Bourbon is more than just a drink. At Bourbon+, our mission is to tell stories from the heart of bourbon—the farmers who grow the grain, the distillers who labor over the process, the mixologists who concoct liquid perfection, and the people who raise their glasses to celebrate it all.

In this issue, you’ll learn why the Black Manhattan is the plug-and-play cocktail pairing for every cigar and get recipes for toddies that will get you through the rest of the winter. Susan Reigler conducts a math class about heads, hearts, and tails. (Don’t worry—it’s fun!)

G. Clay Whittaker wonders: In 2021, what exactly is “a bar”? And Jake Emen tells you why, no matter where you are imbibing, you really should be drinking California brandy. Plus, Steve Coomes details how Will Arvin and Wes Murry restored the Old Taylor Distilling Co. to its former glory as Castle & Key.