Rare finds, hidden gems, and the spirits that inspire us
Over the years, we've collected favorites from around the world and right here in DC. These aren't just drinks—they're memories, discoveries, and the bottles we reach for when we want something special. Here's what's in our personal collection.
This was my introduction to Japanese craft beer. Brewed with coriander, nutmeg, and orange peel—it's a Belgian-style wheat ale with a Japanese soul. Every time I crack one open, I'm transported back to a tiny izakaya in Tokyo where I first tried it.
Kiuchi Brewery, Ibaraki Prefecture
The one that started the "dry beer" revolution. Clean, crisp, and incredibly refreshing. Perfect with sashimi, perfect on a hot DC summer night. Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
Best served ice cold, straight from the tap
The whisky that put Japan on the world stage. Delicate, fruity, with hints of Mizunara oak that you won't find anywhere else. I remember the first time I tasted this—it completely changed how I thought about whisky.
Suntory Distillery, Japan's oldest malt whisky
Brewed with Satsuma sweet potatoes from Kawagoe. The color is this beautiful amber-red, and the taste is unlike anything else—sweet, roasted, and distinctly Japanese. Finding this in DC was like finding treasure.
Coedo Brewery, Saitama Prefecture
At 51.4% ABV, this is bold, punchy, and absolutely delicious. It's a blend of over 100 different batches, and somehow they made it work perfectly. The bottle design is iconic, but the liquid inside is the real star.
Best enjoyed neat or with a single ice cube
The unicorn. I waited three years to get my hands on a bottle through the Kentucky lottery system. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Caramel, vanilla, oak—it's everything bourbon should be, perfected over 15 years.
Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Kentucky
The original single barrel bourbon. Each bottle is hand-selected, and the collectible horse stoppers make every pour feel special. Rich, spicy, with a long finish that keeps you coming back.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort KY
Eighteen years in Spanish sherry casks. The result is this deep, mahogany whisky with dried fruit, spice, and chocolate. This is what I pour when I want to slow down and savor every moment.
Speyside, Scotland
The annual limited release that whiskey collectors go crazy for. Each year brings a different finish—I've had the Sauternes cask, the Armagnac cask, and the Calvados cask. All incredible, all impossible to find.
WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham VT
Part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, this one shows up once a year—if you're lucky. Deep oak, leather, tobacco, and a sweetness that balances it all. Worth every bit of the hunt.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Fall release
The king of peat. If you love smoky whisky, this is the benchmark. It's intense, it's polarizing, and it's absolutely fantastic. One of the few bottles I always keep stocked.
Islay, Scotland - "The Malt of Malt"
The beer that put DC craft brewing on the map. I remember when they first opened in Northeast—now they're a DC institution. Citrusy, hoppy, and proudly local. This is what I recommend when visitors ask for something truly DC.
DC Brau Brewing, Northeast DC
DC's first rum distillery, and they nailed it. Made from real sugar cane, not molasses. Clean, grassy, perfect for daiquiris. I use this for my signature rum cocktails at events—guests are always surprised it's made right here in the city.
Cotton & Reed Distillery, Union Market District
Woman-owned, crowdfunded, and fiercely DC. Their vodka is smooth as silk, and their distillery in Ivy City is worth the visit. I love supporting local businesses that do it right.
Republic Restoratives, Ivy City
Found this at their Shaw brewpub on a random Tuesday night. A saison-style ale that's funky, complex, and dangerously drinkable. Their basement taproom is one of my favorite spots to unwind after an event.
Right Proper Brewing, Shaw
Finished right here in DC with sherry and cognac casks. The result is incredibly complex—stone fruit, tobacco, chocolate. When I want to impress whiskey lovers at an event, this is what I pull out.
Jos. A. Magnus & Co., DC
A California Common style—lagered ale, crisp and clean. Perfect for DC's humid summers. Their Ivy City brewery has one of the best patios in the city. I've spent many Sunday afternoons there.
Atlas Brew Works, Ivy City & Half Street
Want to try these favorites at your next event? Let's talk about crafting a custom menu for your occasion.