Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
HILL COUNTRY CAFE "Whitetail's rich caramel notes pair really well with the chicory flavor," says Javier Flores. ■ ■ ■ 1½ oz. Whitetail Whiskey 6 oz. chicory coffee (Café du Monde) homemade cinnamon whipped cream ■ Build in a coffee mug and top with whipped cream. Javier Flores of El Divino in McAllen, Texas, with the Hill Country Café cocktail. essentially the same mash bill—corn, rye and malted barley—as its sibling. It, too, is aged in heavily charred barrels. The principal difference between it and Whitetail is that Bird Dog is produced using three different all-natural blackberry flavorings. In fact, Bird Dog is an excellent alternative for a great many spirits. It has a voluptuous body and a prominent bouquet of sweet grain and sun- ripened blackberries. Not unexpectedly, the whiskey immediately warms the mouth and bathes the palate with the long lasting flavor of blackberries. One thing Western Spirits two whiskies share in common is that they're fun to drink. They are espe- cially popular with outdoor enthusi- asts. People often tell Western Spirits that Bird Dog makes an excellent alternative to sipping traditional blackberry brandy. The company's connection with the great outdoors is reflected in its ongoing commitment to support the work of a number of wildlife conser- vation organizations. Western Spirits actively sponsors Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The company has developed several drink applications for their recently launched whiskies. The Blackberry Bramble features two ounces of Tres Leches Cream Liqueur and a jigger of Whiskey Cocktails In Texas At the very southern tip of Texas lies McAllen, a border town with its own foreign trade zone, one of the fastest-growing domestic real estate markets and one of the lowest cost-of-living rates. McAllen isn't just surviving the recession, it's beating it. "We're also in one of the wettest counties in the country, but the problem is that people got used to drinking the same thing," says Javier Flores, General Manager of El Divino. Located between McAllen's entertainment and historic districts, El Divino serves seafood, steaks and Tex-Mex favorites in a restrained frontier style. Flores has made it his mission to raise the bar for the local cocktail culture, and he's especially fond of innovative whiskies. "You see these great things happening with whiskies and cocktails all over the world, and I thought: Why can't it work in McAllen?" —Anthony Head DROP TINE COCKTAIL 2 oz. Whitetail Whiskey ■ ■ twist of lemon ■ Pour Whitetail Whiskey on the rocks and add a twist of lemon. november 201 1 / the tasting panel / 67 Bird Dog Whiskey. The Ginger Deer is made with two ounces of Whitetail Whiskey and a fill with ginger ale or ginger beer, served on the rocks in an Old Fashioned glass. The Sour Buck is a variation on a classic sour and is made with equal parts of Whitetail Whiskey and sweet 'n' sour; it's hand-shaken and served in an iced tumbler. These whiskies are clearly meant to be enjoyed during good times—and without emptying your wallet. Mission accomplished.