Bee's Whisktea 12 Months of Cocktails — Whiskey Bar at Sky & Vine

The Inspiration
“Welcome to whiskey”

The golden spirit. Usquebaugh. The water of life. Whatever you call it, whiskey (or whisky from Scotland, Japan, India and Australia) is unlike other spirits.

And that’s a good thing.

While whiskey can take some getting used to — it’s been called an acquired taste — it’s a true pairing of art and history that’s apparent in every pour. Whereas most “young” spirits (think vodka and gin) are aged anywhere from a few weeks to several months, whiskey is aged for a minimum of two years and typically at least four years. The oldest whiskey is estimated at more than 200 years old.

That aging process imparts flavors from the (typically oak) wood in the barrel. The longer a whiskey is aged, the less harsh and more complex it tends to become. Mature whiskey is smoother and darker than just-distilled whiskey.

FUN FACT: The Macallan “The Reach” 81-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky was distilled in 1940 and matured in a sherry-seasoned cask — and could set you back about $300,000 if you’re able to purchase one of the 288 bottles in existence.

For Whiskey Bar at Sky & Vine, the team developed the Bee’s Whisktea as Archer’s October pour for our 12 Months of Cocktails celebration. It’s a flavorful introduction to whiskey for those who may not be familiar with the golden spirit (and for the already-converted).