A Message From Tom Fischer

GUEST EDITOR: TOM FISCHER

How long does it actually take to make a great cocktail? Is it about four minutes or four years? In my mind I think the process takes even longer, especially in my business where crafting a perfect drink only gets better with age. To fully appreciate the process of creating a cocktail, I think it’s best to start at the very beginning.

Sometime in the late afternoon a master distiller is checking the progress of his whiskey in barrel #428. While “thieving” from the barrel, he makes a note and decides he’ll come back to it later. Meanwhile, several bottles, which had shared the space next to barrel #428, are already sitting in a fine establishment.

Fast forward to happy hour and a crowded bar, three deep. Reaching for the bottle of whiskey, the bartender removes it from the shelf and carefully counts his pour. A number of carefully selected ingredients joins it in the mixing tin. With a twist of the wrist, not unlike that of a magician’s, the tin is shaken then turned upwards allowing the juice to fall into the glass.

No words are exchanged, just a knowing glance as the bartender eases it towards his patron, whose wise choice led to this moment, this experience. The lucky person raises his glass.

Connoisseurs of fine cocktails appreciate the many steps of aging, knowledge and experience involved in making one single drink. In this issue of CHILLED, we take the time to celebrate the origin and evolution of this process and examine what it takes to bring “class to the glass.”

I guess we’ll never agree on how long it takes to make that perfect drink, but we’ll savor every drop till we figure it out.

Tom Fischer

Tom Fischer is the founder of BourbonBlog.com, a digital entertainment and content site dedicated to bourbon, whiskey, and “spirited entertainment.” He invites questions and conversation at tom@bourbonblog.com. Follow BourbonBlog.com on Twitter @BourbonBlog.

GREY GOOSE IMPORTING COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL. VODKA 40% ALC. BY VOL.: FLAVORED VODKAS EACH 40% ALC. BY VOL. -DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. ©2012 GREY GOOSE, THE GREY GOOSE BOTTLE DESIGNS AND THE GEESE DEVICES ARE TRADEMARKS AND/OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. IMPORTED BY Discover the exceptional taste of Grey Goose Cherry Noir.

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