THE POUR

Typically one of the more acquired tastes among spirits, Scotch is the Scottish cousin in the prolific whisk(e)y and bourbon family. Smoky, peaty, intense, sultry – however you describe it, Scotch tends to conjure up classy vibes of sturdy people sipping the strong stuff.

What are the Scotch basics?

Single malt Scotch is superb on its own, while blended Scotch is best suited in cocktail recipes. Earthy and leathery notes accompany the peaty smokiness. Where does that peaty flavor come from, by the way? American and Irish distillers use other substances to dry the malted barley, but Scottish producers stoke the kiln with peat (dried plant matter), which in turn adds robust smokiness to the Scotch.

There are five recognized regions for Scotch: Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown. 

Bold flavors, honey tones, and dryness characterize the Highlands. Grassy and lighter-bodied high alcohol content marks the Lowlands. You'll notice Speyside has deep complexity from light and grassy to rich and sweet. Islay is the peaty and salty powerhouse of the bunch. The small Campbeltown region offers Scotch of intense smokiness and sometimes savory territory (or to some people, wet dog).

When you hear “spicy,” you might think of dried poblano peppers and the cuisine of the Southwestern United States. But, if you’re looking for a spicy twist on your cocktails, look no further than Ancho Reyes chile liqueur.

Made using — no surprise here — ancho chile, those very sun-dried poblano peppers, this liqueur is not for the faint of heart. If you want to cozy up in the cold weather and survive the season with the spark of desert heat, you need cocktails with chile liqueur. So buckle up, set up your home bar, and explore these devilishly delicious cocktails you can make using the unique and fiery Ancho Reyes chile liqueur.

Seeing ghosts in your future? Hopefully — because fall is rounding the bend into everyone’s favorite offbeat holiday: Halloween.

Usually, the teenagers get all the attention with their haunted house-themed school dances and children dress up to go door-to-door gathering candy. Well, we think it's time the adults have some fun, too!

Whether you're passing out candy or hosting a costume party, here are some recipes for liquor-infused candy.

You’ve probably tried tea, essential oils, medication, sleep, and chicken soup—but have you tried alcohol remedies for colds?

It may sound like the liquor lobby’s covert marketing pitch, but if you take a second to consider it, you might find more than you expect from the power of alcohol for not just cooking, mixing, and drinking, but also remedying a cold. As we transition into chilly weather and the coughs and sniffles that often accompany it, be prepared with knowledge—and alcohol—to combat sickness.

One obvious note before you seek sweet healing through spirits: consuming more than a small to moderate amount of alcohol while you’re sick will make things worse, so be smart about what you consume in your illness.

If you look closely, you’ll find liqueur in the liquor section of your favorite specialty shop or grocery store. Wait — they’re not the same thing? That’s right, it’s liquor vs. liqueur, two overlapping but distinct terms.

Let’s walk through the basics.