Buffalo Trace Extended Drying Time Bourbon

Buffalo Trace continues to innovate with their Experimental Collection and the most recent release, Extended Stave Drying Time. The wood planks that make up a bourbon barrel are dried out in the open air for about six months before being turned into barrel planks. Stave drying plays an important role in the taste of the bourbon, so Buffalo Trace decided to experiment by allowing the staves for this spirit to dry out for about twice as long. The extended drying time bourbon is significantly aided by the extra time too, balancing the oak flavors that can sometimes dominate in an older bourbon. Snag both bottles and try them side by side with a friend for the full experience.

Buy Now / $46

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Beer

Omnipollo Nebuchadnezzar Beer

The Swedes may not be known for making great IPAs, but Nebuchadnezzar from Omnipollo is quickly changing those preconceptions. It's a double IPA that was originally a home brew recipe and due to demand has been scaled up to reach a wider audience. Within the beautiful bottle is a citrus forward IPA that weighs in at 8.5%, with some subtle but important Belgian yeasts to balance things out. It's won just about every 'best of' award in Sweden, and is now beginning to make its way to US shores.

Buy Now / $5

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Whiskey

Compass Box The General Whiskey

The latest release from Compass Box is an extraordinary scotch whiskey that is both rare and mysterious. The General is a blend of a 33 year old batch, while the rest of the blend is made up of a batch with an unknown age statement. It's named after a Buster Keaton film from the 1920's and is limited to only, and exactly, 1,698 bottles. You won't feel like you're getting a bargain, but if the taste comes anywhere near the backstory, this whiskey will be a runaway hit.

Buy Now / $325

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Beer

Founders KBS Beer

A staple of the rising craft beer culture are release events for special beers, done once a year and many times at the brewery only. KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) from Founders Brewing might be the best of these releases, and you can find it outside of the brewery walls as well. KBS is an imperial stout brewed with an ungodly amount of chocolate and coffee, and then aged in bourbon barrels for a full year. The other bourbon barrel coffee stouts are imitators, while KBS is the innovator. Don't pass up a chance to try this highly acclaimed beer this spring.

Buy Now / $22

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Smoking

IOOI Hookah

Typically when you think of hookahs, you think of the ornately decorated pieces sitting outside your neighborhood hookah bar. With a stunning body made from anodized aluminum, brass, completely clear glass, and 3D printed parts, the IOOI Hookah is about as far removed from that scene as you can get. Created by award-winning designer Christian Zanzotti, this sleek smoking device is manufactured exclusively in Germany using automotive-quality production methods, and takes four weeks to make — so be prepared to wait once you've placed your order.

Buy Now / $700

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Featured Gear Question

Blue Apron

What are you eating for dinner tonight? If that question stumps you each night because you don't have time to stock your fridge or need some coaching in the kitchen, give Blue Apron a try. This handy service ships you all the fresh ingredients you need for three delicious meals for two people, per week. Ingredients are perfectly portioned for each recipe, take about 35 minutes to prepare, and come with step-by-step recipe cards to make cooking gourmet meals at home a cinch. There are options for most dietary preferences, so whether you're a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, etc - there's an option to match.

Buy Now / $10

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Bourbon

Booker's 25th Anniversary Bourbon

Already one of the best readily available bourbon's on the market, there isn't much that Booker's can do to improve on a high quality product. But it appears they have done just that with Booker's 25th Anniversary. This limited edition release ranges between 9-11 years old with an unfiltered proof strength ranging between 121-130, depending on the bottle you wind up with. Available in early March, the juice pays homage to its namesake, 6th Generation Beam Master Distiller, Booker Noe and is taken from the center-cut of Booker's favorite rack house.

Buy Now / $100

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Beer

Beachwood Brewing Melrose IPA

There is something special about a fresh IPA from the West Coast, and there is something even more special about one from Beachwood Brewing. Melrose IPA is a fantastic representation of a true West Coast IPA, brimming with fresh, sticky, hop resins. The aromatic value alone fills your senses and the taste delivers as well, with loads of tropical fruit and more sticky hops. And it finishes as clean and refreshing as a dip in the surf of the Pacific Ocean.

Buy Now / $8

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Bourbon

Orphan Barrel Old Blowhard Bourbon

With the bourbon whiskey market booming, there isn't a shortage of new labels hitting shelves looking to grab a slice of the growing pie. Some are easy to overlook, but there is no overlooking Old Blowhard from Orphan Barrel Whiskey. This brand new offering is 26-years-old and was found in old warehouses at the Stitzel-Weller facility in Louisville, a distillery best known as the original home of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. It might not have the same demand as a bottle of Pappy, but Old Blowhard is already one of the best new releases of 2014.

Buy Now / $150

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Beer

Alaskan Brewing Hopothermia Beer

In a world where double IPAs are now suddenly the norm, there are plenty that are being churned out that just don't measure up. But Hopothermia from Alaskan Brewing Company is not one that has trouble making the grade, and it's probably one of the best double IPA's you've never heard of. This year-round offering features some of the most floral hops around, giving off aromas like grapefruit and mango. It measures up taste-wise too, sweet and piney with a tough malty backbone that won't leave your palate suffering. You may not be in Alaska, but a couple of these should help get you through any winter night.

