Yesterday, my latest article for The Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine ran. Entitled, “In the Spirit of Tradition,” it chronicled the career of Berle, a.k.a. Rusty, Figgins, a successful winemaker turned craft distiller.

Here is Rusty pictured at The Ellensburg Distillery in (you guessed it!) Ellensburg, Washington.

And here are his award-winning products–El Chalán Peruvian-Style Grape Brandy, Gold Buckle Club Frontier-Style Malt Whisky, and Wildcat White Moonshine.

The spirits pick up color and flavor as they age in oak barrels (just as wine does). Rusty’s Gold Buckle Whisky rests in new American Oak for one year!

Photos by Spencer Johnson

Ever wonder how to muddle a margarita? Stock your home bar? Shake up the perfect martini?

My latest article for Amazon’s Al Dente blog, entitled, A Bevy of Bartending Books, features mini book reviews on two valuable tomes: “Bartending for Dummies” and “The Bartender’s Best Friend.”

Either or both should be on every cocktail-lover’s bookshelf!