Blended American Whiskey Bird Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey

Bird Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey is a flavored whiskey built on a blended American whiskey base, made in the United States. It belongs to the flavored-whiskey category, so it works differently from a straight bourbon or rye. The peanut butter flavor is the main feature, with the whiskey acting as the frame. Expect a roasted-peanut and nutty-sweet aroma that leads the nose, and a softer, rounder palate than an unflavored whiskey at full proof. Products in this style usually lean on caramel, toasted grain and a light vanilla-oak backdrop, and they tend to have little of the char, smoke or rye spice you would look for in a traditional American whiskey. I haven't been given an ABV or an age statement for this bottle, so check the label for those. For sipping, a few cubes in a rocks glass is the easiest approach. Chilling and a little dilution tend to keep sweet, nut-forward flavored whiskeys from feeling heavy, and they bring the whiskey side of the blend forward. Served neat, it is better cold than at room temperature, so keep the bottle in the refrigerator or freezer. A Glencairn is the better glass if you want to judge the nose. For everyday sipping, a rocks glass is the more natural choice. Peanut butter whiskey is at its best in simple, short drinks. Try it with cola, root beer or ginger beer over ice. Each one gives a sweet-and-fizzy highball with the peanut note still present. Stirring it into cold-brew coffee or a chocolate or espresso-style dessert drink also works well, because roasted nut and cocoa sit comfortably together. You can also swap it into an Old Fashioned in place of bourbon. Cut back the sugar or syrup, since the whiskey already brings sweetness, and add a dash of aromatic or chocolate bitters to keep the drink from tipping into dessert. It is not a natural fit for a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour. The nut flavor tends to clash with sweet vermouth and sour mix, and a classic bourbon or rye does those drinks better. For food, think of the combinations peanut butter already works with: chocolate, banana, jelly-style fruit flavors, salted pretzels, brownies or vanilla ice cream. A small pour over ice cream is a straightforward way to use it as a dessert topping.