The Reason You Need To Choose A High-Proof Whiskey For Your Cocktails

Unlike gin and vodka cocktails, where the drinker may not mind the spirit's flavor getting slightly subdued, among other pleasant notes, whiskey cocktails generally have punchier flavor profiles. Even if a whiskey concoction isn't meant to be spirit-forward, it still relies heavily on whiskey's complex flavor notes and would feel incomplete without them. As such, those ordering whiskey cocktails generally expect to taste the whiskey in their drink, and this is where high-proof bottles come into the picture.

Whether you know what it means to order a highball cocktail or a more complicated drink with multiple ingredients, a high-proof whiskey can help your creation taste more complex and layered. A high alcohol by volume (ABV) can also improve the drink's texture by being more resistant to dilution. However, with more potency comes a greater possibility of the alcohol overpowering other flavors. We got some crucial tips on using high-proof whiskey in cocktails from executive bourbon steward and founder of Urban Bourbonist, LLC, Chris Blatner, also the executive director of Bourbon Charity. It turns out that using overproof whiskeys can breathe new life into your home beverage concoctions.

Chris Blatner says, "I like to suggest bourbons that are 90-100 proof for use in cocktails so that the whiskey flavors are still able to contribute to the overall flavor of the cocktail." As with even the world's strongest liquors, the idea of overproof is to offer versatility through a flavor that can hold its own when diluted and mixed with several ingredients. Even when the cocktail contains sweet syrups or liquors, a more potent whiskey can provide balance. Plus, the spirit's complex flavors are not lost. This makes it perfect to use in the aptly named paper plane cocktail, which balances bourbon's punchiness with sweet, sour, and herbal notes.

Different whiskey types have different flavor profiles and choosing the one that best complements the cocktail is a crucial first step to getting the full benefits of a high-proof whiskey. Blatner explains, "Understanding what you like is the first step and then you can build a cocktail around what you like about the whiskey. This is a matter of preference. Any whiskey that you enjoy sipping neat you will absolutely enjoy in a cocktail." Since you can get high-proof versions of most whiskeys, consider getting a punchy rye if you plan on making Manhattans. However, if you want to get just one overproof whiskey, bourbon is a versatile option because of its sweet sour flavor and it works in most classic cocktails including whiskey sours and the old-fashioned. In fact, bourbon tastes great even when simply diluted with a little water.