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Whiskey primer: bourbon, rye & beyond
Bourbon for round oak, rye for spice — and why American cocktail history still picks your bottle.
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Spirits · ~15 min
Whiskey primer: bourbon, rye & beyond
Bourbon vs rye, then three drinks that teach the category: Old Fashioned, Manhattan (with fresh vermouth), and Whiskey Sour — finished with citrus oil.
5 lessons in this path
2. Skill
Stir
An Old Fashioned or Manhattan should be clear, cold, and slightly softened — not watery or hot.
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3. Bottles
Vermouth, wine & modifiers
Sweet vermouth is half the Manhattan. Fridge it, date it, and taste it before you blame the whiskey.
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4. Skill
Shake
A Whiskey Sour is still a sour — hard shake, fresh lemon, stop when the tin hurts.
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5. Skill
Express
Orange oil over an Old Fashioned or Manhattan beats a muddled fruit salad in the glass.
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