The World of Whiskey and Whisky

A collective effort to showcase traditional grain spirits from surprising regions has created a beautiful new world for whiskey (and whisky) lovers to explore— from Starward Whiskey out of Australia to Stauning Whisky from Denmark, and plenty of others in between. At Maizano in Costa Mesa, folks can dive into the realm of Mexican spirits well beyond tequilas and mezcals. Abasolo, an ancestral corn whisky from Mexico, is a gamechanger for new flavors. It’s made from cacahuazintle corn. “Flavors like roasted corn, vanilla, and some caramel come through both on the nose and taste,” says Julian Torres, Maizano’s bar manager. Torres and his team are industry veterans, and they utilize their expertise in the best possible ways. The Abismo Negro is a great showcase for the spirit, teaming Abasolo with Pasilla Mixe liqueur, Nixta corn liqueur, and orange liqueur. Down the road from Maizano, Mixing Glass and Market in Costa Mesa is an absolute must for those in search of hard-to-find spirits, small-production wines, bar tools, and much more. Proprietor Gabrielle Dion has a strong love for spirits and the cocktail culture. A few of her in-store faves: “A Welsh whisky called Penderyn. … It’s women distilled,” she notes. “McKenzie is from Finger Lakes, N.Y., and their bonded bourbon is amazing.” And Matchbook Distilling—based in Greenport, N.Y. and available at Mixing Glass—is bottling wonderful whiskies alongside a bountiful portfolio of other products, including a divine smoked sunchoke and honey spirit called Late Embers. maizanococina.com , mixingglassandmarket.com