Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/61075
Wiser's whisky, however, is serious stuff. Founder John Phillip "J. P." Wiser started the company in 1857. Today the celebrated portfolio is produced at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario, and with about 660,000 annual cases, Wiser's is Canada's top-selling whisky family brand. In the U.S., there are now three Wiser's blended Canadian whisky imports: DeLuxe, 18 Year Old, and the new Legacy, a copper-pot-distilled rye whisky that's the latest release from Master Blender David Doyle. It rolled out in Texas before expand- ing nationally. Legacy: The word that comes first to mind is spicy. Legacy is round and mildly buttery, but it's definitely spicy. A warm finish of vanilla and apple pie. 18 Year Old: A stout and hardy foundation of toasty oak, but familiar and softening on the tongue with signature Canadian smoothness. Light caramel and violets in the nose afterwards. DeLuxe: A blend of barley, rye and wheat that is approachable enough for sipping neat or with ice. But the broad flavor profile is an open canvas for craft cocktails. Wiser's Recipes from Plano's Bar Professionals Zanata is one of downtown Plano's most com- fortable dining spots, especially for wood-fired pizza lovers. This storefront Italian restaurant is narrow but bright and accommodating. The noise-makers are at the upstairs bar and lounge, enjoying drinks with house mixologist Curtis Schaibly. J.P. SOUR ◗ Glass chilled with ice ◗ 2 oz Wiser's DeLuxe ◗ 1 oz fresh lemon juice ◗ 1 oz simple syrup ◗ 1 egg white ◗ 2 drops whisky cask– aged bitters ◗ Combine all ingredi- ents into mixing glass; shake (no ice) for 20 seconds. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, re-cap and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass. The new Wiser's Legacy Rye is shown with the "J. P. Sour." The recipe comes from Zanata's mix- ologist Curtis Schaibly. Carsen "Jake" Jacobsen, mixologist at Vickery Park in Plano. Although he makes his Porch DeLuxe cocktail with Wiser's DeLuxe, He also finds Wiser's new Legacy Rye to be "spicy and very approachable." Vickery Park Across the street from Zanata is Vickery Park, a solid neigh- borhood bar and grill with an abundance of local, domestic and global craft beers. When he's not behind Vickery Park's bar, Carsen "Jake" Jacobsen enjoys these refreshing drinks—where else?—on the porch. THE PORCH DELUXE by Carsen "Jake" Jacobsen, mixologist of Vickery Park ◗ 2½ oz. Wiser's DeLuxe ◗ ¼ oz. simple syrup ◗ Juice of 1 lemon ◗ 1 tsp. orange curaçao ◗ 4 oz. raspberry lemonade ◗ Garnish with lemon twist and Maraschino cherry ◗ Combine first three ingredients in shaker (no ice) and shake. Fill a Mason jar with ice. Pour curaçao over ice; pour shaker contents and lemonade in glass. Garnish. april 2012 / the tasting panel / 71