Is Japan not the weirdest, sickest country on earth? Whiskey AND M&Ms are #9 in the vending machine!!??  If I found a vending machine with bourbon and Reese’s, my life would be over, because I would have found heaven.  Unless, of course, all of my money was too crinkled up to go in the machine; that would be hell.

via Abux77 on Flickr

If you are looking for something to mix with your bourbon or whiskey (besides ice cubes), you should learn a few easy recipes. My favorite is always a good bourbon with fresh-squeezed lemon and orange. College Drinker has gone a bit deeper by explaining the “11 Easy to Make Whiskey Drinks” with basics like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, New York, and more.

Check them out at College Drinker.

Oh no…. the chef has been drinking again.

From Liquor Snob.

Maker’s Mark is everywhere, and so it’s weird to read a recent review about the legenday bourbon. But I’m always interested to learn more about Maker’s. You have to admire a small guy who’s made it big in the market. The small-batch, handmade bourbon clocks in at 90 proof and it’s amazing with a few ice cubes or a splash of warm water.

If you don’t have your bar fully stocked with Maker’s, buy some now. There will likely be shortages in the bourbon market. In fact my distributor has said Knob Creek is rationing shipments for the rest of the year. That’s because premium bourbons are gaining popularity, but the distilleries are ill-equipped to respond to demand spikes due to the aging process. Knob Creek is aged 9 years; Maker’s is aged between 4 and 6 years.

For a more detailed review of Maker’s Mark, see Drink Hacker.