Sipping on the Wild Side: A Whiskey When We’re Dry Review

If you’re a fan of the Old West, strong, rugged spirits, and a good yarn spun by a protagonist with a sharp wit, you’ll want to give the cocktail-heavy novel ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry’ a shot. Written by John Larison, an award-winning writer from rural Oregon, the story chronicles the adventures of Jessilyn Harney, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to find her outlaw brother in the 1800s.

But as an aficionado of whiskey, it’s hard not to be curious about the beverage of choice of so many of the book’s hard-living characters. What’s the whiskey landscape like in the novel? Is it a major player or an afterthought? Can you find any behind-the-scenes nods to actual distilleries? Here’s our review of ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry,’ with a focus on what’s in the glass.

Inside ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry’

The novel is, at its core, a character study of Jessilyn and the people she meets along the way. But when whiskey comes up, it’s almost always as a key note in the background. Grizzled cowboys and saloon patrons alike drink the stuff with abandon, and the description of the taste and effect it has on the characters paints a vivid picture of what it would have felt like to drink whiskey in this time period.

The book is set in the Wild West, so the whiskey on the shelves isn’t the pretty, clear color of a good Irish whiskey or Japanese whiskey, or the smooth, amber color of a nice bourbon. Instead, it’s described as “thin and clear as glass, etched with the lightest copper halo.” This makes sense – back in the day, whiskey wasn’t aged for years in barrels to add color and depth of flavor. It was distilled and served, plain and simple.

Throughout the book, Jessilyn’s relationship with whiskey is complicated – she drinks it to fit in with the men around her, but it also leads her into trouble at times. Often, Larison uses whiskey as a metaphor for the harshness of the Old West and the difficulties Jessilyn faces as a woman living in a man’s world.

Sipping on the Wild Side: The Whiskey Review

While ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry’ doesn’t dive too deeply into the specifics of whiskey (no tasting notes or mash bills here), it’s clear that the author is familiar with the subject. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of whiskey that make appearances in the book:

Rye Whiskey

As the title suggests, rye whiskey is featured heavily in ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry.’ It was the most popular type of whiskey in the 1800s, and it was likely what the cowboys and outlaws in the book would have been drinking. Rye whiskey is made from a mash of at least 51% rye grain, and it’s known for its spicy, peppery flavor.

Bourbon Whiskey

While rye whiskey is the star of the show, bourbon also makes an appearance. This type of whiskey must be made from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. It has a sweet, caramel flavor and a distinct vanilla note.

Corn Whiskey

Corn whiskey is also mentioned in passing – it’s made from a mash of at least 80% corn and doesn’t need to be aged in oak barrels. It’s a clear whiskey with a taste that’s sweeter than bourbon.

FAQ

Is ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry’ a good book if you’re not into whiskey?

Absolutely! While whiskey plays a prominent role in the book, it’s not essential to enjoy the story. It’s a gripping tale of a young woman defying the odds and carving her own path in the Wild West.

Do any real-life distilleries get a shout-out in the book?

Not explicitly, but there are a few nods that might make whiskey lovers smile. For example, one saloon Jessilyn visits has wallpaper that’s “printed with labels of different whiskey bottles – Jack Daniel’s and Old Forrester and Old Crow.” William Larue Weller, the founder of a distillery that eventually became part of the Buffalo Trace empire, is also mentioned by name.

What’s the takeaway for whiskey lovers?

While the book isn’t a deep dive into the world of whiskey, it’s still a fun read if you’re a fan of the spirit. Larison’s vivid descriptions of life in the 1800s make you feel like you’re right there in the saloon with Jessilyn, sipping on a bottle of rye whiskey and plotting your next heist. And if you’re looking for some inspiration for your next Old Fashioned or Manhattan, there are plenty of ideas to be found in the pages of ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry.’