DRINK

SOULFUL SPIRIT

Winning whiskies to sip during any season

Called liquid sunshine by playwright George Bernard Shaw, whiskey is derived from the Gaelic word meaning “water of life.” Here are a few giving us life on these sunshine-filled Scottsdale days.

Whistlepig Piggyback Rye A masterpiece by late founding father of craft distilling Dave Pickerell, this is one of the last recipes he was able to fully realize. Every flavor is intentional, from its aromas of fresh cinnamon and black peppercorn to its distinctive notes of cardamom and cured leather to the taste to its long finish full of vanilla and citrus. $49.99. www.whistlepigwhiskey.com.

Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Using four times more malted barley than traditional recipes, this San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal winner is both robust and smooth with a light sweetness. The nose offers a bouquet of vanilla and cloves before woody flavors combined with almond and maple syrup dance on the palate. $54.99. www.oldelk.com.

Four Roses Small Batch Select This non-chill filtered whiskey and Sunset International Spirits Competition gold medal winner debuted in Arizona this April. Made from hand-selected barrels, each aged a minimum of six years, it bursts with notes of apricots, berries, vanilla and light oak and offers a seductively lingering finish. $61.99. www.fourrosesbourbon. com.

Makers Mark Cask Strength This is the first cask strength release from the iconic, award-winning brand. Essentially, Cask Strength turns up the volume on the already near pitch-perfect oak, caramel, vanilla and spice notes. It is big, bold and expressive, with an earthy finish of tobacco and leather, making it the perfect pairing for a quality cigar. $53.99. www.makersmark.com. Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Full bodied with a creamy – almost buttery – mouthfeel, this 160-yearold brand’s homage to its original recipe showcases dried fruit on the nose, which offers a nice sweetness, then both caramel and vanilla to the taste. The sweeter notes are balanced by rich toasted oak at the finish. $73.99. www. chickencockwhiskey.com.

Standard Proof Whiskey Pecan Rye This premium rye whiskey is aged in American oak barrels, then infused with roasted pecans for 14 weeks. The whiskey is then filtered, rested and bottled, and the result is a spicy, nutty flavor profile so distinctive that it earned a gold medal at the famous World Spirits Competition. $39.99. www. standardproofwhiskey.com.

Shibui Single Grain 10-YearOld White Oak Made from Japanese Indica longgrain rice and distilled, matured and bottled in Okinawa, Japan, this ultrapremium whiskey that has been aged at least 10 years in virgin European white oak is a collector’s dream. There are flavors here one would never expect, including tropical fruit salad, sea salt caramel and whipped cream, but each one is a welcome surprise. $179.99. www.shibuiwhisky.com.

Blood Oath Pact No. 7 This dazzling blend of three Kentucky straight rye bourbon whiskies aged eight to 14 years is extra special as its finished in casks that once held Sauternes, a sweet Bordeaux white wine. There is a balance of sweetness and spice in each sip, with clear notes of caramel, oak, apricots, honey and peaches. $99.99. www. luxrowdistillers.com.