Top In-Flight Whisk(e)ys

Flying private is surely a luxury. You might as well seal the deal alongside your greatest companion, your inner whiskey aficionado. We've come up with a list of must-try whiskeys (rye, scotch, and bourbon!) for your next flight. The act of drinking whiskey pairs well with just about anything you can think of: work, winding down, reading, puzzles - you name it. 

1. Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak

This whiskey aced the Beverage Testing Institute's high standards in 1999, receiving a superlative rating. Macallan offers a long, full finish highlighting tastes of fig, spices, chewy oak, and a light, smoky flavor. 

2. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon

This bourbon features a unique triple distillation before its six year maturation period. According to the Masters of Malt, Woodford Reserve has "notes of espresso beans, winter spice, cereal sweetness, plenty of rye, ground ginger, almond oil, toasty oak, and a little rum." An American classic you won't want to miss out. 

3. Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon

Named after Jim Beam's distiller Basil Hayden, Sr., who in 1796 added small grains to the traditional corn base, this small batch bourbon is a light-bodied whiskey with gentle tastes of spices and honey. 

4. Glenlivet 21 Year Single Malt Scotch

Gold medal winner in the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition, Glenlivet offers a rich and full palette with a complementary long, sweet finish. The scotch features warming tastes of walnuts and winter fruitcake. 

5. Elijah Craig 12 Year Kentucky Bourbon

Another small batch bourbon, Elijah Craig features a palette "full and sublimely smooth with notes of stewed Bramley apples, malmsey, a touch of aniseed, and a hint of spice."

6. Glenfiddich 21 Year Scotch 

Gold medal winner at the 2014 International Spirits Challenge, Glenfiddich 21 Year has a long mochaccino, marmalade finish with tastes of fruitcakes, oak, vanilla, and spice. 

7. Templeton Rye

Infamous Al Capone's drink of choice, Templeton Rye is said to be distilled using its original Prohibition era recipe. This rye offers tastes of butterscotch, caramel, toffee, and allspice, with a balanced finish.

8. Yamazaki 18 Year Single Malt

This award-winning Japanese whiskey is "of medium-body with green notes and an earthen tone, plenty of wood resin and a floral character with zest and sherried peels. The finish is of good length with fruit and zest."

9. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon

This American classic features "brown sugar, toffee apple, sweet oak, custard, oily espresso beans, a touch of chocolate-covered raisins and toasty wood." 

10. Bulleit Bourbon

"Quite full with notes of zesty orange, a hint of dried peel, a note of winter spice, a cigar box character and a touch of perfume," Bulleit offers a spicy and delectable solution to in-flight relaxation.

Top 5 Travel Destinations of 2015

Let Your Inner Explorer Loose

Aircraft Direct's private jet service can help you get to these locations all year round. 

Best Alpine Destination: Zermatt, Switzerland

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Picture found on http://www.worldfortravel.com/2012/06/24/most-striking-zermatt-switzerland/

Making the list for National Geographic's "World's Best Ski Towns", Zermatt, Switzerland has a ton to offer for novice up to expert skiers, plus some for those that'd rather travel by foot (or electric car or horse-drawn carriages - no cars here!). Snuggled right in Europe's highest altitude ski area, it's safe to say that there's snow 365 days a year. In between their ski season (the longest in Europe - late November to early May), visitors can hike the area to get a taste of true Swiss beauty in this small village. Surrounded by 9 of the 10 highest European peaks, visitors flock to see Matterhorn, the iconic peak of the Swiss Alps on the Italian border, as well as one of the deadliest peaks since its first climb in 1865. Ridden with restaurants, spas, and slopes, Zermatt is a must-see destination this upcoming year for any time of year. 

Best Tropical Destination: St. Barts

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Picture found on http://www.st-barths.com/en/saint-barthelemy-guide/beaches-st-barts/corossol-beach.html 

​Saint Barthélemy, a collectivity of France, is an island of roughly eight square miles lined with pristine sun-kissed beaches and clear waters ideal for a rest from the hustle and bustle of life. St. Barts offers the beauty of solitude with luxurious opportunities for a restful spa days, scuba diving, sailing, and exploring the capital city, Gustavia, and its charming harbor. 

Best Historical Destination: Budapest, Hungary

Picture found on http://traveladventureeverywhere.blogspot.com/2013/02/budapest-voyage-to-budapest-hungary.html

With sites like the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square, Statue Park, and St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest is a historical epicenter with an incredible story beginning before 1 AD with its first settlement by the Celts. The city boasts over two hundred museums and serves as a cultural center for music, theatre, dance, and film. A popular tourist destination is the Hungarian Parliament Building that overlooks the Danube River. Historical tours are offered on a variety of subjects, like Jewish history, communism in Budapest, and politics. 

