In this episode we are treated to a cocktail masterclass with the one and only Cocktail Contessa aka Heather Wibbels. Join us as she guides us through using sensory to craft elevated cocktail experiences.
Key Moments:(00:00) Intro
(05:11) Bourbon and bitters class
(06:03) Find your old fashioned
(06:22) Your palate changes
(08:24)Choosing a cocktail
(09:06)The Whiskies
(09:40) The Amari
(14:12) Choosing the spirit, amaro combination
(16:00) First cocktail
(17:25) Choosing to add or not add bitters
(19:52) How to choose fruit for garnishing vs juicing
(21:31) Try black manhattans at different temperatures
(23:16) Building a cocktail
(29:47) How bitters change a cocktail
(37:57) Second cocktails
(44:20) Comparing second cocktail notes
(47:00) Third cocktail
(49:17) Dankness and balance in cocktails
(56:52) Who is Heather Wibbels?
(01:00:22) Comparing three Black Manhattans
(01:02:02) What’s that flavor?
(01:03:44) Taste testing amari
(01:05:23) The Origin of Cocktail Contessa
(01:07:47) Who is a whiskey drinker?
(01:10:00) Blind Tasting
(01:14:15) Your palate is actually okay
(01:17:51) Ordering what you want at a bar/restaurant
(01:20:13) Favorites of cocktails we made
(01:22:15) Sipping cold vs room temperature
(01:29:37) Flavor differences between palates are okay
(01:30:56) Different is how you define why something is better
(01:32:48) All experiences are informativ
(01:38:14) The reality of glassware in bars/restaurants 1:38:14
(01:41:08) Expectations of a whisky drinker
(01:44:02) The role of memory in cocktail experience
(01:49:46) What makes a whiskey drinker a whiskey enthusiast
(01:52:14) Whiskey [more than] neat
(01:53:19) The hazmat people
(01:54:11) Creme brûlée cinnamon or churro cinnamon
(01:57:11) Elevated cocktails
(02:00:32) One person, dead or alive, you’d want to sip with
(02:02:20) Drinking with Thanos
(02:05:18) New book
(02:11:24) Are low sugar, low carb cocktails possible?
(02:12:56) Having a healthy relationship with alcohol
(02:15:40) Flights + Comparison + Sensory
Base Black Manhattan recipe from the episode:
Rye whiskey from the episode:
Amari from the episode:
For more on amari checkout Heather’s recent post - https://www.cocktailcontessa.com/whiskey-and-amaro-cocktail-playground/
Follow Heather on Instagram @cocktail_contessa
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Every week we share explorations in flavor, sipping, and curated experiences.