12 Days of Christmas Spirits
Below, you’ll find introductions to the 12 fine spirits included in STIR’s Twelve Days of Christmas Spirits Instagram Stories series. We hope that this information will inspire you to explore these expressions and enjoy them more fully.
Nevertheless, we encourage you to try these spirits at STIR and discuss them with our experienced bartenders. We love fine liquors, and we would welcome the opportunity to share that passion with you. This holiday season, come in for a pour and discover what makes each of these bottles so highly prized.
For our full Rare Spirits menu, please visit the menus page on our website.
Dec 12: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whiskey
Old Forester’s 1910 Old Fine Whiskey pays homage to the first double-barreled whiskey ever produced. From Old Forester’s website:
On October 22nd, 1910, a fire on the bottling line halted production of Old Forester. Mature whisky ready to be bottled, instead was stored in a secondary barrel. What emerged was a delightful whisky, remarkable enough to become an entirely new expressions [sic] – Old Fine Whisky.
Today mimicking this historic bottling, this unique expression of Old Forester has undergone a second barreling, granting it exceptional character, a smooth and sweet flavor and a clean, crisp finish. Entering the second barrel at a low 100 proof allows more of the sweet wood sugars to dissolve into the whiskey. 1910 Old Fine Whiskey is the fourth and final expression of the Whiskey Row Series, presented at 93 proof.
Dec 13: STIR's Private Barrel of WhistlePig
WhistlePig is a famously enjoyable rye whiskey. It balances the inherent spiciness of rye with mellower flavors of clove, mint, barrel char, caramels, and butterscotch. STIR’s tasters hand-selected the restaurant’s private 10 year-old barrel for particular flavor profile. STIR’s private barrel accentuates the character and flavors that make WhistlePig such a celebrated whiskey, and we are proud to share it with you. Ask for a pour over a transparent sphere of artisanal ice. You won't be disappointed.
Dec 14: STIR Tonic Syrup
STIR Tonic Syrup is brewed from scratch with real quinine, aromatic spices, citrus peel, and juniper berries. If you’ve never had genuine tonic, it is nothing like the cloying solution you’ll find in plastic two-litre bottles. Our tonic is pleasantly balanced and slightly citrusy. It complements rather than overpowers the flavor of your drink. You can order a Gin or Vodka Tonic at STIR or a bottle of STIR Tonic Syrup for your bar at home. It’s even available for delivery through DoorDash. To make a perfect Gin or Vodka & Tonic, stir 2 oz. of your favorite gin or vodka with 1 oz. of STIR Tonic Syrup, top with 5 oz. of soda water, garnish with lemon or lime, and enjoy!
Dec 15: Old Ezra 7
Aged in new, charred white oak barrels for seven years, Old Ezra 7 is Ezra Brooks’ first barrel-proof bourbon. This expression breathes new life into a historic brand. Enthusiasts have quickly recognized its excellent flavor profile and value. From Breaking Bourbon:
It’s a beauty. A spice storm of cinnamon, clove, ginger, and roasted pecan greets the palate, easing into sweet notes of melted caramel, chocolate, macaroons, marzipan, and crème brûlée. Earthy hints of sandalwood and tobacco complete the finish, making this everything a great bourbon should be.
Old Ezra 7 was a winner of Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2019, coming in at #7 with a 94 point rating. More information can be found on Old Ezra 7’s webpage or by enjoying a glass with one of our expert bartenders.
Dec 16: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Buffalo Trace bears the name of its distiller for good reason: it’s everything that a flagship bourbon should be. From Breaking Bourbon:
Buffalo Trace is the quintessential bourbon - smooth, well balanced, and extremely drinkable. Everything about this bourbon feels like it’s been masterfully engineered to be the perfect example of what a bourbon should be. It’s hard to find any faults with this one and that’s by design.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon is one of the best introductions to its namesake distillery’s output. It is equally enjoyable over a sphere of artisanal ice or as an upgraded pour in any of our craft bourbon cocktails, like the Old Fashioned Cocktail or Whiskey Bramble. Be careful, Buffalo Trace might be your gateway to fine whiskey!
