Canned cocktails are becoming ubiquitous these days, and while many contain “real” ingredients — actual spirits instead of malt liquor and the like — few can claim the ingredient street cred of Social Hour’s seasonal Harvest Whiskey Sour. This canned cocktail — at a whopping 20% abv — is made with honeycrisp apple, Meyer lemon, cinnamon, maple, and cardamom — oh, and 13 year old George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey. The back label even indicates when the whiskey was distilled: Spring 2007, as well as detailing the mashbill.

That alone is impressive, and the cocktail is also a worthwhile experience. Apples and spice give the drink a bold cider character, with maple syrup showing up in just the right proportion and a solid slug of that orangey Meyer lemon. The cardamom surprises the most, imbuing the finish with a lingering, almost Eastern spice note that’s at once unusual and tantalizing. Oh, as for the whiskey, it’s a key player but one that never comes close to dominating given the bold flavors of everything else in the mix. The vanilla, fruit, and gentle wood notes complement the other ingredients quite beautifully.

I’m not sure I would call this a whiskey sour — frankly, it’s not sour enough — but what’s in a name? Drink it anyway. One can “serves three” — if you’re incredibly stingy.

20% abv.

A- / $28 per four-pack of 250ml cans / socialhourcocktails.com

Social Hour Harvest Whiskey Sour

$28

9

Rating

9.0/10