Gourmet-Alcohol

Images Courtesy of Total Wine and More Although Irish whiskey had nearly been wiped from existence in the 1970s, when only a mere three distilleries remained, Ireland’s signature whiskey has recently been on the upswing. Many new distilleries have popped up in recent years, and lots of excellent bottles have been making their way to the U.S. While we still have a soft spot for Jameson , which popularized Irish whiskey around the globe, it’s far from the only great Irish bottle on the bar. What Is Irish Whiskey? Just as Scotch is from Scotland and bourbon is made in the U.S., Irish whiskey is any whiskey that’s made in Ireland. (And yes, in Ireland, whiskey is spelled with an “e.”) That said, Ireland’s namesake spirit is made in a wide variety of styles. Some are lighter-bodied, while others are more robust; others add flavor via peat-smoking or finishing in casks that previously held other spirits, wine or beer . But as long as it’s distilled and aged in the country, it can b

Getty Images There was derision in certain drinking circles when hard seltzer first captured the beverage zeitgeist in the mid-2010s . Then, when it became apparent that the fizzy fruity category was going to become a permanent fixture in consumer fridges around 2018 , many makers raced to catch up with demand. These days it’s clear that there are two hard-seltzer options: larger national brands—like White Claw , Truly and High Noon —and craft producers and upstarts that offer smaller-batch offerings. Hard Seltzer Finds Its Footing in Craft Spaces Mirroring the craft beer industry of the last 20 years, a lot of the innovation in hard seltzer flavor is happening through the smaller producers. And their offerings give consumers a chance to drink local and taste a sense of place. “Honestly, I don’t see the big brands as competition,” says Nick Smith the owner of Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co. in Estes Park, Colorado . “We’re playing different games. I believe in what makes us craft an

Getty Images Winemakers, brewers and distillers are often cool cats, so perhaps it’s not surprising that so many actually adopt cats, support cat rescues and aid other feline-friendly causes. Winery cats help with rodent control and greet visitors between, ahem, cat naps. Many are adopted from animal shelters and rescue organizations, living out their lives either as “barn cats” who roam the property or indoor lap cats who prefer to snuggle up inside. Either way, the benefits they bring to establishments are plentiful, and often inspire owners to help other animals in the community. Michelle Benvenuto, executive director of the nonprofit Winegrowers of Napa County , said it’s natural for industry folk who value sustainability to support animal causes as well. “Winegrowers of Napa County defines sustainability as a three-legged stool that needs all three legs to stand: the environment, the economy and the community. Supporting local animal shelters ties into all of our long-ter