Chocolate Whiskey Bundt Cake

There's something about fall--the crisp days, the long nights, the cozy evenings at home--that makes me want to bake for days.

The problem is, I don't have a huge sweet tooth.

Don't get me wrong, I love a little treat every now and then, but I'm more partial to savory than to sweet, which makes baking more of a challenge.

So I love when I come across a recipe that combines all of my favorite flavors--chocolate, whiskey, coffee--in a way that isn't too cloying. Plus I'm certain that baking this would make your house smell amazing!

Head over to M Love M for this delicious Chocolate Whiskey Bundt Cake recipe, and let me know if you try it out!

UPDATED: Women Who Whiskey Portland's Launch Party Now at the Pope House Bourbon Lounge

Women Who Whiskey is celebrating the launch of its Portland Chapter and we thought the Pope House Bourbon Lounge was a pretty good place to start.

A staple of Northwest Portland's bar scene, The Pope House is known for its large selection of bourbon, its great whiskey flights, and the unique Bourbon Derby, a checklist of 50 whiskey to sample, with prizes upon completion.

Come by for a drink -- or four -- and meet what is sure to be a great group of women!

What: Women Who Whiskey Portland Chapter Launch Party!
When: Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 6:00-10:00pm
Where: Pope House Bourbon Lounge, 2075 NW Glisan (in b/w 20th and 21st)

Hope to see you there!

10 Bourbon Terms You Should Know

{Photo: Jennifer Hess}

As with wine or any spirit really, once you get on the path from aficionado to connoisseur, it helps to have a little bit of information about what exactly you're drinking, to better understand the nuances between different kinds of Whiskey.

Our favorite people over at Serious Eats have put together a list 10 Bourbon Terms You Should Know, and we agree that these are probably the most important things you should be familiar with when you start talking about Bourbon.

And a lot of these aren't subjective questions of opinion and taste--some of these are legal definitions! 

Bourbon
"By law, bourbon must be made from a grain mixture that's at least 51% corn (in a bit, I'll explain what the other 49% is). Bourbon is aged in new charred-oak barrels, and it's distilled to no more than 80% alcohol by volume (ABV). When it's pumped into the barrels, it enters the casks at no more than 62.5% ABV. Finally, when it's bottled, it has to be at least 40% ABV."

Straight Bourbon
"One term you might see on a label is "Straight Bourbon." This category has additional legal requirements beyond those of regular bourbon. Straight bourbon must be at least two years old. If it's older than two but younger than four years, it must carry an age statement, and that age statement must reflect the youngest bourbon in the bottle. Finally, straight bourbon may not contain added colorings or flavorings."

Cask Strength
"Also known as barrel-proof bourbon, a cask-strength bourbon is undiluted. If it comes out of the barrel at 124.6 proof, that's what you get in the bottle. Cask strengths vary from barrel to barrel, based on a number of factors, such as warehouse placement, weather conditions, and so forth. The strength of the bourbon depends on how much of the liquid has evaporated over time. If more alcohol evaporates out, it'll be lower proof. If more water evaporates, it'll be higher. Therefore every barrel is different. Booker's, for example, ranges from about 121 proof to 130."

For more the rest of the list, visit 10 Bourbon Terms You Should Know on Serious Eats! 

Westward Ho! wWw Launches Portland Chapter

Women Who Whiskey is pleased to announce its westward expansion--to Portland! wWw Portland will connect whiskey-loving ladies in the Great Northwest, helping connoisseurs and amateurs alike find the darkest bars and the most delicious cocktails this city has to offer.

Much like its New York counterpart, wWw PDX will hold events at cocktail bars around the city and distilleries around the state, where we can discuss new whiskeys, learn drink recipes from alluring bartenders, and celebrate the fact that there aren't many things a nice pour can't fix.

But wWw PDX chapter will have that special Oregon flare: 4,700 feet instead of the 47th floor, bike routes instead of subway maps.

Stay tuned for wWw Portland's inaugural event!

Save the Date: Women Who Whiskey Launching Whistlepig's New Rye Whiskey at Ward III

Stay tuned for more details, coming soon! 

What: Women Who Whiskey Presenting Whistlepig's New Rye Whiskey

When: Monday, November 18, 2013 at 6:30pm

Where: Ward III, 111 Reade Street (and West Broadway)

Save the Date: Women Who Whiskey Celebrate Oktoberfest on the Honorable William Wall Barge TOMORROW!

This summer wWw had two great events at the Manhattan Yacht Club's Honorable William Wall Barge, so it only seems appropriate to close out the season with them--this time for Oktoberfest!! The Honorable William Wall will be celebrating Oktoberfest from Sept 27 to Oct 12. Special Oktoberfest beers will be stocked onboard. There will be decorations and costumes. Oktoberfest music will be played and "Ein Prosit" will be sung every 30 minutes. Come out to the Honorable William Wall one last time this season to celebrate Fall. Drink in the beautiful views of the harbor. See the magical skyline. Enjoy the most magnificent waterfront venue in the city.  WHEN: Friday, October 4, 2013 WHERE: The Manhattan Yacht Club "Honorable William Wall" Barge Bar (launch to barge leaves from Marina in Battery Park (North Cove Marina, Dock F) WHY: To celebrate Oktoberfest nautical style with all of your favorite Women Who Whiskey!  The boats to the barge only leave every 30 minutes (starting at 5:30 pm until 10pm). The launch is free for Manhattan Yacht Club members and $18 round trip, plus $2 service for everyone else. It is totally worth it.  More detailed instructions can be found here. I will plan on taking either the 5:30pm or 6pm launch. The launches leave every 30 minutes (on the hour and half hour) from the dock. The first launch departs at 5:30 p.m. and then continues every 30 minutes. Advance tickets may be purchased for the 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 & 7:00 pm launches. Beginning with the 7:30 pm launch, tickets are sold on the launch on a space-available first-come basis. There are still many available tickets for the 5:30, 6, and 6:30 launches, so buy yours now!  Here are walking instructions to the North Cove Marina from Chambers St. You can also walk through the World Financial Center to the Marina.  Feel free to bring friends and significant others if they haven't already been invited.  Bring your appetite for Bavarian beer, Whiskey (of course), and good company! Lederhosen is encouraged!  Please email womenwhowhiskey@gmail.com to RSVP! We look forward to seeing you there!