Kirk Miller

What we’re drinking: Zomoz Mezcal, a new artisanal mezcal brand Where it’s from: Zomoz hails from Santiago Matalán, Oaxaca. It’s crafted by fourth-generation Maestra Mezcalara, Isabel Santiago, at her family’s agave palenque. Why we’re drinking this: While it’s not nearly on par with tequila’s market share, mezcal sales soared 143% from 2020 to 2023. And the recently launched Zomoz (derived from the Spanish word for “we are”) has already won a Double Gold medal from the New York World Spi…

With the new book Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits, drinks journalist (and occasional InsideHook contributor) Aaron Goldfarb profiles the growing legions of booze enthusiasts who hunt for old bottles of whiskey, tequila and rum, among many other spirits. Goldfarb embeds himself with a few eccentric and obsessive types, but he also explains the passion that causes people to case out estate sales, family liquor cabinets and out-of-the-way liquor stores — and offers a few tips for those ju…

Today, the music streaming service Spotify announced the rollout of music videos for its Premium (paid) users. The caveat? The video service won’t be available in the United States, for now. “So many times in my own experience and for countless others, music videos play a key role in hooking you: taking you from being a listener to leaning in and becoming a fan,” says Charlie Hellman, Vice President and Head of Music Product at Spotify. “They’re an important part of so many artists’ tool kits…

Look, I love Irish coffee. And I’m certainly enjoying a few of those over the next few days as we close in on St. Patrick’s Day. But Irish whiskey doesn’t have to be so limiting in cocktails! We’ve already argued that Ireland’s best export is a year-round treat that doesn’t only need to be consumed in the first three weeks of March. And in a mixed drink, the spirit shines, no matter the season. “Irish whiskey is a wildcard,” says Lindsey Fern, the drinks director at Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery, a…

What we’re drinking: Mijenta Cristalino, a surprising new entry into the growing cristalino tequila category Where it’s from: One of our favorite tequila brands, this additive-free, certified B Corp distillery hails from the highlands of Jalisco. The liquid is overseen by Maestra Tequilera Ana Maria Romero Mena, who basically created the tequila aroma wheel that’s become the industry standard in her 2007 book The Aromas of Tequila: The Art of Tasting. Why we’re drinking this: I really like…

I used to believe Irish whiskey was a gateway whiskey. I saw it as a smooth sipper. The whiskey was relatively inexpensive — at least the stuff I was drinking. And it went great in cocktails, particularly an Irish Coffee. But I never gave the category enough credit, even though the Irish invented whiskey and an NYC bar pretty much devoted to the tipple — and walking distance from my old apartment — kept winning World’s Best Bar awards. Thankfully, I caught up. And so did the rest of the w…

We told you Irish whiskey was a year-round drink: Irish Distillers was the big winner at the Whisky Magazine Awards 2024, which were announced at a March 20 ceremony in London and offered plenty of surprises, including an unexpected single malt winner. The awards ceremony included the announcement of the world’s best whiskies (as part of the World Whiskies Awards), the Icons of Whisky global winners (for the whisky industry’s best people, places and agencies), and the induction of three indus…

What we’re drinking: Lost Lantern Spring 2024 Collection Where it’s from: Co-founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, this independent bottler from Vermont offers unique, limited-edition releases from American craft distilleries, all under one label (we’re fans). The expressions are cask strength, non-chill-filtered and with no color added. Why we’re drinking these: For their inaugural foray into a regional collection, Lost Lantern is focusing on the Midwest. “That area has been on…

What makes a great whisky bar? The whisky selection, of course. But also the atmosphere, staff, location, room design, food and even the non-whisky options on the menu. When our team of boozy experts started writing up this list — and these are all personal recommendations by people who have actually visited the bars — we noticed that our favorite places offered more than just ample single-barrel picks. They all have character. Several are better known for their cocktails (or even other spir…

Since opening in 2008 in London, The Connaught Bar and its bartending team have racked up accolades, including a World’s Best Bar win in 2020 and 2021 (it’s still at No. 5 on that annual list). Their signature drink? The martini, served bespoke with housemade bitters and special vermouth blends from a drinks trolley. And while some of that cocktail’s appeal stems from the presentation, there’s obviously a certain craft behind the drink. To perfect that craft, we’re happy to share an excerpt f…