The whisky world has been shaken by the sad news of the death of Dave Pickerell , one of the pre-eminent distillers of American whiskey who helped shape dozens of brands over the course of his career. He will be sorely missed, yet his influence will continue to be felt as long as the whiskeys he helped create are enjoyed by drinkers. We certainly will continue to raise our glasses to him.

Speaking of which—there are many new whiskies to fill your glass with this week. Canadian Club is releasing its oldest whisky to date at 41 years old. The...

All around the country, upstart distillers big and small are finding new ways to create great whiskey, even when time, scale, and tradition are all arrayed against them. Whether working in the forest, the field, or the laboratory, they’re breaking old rules, reviving even older traditions, and applying techniques that have never been attempted before. Not every experiment succeeds, but those that do offer us a glimpse of the future of whiskey. These visionaries maj have different ideas about where whiskey is headed, but they share a will to venture wherever their passion leads. Here’s a look at a few...

Have you ever picked up a bottle of whisky and noticed the liquid inside is hazy? Or dropped ice into a glass of whisky only to see it turn cloudy? Fear not, this isn’t faulty product. It’s whisky that is non-chill filtered, and it’s coveted by enthusiasts.

Unless it’s chill filtered, any bottle of whisky that’s diluted with water or allowed to sit undisturbed at room temperature for a couple of hours will develop a haze, says former Four Roses master distiller Jim Rutledge. “The haze will ultimately turn to ugly, nasty looking solids in the bottle,” he says.

In...

To taste most super-aged whisky, especially scotch, requires a big wallet or special connections. Even then, many very old whiskies are bought as collectibles, regarded as investments and destined to remain unopened forever. You maj have seen these pricey bottles locked behind glass or at the tippy-top of an extravagant bar and wondered: what does a whisky that old taste like? Well, Craigellachie is giving you a shot to find out with its new 51 year old single malt, which is launching alongside a program that will allow drinkers to have a taste for free.

The Speyside producer announced this...

It’s your wedding day! You’ve curated the perfect menu, meticulously planned the seating chart and flower arrangements, and pored over playlists to pick your first dance song—and now it’s time to add in some whisky. You could leave the choice up to the venue, but unless you’re required to go with a pre-set bar package, you’re better off doing this part of the work yourself.

When planning my own wedding, I was offered a choice of two packages: a few bottom to mid-shelf well whiskies, or a premium selection that seemed designed to gouge my budget. (Think a $700 upcharge...

The biggest American whiskey in the world, Jack Daniel’s , is rolling out a series of exclusive whiskeys. The Tennessee Tasters’ Selection offers unusual and creative whiskeys for sale mainly at the distillery in Lynchburg. The first two releases, High Angels’ Share Barrels and Hickory Finish, are available now, with the next release, Reunion Barrel, coming in early 2019. Each 375-ml. bottle is $40; batches are around 24,000 bottles, with several batches released each year.

More of an Irish whiskey fan? Your ship has come in. Four new whiskeys from the Emerald Isle are making their way to store shelves,...

Championship celebrations often call for beer and champagne (and goggles), but for the 50th anniversary of a legendary soccer win, Chivas Regal is rolling out a highly collectible and rare whisky. Chivas The Icon 50th Anniversary Limited Edition will commemorate Manchester United’s 1968 European Cup victory, in which they became the first English club to take the tournament, beating Benfica 4 goals to 1. The whisky, a special blend for the brand, will be bottled at 43% and is the oldest Chivas ever released.

The limited-edition whiskey will consist of only four bottles, one for each United goal scored, each...

Created by Pamela Wiznitzer, formerly creative director at Seamstress in New York City, this cocktail can be served with a side of candied nuts. “Lace your drink with pecan syrup and spices from the bitters to evoke the flavors of pecan pie,” Wiznitzer says....

Created by Katie Ontiveros, bartender at the ...

Created by Liz Pearce, beverage director at...

Created by Steva Casey, bartender at...

It’s officially pie season—when we highlight the best flavors of fall by mixing fruits or nuts with spices and baking it all between buttery, flaky crusts. These same flavors work surprisingly well mixed with whisky and served in a glass.

“The flavors from pies are great inspirations for drinks such as the Old-Fashioned because bourbon extracts a lot of nuances from the wood barrels, such as spice notes, vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits,” says Pamela Wiznitzer, creative director at New York City’s Seamstress bar.

