Rather than get lost in the sauce this season, be the one who makes it. This recipe by chef Justin Gottselig of No. 246 in Decatur, Ga transforms a cocktail classic into an all-star accompaniment. Serves 4.

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Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
• ½ cup bourbon
• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. seasoned salt
• ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1 tsp. grain mustard
• salt and pepper to...

A few years ago, as the Philadelphia Eagles prepared to challenge the New Orleans Saints, I witnessed a hot tub that had been retrofitted with wheels and a trailer hitch parked in the stadium lot. You see, in Philadelphia, my hometown, tailgating is raised to high art, taken every bit as seriously as cheesesteaks and Rocky. The guys in the hot tub—bravely shirtless in the sub-freezing temperature—were keeping warm with some sort of whisky cocktail.

Smart fans. Whisky, after all, is perfect for tailgating: It’s easy to pack, makes you feel warm, can be mixed into tasty drinks, both hot...

The Lowlands have the dubious reputation of producing Scotland’s least fashionable whiskies. While it’s easy to find whisky lovers who swoon for the peaty malts of Islay and rich, sherried drams of Speyside, the delicate and floral whiskies of the Lowlands have lingered on in relative obscurity—more of a footnote on most whisky lists—until now. From a low of just two operational Maltwhisky distilleries in 1993, the designated Lowlands region of Scotch whisky production has now grown to include eleven distilleries, with several more in the pipeline. The Lowlands Renaissance has arrived.

Lowlands Emergence

The Lowlands Maltwhisky region...

Visiting the Lowlands is really a matter of choosing the best city center for your stay . Glasgow is convenient to the western distilleries and offers a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and whisky bars. However, if Annandale and Bladnoch top your list, Dumfries is worth consideration as a base. The historic town was home to Robert Burns from 1791 until his death in 1796. Visitors can explore his house and enjoy a dram in The Globe Inn , which was frequented by the poet, songwriter, and one-time excise officer.

Edinburgh is convenient to the eastern distilleries, and includes the...

More than just sugar, honey lends its warming, sunny sweetness to a cup of tea or a glistening glaze for chicken wings. Of course, honey is not just a single flavor. A natural food product of honeybees, honey reflects its origins, whether the nectar was collected from a Scottish heather moor or from wildflowers growing on a California mountainside. Honey connoisseurs will happily pay a premium for a quality, single-source jar from an artisanal apiary, admiring the spectrum of honeyed colors from gold to deep mahogany, and their nuances of flavors in a way familiar to whisky lovers.

Honey and...

It’s a great week for single malt scotch lovers. After teasing four new whiskies just a few weeks ago, Old Pulteney has revealed a brand-new lineup for its core range, including the non-age statement (and slightly peated) Huddart, a 15 year old, and an 18 year old. The flagship Old Pulteney 12 year old will continue to be available as well, but with revamped packaging to match its new brethren. Old Pulteney discontinued its 17 year old and 21 year old expressions in 2017 ( although eagle-eyed hunters maj still spot them on store shelves as back stock gets sold...

Scotland’s most southerly region is home to a s mall, but growing number of distilleries . Many of these producers are newcomers, just getting started making whisky that is years away from maturity, while others are well-established and familiar to many scotch drinkers. If you can’t make it to the region to tour its whisky trail , get a taste for the Lowlands with some of these single malts.

Auchentoshan 12 year old —84 points, $45 The nose offers tropical fruit and honeyed vanilla, emerging nuts, and dried spice, banana, and almonds. The texture is slightly oily, and the palate...

Scotland’s Lowlands region offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including nature preserves, mountain bike trails, fishing, and golfing. Of course, the area has plenty of  whisky  as well—perfect for rounding out a day’s adventures. Here are ten exciting activities to try out while in the Lowlands; for more adventure ideas, check out  Visit Scotland .

Glasgow and the West

Have an Ice Time Even those who take their whisky neat will enjoy a visit to the Baltic Ice Bar Glasgow at the Snow Factor experience just outside Glasgow. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, head to the bar where...