Buy Now / $10

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Whiskey

High West Double Rye Whiskey

If spiciness is one of the reasons you enjoy rye whiskey, we think you'll get a kick out of High West Double Rye Whiskey. It's a blend of two ryes, one, a vibrant, feisty 2-year-old, and the other, a mellow, mature 16-year-old. They fuse beautifully, and despite the rye itself being a dominant flavor, it's elder partner in the blend mellows it out incredibly well. A standout in the burgeoning rye whiskey market.

Buy Now / $35

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Beer

Evil Twin Imperial Doughnut Break Beer

Get your insulin shots ready, because Evil Twin Brewing has a brand new beer for those with a sweet tooth. Imperial Doughnut Break is the brainchild of Evil Twin head brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, who stuffed whole donuts into a keg of Imperial Biscotti Break and tapped it for a special event. It was so well received that they decided to team up with Westbrook Brewing to get it in 22oz bottles, and into your hands. It's a coffee doughnut porter, tips the scales at 11.5% ABV, and despite the description, isn't diabetes in a bottle. It's sweet, but balanced, making it a fine candidate for breakfast or dessert.

Buy Now / $16

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Beer

Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter

If you were to make a dream list of ingredients for a beer to make dudes drool, it's tough to imagine the description being any more appetizing than Maple Bacon Coffee Porter. You read that right, maple syrup, coffee, and bacon all play vital roles in this incredibly balanced porter. None of the flavors overwhelm, but all of them get along amazingly well in this beer that transports us to a greasy spoon diner for a little hair of the dog after a night of carousing. It's even better than it sounds, and for the first time ever, can be found in 22 oz bottles Funky Buddha Brewery.

Buy Now / $15

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Rum

Penny Blue XO Rum

If you're ready to distance yourself from the occasional rum and Coke but don't want to give up on the sugar cane spirit altogether, Penny Blue XO Rum should rise to the top of your list. Made at the oldest distillery in Mauritius, where you'll find a sugar cane estate that has been making rum since 1926, Penny Blue is named after the world's rarest stamp, and this rum is very limited as well, with only 2500 bottles making it to US shelves. Each batch is unique as well, some aged in American oak whiskey casks while others spent time in French oak Cognac casks. We're pretty certain you don't want to put this rum anywhere near a bottle of soda.

Buy Now / $80

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Beer

Firestone Walker Sucaba Beer

If there is one thing that is consistent throughout drinking history, it's the desire most of us have for stronger drinks. The barley wine style of beer was introduced for this specific reason in the late 18th century, and not many have mastered the style as effectively as Firestone Walker Brewing with their annual release, Sucaba. Brewed since 2006, but only bottled since 2010, the annual release of this bourbon barrel aged barely wine is one that beer geeks look forward to acquiring, hoarding and of course, drinking. Those fortunate enough to unlock a bottle are rewarded with hints of chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, and a warming 13.5% ABV.

Buy Now / $16

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Bourbon

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

One of the first bourbon releases of 2014 also happens to be one we look forward to the most every year, Evan Williams Single Barrel. This is the 19th annual release of the world-renowned spirit, spending 10 years aging in barrels. It's also become a tradition to find that each bottle is marked with the exact date the liquid was placed into the barrel and then bottled. Inside each hand numbered bottle is a sweet, smooth bourbon with flavors like maple syrup, toffee and mint. A bottle this great usually costs you an arm and a leg, but at under 30 bucks, you might want to buy more than one.

Buy Now / $27

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Beer

Bell's Hopslam Ale

It's that time of year, the time when beer drinkers who crave large amounts of hops in their beverages rejoice, because Bell's Hopslam Ale is hitting store shelves. Released every January, Hopslam is a double IPA with a demand that continues to grow. Hopslam starts with six different hop varietals, each selected in large part due to the aromatic qualities they possess. After a big dry-hop addition at the end, Bell's adds a helping of honey to balance out the bite and give this 10% ABV hop bomb the balance that makes it special.

Buy Now / $18

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Whiskey

WhistlePig The Boss Hog Rye Whiskey

You might already be familiar with WhistlePig Rye, it's one of the only 100% rye whiskies on the market, and is run by former Apprentice cast member Raj Peter Bhakta. The standard WhistlePig is a great rye, and now the family is growing with the release of The Boss Hog ($150), a select bottling from the Vermont based distillers. The Boss Hog weighs in at barrel strength, with no water added, at a hefty 134 proof after over 12 years of aging. The flavors also push their weight around as caramel, vanilla and gingerbread are present and welcome. This release is a must for rye whiskey lovers, and with less than 3,000 bottles, it's sure to be gone quickly.

Buy Now / $150

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Beer

Modern Times Blazing World Beer

When it comes to great, hoppy beers, the West Coast has no shortage of choices. So when a new brewery pops up on the coast with the promise of hoppy beers, they have our attention. Modern Times Brewing started last year in San Diego, and one of the hop bombs they are canning is an amber IPA called Blazing World ($11). It's packed with plenty of sticky, aromatic Nelson, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops that will satisfy those that crave a dry IBU punch. And the light, malty backbone that provides the amber hue helps balance things out nicely. To top it all off, it comes in a super sharp, well designed can.

Buy Now / $11

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Whiskey

Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve Scotch Whiskey

One of the most trusted blenders in the scotch whiskey game is switching things up again this winter, with the introduction of Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve ($87). The scotch itself isn't brand new, but the limited edition, reflective gold bottle certainly is. Of course, it's what is inside the bottle that ultimately matters, and Johnnie Walker delivers again with a fruity nose, plenty of oak flavors and some subtle smoke to round things out. An addition to your collection that even King Midas would be proud of.

Buy Now / $87

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