Another chance to Zoom over Whiskey with a bunch of female whiskey-lovers? I was in. This time it was strictly whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails.
From Women Who Whiskey:
For obvious reasons, we love to support women and women-owned businesses — especially whiskey companies like CEO/Founder Lori Carcich’s Country Smooth Whiskey!
What We Learned
Country Smooth Whiskey was introduced to our Zoom group by founder Lori Carcich, who was also “supported by her awesome crew” Kyle Cammon and Scott Touchton.
“Starting a whiskey company is kind of risky and ballsy,” Carcich began, “Kind of like having a different shaped bottle.” She designed the tall slim bottle to fit easily in a smaller hand (females) and that she had looked at 77 stores during the research and development period to make sure it would fit easily on shelves. The artwork on the label is reminiscent of the stitching on a cowboy boot and the five-star symbol is a bow to the five arms of the military.
(Carcich also supports a couple of non-profits that focus on supporting the military.)
Country Smooth is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and bottled in Nashville, Tennessee. Carcich chose Nashville in another nod, to the home of country music.
The whiskey, Carcich said, is made from 94% corn and aged in bourbon barrels, “essentially a bourbon” whiskey. And stay tuned because in January 2021 Carcich is planning to release a bourbon at 116 proof, aged for six years and launching all over the U.S. Check the social media (links below) for announcements – they have a live concert series on Thursday nights, and have done nearly 20 shows so far.
Tasting Country Smooth
Women Who Whiskey LA Chapter president Kim Ohanneson said that the tasting would “make our whiskey dreams come true” and it did. Country Smooth is available in California and about seven other states at Total Wine for about $25.
Flavor profile: spicy, even in a cocktail there was no mistaking it. Popcorn kernel, unsalted butter, dried citrus and a very long length. And a bit of sweetness, like a rye whiskey.
Not as smoky as a bourbon, and far more spicy aromatics than a single malt. Wholly pleasant, in or not in a cocktail. Interesting to me is to have that flavor profile transfer in a cocktail and not be masked by other ingredients.
Others in the Zoom presentation found it smooth and inviting, and also noticed the tall slim bottle would work well in bar spaces. 43% ABV/86 Proof.
Suggested Cocktails:
Country Mule
- 5 oz of CS Premium Whiskey
- 4 oz of Ginger Beer
- Lime
- Dash of Angostura Bitters.
Country Heart
- 1 oz CS American Premium Whiskey
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz bitters
- 1 oz orgeat
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary singed (light flame)
LA Falls in Love with the Country (Signature drink for Women Who Whiskey LA) (Fall Drink as Well)
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) Country Smooth Premium Whiskey
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
- 2-4 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste (3 teaspoons recommended: the equivalent of ½ oz or 1oz)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional
I made the “Country Club” from the recipe card that came with my kit
- 2 ounces American Premium Whiskey
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 ounce (red, though it wasn’t state) vermouth
- Garnish with cherry
(For me, this was exactly like a Manhattan, right?)
https://www.instagram.com/countrysmooth/
https://www.facebook.com/CountrySmoothSpirits/
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