Dec 17: E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye
Named for Bourbon extraordinaire Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., this is a well-rounded expression from Buffalo Trace that highlights everything a balanced rye whiskey should be. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye is a benchmark, setting a standard that rye whiskey strives to achieve. Bottled in Bond, it is produced in specific batches and aged for at least four years in specially designated warehouses. More information can be found on E.H. Taylor Rye webpage or from enjoying a glass with one of our expert bartenders.
Dec 18: Maker's Mark Cask Strength
Maker’s Mark is a staple bourbon in many people’s minds. The distillery’s recently released Cask Strength expression takes everything one might love about Maker’s and improves upon it. This is an outstanding bourbon that maintains the signature, front-of-the-palate flavors of Maker's Mark while amping up the notes of oak, caramel, vanilla and spice. Marker’s Mark Cask Strength is their first expression ever offered at cask strength. Bottled at barrel proof and non-chill filtered, it preserves the naturally occurring flavors that arise while distilling and aging the liquid. Maker's Mark Cask Strength is one of the few barrel-proof wheated bourbons on the market. It’s not to be missed. Join us for a pour and discover a remastered classic. More information on the Maker’s Mark website.
Dec 19: Old Charter: French Oak
The Buffalo Trace Distillery Old Charter line of bourbons explores the ways in which barrels crafted with different varietals of oak affect the character of spirits aged within them. It’s the same concept behind STIR barrel-aging a selection of our craft cocktails to enhance their flavor profile. The French Oak Expression owes its uniqueness to resting its bourbon in French Oak barrels, which are famous for their role in producing fine wines. The wood’s tighter grain imparts “more subtle flavors and a silkier texture than its American counterpart.” This makes this bourbon stand out in a line-up of others aged in traditional American White Oak barrels. In terms of tasting:
Tasting notes for the French Oak describe it as having a nose of vanilla with hints of apricot, cherry, and rose petal. The palate is a thick and creamy maple syrup, with the oak flavor coming through. A long finish of chocolate and toasted oak round it out.
More information on the Old Charter: French Oak webpage. Come in for a glass to experience the difference this aging process makes. Be sure to try our barrel-aged cocktails as well (I personally recommend the Vieux Carre).
Dec 20: STIR Bloody Mary Mix
Our bartenders create STIR Bloody Mary mix by hand in small batches. We only use only fresh herbs and vegetables - no preservatives or artificial ingredients. The result is a bright mix that tastes garden fresh. Try a celebrated STIR Bloody Mary at our bar, or have our mix delivered to you through DoorDash any day of the week. For a restorative bloody mary, mix 2 oz. of vodka with 5 oz. of STIR Bloody Mix, garnish as you prefer - we recommend a celery spear and citrus - and enjoy!
Dec 21: Pappy Van Winkle 23
What needs to be said? Pappy Van Winkle 23 is the crème de la crème of bourbon. It’s a rare opportunity to taste this whiskey. STIR is proud to offer it in an ideal setting with passionate, knowledgeable bartenders and pure, artisanal ice, should one so choose.
Dec 22: Elijah Craig Small Batch
According to one of bourbon’s many mythological origin stories, Elijah Craig was a baptist preacher who moved from Virginia to Kentucky, where he created the process for producing true Kentucky bourbon. He’s credited with aging his distillate into charred oak barrels. Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig takes its name from bourbon’s mythological foundation. Produced in 200 barrels per batch, Elijah Craig is created by blending selected whiskeys ranging from 8 to 12 years of age.
What distinguishes this bourbon is its value. It is an excellent, down-the-middle bourbon that often surprises whiskey enthusiasts given its accessible price point. More information can be found on Elijah Craig Small Batch webpage or by discussing the bottle over a pour with our expert bartenders.
Dec 23: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength
Angel’s Envy was one of the first distilleries to created and popularize finished bourbons. Angel’s Envy Cask Strength is the descendent of Angel’s Envy’s first and - at the time - only product, Angel’s Envy Port Finish Bourbon and the polished result of this legacy. Aged six years and then months more in Portuguese ruby port casks, this is an exceptional bourbon that has won some of the most coveted awards in the spirits industry. Sample it with us, and learn how Angel’s Envy continues to build its reputation as one of the most inventive and excellent distilleries.
