How to mix, sip and pair North American whiskey

There's no beating a classic whiskey sour. They're simple, classy and tasty – a triple threat by anyone's standards. The days of using the cheapest spirit for your cocktails are long gone because the quality of a whiskey can make or break a drink, so we recommend using TINCUP American Whiskey for this recipe. They’re a Colorado-based operation named for the region’s mining pioneers and, as an added bonus, the bottle actually comes with a tin cup as the cap.

TINCUP are all about that adventurous, outdoor lifestyle but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to get a little fancy. This particular whiskey is a high rye bourbon, blended with a small amount of single malt then cut with water from the pristine Rocky Mountains. The beauty of a high rye bourbon is that you get the smoothness of bourbon with that nice spice typical of rye. It's the perfect base for a simple cocktail that hits the spot every time. Sweeten up your day with a whiskey sour.

Okay, so you've nailed your whiskey sour, but are you ready to really up your whiskey game? The best way to appreciate a whiskey is by sipping one straight and we promise that it's not as full on as it sounds, particularly when you're drinking High West's Rendezvous Rye. They were Utah's first legal distillery to open in over 100 years and have picked up a bunch of awards and accolades since. They're also known for taking a really innovative approach to blending whiskeys.

The Rendezvous Rye is blended with a high proportion of malted rye so you'll get notes of spicy cinnamon, caramel and honey. Rye is a great place to begin dabbling in neat whiskey too – it’s not as powerful as a Scotch, but it does tend to have a nice spice that tones down the alcohol taste while still having a more oomph than a sweeter bourbon. It goes down a treat straight, or 'neat', but if you want to ease into things you can 'cut' it with a little bit of water or pour over ice and enjoy on the rocks – it's all good.

Mixing cocktails? Tick. Sippin' straight whiskey? Tick. Now it's time to turn up the heat in every way. We don't know who decided that wine is the only booze made to match with food but we'd like to have a stern conversation with them. Whiskey is just as great an accompaniment, especially when it's paired with a messy plate of spicy Buffalo wings.

If you're yet to indulge in the ubiquitous Buffalo wing then you best be prepared for some spice. You’re going to want a drink to help handle the heat and we reckon that Seagram’s VO Canadian Whisky is just the ticket. Pour it into a tall glass over ice and mix with a dry ginger ale for a refreshing drink with just enough bite to cut through the spice. Alternatively, an Old Fashioned will help combat the spiciness thanks to the combination of rye whiskey and the sugar’s sweetness. Do things the Old Fashioned way using this cocktail recipe.

Now you're ready to go forth and spread the good word as you mix, sip and pair your way through the world of North American whiskey.