by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

It’s the coldest winter of the century here in Greater Cincinnati, but we can easily keep warm with a selection of fine Scotch. Here are my picks for some of the best everyday whiskies on the shelf, from best blends to peat bombs to world classic single malts.

Best Everyday Blend:

Teacher’s Highland Cream is one of the few well-known brands of blended Scotch still bottled at a full-bodied 43% abv. The extra proof carries more flavor on the palate. Every critic, from Jim Murray to Paul Pacult to the late Michael Jackson agrees: Teacher’s will school you on how to blend a scrumptious Scotch. It’s a real shame it’s not better known in the US, because it puts to shame lots of 12-year-age-statement whiskies of far more renown and price. Price: just $16.99 a 750 ml.

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

In this new year, we find ourselves very. Very. Thirsty. So thirsty, in fact, that 750 milliliters of Party Source Private Barrel Bourbon is simply not enough. Introducing the biggest Private Barrel ever, a full 59.192 ounces of new-charred-barrel aged mountain dew from the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

We’ve enjoyed Charter 101 since its release last year as a good value, high proof Bourbon. Selecting it in a single barrel makes it even better. There’s a subtle black fruit component, as well as good rye spice and an off-dry, though not outright sweet, overall character. The 50.5% abv will come thundering through any cocktail. And the price! At $35.99 per 1.75 liter bottle, it works out to $15.44 per fifth, and a 5% case discount takes that to just $14.66. That is a killer deal on a 101 proof whiskey, and a single barrel at that. It’s just the thing for these tough times.