Best Adventure Destination: Yellowstone National Park

Picture found on http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/yellowstone-national-park/

​With over two million acres prime for some good, ol' American exploring, Yellowstone National Park rests on a dormant volcano and is home to geysers and hot springs. Visitors flock to explore this precious untouched land for its vast array of wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Yellowstone offers camping ground and lodge rentals suited to fit your needs. It all depends on how rugged you feel like getting. Regardless, Yellowstone is a beautiful reminder of the existence of serenity. 

Best Foodie Destination: New York City, New York

Picture found on http://www.grayline.com/tours/new-york-city/downtown-loop-tour-5870_17/

Ok, bear with the predictability of this one. New York City is the melting pot. There is just about every nationality you can think of somewhere within the confines of that place. This city is graced with the presence of the finest chefs, hole-in-wall authentic family-run restaurants, and food trucks. This a city that has food for every taste imaginable. 

Save Time By Flying Private

It is arguable that the distinguishing feature between flying commercial and flying private is the time you can save. There is a laundry list of places to wait when you fly commercial: traffic getting to the airport, check-in and luggage check, security lines, at the gate (both off and on the plane), on the tarmac, deplaning, baggage claim, and getting through traffic to leave the airport. These can all be significantly reduced by flying private - research even shows it! 

According to a study conducted by Jet Advisors, flying private saves time. They found that a firm could save a staggering 22.5 work days and 24 road nights every year per person if they flew private instead of commercial. That's an average of 7.5 hours saved per trip!

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You won't have to waste you time sitting around and stressing about making connecting flights either. More often than not, you'll be on a direct flight with a car awaiting your arrival to take you to your final destination.

Plus, with recent improvements in technology and the expanding scope of wireless internet, work can be completed both on the ground and at cruising altitudes. This gives you the opportunity to be just as efficient as your private jet - that is, if you can keep up. 

Why Fly Private for the Holidays

The Holidays are synonymous with stress. If it's not the crowds and your looming holiday to-do list getting to you, it's the burden of familial obligations and traditions. Why not move the festivities to somewhere new this year? Take a break from the chilly North American winters and fly somewhere tropical. What an excellent opportunity to kick those winter blues to the curb with some much-needed rays. 

1. Avoid Busy Airports - There is no time more busy and chaotic at an airport than right around the holidays. By flying private, you can avoid the long lines, worrying about luggage, and wait times. Your only worry is deciding which book to take the the beach.

2. Travel Together - With a range of jet options, you can choose the size jet needed to accommodate the whole family. That way you don't have to stress over different departure and arrival times. Everyone is in the same place. It'll minimize the possibility of a Home Alone situation occurring. Your time with all the family is limited, so cherish this extra time together and start in on the celebration sooner rather than later.

3. All for One, One for All - When Holidays are spent with the whole family gathering to one household, it's not much of a relaxation period for the hosts. By hopping on a private jet to a unique destination, the whole family gets to enjoy the new experience. It'll be a vacation for everyone involved.

4. Travel Somewhere New - Your inner explorer has the opportunity to let loose in a foreign land. Seize the opportunity to travel somewhere you've never been before. Bonding over a new experience is an excellent way to bring the family together. Or if you need some solidarity, it's easy enough to slip away for a solo expedition. Here's your chance to get to know the Maldives or St. Barts. 

The Top 7 Reasons to Use Private Jet Travel

• Time saving - This is one of the most significant reasons for using private aircraft. Depending on your program you can have an aircraft ready in just a few hours. You can arrive at the airport just minutes before your scheduled departure time, fly directly to your destination (without any layovers), make productive use of your time onboard, avoid overnight stays (saving hotel $ as well as time), avoid waiting in lines at the airport, land at over 5,000 airports in the US and so be closer to your destination. All of this can provide significant savings in both productive time and in dollars.
• Productivity - the time savings above provide significantly more productive time, both onboard and before and after your flight.
• Convenience - There are over 5,000 airports in the US that private planes can use (vs 500 airports for larger commercial aircraft). This means you can often land closer to your true destination. Private planes also mean that you can travel with your special belongings such as instruments, sports gear, product samples or bring your pet in the cabin.
• Flexibility - Planes can be available at a few hours notice and can wait for you if you're running late. It's even possible to change flight plans in mid flight if necessary.
• Quality of service - Private planes provide luxury furnishings, plenty of space, individualized attention, and your preferred food and drinks can be ordered ahead of time.
• Privacy - You can hold meetings and make productive use of your time, without being over heard. Your overall travel will also be far less visible when you're on a private plane, so helping preserve the secrecy around important negotiations or deals.
• Reduced stress - Without the lines, waiting, lost luggage, transfers, delay concerns or security issues of commercial flights, you'll be a lot more relaxed.