☕️ Good Morning. St. Patrick’s Day math is pretty simple: coffee in the morning, whiskey shortly after, and stories that get better with every round. In today’s festive edition, we’re upgrading your Irish coffee game, diving into whiskeys that belong in the glass of anyone who appreciates good sport and good company, exploring the wild outdoor side of Ireland, and pairing cigars with bourbon and scotch like the refined outdoorsmen we are. Call it a proper way to celebrate the Irish way: strong coffee, stronger whiskey, and just enough adventure to earn the next pour. Sláinte. 🍀🥃
P.S. While everyone suddenly thinks they’re Irish for the day, I’ll be the guy standing firm in my heritage. No greenwashing here. Proudly, stubbornly Polish. But I’m still more than happy to drink the whiskey. 🇵🇱
— John J. Radzwilla, CEO & Editor-in-Chief
St. Paddy’s Cliff Notes: For anyone reading this with one eye open:
» Where the Irish Go to Get Lost
» Coffee. Whiskey. Problem solved
» Upgrade Your Top Shelf
» Pair Your Pour with a Proper Cigar
👉🏼 Send this to a buddy before the next round hits the table. Then subscribe to something worth reading with a whiskey in hand.
Now, here’s the latest from hookandbarrel.com:
TRAVEL
The wild side of Ireland
Ireland isn’t just pubs and pints. Step outside the bar and you’ll find a country built for adventure. Rugged coastlines hammered by the Atlantic, rolling green hills that stretch forever, cold rivers perfect for fly fishing, and countryside that feels like it hasn’t changed in centuries. It’s the kind of place where the outdoors still runs wild and the stories get better every mile.
IRISH COFFEE HISTORY
The breakfast of legends
If you’re going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day properly, start with the drink that does double duty: coffee and whiskey in the same glass. Irish coffee has been warming up cold mornings and questionable decisions since the 1940s, and the beauty of it is its simplicity.
HAPPY HOUR
Up your whiskey game
Not all whiskey is created equal, and Wyoming Whiskey proves it. Born in the wide-open spaces of the American West, it’s the kind of pour that feels right at home after a day in the mountains, on the water, or around a fire with good company. Crafted with patience and a little frontier spirit, it’s the kind of bottle that earns its place on the top shelf… not just for the taste, but for the story behind it.
ONE MORE ROUND
Better whiskey deserves a cigar
A good whiskey can stand on its own. A good cigar can too. But put the right two together and suddenly the whole experience levels up. The sweetness of bourbon, the smokiness of scotch, the spice of rye… each one plays differently with the body and flavor of a cigar. Whether you’re winding down after a hunt, closing out the night with friends, or just pretending you know what “notes of leather” actually mean, pairing the right smoke with the right pour is a ritual worth learning.
IT’S YOUR LUCKY DAY
Purchase the Steve Harvey issue, and get a FREE Hook & Barrel sticker! (*This week only). Why is there a skeleton, you ask? Well, the artist behind the sticker viewed the outdoor lifestyle as something we take to the grave with us - the guns, the rods, the music, and the good times. If that’s you, grab Steve’s issue and get the sticker for your tumbler, Nalgene, or cooler! Cheers to that!
🗓️ UP NEXT: This Thursday, dial it in for our weekly INSIDER email, full of the latest guns and gear from the industry’s top manufacturers.
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LFG🔥
Before you strap gear to your pack or load your truck, think about what’s on your head. The Challenge Everything LFG Cap isn’t some epic slogan slapped on a trucker hat — it’s a statement. Our flat-brimmed 5-panel lightweight cap is water-repellant, packable, moisture-wicking and features UV protection. It’s perfect for chasing the sun, whether you’re on the trail, on the water, or exploring the city, challenging everything (and winning!).
