"Tennessee Whiskey"

I’m Thankful

For lots of things: my family, my work, my friends. And not just because you're supposed to be thankful. If I was at the Life Choices Store and had to pick out my own family, career, friends, and so on all over again, I'd pick all the same ones. 

I'm also thankful for whiskey. Not just because it's delicioso. The world of whiskey brings people together. They share the whiskey, then feel this gentle tug inside to share about themselves. Folks who might never hang out in normal life will gather around a set of tasting glasses and become fast friends. 

I'm also thankful for being thankful. I haven't always been. Feeling grateful for what you've been given is one small part of getting any happiness out of life. 

So raise a wee glass of something delicious and say "thanks" with me. Happy November, everyone!

I got a call on the Red Whiskey Line the other day (that's the one we only use for whiskey emergencies).

The voice on the other end said only "311 Delaware Avenue. Bring whiskey." Then they hung up. It wasn't the weirdest call I'd ever gotten (there were no ostriches involved), but it was definitely the shortest. 

I dutifully packed up my whiskey suitcase and made for Delaware Ave. I couldn't find any building with 311 on it, so I walked myself and my whiskey regalia into the nearest door to ask directions.

I discovered the longest hallway on planet earth, decorated by someone who either had a clock obsession or really needed to be on time. As I shuffled down the endless corridor, I noticed all the clocks were running backwards. I didn't stop, though, because somebody, somewhere needed whiskey.

The endless hallway suddenly wasn't, and I walked into a light fog of gentle music, hushed voices, and cigarette smoke. I was in a bar, which didn't seem the sort of place that needed whiskey.

The barman waved me over and said "thank goodness you're here, Mr. Eustice," which confirmed that something really weird was going on. "Mr. Eustice" is my dad. The barman briskly marched me over to a table, sat me down, and whispered "They need whiskey" in my ear. 

Across from me sat several gentlemen in suits and tuxes, holding glasses that signaled they did not, in fact, need whiskey. "So you're the whiskey man," one said in a voice like molten chocolate. "They say you tell stories," said another in silky caramel. 

"The whiskey really tells the story," I said, and launched straight into a classic whiskey experience. I shared the history of whiskey, then gave each be-suited gentleman a couple pours from my suitcase. The cheeky gent on the end of the table mixed all the pours together before he tasted. He said it was hip. Or maybe he said "hep"? It was hard to hear.

I shared a bit about my own story. Then I asked each gentleman about his own. They sang songs, one after another, that told their stories in voices so sweet and mellow you could bottle and serve them over pancakes.

I told them they were just about the nicest pack o’ rats I'd ever hung out with. They said that was a great nickname, and they'd keep it. I still don't know what the whiskey emergency was, or where on earth 311 Delaware Ave is, but it was fun. If you'd like to host your own whisk(e)y experience (preferably with a lot less cigarette smoke) for friends, colleagues, clients, or neighbors, reach out to get the conversation started.

Song 28: “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton (or David Alan Coe)

The song "Tennessee Whiskey" has quite the winding story. It was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove (accomplished singer-songwriters in their own right), but they didn't want to record it themselves. Nobody else wanted to record it either, apparently. We might have never heard it at all if David Allen Coe (who gets a third punch on his Whiskey Folks card today) hadn't decided to make it the centerpiece of his album Tennessee Whiskey. It was a hit in 1981, and George Jones recorded a cover in 1983 that made it a hit all over again. 

Fast forward to 2015. Chris Stapleton is a rising star in the country music scene, and he starts singing "Tennessee Whiskey" for sound checks before concerts. He and his band like it so much, they start adding it to their live sets as they travel on tour. Then at the Country Music Awards, he surprises the crowd with a live performance of it with none other than Justin Timberlake (who finally gets one punch on his Whiskey Folks card). He released it as a single and it hit number one not long after. Give it a listen yourself, either Stapleton’s rendition or Coe’s.

What I like about "Tennessee Whiskey" (besides it reminding me of something delicious) is that the fella in the song is telling a girl he's in love with her by comparing her to his favorite drinks. That’s pretty adorable.

You might think that I’m going to recommend a Tennessee whiskey to sip while you listen to “Tennessee Whiskey.” And you’d be about 1/3 right.

In honor of our lovestruck hero and the drinks that remind of his most favoritest lady, I’ll recommend a Tennessee whiskey, a strawberry wine, and a brandy. As Stapleton or Coe’s dulcet tones bathe your ears, sample these in turn: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Tennessee Whiskey, Oliver Winery Cosmoberry Wine, and Germain-Robin XO Brandy.

Nathan “Nearest” Green was a freed slave who became a master distiller and taught Jack Daniels the art of whiskey-making. The 1884 small batch whiskey named in his honor has notes of bright caramel and a silky finish. The Cosmoberry wine started life as a sweet red, then got even sweeter with infused strawberry, cranberry, and blood orange. The Germain-Robin brandy isn’t sending you a hug and a kiss—XO stands for “extra old” and means this brandy can go to kindergarten since it’s aged for six years. It’s also got some nice hints of dried fruit and baking spice in the flavor.

Take your time sipping your tasty trifecta and think of the special person in your life who reminds you of all this liquid goodness.

Be sure to let us know what whiskeys you’re enjoying, and what you think about our whiskey, wine, & brandy-loving bunch. Have a song, drink, or both to recommend? We’d love to hear that too! And be sure to keep an eye out for December’s edition of The Whiskey Playlist.
Looking to have your own whiskey experience? Check out our website! We’re happy to customize an event that’s perfect for you.

Peace and tastiness forever,

Erik Eustice