Acceptable Ways to Whiskey While You Work
These whiskey-infused products are acceptable for 9 to 5 consumption and do justice to the complex and comforting flavors you adore.
St. Patrick's Day falling on a Monday can feel a little like "whiskey, whiskey everywhere and not a drop to drink," if you're overeager to get to the after-work celebrations. Luckily for you whiskey lovers, there are plenty of whiskey-infused products on the market that are acceptable for 9 to 5 consumption and do justice to the complex and comforting flavors you adore. You might even find a few you'll want stashed in your desk year-round.
Note: Throughout the article, you'll see different spellings of "whisk(e)y." The general rule that has been applied here is that countries whose names include an "e" — America, Ireland — produce whiskey and whiskeys, while countries whose names do not include an "e" — Scotland, Canada, Japan — produce whisky and whiskies. When referring to the group of spirits as a whole, "whiskey" will be used.
Macallan Scotch + Chocolate Truffles
A couple of things might stand in the way of you celebrating St. Patrick's Day as you'd ideally like. For one, the price point of some really great scotch is quite high, and, well, that whole not drinking on the job policy. Compartes, miraculously, solved both of those problems with one product. The ganache center of these dark chocolate truffles is infused with 18 year Macallan single-malt Scotch whisky — take a second to absorb that — and you can polish off the box at your desk, if you're truly inclined. Who cares about a pot of gold when you have these?
Macallan Scotch + Chocolate Truffles; $30 for 10 pieces; buy here
SOSU Barrel-Aged Sriracha
After the long Sriracha-pocalypse scare, we're still as in love with the spicy sauce as before. We know you douse every savory meal with it, and that's ok, as long as you can accept that the ultra-popular sauce can — and arguably has been — improved. Sosu Sauces takes it to a new level and ages their house-made sriracha in oak whiskey barrels for 3 months, imparting the simple four-ingredient sauce with a smoky depth that will mercilessly hook you. Act fast though, as the 3-month-aged version is limited edition.
SOSU Barrel-Aged Sriracha; $25 for an 8 oz jar; buy here
Sugar Knife "The Filthy Pig" Whiskey Brittle
You may not need to know anything beyond the ingredients in this deviously sweet snack — Bulleit Bourbon, pecans, and Niman Ranch bacon — to be hooked. Warm bourbon and smoky bacon cut the sweetness of the brittle just enough to leave you wanting more, like a candy version of a Godfather cocktail that you're free to enjoy all afternoon at your desk. The lightly sweet finish of Bulleit rounds out the brittle without an overly aggressive boozy punch, resulting in a treat that brings out the candy-scarfing pig in all of us. Embrace it or share with friends — either way, it's a holiday, so you're entitled.
"The Filthy Pig" Whiskey Brittle; $7 for 4 ounces; buy here
Daneson Single Malt Scotch Whisky Toothpick, Or Single Malt Nº16 for Short
Being an old-fashioned gentleman just got a great deal cooler. These toothpicks are treated with so much care and attention, it seems a shame they don't have a name all their own. Daneson spoils these lucky little toothpicks, giving them an Islay scotch soak treatment and kiln drying, so you can treat yourself in premium style. The peaty flavors soak deep into the wood and slowly reveal themselves as the toothpick warms in your mouth. Just like a great scotch, these take a bit of a trained palette to appreciate, but if you're a connoisseur, they're a must-have.
Daneson Single Malt Scotch Whisky Toothpick; $35.99 for 4 bottles (each bottle has at least 12 toothpicks); buy here
Noble Tonic 01: Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup
Forget work — this bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup can and should be enjoyed first thing in the morning, generously drizzled on top of hot pancakes. Drizzled on top of anything, really. Medium amber grade syrup from Québec is aged in Tuthilltown charred oak barrels with a nip of the raw Tithilltown whiskey for a smooth, woody product with just a hint of a bite. Whatever you choose to douse in this divine syrup, you're free to do so at work and encouraged to share with coworkers...if you're feeling generous.
Noble Tonic 01: Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup; $28.95; buy here
Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
Oak whiskey barrels get re-purposed for many a delicious new product, including Fee Brothers' aged aromatic bitters. The inside of the Tennessee whiskey barrels is charred and soaked with whiskey to impart bitters with warm, woody notes, resulting in a mingling of wonderful flavors. The unique spices of bitters bring out underlying tastes in soda or shine on their own diluted in carbonated water, so there's no need to wait until after work hours to enjoy them. They also cure stomach aches. Do you need any more reason than that?
Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters; $15.75; buy here
ArKay Alcohol Free Whisky
While we don't encourage you to keep this bottle out on your desk, a faux-Irish coffee made with a splash of ArKay's Alcohol Free Whisky starts your day in the spirit of St. Paddy's Day without impairing your work. Having a bottle on hand for friends who are avoiding alcohol is a festive and considerate addition to your home bar and can be served just like its tipsy brother.
ArKay Alcohol Free Whisky; $25; buy here
Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Fudge
If your after-work pick-me-up generally involves some sort of whiskey, this fudge is the perfect way to move it up to that pesky mid-afternoon slump. Infused with the earthy honey flavors and subtle smokiness of their Speyside-style single-malt scotch but none of the booziness, it's a great coffee companion. Though the sugar hides some of the smokiness of the scotch, the fudge is a three-bite treat to be lingered over.
Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Fudge; £5.99 for a 10.7-ounce tin; buy here
Bourbon Infused Chipotle-Habanero Hot Sauce
St. Patrick's Day may technically warrant only Irish whiskey, but its American cousin, bourbon, is best suited for the delicious art of barbecue. Bourbon gets a sweetness from its corn base that Irish whiskey and scotch simply cannot reach. Though you may not appreciate this sweetness in your glass, you're sure to love it mixed with some spice and slathered on your ribs...or burger, or steak.
CaJohns Bourbon Infused Chipotle-Habanero Hot Sauce; $9 for 6.8 ounces; buy here
Kerrygold Aged Cheddar with Irish Whiskey
You would think the strong flavors of Cheddar and Irish whiskey would fight for prevalence when combined, but something much more subtle and delicious happens — the whiskey takes a back seat to that robust Cheddar flavor you love, bolstering it with hints of wood. Just think of the grilled cheese possibilities. For those of you who love the combination of savory and sweet, dare we suggest cheddar pancakes doused in bourbon-infused maple syrup?
Kerrygold Aged Cheddar with Irish Whiskey; $8.99 for 8 ounces; buy here
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