Cask strength. Bottled-in-bond. Barrel proof. These phrases set many a whiskyphile’s heart beating a little faster. But seeing 40% or 43% ABV? For some drinkers, the only feelings aroused are scorn and cynicism. Surely distillers are watering the whisky down to stretch their supply and save money, or to appeal to people who don’t really like whisky in the first place—aren’t they?

History tells us that, at least in the case of American whiskey, nobody was complaining about their hooch being too strong. Rather, it was Prohibition, when bootleggers added more water to whisky to stretch supplies, that necessitated the...

Over the past decade, Austin, Texas has transformed from sleepy slackerville to one of the fastest-growing cities in North America. With the help of some big-name tech companies and the increasing popularity of the annual South by Southwest festival held each mars, Austin has blossomed into a bustling metropolis of nearly one million. Although some stalwarts still cling to the city’s self-appointed moniker of “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin has taken on new bragging rights, namely for its impressive (and seemingly ubiquitous) craft spirits scene, with whiskey at the forefront.

Day One

Everything’s bigger in Texas, except public...

What does your whisky cabinet covet—something rare and limited from a faraway land? Something new and exciting that’s locally made? In the world of whisky collecting, beauty is in the eye of the bottle holder, but a few truths remain: A majority of the most collectible distilleries are in Scotland. It’s never too late to get started collecting. And older isn’t necessarily better .

When it comes to the here and now, American whiskey is taking hold as the next big collectible category . Many of the best bourbons and ryes are still both affordable and accessible, but simultaneously, they’re...

“I see FarmStock 001 being a $10,000 bottle of whiskey within 10 years,” says Raj Bhakta. It’s a bold predictionfrom the founder of pioneering craft distillery WhistlePig , especially given that FarmStock 001 is the company’s first offering to include whiskey actually distilled at WhistlePig’s picturesque Vermont farm. Bhakta, however, has good reason for his optimism. The most recent release from WhistlePig, Boss Hog The Black Prince, a rye finished in Armagnac casks, launched last fall and retails for $500 a bottle—an unheard-of price for a craft upstart.

The Black Prince has beaten out competition from Scotland, Ireland, Kentucky, and...

Fall is the most exciting time for whisky—lots of new and limited-edition releases hit shelves during the months leading up to the holiday season. And even though we’re still weeks away from autumn leaves, and temperatures, the first of the 2018 special bottles is about to roll out. Old Forester always kicks off the season with its Birthday Bourbon, which is released each year on september 2, the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown. Bottled for the first time at Old Forester’s new distillery in downtown Louisville , this year’s Birthday Bourbon is 50.5% ABV and has a recommended price...

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Heads up, whisky lovers! There are lots of new releases to get excited about this week.

Jack Daniel’s is rolling out a bottled-in-bond version of its classic Tennessee whiskey. Currently available in travel retail stores only, the whiskey will sell for $38 for a 1-liter bottle.

Meanwhile, peat heads will want to look for this year’s Laphroaig Cairdeas, the distillery’s annual special release. The 2018 Cairdeas matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a finishing period in fino sherry casks. It costs $80 and will be available in limited amounts.

Freddie Noe, son of Fred Noe and grandson of the legendary...

Few things are more enjoyable than sipping a great whisky in the company of a good friend. But complications arise when your drinking companion has four legs and kibble breath. Fortunately, we’ve uncovered a handful of bars that cater to whisky lovers and their canine counterparts. With impressive whisky lists and perks for your pooch, these dog-friendly destinations are great places to enjoy a whisky with a side of water—served neat, in a bowl.

Taurus Beer & Whisk(e)y House —Miami This rollicking locals’ bar is both dog and kid-friendly. No food is prepared here, so dogs are permitted throughout the...

Few cocktails are more refreshing on a hot day than a classic Mint Julep. This variation swaps agave nectar for sugar and makes a perfect pairing for...

Few whiskey cocktails are simpler than this, a combination of bourbon, ginger beer or ale, and a little lime juice. It goes well with any rich and fatty food, including...

This classic whiskey cocktail, made with just sugar, citrus, and bourbon, is a perfect match for the richness of a...