Yes Virginia, there Really is Bacon-flavored Vodka

Fifteen years or so ago, we saw first pepper vodka, and then citron vodka, and now, cherry, orange, vanilla, pomegranate, watermelon, chocolate—pretty much any flavor you can think of, Smirnoff or Absolut makes it. Premium Vodka distillers Three Olives and Ketel One are producing flavored vodkas, and people are buying and drinking them enthusiastically. Even Trader Joe's makes Trader Joe's Infused Vodkas. 375 ml. $19.99 in lemon and lychee, mocha (chocolate and espresso flavors) and Tahitian vanilla. Seattle distiller Black Rock Spirits even offers Bakon Vodka, with, yes, you guessed it, Bacon flavoring. I'm told it makes a great Bloody Mary.

But wait, there's more. Jim Beam is about to initiate a national rollout of Red Stag, Jim Beam four year-old bourbon that's been infused with natural black cherry flavors. The Great-grandson of the original Jim Beam acknowledges that "bourbon purists might think it's a little too sweet," but has high hopes for the popularity of Red Stag. In September Heaven Hill Distilleries will release a version of their Evan Williams bourbon flavored with honey and branded as Evan Williams Honey Reserve. It sounds a bit like Wild Turkey's American Honey, a liqueur made with honey and Wild Turkey bourbon. Both of these are inspired, at least indirectly, by the "hunting liquors" of Europe, like Bärenjäger.

Even small-batch high-quality bourbon distiller Maker's Mark is getting in on the act; they have released a pre-made bottled Maker's Mark Mint Julep. Frankly, I'm not quite ready to even try it, personally. Maker's Mark initially released their bottled Mint Juleps as a local Kentucky release in homage to the Kentucky Derby, where the Mint Julep has been the official drink. Technically, of course, the traditional Mint Julep should be made with gold old American Rye Whiskey, but that's been sort of forgotten of late. For the curious, here's a recipe for a genuine traditional rye-based Mint Julep, and yes, the fresh mint is crucial.

For the curious, still possibly trying to move past the idea of bacon infused and flavored vodka, I have news for you; bourbon can be infused with bacon too. As for me, well, no, I'm not ready for flavored bourbon; if I want bourbon that's flavored with something other than bourbon, I'll have a bourbon old fashioned.