The best summer evenings start with something sparkling and end with something smooth. This month, we’re bringing together three exceptional sparkling wines and three standout whiskeys for a pairing guide that covers every moment, from the opening toast to the last slow sip on the porch.
Here’s what’s ahead:
• JCB No. 21 Crémant de Bourgogne Brut is a Burgundy sparkler with crisp citrus, almond, and white flower notes, named for France’s Département of the Côte d’Or
• JCB No. 69 Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé is a flamboyant Pinot Noir-based rosé sparkling wine with vibrant raspberry and red currant aromas, rated 93 points by The Tasting Panel
• Mumm Napa Brut Prestige is a classic California sparkling wine made in the traditional method, rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast
• Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon is the Memphis-crafted, unfiltered small-batch bourbon with soul and sizzle we featured in May
• Elijah Craig Small Batch 1789 is the award-winning Heaven Hill bourbon with notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit, and warm spice
• Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye is a beautifully balanced, single-barrel rye with restrained spice, fruit, and remarkable flavor for its proof
The Bubbles
JCB No. 21 Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
Jean-Charles Boisset named his No. 21 after the French Département number of the Côte d’Or, the “Gold Coast” of Burgundy, the region that shaped his entire philosophy of wine. The JCB No. 21 is a Crémant de Bourgogne made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from hand-harvested parcels across Burgundy, aged a minimum of 12 months on lees in the traditional method. Wine Enthusiast calls it “a top-of-the-range crémant that is crisp and textured while also fruity.”
Pale and vibrant in the glass, the nose delivers fresh citrus, almond, and delicate white flowers. The palate is crisp and lively with green apple, lemon zest, and a refreshing mineral acidity, finishing with a lovely creamy texture from the lees aging. It’s Champagne-quality finesse at a Crémant price, perfect for opening the evening or pairing through a full meal.
Pairings: Oysters, goat cheese, grilled shrimp, sushi, or as an aperitif before anything on this list
JCB No. 69 Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé
If No. 21 is the elegant opener, the JCB No. 69 is the flamboyant showstopper. A Pinot Noir-based Brut Rosé made using the saínée method from Burgundy’s Côtes, it’s named for Jean-Charles’ birth year, 1969, the year humanity walked on the moon. It earned 93 points from The Tasting Panel and 91 from Wine Enthusiast, and it’s easy to see why.
The nose is vibrant and expressive with aromas of raspberry and red currant that evolve into deeper, jammier notes. On the palate, it’s tender and crisp, with flavors of Ruby Red grapefruit, tart Rainier cherry, and a hint of earthy minerality that gives it real depth. The finish is bright and refreshing. As JCB puts it: it’s “not a dainty pink thing, it’s a flamboyant, profound mouthful of serious bubbles.”
Pairings: Charcuterie, smoked salmon, grilled chicken, strawberry shortcake, or anything you’re toasting
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
A California icon, Mumm Napa Brut Prestige is the winery’s signature sparkler and has won more medals than any other in its class. Made using the traditional méthode champenoise with an average of 16 months on the lees, it blends 49% Pinot Noir, 46% Chardonnay, and small amounts of Pinot Gris and Pinot Meunier for a wine with both depth and freshness.
Pale gold in the glass with a persistent mousse, the nose opens with red apple, juicy pear, nectarine, strawberry, and a hint of biscuit. The palate is layered and lively with apple, stone fruit, and bright citrus, backed by subtle notes of marzipan and toast. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 92 points, praising its “lush citrus, strawberry, honey, melon, fig and spice flavors wrapped in a smooth, silky bubbling mouthfeel.”
Pairings: Sushi, creamy cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, roast chicken, or brunch
The Bourbons & Rye
Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon, Unfiltered Small Batch
Born in Kentucky and crafted in Memphis, Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon is a straight bourbon whiskey with soul. Unfiltered and bottled at 93 proof, its mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley is aged near the banks of the Mississippi River, where Delta heat and humidity work their slow magic. It took home two Platinum medals at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of only six bourbons to achieve that honor.
The nose delivers sweet corn, allspice, and warm oak. On the palate, it’s smooth and bold with notes of vanilla, apricot, allspice, and pear. The finish lingers with oak, pear, and a hint of allspice. It’s got soul, rhythm, and just enough grit to keep things interesting, the perfect sip when the bubbles have been poured, and it’s time to settle in.
Pairings: Memphis BBQ, fried chicken, peach desserts, dark chocolate
Elijah Craig Small Batch 1789
Named for the Baptist preacher credited with creating bourbon by aging distillate in new charred oak barrels, Elijah Craig Small Batch is one of the great American bourbon values. Produced by Heaven Hill at 94 proof and aged in Level 3 char barrels, it’s an award-winning small batch that’s a favorite of both casual whiskey drinkers and devoted connoisseurs alike.
The nose is delightfully complex with notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit, and fresh mint. On the palate, it’s smooth and warm with caramel, honey, marzipan, and wildflower notes, followed by pleasantly woody accents of spice, smoke, and nutmeg. The finish is long, sweet, and slightly toasty. Classic, approachable, and excellent, this is the bourbon you reach for when you want something reliably great.
Pairings: Smoked brisket, pecan pie, caramel desserts, aged gouda
Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye
Every bottle of Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye comes from a single barrel, a rare commitment at any price point, and one that reflects Michter’s extraordinary attention to quality. Bottled at 84.8 proof from select American rye grain aged in heat-cycled warehouses, this rye is pulled from the barrel only when the winemaker, not a schedule, decides it has reached the right profile.
Don’t let the approachable proof fool you: this rye is remarkably flavorful and complex. The nose opens with pear, sweet cherry, caramel, and light rye spices, with a hint of dried apricot. On the palate, it’s honey-sweet and beautifully balanced, with baking spices, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, alongside notes of mint, cherry, and apricot. The finish is lingering, with gentle black pepper and oak. Bourbon Culture called it “one of the best rye whiskies at this price and proof point,” and it’s hard to argue.
Pairings: Sip neat, in a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour, or alongside grilled pork and stone fruit
Start with bubbles, finish with bourbon, or skip the order entirely and pour whatever feels right. Whether it’s a JCB sparkling rosé in a flute, a Mumm Napa in a coupe, or a pour of Michter’s Rye on a quiet evening, this lineup was built for summer nights worth remembering.
