Scotch and Bourbon — the divide widens. Recently we wrote how flavorings are taking over the Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey markets. Here is Scotch's reaction, by Deputy Editor Beth Squires in “Whiskey Wash”: "Scotch whisky operates under some of the most exacting laws in the spirits world. Producers can add only water and plain caramel coloring. Any other flavoring, spirit addition or sweetener, no matter how subtle, means the liquid can no longer be called scotch. It must instead be sold as a 'spirit drink' or a 'whisky liqueur.'
That does not mean Scotch is static. Innovation comes through cask finishing and production diversity and has grown rapidly in the last two decades. Distillers now experiment with wine, rum, tequila and even stout casks to develop new flavor profiles without compromising legality. Examples include Glenmorangie’s recent use of Moroccan red wine casks for its latest release, 'A Tale of Spice.' Dewar’s pushed the boundaries when it released a mezcal cask-finished blended scotch in 2020...
"While this critique mainly targets the loose definition of 'American Blended Whiskey,' the point underscores the fundamental difference (between whiskey and whisky): the Scotch identity is built on what is excluded from the bottle, while flavored whiskies thrive on what is added."
Deals today
• Chelsea's Courtyard (100 MLK) has buck burgers Thursdays.
• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur.
• Hot beef sandwiches are a Thursday special at Club 2000.
• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti and a salad. Lunch and dinner.
• Mullets Norwalk offers two two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursday’s 4 p.m. to close.
• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.
• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.
• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a ribeye special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St. West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special of buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.
• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays.
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.
• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16
• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.
• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on navel oranges at $2.99/4-pound bag, wagyu ground beef at $4.99/pound and russet potatoes at $3.25/10-pound bag.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com | 
