🥃 Two Reasons to Pour a Little More

The 12 Pours of Summer: #12 & #11

☀️ As Promised, The 12 Pours of Summer Begin…

Like I told y’all—I’ve got your summer whiskey lineup. And if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that I’m a man of my word. Especially when that word involves pouring good bourbon under a blazing sun.

The sun’s clocked in full-time. Porch fans are spinning, grills are sizzling, and it’s officially too hot to wear socks. That can only mean one thing—it’s time to kick off the Top 12 Summertime Pours.

I promised you a list of bottles that would match the season. Not just good whiskey—whiskey with a little sunshine in its soul. The kind of stuff you want to sip while the neighbor’s mowing, the kids are chasing fireflies, and your glass is catching golden hour just right.

Over the next six articles, we’ll count down from #12 to #1. And believe me—every pour’s got a purpose, a story, and just the right kick to make your summer unforgettable.

So let’s kick things off with #12 and #11—two bottles that prove summer whiskey doesn’t have to play it safe. One's got spice like a riverboat poker game. The other? Smokier than a Boy Scout jamboree.

Let’s pour.

🔥 A Summer Porch Story:

It was a late June evening in Kentucky. Humid, but not rude. The kind of air that makes the ice sweat faster than you do. My buddy Chuck—retired master distiller and current front-porch philosopher—dropped by with a brown bag and a grin.

Inside? Two bottles: Riverboat Rye and Campfire Cask.
“Figured we’d start at the river,” he said, “and end by the fire.”

We cracked the Riverboat first. Rye like this doesn’t sneak up—it struts in with cracked pepper and citrus peel, drops its boots on the table, and says, “You ready?” We were. That first sip was sharp, clean, and steady—like the paddle of a sternwheeler slicing down the Mississippi.

As dusk started settling in, Chuck pulled out the second bottle. Campfire Cask. A peated bourbon from Utah, of all places. One sip and we were no longer on the porch—we were in a pine grove with a fire going, bacon frying, and old stories floating into the smoke.

The night got slower. The bugs got louder. And the whiskey kept talkin’.

By the end of the bottle—or at least the best parts of it—we weren’t just buzzed. We were bonded. The rye sparked the conversation. The campfire sealed it with smoke.

That’s what the right pours do—they don’t just flavor the moment. They make the moment matter.

🌊 #12 – Riverboat Rye From Redemption

Style: Straight Rye Whiskey
Proof: 94
Region: Indiana
Vibe: The spice of adventure with a splash of summer sass

Tasting Notes:

• First hit of cracked black pepper

• Waves of citrus zest and toasted walnut

• Finish like a dry cedar deck after a rainstorm

Why it’s on the list:
Riverboat Rye is bold without being brash. It doesn’t punch—it persuades. Great for those who want to flirt with rye but don’t want to get burned.

Best way to drink: Neat or in a rye-forward Old Fashioned. If you're feelin' fancy—orange peel and a Luxardo cherry.

👉 Snag a bottle and ride the rye river 🛶

🔥 #11 – Campfire Cask From High West

Style: Peated Bourbon (yes, really)
Proof: 100
Region: Utah
Vibe: S'mores by moonlight with a side of smoky rebellion

Tasting Notes:

• Nose of toasted marshmallow and bacon fat

• Palate delivers caramel corn, smoke, and dark chocolate

• Finish? Lingering and leathery, like an old saddle bag

Why it’s on the list:
Because sometimes whiskey should taste like a damn campfire. It's unexpected, unforgettable, and unapologetically wild.

Best way to drink: Neat. Don’t you dare ice this one—unless you’re camping and using creek water.

🔥 Grab a bottle before the smoke clears 🪵

🍹 The Art of Mixing: The River Runner

A cocktail made for shady porches and summer jams. Built off Riverboat Rye.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Riverboat Rye

• 0.5 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey + warm water)

• Dash of orange bitters

Instructions:

• Shake everything over ice

• Strain into a chilled coupe glass

• Garnish with a lemon twist and a wink

Flavor profile: Bright, herbaceous, and spicy with a bitter kick—like summer in a glass with attitude.

🍖 Flavor Pairing Picks

With Riverboat Rye:

• Smoked turkey legs

• Sharp cheddar with rye crisps

• Sweet peach cobbler

With Campfire Cask:

• Brisket burnt ends

• Dark chocolate chili truffles

• Maduro-wrapped cigars with peppery draw

💡 The Big Lesson:

Summer whiskey doesn’t have to be light to be right. Sometimes the perfect pour is the one with a little punch, a little bite, and a whole lotta heart. Whether you're riverside or fireside, pour what makes the night feel just a little more alive.

🥃 Repeatable Proverb:

"The best summer nights start with a pour that talks back."

📚 Book Promo: “Whiskey, History & 5 Damn Good Stories”

Want more firewood facts and outlaw legends?
Check out this little book by yours truly 👉 Whiskey, History & 5 Damn Good Stories To Share Over Your Next Pour

Perfect for porch reading, or winning whiskey trivia, this book includes stories like:

• The Whiskey Rebellion 🔥

• The Angels' Share 👼

• How barrels made whiskey better by accident 🪵

📣 Let’s Keep It Pourin’

If this article made you thirsty:

• 🍑 Save it for your next BBQ

• 🔥 Share it with your porch crew

• 💬 Drop a comment: Which summer pour surprised you the most?

Cheers to warm nights, cold bottles, and bold sips.
🍂 Stay neat, stay curious.
—Ethan “Neat” Whitmore

P.S. This Friday: A whiskey for outlaws and a Sunday sipper with a hymnal kick. Buckle up for #10 and #9. You won’t want to miss it.