Show notes
In this episode we are treated to a cocktail masterclass with the one and only Cocktail Contessa aka Heather Wibbels. Join us as she guides us through using sensory to craft elevated cocktail experiences.Key Moments:(00:00) Intro(05:11) Bourbon and bitters class(06:03) Find your old fashioned(06:22) Your palate changes(08:24)Choosing a cocktail(09:06)The Whiskies(09:40) The Amari(14:12) Choosing the spirit, amaro combination(16:00) First cocktail(17:25) Choosing to add or not add bitters(19:52) How to choose fruit for garnishing vs juicing(21:31) Try black manhattans at different temperatures(23:16) Building a cocktail(29:47) How bitters change a cocktail(37:57) Second cocktails(44:20) Comparing second cocktail notes(47:00) Third cocktail(49:17) Dankness and balance in cocktails(56:52) Who is Heather Wibbels?(01:00:22) Comparing three Black Manhattans(01:02:02) What’s that flavor?(01:03:44) Taste testing amari(01:05:23) The Origin of Cocktail Contessa(01:07:47) Who is a whiskey drinker?(01:10:00) Blind Tasting(01:14:15) Your palate is actually okay(01:17:51) Ordering what you want at a bar/restaurant(01:20:13) Favorites of cocktails we made(01:22:15) Sipping cold vs room temperature(01:29:37) Flavor differences between palates are okay(01:30:56) Different is how you define why something is better(01:32:48) All experiences are informativ(01:38:14) The reality of glassware in bars/restaurants 1:38:14(01:41:08) Expectations of a whisky drinker(01:44:02) The role of memory in cocktail experience(01:49:46) What makes a whiskey drinker a whiskey enthusiast(01:52:14) Whiskey [more than] neat(01:53:19) The hazmat people(01:54:11) Creme brûlée cinnamon or churro cinnamon(01:57:11) Elevated cocktails(02:00:32) One person, dead or alive, you’d want to sip with(02:02:20) Drinking with Thanos(02:05:18) New book(02:11:24) Are low sugar, low carb cocktails possible?(02:12:56) Having a healthy relationship with alcohol(02:15:40) Flights + Comparison + SensoryBase Black Manhattan recipe from the episode:2 oz bourbon or rye1 oz amaro1 dash (8-10 drops) of bitterslemon peel garnishRye whiskey from the episode:Castle and Key Restoration RyeRussell's Reserve 6 yr RyeNew Riff Single Barrel RyeAmari from the episode:Amaro BraulioAmaro CioCiaroAmaro MontenegroForo AmaroFor more on amari checkout Heather’s recent post - https://www.cocktailcontessa.com/whiskey-and-amaro-cocktail-playground/Follow Heather on Instagram @cocktail_contessaHit follow to be notified of future episodes.Follow us on InstagramEvery week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.Join the newsletter to follow the journey