I don’t like girly drinks, at all.

It’s ironic, I like everything in my life “sweet” besides my cocktails … and my men, according to my mother …

But maybe its the goody-toes shoes in me that rebels at the 11th hour … or maybe its that after all that sugar (I did have an exceptionally LARGE piece of red velvet birthday cake today for lunch) what I really need is something dark and strong. I was talking about my cocktails that time, not my men. Although I’m always open to meeting new people …

That’s right, if given the choice of wines, its generally red. If given the choice of beers, its usually an intense red bitter British draft. And if given the choice of liquor its most definitely whisky or bourbon. I guess its the Southern girl in me. That and I spent way to many nights among hard drinking southern baseball boys in college to not appreciate the dark stuff.

The biggest misunderstandings about whisky is the difference between whisky, bourbon, and scotch.

Whisky is a type of alcohol that uses different types of grains and styles, usually depending on region or country. Whisky is made mainly from rye, corn, or barely.

Bourbon IS whisky, that must be legally aged in charred oak barrels. Experts even argue that the only “true” Bourbon (it says strictly Bourbon not Whisky Bourbon on the label), is made in Bourbon County Kentucky, and I agree. Bourbon tends to be sweeter in flavor, more complex, and usually carries a higher alcohol %, although not always (the limit it 80%, 160 proof). Scotch whiskies use the same method of bourbon whiskies but allow for a MUCH longer maturation flavor – often times generational periods of time.

I’m proud to say choosing a darker, stronger, liquor is finally back in style. After the first green revolution during the 70′s the dark drinks of our 1950′s parents and grandparents had gotten a bad rap. Clear liquor, clear drinks, and being more healthy became an American motto … look how great that turned out … but the thing is, that’s all it was – a bad rap.

The whiskies and bourbons of today’s generation are becoming more and more popular with Northerners every year. No longer are the Wild Turkeys and Jim Beans the only affordable makers on the market. Makers Mark (sorry I could just feel the pun running through me as I typed the last two sentences), Knob Creek, Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s and Rock Hill.

Best Legit for Your Buck: Knob Creek. Here’s a bottle that’s expensive BUT if you’re a true lover of the stuff, this is probably the nicest you could drink “neat.” Runner up, Jim Bean Black.

Best Field Trip: Maker’s Mark where they allow you to dip your own bottles in their signature wax seal after touring the facility.

Best of the Best: In my opinion Basil Hayden’s is an award winning batch of bourbon. It’s not the nicest, but its the nicest tasting. Dark, warm, heavy yet light, and rich.

On a side note, one of Brooklyn’s Char No. 4 on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. This is the place one graduates “from whisky and coke” into adulthood of real whiskies. The over 300 types available range from a little as $2 to $100 per ounce. The bartenders are knowledgeable and well versed in their southern hospitality … yes, all the way up in Brooklyn, and its well worth it.

On winter nights such as these, experiment a bit, warm the palate with a nice single-malt scotch, or maybe even a Manhattan … after all it is Christmas time in the city.