Over the years, I have enjoyed many blended whiskeys (e.g. Seagram’s, Four Roses, etc.), but I had never gotten around to drinking some genuine “Rye Whiskey,” an American tradition. I recently remedied that by purchasing a bottle of Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey.

There was never any question about just how I would drink the rye whiskey. I would drink it like it was drunk in the Old West – from a shot glass. Toss it back and slam the glass down on the bar – that’s the ticket. The bottle comes with a cork, not a screw top, so I think for my next drink I’ll pull the cork out with my teeth and tell the imaginary barkeep, “Leave the bottle here.”

The stuff makes me feel like Wild Bill Hickok (except, of course, the part where he’s shot to death).

If you are not a brown whiskey fan, you probably will not care for this 100 proof punch in the face, but I love it.

I’ll be careful to try not to shoot the piano player.