[Whiskey Decision] Top Gun Day: Barrel Rolls and Bourbon

Hello Whiskey Fans! Did you ever notice how Top Gun Day is oddly observed on May 13th, even though the movie's actual release date was May 16th? We were also puzzled! So, we decided to split the difference, crank up the 'Danger Zone,' and dedicate our Sunday newsletter to all things Top Gun. After all, isn't that what Maverick would do?

🏐 Spike, Sip, Score: Top Gun Double Feature Meets Burnside Bourbon
⏲ What to Do with a Spare Harrier Jet: 700 MPH Bourbon Epic
⚡ Danger Zone: Unpacking Glengoolie Blue from Archer
✈ Maverick’s Paper Plane Cocktail

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🏐 Spike, Sip, Score: Top Gun Double Feature Meets Burnside Bourbon 🎬

Yesterday, for the first time in history, we celebrated Top Gun Day with a pair of pilots to praise. With the original movie taking off on May 16 and the sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," soaring onto screens on May 27, 2022, we've got twice the Top Gun to toast to.

While a cold Budweiser might be your go-to (the brand’s 2.5 minutes on screen was worth $2.6 million just during the theatrical release), we suggest a different flight path. We're taxiing towards Burnside Bourbon's Goose Hollow RSV, selected in namesake as a nod to Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, son of our dearly departed Goose.

As we navigate the numbers, this bourbon's trajectory is worth noting. Initially priced at a modest $38 in August 2018, Burnside's Goose Hollow RSV now retails for a neat $45, a bargain compared to the sky-high $163 for a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator Classics. And unlike those iconic shades, Burnside's is a whole lot easier to share with your wingman.

Burnside Bourbon's Goose Hollow RSV distinguishes itself in the whiskey world by maturing its spirit in Quercus Garryana casks. This Oregon Oak is a native of the Pacific Northwest. The use of these uncommon casks demonstrates the distillery's dedication to unique processes and ingredients, a hallmark of their Oregon-based operations. It's a clever, regionally inspired choice that sets Burnside's Goose Hollow RSV apart in the whiskey landscape.

If you plan on reenacting that iconic volleyball scene this Top Gun Day, don't forget your Ray-Bans, a bottle of Burnside's, and of course, the baby oil. Because, let's face it, some traditions just never go out of style.

🚀 What to Do with a Spare Harrier: The Supersonic Saga of the 700 MPH Bourbon 🥃

Blink, and you may have missed it. We're winding back the clock to the daring days of the 700 MPH Bourbon! 🛩️

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Art Nalls, the proud owner of a Harrier, was inspired by seafaring rum. He pitched an idea to his friend, retired Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders: "Let's age bourbon at supersonic speeds and see what happens." And thus, the high-altitude hooch experiment named the 700 MPH Bourbon mission was born, fuelled by curiosity, audacity, and a healthy dash of "because it's crazy."

Here's a quick flight plan of their mission:

• Eight 15-gallon barrels of bourbon were loaded into the Harrier's reconfigured fuel tanks. 🥃

• The jet ascended to altitudes where the atmospheric pressure drops to just 26.98 Hg, about a third of that at sea level. 🛫

• The target speed was 700 MPH, but the actual max airspeed was capped at 637 MPH, a velocity just shy of Mach 1 (the speed of sound). 🚀

• Total bottles released: 538 

• The cost of this high-octane adventure? A sky-high $40,000. 💸

Despite delays, the Harrier and its boozy cargo took to the skies in August 2022. By summer, the 700 MPH Bourbon, with its max airspeed and min pressure proudly displayed on the label, was making waves on the shelves. We reached out to Tabacco Barn Distillery and can confirm they have ~30 bottles left in stock if you are adventurous. Each bottle runs $145, but if you are looking for a showstopper of a story, look no further.

So here we are in 2023, raising a glass to these daring distillers who dared to ask, "Why not age bourbon on a jet?" The 700 MPH Bourbon remains not just a memorable pour but a story worth savoring. 🛩️🥃🌍

🛩️🥃 "Danger Zone: Unpacking Glengoolie Blue from Archer" 🥃🛩️

In the spirit of Top Gun Day, we're taking a detour into the animated world of "Archer," where danger zones, high-speed chases, and... whiskey, take center stage. Glengoolie, the fictional scotch of the world's most irreverent spy, Sterling Archer, is as integral to the series as aviator sunglasses are to our beloved mavericks in Top Gun. 🕶️🍸

"Archer" fans will know the phrase "Danger Zone" isn't just a catchy Kenny Loggins tune; it's also Sterling Archer's go-to catchphrase. Uttered no less than 30 times over the show's 13 seasons, it's the signal that things are about to get interesting - sometimes even with a glass of Glengoolie in hand. 🎯🥃

Glengoolie is typically portrayed as a single malt - a tribute, perhaps, to Glenfiddich's historic 1964 campaign that popularized the style. However, in a twist as thrilling as a mid-air dogfight, the special STERLING edition of Glengoolie is listed as a blended malt, aptly reflecting the era's spirit preferences. 📺🕰️

So, how much would you pay to step into Archer's "Danger Zone"? Taking a cue from the real world, a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label, a high-end blend akin to our fictional Glengoolie, has seen a price surge from $189 in 2018 to around $220 today - a jump of about 16%. 💸🚀

As we wrap up, remember that whether you're soaring through the sky or navigating the dangerous corridors of international espionage, the right whiskey is essential. So, put on your aviator sunglasses, raise your glass, and join us in celebrating Top Gun Day - Archer-style. It's time to feel the need... the need for a fine blend! 🛩️🍹🎉

✈Maverick's Paper Plane 🥃

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Bourbon (for the bold character of Maverick)

• 0.5 oz Amaro Nonino (a touch of Italian sophistication to match the sleek fighter jets)

• 0.5 oz Aperol (representing the fiery sunset dogfights)

• 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (adding that fresh twist of Californian air)

• Ice (a moment of silence for Val Kilmer, please)

• A paper airplane garnish (a small, safe paper plane skewered on a cocktail pick)

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice.

2. Fill the shaker with ice, then shake until well-chilled (about 15-20 seconds).

3. Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass.

4. Garnish with the paper airplane on a cocktail pick.

Remember to enjoy responsibly!