When Joe Hayhoe’s wife persuaded him to make a TikTik 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 designed and built the basement pub himself 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 and shared a few insights with dsm.
“For a while, people were chasing high proofs over flavor,” he said. “A lot of the barrel proof picks have been over 115 proof. I think chasing a hazmat whiskey like that is on its way out.”
Now folks favor American Single Malts. They’re made with malted barley and are often finished in casks formerly used to produce wine, port or sherry. “American Single Malts are bringing bourbon and Scotch lovers together,” said Hayhoe, who directs interested drinkers to one of Cedar Ridge’s QuintEssential Single Cask Series.
One more tip: Add a few drops of water to your pour. It “can have a drastic change in profile. It often brightens up the flavors and mutes the alcohol burn,” Hayhoe said. “Typically, I’m doing that with higher proof spirits. If it’s still too hot, add some ice.”
— Chris Diebel, contributing writer
