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World Whisky Day is upon us, and we’re excited to celebrate this day. If you are looking for a a whisky to enjoy responsibly on World Whisky Day that is this Saturday May, 19th we have a few ideas below.

Some of the options below are George Dickel No. 12, Crown Royal XO, Bulleit Barrel Strength and Orphan Barrel’s Rhetoric 24-Year-Old. Whether you’re enjoying your whisky on the rocks, in a cocktail, or with loved ones, you will be sure to find the best fitting whiskey below to make this Saturday one to remember.

Cheers!

George Dickel No. 12 (Suggested retail price, $24.99)

Concentrated flavors of rich oak and subtle vanilla lead to a long finish with hints of maple, butter and smoke. A whisky with enormous depth, range and personality – considered by many to be the gold standard of Tennessee Whisky.

Crown Royal XO (Suggested retail price, $49.99)

Crown Royal XO is a unique blend of more than 50 of the finest Crown Royal whiskies finished in cognac casks. Resulting in both an extraordinarily complex and smooth expression, Crown Royal XO is an elegant whisky that is deliciously balanced with hints of vanilla, spice and rich dry fruit.

Bulleit Barrel Strength (Suggested retail price, $59.99)

Winner of a Double Gold medal and named Best Straight Bourbon at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Bulleit Barrel Strength gives bourbon lovers the opportunity to taste the classic Bulleit Bourbon straight out of the barrel, uncut and non-chill filtered. Originally released in 2016 as a Kentucky-only offering, the newest variant just expanded nationally this year.

Rhetoric 24 (Suggested retail price, $130)

The 24-year-old aged whiskey comes out of the barrel with an aroma of rich vanilla oak, brown sugar and chocolate beginning with orchard fruit giving way to a warming finish of nutmeg and caramel notes. It is the twelfth release from Orphan Barrel and has been aged four years longer than the first release made by the distillery. The whiskey will continue to be progressively aged and re-released annually at a year older allowing whiskey aficionados to collect the series and compare side-by-side.

Just as the months start to warm up, George Dickel is following suit. For more than a century, both George Dickel Tennessee Whisky and McIlhenny Company’s TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce, have celebrated their Louisiana and Tennessee roots and legacy of craftsmanship. Now, with George Dickel TABASCO Brand Barrel Finish available in stores this May, these two iconic brands are coming together in one bottle. Finished in barrels used to age tabasco peppers for three years, George Dickel TABASCO Brand Barrel Finish has a deliciously spicy flavor. George Dickel takes its Tennessee whisky and rests it in these barrels for 30 days, allowing the spice and flavor imparted on the wood from the tabasco peppers to add its unique finish.

TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce is then distilled to create an essence, which is carefully blended together with the whisky to create George Dickel TABASCO Brand Barrel Finish. The result is a deliciously spicy shot, which recently won a Gold Medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“George Dickel Tennessee Whisky and TABASCO are two of the most iconic brands the South has to offer for a reason – the craftsmanship that goes into creating these products is the real deal,” said Jeff Parrott, Director of American Whisk(e)y Development at Diageo. “Both brands have such a rich history, and we’re proud to collaborate with our friends at McIlhenny Company to marry their unique flavor with our quality Tennessee whisky.”

The release of George Dickel TABASCO Brand Barrel Finish signals the return of longer days, livelier nights and good times. For consumers looking for the perfect mix of fun and flavor, it can be enjoyed as a shot with celery salt on the rim, or with pickle juice or an ice chaser. Whether enjoyed at your local barbeque spot or backyard party, a shot of Hot Dickel provides a peppery kick, but goes down with a smooth finish. Hitting shelves nationwide in May, George Dickel TABASCO Brand Barrel Finish carries a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle and is also available in 50 mL and 1L sizes. The alcohol by volume is 35% (70 proof). Like the rest of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky brand’s offerings, this shot is meant to be enjoyed responsibly.

May is officially here, it’s time to set our sights on summer! And what better way to kick-off Summer than by celebrating with a delicious Americana-inspired cocktail in-hand?

