Editor’s Note: Jeff Stettner owns 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar in Lafayette Square but his interests range far beyond wine variertals. A request for “his favorite dark spirits” morphed into a Top 10 list of sorts, one that happens to dovetail nicely with the upcoming Whiskey in the Winter event, as all 10 of his selections will be featured there.
To be honest, I don’t recall the exact moment that it started. Okay, maybe I do. I totally do! It was a quiet Wednesday night at 33, cold, windows steamy from the heater, quiet jazz on the radio. I had just agreed to take the reigns of my favorite wine bar from my good friend Jake Hafner. T.J. Vytlacil, future creative genius of Blood & Sand (along with partner Adam Frager) was sitting at the bar, peppering me with questions: What did I know about wine? Where had I worked? What kind of whiskey did I like?
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The first two questions I could answer, but the last one? I was stumped… T.J. then pulled a move that would unknowingly change a small part of 33. He bought me a pour of Old Rip Van Winkle 12 Year (right). Holy tasty bourbony goodness. To say I was hooked was an understatement… The flavors were spectacular in all their winter-warming ways. Caramel. Five Spice. Just a hint of smoke. So interesting and oh-so good. At the time, 33 had about a dozen whiskies. Our current count? Well over 100, from bourbon to rye to Scotch to Irish. Oh, and that Van Winkle? Boy that one’s gotten tricky to track down, a testimony to the growth of craft spirits.
Here are some of my favorites. All are available either at 33 or the upcoming Whiskey in the Winter event:
- Rock Hill Farms Bourbon– Our best-selling bourbon, this gem from Ancient-Age Distilling exemplifies all the best qualities of America’s homegrown whiskey. Slightly sweet, with toffee and dried fruits.
- JJ Neukomm Missouri Malt Whiskey – Made locally by the fine folks at Square One Brewery & Distillery, this slightly smoky whiskey, made with cherry wood smoked malt, is a bit woody and extremely balanced.
- Elmer T. Lee Bourbon – Every home needs a bourbon that stands on it’s own or works great in cocktails. Home bar meet Mr. Lee. Vanilla and caramel on the nose with the right amount of spiciness.
- Pendleton 1910 Rye Whiskey – Coming out of a newer Oregon distillery, this 12 year Canadian rye is remarkably smooth, with creamy butterscotch notes on the nose. Oranges and spicy peppers add complexity to easy drinking rye.
- Yamazaki 12 – Sometimes that Veety guy [Andrew Mark Veety] gets it right! I second his recommendation of this fantastic Japanese whiskey. Adds a whole level of appreciation to the global whiskey market.
- Glen Garioch 12 Yr Scotch – Aged in both bourbon and sherry barrels, this is a lighter-style Scotch that softens during the two-stage barrel aging. Almost fruity, with just a hint of peat and smoke.
- Redbreast 12 Yr Irish Whiskey – This pot-stilled Irish whiskey is a gem. Aged 12 years, the oak comes through with notes of canned pears and brown sugar. A staple at 33.
- Redemption Rye – A newer product for us, this young rye spends two years in barrel before release. Hot (the alcohol is noticeable in a good way), holiday spices dominate the nose, with allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon leaping out of the glass.
- Highland Park 15 Yr Scotch – The epitome of balance, Highland Park 15 is a great example of why Scotch is so beloved. Sweet and smoky on the nose, peat and flowers come through on this luscious whiskey. A treat.
- Laphroaig Cask Strength – Sometimes you have a drink a whiskey the way it was made. This high-octane (110 proof) Scotch can be smelled across the room. Campfire, tar, peat…everything intense scotch can embody.
