As was the case with Diamond Rugs’ 2012 self-titled debut record, much of the band’s sophomore album, Cosmetics, formed and grew in the studio. That’s an impressive feat, considering that Diamond Rugs is something of a weekender project for members of no fewer than five bands, all of whom keep moderate-to-ridiculous recording and touring schedules anyway: John McCauley and Robbie Crowell (both Deer Tick), Ian St. Pé (Black Lips), T. Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate), Bryan Dufresne (Six Finger Satellite) and the legendary Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Blasters and about six dozen other outfits). The boys in the band will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our recent feature on them.
Berlin: If you enjoy the joy of the occasional Jameson like me, here’s a primer once you are ready for the nicer (and pricier) stuff. My recommendation is to try these neat with a beer back, but it’s not my place to tell anyone what to do—I’m just here to help. In the $10-$15 range, my favorite is Redbreast 12 year. Luckily, it’s become much easier to find lately, and it never disappoints—it goes down like spicy honey. Another good one, but much harder to find, is Green Spot, which, unlike all these others, is specifically un-aged but still an excellent whiskey. I personally avoid Bushmills and Tullamore Dew of any provenance, as I find it way too peaty and scotch-like. If you are ready for the even pricier stuff, I highly recommend Knappogue Castle 12, 16 or 21 year. There’s no more psychedelic whiskey to be had—very hard to find but well worth it. The top of the heap is Midleton,, which, at $200-plus a bottle, is almost never cheaper than $25 a shot. And although a fine, fine whiskey, it’s hard to justify over Redbreast 12 or 15 year from the same distillery at usually half the price. Enjoy yourself, and drive home carefully.
Video after the jump.
