Bar Cart Bracket: The Best Whiskies for March Madness

If your alma mater is still in the field, you very well might need a stiff one to get you through the rest of March Madness. If you’re merely watching from the sidelines with your bracket (and perhaps some cash on the line), then… congrats, you’re going to need a stiff drink, too. A victorious host (in mindset, at least) has things covered from sideline to sideline for guests and thirsty fans, and a fine dram of whiskey could prove a worthy complement to an ice-cold lager or a seasonally approved stout. That also means stocking a bit of something for your entire roster, especially if not everyone is a certified whiskey connoisseur. Plus, whiskey can serve as a celebratory tipple or a worthy salve to take the edge off, a tale as old as time (responsibly, of course). It’s all about striking a balance as you consider the best whiskies for hosting. Sure, your tried-and-true no. 1 seed could be a Final Four lock, but save some room in your bracket—er, bar cart—for a slight twist on an old favorite (the upset never fails this time of year). No Cinderella story starts without a proper play drawn up, and your bar cart should deliver in much the same way as you consider the best whiskies for hosting March Madness. Jim Beam Black We’re willing to bet you’ve got a bottle or two of high-end juice tucked away somewhere, which is certainly agreeable for a postgame victory sip. But to kick things into high gear, opt for a surprisingly premium and ultra-affordable option from arguably the most recognizable bourbon brand on the planet. It boasts notes of warm caramel and toasted oak, and makes an easy, bourbon-forward cocktail. It’s also a fun exercise in re-wiring what a casual drinker might think of Jim Beam, and that’s a conversation starter every host (and thirsty college basketball fan) can get into. He shoots… he scores! The Beer Sidecar: Don’t overthink it. Try an all-time classic like Budweiser. Old Overholt’s A. Overholt Monongahela Mash Straight Rye Step things up a notch and keep the sometimes-overlooked rye whiskey drinkers in your life happy with a luxe-yet-affordable take on a classic rye mashbill. Old Overholt’s flagship expression is one of the best and most affordable rye whiskies on the market, and this option bolsters the proof slightly while going all-in with an 80 percent rye, 20 percent malted barley recipe. It’s an engaging rye sipper meant to last as your team grinds out a halftime lead. The Beer Sidecar: This rye mashbill is quite robust, and could use the creamy complement of a Guinness in a nitro can. Knob Creek 12-Year Small Batch The key with pleasing both whiskey newcomers and enthusiasts might just revolve around taking a picture-perfect game plan (like Knob Creek’s 9-year foundational bourbon) and tweaking it to your advantage. Knob Creek 12 should prove a crowd-pleaser for those who scour liquor store shelves and whiskey forums, while touches of vanilla, oak, and caramel should offer something delectable in a small pour for non-whiskey drinkers. The Beer Sidecar: At 100 proof, you can afford to ramp up your beer pairing ever-so-slightly while keeping it classic. Try Sierra Nevada’s all-timer Pale Ale. Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch Select As with filling out your bracket and considering surefire-lock favorites as well as plucky newcomers, it’s worthwhile to keep your bar cart stocked with heavy hitters. Four Roses is an utterly iconic bourbon producer that pays serious attention to its two mash bills and five distinct yeast strains, a level of detail akin to that of a Hall of Fame coach drawing up a game-changing out-of-bounds play. Its Small Batch Select levels up the proof in pleasant fashion (it clocks in at 104) compared to flagship Four Roses, a worthy sipper for those who want something a touch stronger without overdoing it. The Beer Sidecar: An icy-cold Founders All Day IPA could be just the ticket here. Powers Gold Label If you’re keeping score at home, affordability and accessibility are still the name of the game as you consider the best whiskies to drink during March Madness. And because March prominently features a suitably green-tinged holiday (you know the one), you very well might have plenty of Irish whiskey on hand, like this bottle of fan-favorite Powers Gold Label. Yes, the crowd loves Jameson (and they’re both produced by Midleton), but this is a worthwhile change of pace without proving as intense as a full-court press. The Beer Sidecar: Remember what we said earlier about Guinness? Get yourself another one to pair (responsibly) with this distinct Irish whiskey. Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey It’s like we said before, it’s still more than acceptable to imbibe Irish whiskey after St. Patrick’s Day, and Teeling boasts enough engaging flavor and heritage to turn heads in your bar cart (although we’d also accept Jameson Black Barrel in this case, too). The Central American rum cask finish here adds a touch of mellow sweetness to an already exceptionally smooth Irish whiskey, all the while proving as soothing as seeing your top guard hit a nothing-but-net-three, right? The Beer Sidecar: Try the distinct spice and bright character of Allagash White, an utterly pleasing early spring beer in its own right.