By Chris Diebel
When Joe Hayhoe’s wife persuaded him to make a TikTok account for his basement speakeasy, the Blind Pig Basement Pub, he never imagined it would attract more than 80,000 followers, plus another 74,000 on Instagram. Hayhoe is a whiskey fan, and he and his father designed and built the basement pub in Urbandale to display his collection and entertain friends.
Now, his social media status has granted him access to whiskey industry experts and exclusive distillery tours in Kentucky’s bourbon country, which he visits three or four times a year. He shares it all with his followers on his accounts @TheBlindPigBasementPub.
So in the run-up to the Des Moines Whiskey Festival on Oct. 25 at the Horizon Events Center, we asked him for a few whiskey tips.
What’s what
The term “whiskey” (sometimes spelled “whisky”) is a broad category of amber-colored spirits distilled from grain and usually aged in wooden barrels. The family tree includes bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, Canadian and Japanese offerings, to name a few.
Hayhoe recommends beginning any whiskey education with bourbon. To be classified as a bourbon, the spirit must contain a minimum of 51% corn in its recipe, or “mash bill.” What makes up the remaining 49% can significantly change the character of a spirit. Common ingredients include rye, which gives the whiskey a woody or spicy quality, and wheat, which can make it mellow and sweet.
Proof in the pudding
With whiskey (and any other spirits), always consider the proof, or amount of alcohol content. Hayhoe advises starting with a bourbon that is lower than 100 proof, such as Old Forester 1910, to determine what flavors you like from the mash bill. Higher proofs can be harder to swallow — literally, if the high alcohol content makes it burn on the way down — and make it harder for beginners to taste flavor nuances. “They aren’t for everybody, so don’t blow your palate out right away,” he said.
Shop smart
Pay attention to where and how the spirit was produced. “If you are going to spend $50 to $100 on a bottle, you want to know what you’re getting,” Hayhoe said. “Don’t buy a bottle because of the label. I find that if the bottle is too fancy or gimmicky, then the product is often subpar.”
One way to guarantee a base level of quality is to look for the “bottled in bond” moniker. This means the whiskey adheres to federal guidelines that ensure the product originated from a single distillery, was produced in a single season, was aged for a minimum of four years in a bonded warehouse, and was bottled at 100 proof.
Sip smarter
Tasting whiskey neat, without ice or mixers, allows you to experience the pure aroma and flavor profiles. However, Hayhoe suggests adding just a few drops of water to your glass. “In any whiskey, a few drops of water can make a drastic change in the tasting profile. It often brightens up the flavors and mutes the alcohol burn,” he said. “Typically, I’m doing that with higher proof spirits. If it’s still too hot, add some ice.”
Hayhoe is continually learning about whiskey and following industry trends. Outside of his own research, he learns from other connoisseurs, including David Thomas Tao (@DavidThomasTao), Frank Dobbins (@BourbYourEnthusiasm), Sarah Jeltema (@WhiskeyNomad) and Tyler Zoller (@LouisvilleBourbonBuzz). He also scans Reddit groups such as r/WhiskeyTribe.
Here are a few of Hayhoe’s favorites:
- Under $50: Russell’s 10-year, Four Roses Small Batch and Elijah Craig Small Batch.
- Under $100: Four Roses Small Batch Select, EH Taylor Single Barrel and Cedar Ridge Double Barrel.
- Over $100: Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series, George T Stagg Antique Collection and King of Kentucky.
Contributing writer Chris Diebel is a public affairs consultant and founding partner of Bubba – Southern Comforts.