Here, four popular pies—apple crumb, pecan, pumpkin, and sweet potato—inspire cocktails that are balanced, never sweet,...

There’s something for everyone in the ten highest-scoring whiskies from our Fall 2018 Buying Guide, which covers new releases and old favorites from Scotland, the U.S., Ireland, Canada, Japan, and beyond. If you’ve got plenty of money to spend, then go for the very old stuff: Dalmore 45 year old, Canadian Club 41 year old, Royal Salute 28 year old, or Gelston’s 25 year old Irish single malt. Feeling less flush? Try the latest Booker’s  bourbon, Knob Creek Cask Strength rye, a new whisky from Forty Creek , and the newest Noble Collection release from Crown Royal . If you’re...

Remember a time when devotees of the Manhattan had few options when it came to choosing a vermouth to stir with their whiskey? An era when Martinis were mixed so dry that it mattered little what was misted on top? Vermouth, a wine fortified with distilled spirits, was once a sleepy mixer gathering dust on the shelf. Thanks to the rebirth of cocktail culture, those days are over.

More Than Manhattans: Try These Whisky-Vermouth Cocktails

Born in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy in the 16th century or even earlier, vermouth was originally used to make medicinal herbs more palatable....

There’s a new whisky for just about every taste this week, from bourbon and Tennessee whiskey to an array of peated and non-peated scotches.

Jack Daniel’s is rolling out its latest single barrel, a limited-edition whiskey that was aged in so-called “heritage” barrels made in a 19th-century style with more toasting and a lighter char. Priced at $65 a bottle, just 200 barrels are being bottled.

Woodford Reserve has announced plans to release not one, but two Master’s Collection whiskeys this year: Select American Oak, a bourbon aged in Ozark oak barrels, and Oat Grain, a bourbon made with—you guessed...

The cocktail pick serves an important purpose, keeping fingers dry while plucking a plump cherry from a Manhattan or fishing a twist from the depths of an Old-Fashioned. Sure, a wooden toothpick could do the job. But why not impress your guests by spearing some fruit with style? Whether you choose a cheeky plastic pick or a satin sterling silver spike, crafted like fine jewelry, the only thing you’ll wet is your whistle.

Him and Her Pic in sterling silver —$120/pair

The perfect wedding present for your whisky-loving friends who have enough whisky.

Celtic Martini Pick in Pennsylvania cherrywood —$5...

Denver began as a mining town in 1858 with a whisper that gold had been found in the Rocky Mountains. Prospectors and fortune-hunters set up tents and shacks on the banks of the Platte river, and in their wake came entrepreneurs—gamblers, prostitutes, and saloonkeepers—ready to help “mine” the miners of whatever they might find. Though not much gold was found, there was plenty of whiskey to help wash away their troubles.

160 years later, Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the residents have not lost their taste for whiskey and other spirits. Craft...

The biggest whiskey release news of the week was Buffalo Trace’s unveiling of its 2018 Antique Collection , including the surprise twist that Eagle Rare 17 year old is getting a higher proof this year. The bourbons and ryes in the collection will also have a slightly higher recommended retail price—although longtime fans will know that usually has no impact on the actual asking price in the store.

If you’re in search of more readily available, and affordable, whiskies, there are plenty to choose from, hitting shelves very soon. First up, a celebrity whiskey for MMA fans: fighter Conor McGregor...

There’s a whisky to suit every palate these days—and for those who like to read with a dram in hand, a whisky book to match. If you’re looking for new pages to turn, check out these recent and upcoming new whisky books, covering everything from single malt scotch, Japanese, and Australian whisky to moonshine and “whiskey hacks.”

Single Malt: A Guide to the Whiskies of Scotland By Clay Risen

Following up on his widely acclaimed 2013 title “American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye,” Clay Risen delivers a definitive resource for lovers of single malt scotch. Written for an American audience, with...

For the casual drinker and collector alike, it’s high time to visit one of Scotland’s many distilleries. More than 70 Scotch whisky distilleries now offer visitor tours—some even give you a choice of four or five different experiences. So many tours, so little time! Don’t panic: it maj seem bewildering at first, but there are key strategies to making the most of your visit.

If it’s your first time touring a scotch distillery, let your favorite dram guide your choice of where to visit. Nothing beats that incredible feeling of standing in the place where the whisky you first fell...