It's a well known fact that gentlemen drink whiskey. However, it's also a well-known fact that gentlemen who drink copious amounts of whiskey can turn into complete off-putting morons, so it's really about distinguishing a true gentlemen. Much more, it's about the kind of drink or even the kind of whiskey that speaks to gentlemen. With National Whiskey Sour Day today, I decided to examine the beloved cocktail, which has a place in the heart's of many gentlemen, with three distinct whiskeys.
A Whiskey Sour is typically made with a bourbon whiskey. However, if some prefer ryes to bourbons then why should one forgo the dapper cocktail. They shouldn't. Over the next three days I am having a Whiskey Sour Sampling starting off with a classic bourbon whiskey that's been around since 1888. Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a delicious highbrow whiskey that has all the characteristics of a great bourbon. It has that touch of sweetness and the spiced warmth of a bourbon along with its characteristic smooth depth that makes Four Roses a top-shelfer. I chose Four Roses Bourbon for this first whiskey sours after getting a great recipe from a friend of mine and former bartender, Christopher Dobey. Here's a great version that was first locally done in Boston but has become a nice remix of the whiskey sour.
The Boston Sour
2 ounces Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3-5 shakes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
1 ounce Simple Syrup
1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lemon
1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime
1 Egg
Add just the white of the egg to the shaker. Shake up the egg until the foams up (meringues). Add the Four Roses, the simple syrup, lemon, lime and bitters to the shaker and shake. Double-strain into a whiskey glass over ice.
This was a delicious cocktail. Admittedly I always order my whiskey with ginger ale but this Boston Sour is going to find it's way into my rotation. The egg white adds a nice textural depth to the drink while the perfectly married sour lemon and lime with the bitters cut the sweet notes of the cocktail with balance. The flavor of this drink hits all areas of the palette and makes this a very satisfying drink. Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available now from your finer wine, spirit and alcohol retailers and as always please remember to drink responsibly.