This year, back and better than ever, is Smirnoff’s seasonal limited time offering, Smirnoff Red, White & Berry. This vodka specialty is the ideal drink for summer from its perfectly patriotic packaging to its delicious combination of citrus, cherry & blue raspberry. Here are some tasty recipes you can make this summer.

Triple Berry Mojitini (Serves 4)

·         3/4 cup Smirnoff Red, White & Berry

·         1 cup limeade

·         Club soda

·         Handful of mint leaves

·         6 oz raspberries

·         6 ounces blackberries

·         4 ounces cherries, pitted and cut in half

·         Sugar and lime wedge for rimming

·         4 teaspoons sugar, (I used stevia)

In the bottom of 4 – 11.5 oz glasses, place 1 teaspoon of sugar and a few torn mint leaves. Muddle. To each glass add 2 raspberries, 2 blackberries and 2 cherries. Muddle with the sugar and mint until liquefied. Pour 1.5 oz Smirnoff Red, White & Berry into each glass. Top with 1/4 cup limeade, crushed ice and a splash of club soda. Garnish with a cocktail pick of a raspberry, blackberry and lime wedge.

Summer Berry Mule

• 1.5 ounces Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
• 4 ounces Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
• 1/4 cup fresh berries- blueberries, raspberries or blackberries
• Squeeze of lemon (optional)

In a shaker, muddle half the berries with the vodka, add ice and shake. Pour into an ice filled mason jar. Top with Ginger Beer and a squeeze of lemon. Garnish with fresh berries on a skewer

Red, White & Berry Limeade (Serves 8-10)

• 1 cup Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry or Smirnoff No. 21
• 1 cup black raspberry liqueur
• 3 cups limeade

In a large pitcher, combine the Smirnoff, black raspberry liqueur, and limeade. Chill until cold, then serve over ice with blueberries, raspberries, and apple stars for a patriotic twist.

Boozy Blackberry, Pineapple & Cilantro Ice Pops (Serves 20)

For the Blackberries:

• 3½ cups blackberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 ounces Smirnoff Red, White, & Berry Vodka

For the Ice Pop Purée:

• 4 cups fresh pineapple chunks
• ½ cup cilantro leaves
• ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 ½ ounces Smirnoff Red, White & Berry
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Pinch kosher salt

Prepare the blackberries:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the blackberries, sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally and gently mashing half of the berries using a wooden spoon, until the berries are soft and the liquid has reduced to a syrup, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the vodka and immediately remove from the heat. Allow to cool completely.

Prepare the ice pop purée:

In a high-powered blender, purée all the ingredients on high until smooth, around 3 minutes. For an extra smooth purée, strain through a sieve to remove any small bits of pineapple and cilantro that didn’t blend completely.

Assemble the ice pops:

Spoon 2 tablespoons of ice pop purée into the bottom of each ice pop mold. Layer with 2 tablespoons of the blackberries. Repeat with 1 more layer of each. Insert a popsicle stick and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

To serve:

One at a time, dip a frozen ice pop mold into a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 seconds. Gently pull the ice pop to release from the mold and serve.

Spiked Triple Berry Basil Lemonade (Serves

·         1.5 cups Smirnoff Red, White & Berry

·         8 cups lemonade

·         1 cup basil syrup

·         4 berry lemonade ice cup

In a pitcher combine lemonade, vodka and basil syrup. Stir to combine. To serve, place 4 ice cubes into a high ball glass and top with lemonade cocktail.

Red, White & Blue Boozy Slush (Serves 4)

Blue Slush Layer:

·         2 cups ice

·         2 oz. Blue Curacao

·         1 cup homemade lemonade

White Slush Layer:

·         2 cups ice

·         2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry

·         1 cup homemade lemonade

Red Slush Layer:

·         1 ¼ cups strawberries, quartered

·         2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka

·         ¼ cup of homemade lemonade

Blend each layer separately until smooth. Store in freezer until ready to build your cocktail. Pour each layer into a highball glass and serve immediately.