VinePair

APRIL 7, 2025

A simple, two-ingredient drink has captivated bartenders stateside. Traditionally made with Suntory Toki Whisky and soda water, the classic Japanese highball first took off in Japan in the 1950s and can now be found just about everywhere in the country, from renowned cocktail bars to vending machines.

Highball

VinePair

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Most liquor stores I’ve seen sell OGD for about $25, which is a solid price point for how nicely the whiskey drinks! ” —Wyatt Day, head bartender, Sugar Monk , NYC “If you are looking for underrated bourbon on a budget, look no further than Old Grand-Dad Bottled In Bond. I like that it’s a great mixing bourbon.

Bartending

VinePair

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Whether you’re making a spirit-forward Old Fashioned that calls for a high-proof whiskey or you want a lighter, fruitier style for your highball, there’s a bottle below that will complement any mood. Alessandro Arduini, head bartender, Amarena , NYC “The best bourbon that I would choose to mix in a cocktail is Garrison Brothers Small Batch.

Bartending

VinePair

JUNE 25, 2024

Evan Flynn, head bartender, Death & Co , Denver “ Wyoming Whiskey’s Double Cask Bourbon. It’s 100 proof, so it stands up well in cocktails but doesn’t blow people’s heads off if they want to drink it neat. Almost every liquor store and restaurant in Colorado carries Ella for a respectable reason.

Bartending

VinePair

JUNE 5, 2025

Craftroom , tucked in the basement of a large office building amid innocuous izakayas, offers a vast whisky selection alongside seasonal cocktails crafted with precision like a lacto-fermented, lemon sour highball. The Liquor Store, another must-visit cocktail bar in the city, falls under the same banner.

Bar