Rough Rider

Long Island Spirits has worked at 2182 Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow, New York since 2007, and has distilled brandy for Long Island wineries since 2008. Rough Rider is its bourbon line, named for Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry.

The finish is the reason to pick it up. After new American oak, the whiskey moves into French oak casks that held brandy made from local Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot. Breaking Bourbon pulls fig, dried apple and date out of the result, on a mash bill roughly a third winter rye at 90 proof. Buy it when you want a bourbon that lands on dried fruit rather than oak.