It seems to me that a lot of new distilleries of low quality use the same bullshit talking points over and over. After a while, it all seems to blend and comes from the same playbook.

When I see new whiskey’s that have won awards, recieved high ratings, and have huge marketing budgets I start to wonder why I don’t see any old ones winning as much. The more I taste award winning whiskey I start really believing my theory (base on no research or evidence) that these awards are bought and paid for. It is not out of the realm of possibility. Wall Street firms pay rating companies to approve finical products, why not the same for spirits?

I have learned that old does not mean good, and young/new does not mean bad when it comes to whiskey. What matters is care and effort put into the creation of the product. I have had new whiskey expressions from Sagamore, FEW, Coppersea, Brenne, and Taconic that were very good. I have had expressions from Glenlivet, Glenmoranige, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace that were bad. And, vice versa. It can be a crap shoot.

The take away is try everything, but do not believe the marketing. Believe yourself. If you like, drink it!

Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

June 30, 2022 NYC

Name: Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

Color: Copper brown

Nose: Malt, green grass, light wood, honey-wheat/hay

Taste: Cucumber, wood, lemon grass, green pepper

Big Angus Green Malt is produced by Coppersea Distilling, in New Platz, New York. Founded in 2011 and derives its name from an old saying that there was a “Sea of Copper stills along the Hudson River Valley in the 1800’s…” Today there is only a few distilleries in the Hudson Valley.

I sampled this this expression at the distillery and the unique taste caught my attention immediately. The barley, green flavors, hay, and lemongrass notes are something that I had not yet experienced. The taste of green and the mix of warm heat of the whiskey is unique and for good reason. The whiskey’s mash bill is 100% un-kilned sprouting green barley malt. The barley is floor malted, hand raked, and is not stored for future use. Upon sprouting it is mashed, fermented in a open top fermenter, distilled twice, and then bottled at 48% abv.

Big Angus Green Malt is named after the founding Master Distiller Angus MacDonald. The method is a very old way to making whiskey to avoid taxes. Back in the day, Scotsmen avoided the Crown’s Tax Man coming to collect their money by not drying the malt with burning peat smoke. They could skip a step, hide the whiskey making process, and still make a decent scotch. If this is hard to understand, just think about what Walter and Jesse had to do in season one of Breaking Bad with the RV.

Priced is $75 for a 375ml bottle and is a little expensive for the total volume but a lot of effort and love that went into the making of this whiskey. If you are wondering more about Big Angus, take ride up to New Platz for the day and try all the expressions!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Hawksmoor Steakhouse NYC

Taconic Rye

Dead Rabbit (Bar) Grocery & Grog (& Whiskey)

Opinions Vary: Old Fashioned vs. Manhattan

Hudson Whiskey NY – Bright Lights, Big Bourbon

Black Dirt Straight Rye

Coppersea Single Barrel

Opinions Vary – Whiskey & Cigars

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Whiskey

Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

Search:

Newsletter Subscription

Recent Posts

Categories