Standard Proof : Straight Bourbon

Tweet

The RainyDayMagazine folks have been learning about bourbons ever since we were introduced to them a number of years ago.

A while back we had the opportunity to taste (and like) the rye whiskies from Standard Proof, so when we heard they also offered a bourbon, we jumped on it right away!

Standard Proof uses natural ingredients and aged oak barrels to create their high-quality 80 proof rye whiskies. One of our favorites is their Cinnamon Spiced rye, which we have enjoyed both neat and in cocktails.

Standard Proof’s Straight Bourbon is distilled in Tennessee, blended and bottled in Nashville, and aged in new American oak barrels.

For a bourbon to be considered “straight Bourbon,” it must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred oak barrels. If it is aged for less than four years, it must be stated for how long somewhere on the bottle.

By law, bourbon must have a mash bill of at least 51% corn. Standard Proof’s mash bill is 64% corn 36% rye. When enjoying it neat, the Straight Bourbon is smooth, with a hint of vanilla, and absolutely delicious.

RainyDay Old Fashioned

While we are no strangers to Old Fashioneds, and have shared a few recipes with RainyDayMagazine readers, we have never created a cocktail with our name on it. Once we tasted Standard Proof’s bourbon, we realized it was time.

We considered carefully what “our” cocktail should be, what should go into it, and how it should be made. After some thought, we decided that a version of the classic Old Fashioned would be the right signature cocktail for RainyDayMagazine.

We happened upon a great Old Fashioned mixer at an unlikely place…Joanne Rossman’s awesome shop in Roslindale. Joanne calls herself a “purveyor of the unnecessary and irresistible.” We discovered the Wood Stove Kitchen Old Fashioned Mixer on one of her shelves, and it absolutely turned out to be “unnecessary” and absolutely “irresistible.”

The other piece to our approach to a tasty Old Fashioned is the “kick.” We found it at a small shop up in Brattleboro, Vermont: The showroom for the spirits from Saxtons Distillery. One of their spirits was their 6-year-old ghost-pepper flavored whiskey, which we promptly procured.

Once we had our ingredients assembled, we played mixologist (“someone who creates new mixed drinks”), mixing things until we were happy with the result. Some combos were too spicy, some too sweet, but after a lot of trial and, uh, “error,” we got the ratio exactly right!

The Standard Proof bourbon provided the flavor, the Saxtons ghost pepper whiskey gave it the “kick,” and the Wood Stove Kitchen mixer made it super easy to make it right every time.

Steps for the RainyDay Old Fashioned:

1. Add to a proper glass:

• •  1.5 oz. Standard Proof Straight Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz. Wood Stove Kitchen Old Fashioned Mixer
  • 1/2 oz. Saxtons Distillery Ghost Pepper Whiskey
  • An orange peel, twisted over the above to release the oil.

2. Gently lower a large ice ball into the glass and rotate the ice ball to mix.

3. Add an orange peel (twisted over the above to release the oil).

4. Add a Barsmith Luxury Bourbon cherry.

5.  Enjoy!!

Links to items mentioned:

• Standard Proof Straight Bourbon
• Saxtons Distillery Ghost Pepper Whiskey
• Wood Stove Kitchen Old Fashioned Mixer
• Cherries for Old Fashioned
• Zoku Ice Ball Mold