Whiskey Review: The Beautiful and the Damned – “Never Surrender” Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Film Review: The Silence of the Lambs

When I told my husband the first film I would be covering for Whiskey & Horror was The Silence of the Lambs, his initial reaction was one of confusion. “But…that’s not even horror,” he said with some conviction, and with that, I knew I had chosen the right rope. What better way to start this journey off than with the age-old question – What even is horror???

Of course, the simple answer is, horror is whatever scares you. So, if a flesh-eating serial killer with a penchant for poetics and a thirst for blood scares you, then The Silence of the Lambs is horror. If a skin-sewing, dog-loving, synth-pop-dancing psychopath scares you, well…you get the point. Hannibal Lecter who first appeared in the 1981 novel Red Dragon by author Thomas Harris, is in the upper echelon of horror villains, and is one of the more fascinating antiheroes in horror history.

There’s no denying the complicated relationship the horror genre has had with mainstream critics and esteemed award-hocking organization, so there’s no confusion as to why Jonathan Demme’s masterpiece The Silence of the Lambs (1991)was marketed as a high-concept thriller as opposed to horror. Even as Anthony Hopkins’ legendary portrayal of Lecter stirred terror in the loins of viewers young and old, and as Jodie Foster blindly shot her way into the historical annals of “Final Girl” status, there was an absolute refusal to accept TSOTL as horror. No way. Horror was base. Horror was smut. Horror was for the depraved – Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster wouldn’t dare stoop so low.

Here’s the thing though, we’ve all been tricked. Tricked by the studios and suits to believe that certain genres of film are less deserving of prestige than others. Academy Awards go to “serious” films, but there’s nothing more serious than a genre that stares straight into the void and dares to question the horrors that there lurk. Every real horror fan has been presented with the “what the hell is wrong with you” question on the tip of every buttoned-up romantic drama lover’s tongue – no shade, in fact, some may see TSOTL as a kind of romance film. And we understand, it’s confusing. It’s confusing as to why a person would choose to allow their minds to be enveloped by darkness and “evil.” But the discerning questioner will find that the average horror fan has a kind of brutal awareness of the shadowy nature of man, but also a profound appreciation of the light that therein lies. Horror puts a face to our fears – it’s Lecter’s hungry stare, Buffalo Bill’s unhinged mirroring, Clarice’s darkest memory.

All that to say, don’t throw the horror out with the dark water.

Like a great horror film, a great whiskey must tell a story with balance and complexity. Like all film, whiskey is created with passion and patience. The writer is as the Master Distiller – creating the story, the flavor profile, what the world will taste. The director is as the Distiller – creating the world of the whiskey, the distinct brand and aesthetic, what the world will see. The creators of The Beautiful and the Damned understand what it takes to develop a straight bourbon whiskey that will appeal to both long-term drinkers and newcomers to the spirit.

The team behind The Beautiful and the Damned understand the importance of building community, and they are proudly 100% independently owned. This Never Surrender Straight Bourbon is a combination of two mash bills – the first 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, the second 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. The whiskey is aged at just under seven years and is bottled at 100-proof in a Cognaçaise (a traditional cognac) bottle with a breathtaking and display-worthy label featuring the ferocious roaring of The Last Lion, representing this expression.

This bottle was graciously provided by the founder of the Whiskey House and can be found at The Beautiful and the Damned. With a two-bottle purchase online, you’ll receive free shipping. I’ve no doubt this is a newer distiller to most of my readers, and now is a great time to add this whiskey to your collection, as it’s the perfect addition to your chilly winter nights.

I can’t think of a better whiskey to pair with the classic The Silence of the Lambs than one of my new favorite bourbons, The Beautiful and the Damned!

Film Rating: The Silence of the Lambs: 💀 💀 💀 💀 💀/5

Tasting Notes: The Beautiful and the Damned “Never Surrender” Straight Bourbon

Aesthetic: The whiskey has a golden, soft amber hue with slight legs that easily coat the glass.

Aroma: There’s a beautifully classic nose here, first offering a nose warming effect, opening up to maple, spun sugar, a dark cherry aroma, and the wintry spice of cinnamon.   

Palate: The whiskey has a well-dispersed heat, with notes of stone fruit, fig, and clove. There’s a slight bitterness, like that of chamomile, and the oak of the barrel comes thru beautifully. The whiskey coats the palate in a pleasurable warmth, slightly oily but effortlessly effervescent.

Whiskey Rating: The Beautiful and the Damned: 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