Sip or Swig: 6 Whiskeys to Sip and 6 Whiskeys for Cocktails

There’s no wrong way to drink it. You can make a one-ingredient cocktail or throw some liqueurs and fresh fruit in a glass with your liquor. At truk’t, we do both.

With over 70 bourbon, rye, malts and single blends, there’s always something new to try. We tasted a handful of whiskies and are letting you know which ones are good for a SIP and which ones you should SWIG!

"SIP"

High-quality whiskeys (or whiskys) are meant to be sipped and savored. Makers intend for drinkers to appreciate the flavor profiles and nuances of their creations.

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

It’s the perfect mixture of four recipes to create a well-balanced bourbon. Tasting notes include ripened berries and dried spice.

Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon

With tastes of charred oak, sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper and dried fruits, this bourbon offers a sweet and spicy profile.

WhistlePig Boss Hog VII*

This rye whiskey ages for 17 years in American oak barrels, then spends time in Spanish casks and finishes in South American teakwood. You’ll taste spicy cloves, brandied cherries and baking spices before subtle hints of charred oak, sage and dark chocolate.

*specially allocated

Journeyman Last Feather Rye

You won’t find many rye whiskeys that balance the spice and pepper of rye and sweetness of wheat and fruit notes quite like this one.

Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon*

The first single barrel bourbon in the world (no joke), this sweet bourbon has notes of citrus and oak.

*specially allocated

Balvenie Doublewood 12

It’s the only scotch whisky on our list, but it’s a good one. It’s aged 12 years in American oak barrels and then moves to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for nine months before spending the last 3-4 months in large oak vessels called “tuns.” Let us know if you taste a nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a layer of sherry when you have a glass.

"SWIG"

It’s okay if you don’t like to drink whiskey neat or on the rocks. We know good whiskey, but we aren’t total purists here. With a high alcohol content (40% and above ABV) and bold flavors, straight whiskey can feel like a sucker punch to the taste buds if it’s not your jam.

Try it in a cocktail instead.

Jim Beam Black

Its full-bodied flavor with notes of caramel and oak make this the perfect whiskey for our signature cocktail, The Prospector, which features blackberry liqueur and smoked honey syrup.

Templeton Rye Whiskey

If you love a whiskey old fashioned, you need to try it with Templeton. It’s mellow and smooth with flavors of oak and fruit, and we make our own special Templeton Old Fashioned cocktail with pear liqueur. A must try.

St. George Breaking & Entering Bourbon

The bourbon gets its name from the distillery using barrels from other distilleries. It’s spicy and rich with a hint of mint, which pairs well with the peach liqueur and mint in our Bourbon Peach Smash cocktail.

Knob Creek Bourbon

Aged in white oak with flavors of vanilla and caramel, this bourbon is excellent in classic cocktails, like an old fashioned, manhattan or mint julep.

FEW Straight Bourbon

Where southern tradition meets the spiciness of northern rye, cinnamon and clove dominate the flavor profile of this bourbon. Try it in our cocktail Couple, Two, Three.