When it comes to whiskey, it seems there are as many opinions as there are bartenders. It can be tough to make heads or tails of all of the discourse surrounding which whiskey is best which cocktail. Well I’m here to break down the conversation into simple, easy details to help you solve the question of which whiskey to use in a Whiskey Sour. These simple concepts will also help you choose a whiskey for any cocktail you’re making at home!
Whiskey Flavor Matters In A Whiskey Sour, But Not How You Think
Let’s think about the overall flavor of a Whiskey Sour. It’s three basic flavor components are the whiskey, the sweet, and the sour. The flavor of a cocktail has to be in balance for it to truly taste wonderful. If any of these three aspects are out of whack, the cocktail is out of whack. When I drink a sour, I never want to taste any one part of it as separate, or sticking out. I want a cohesive drink that I can enjoy. For this reason, I always go for a whiskey that I find to be smooth, has all the classic attributes I associate with whiskey, and nothing that truly sticks out. For me, I’ve settled on Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is a smooth tasting experience, offering all of the hallmark whiskey characteristics to this cocktail while also playing as part of the team!
You Don’t Need To Buy An Expensive Whiskey
Many people make the mistake of assuming that they have to buy the most expensive option out of some misguided notion that “it’s better”. And while this might play more of a role for a prohibition era cocktail like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, it does not hold true for the sour. In fact, a general rule of thumb I follow is that the more ingredients you add to a cocktail, the less the quality of each ingredient can truly affect the end product. So stop reaching for the Glenfiddich or Pappy Van Winkle (I know quite a few people who would fight you for mixing with these), and grab a decent, mid-priced bottle of bourbon. The bottom of the shelf will offer whiskies with uneven flavor profiles, so depending on your location, look to spend between $30-$50. Woodford at my local falls right in the middle of that range.
Find A Local Distillery!
While I use and recommend Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey for my utility bourbon in any cocktails where it makes up 1/2 or less of the drink, don’t be afraid to experiment! One of my favorite weekend activities is finding a new local distillery to visit and do a tasting. You might be shocked how far the world of craft distilling has come, and what you might have in your own city. Go for a tasting, with the clear intent of finding a good utility bourbon for your drinks that won’t break the bank.