Southern Comfort Whiskey
Southern Comfort Whiskey is a 750mL spirit whiskey with natural flavors, bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) — the Original expression of the New Orleans icon created by M.W. Heron in 1874, blending whiskey with fruit and spice accents. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 35% (70 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Spirit whiskey with natural flavors — whiskey with fruit and spice accents
- Origin: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Producer: Sazerac Company (brand owner since 2016)
- Heritage: Created in 1874 by bartender M.W. Heron — first called "Cuffs and Buttons"
The Grand Ole Drink of the South
In 1874, New Orleans bartender Martin Wilkes Heron set out to tame the harsh whiskeys of his day, blending his pours with stone fruit and spices into something smooth and satisfying — he first called it "Cuffs and Buttons," renamed it Southern Comfort, and Sazerac's own history calls it "The Grand Ole' Drink of the South." The brand's official site still describes Original as whiskey at its most laid back, with a just-right balance of sweetness and spice; Sazerac bought the brand in 2016 and brought it back to its Southern roots. Find it on the Southern Comfort vendor page and in our whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Per Sazerac: core whiskey notes with sweet, iconic fruit and spice accents — retailer-reproduced producer copy adds dominant stone fruit (peach and apricot) and vanilla. Smooth and satisfying, with a touch of sweetness throughout.
How to Enjoy
The classic serve is a Comfort and cola or a Scarlett O'Hara with cranberry and lime; it also sweetens a whiskey sour riff without extra syrup. More easy-drinking pours are in our spirits collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Comfort a whiskey or a liqueur?
Both histories are real: the US label wording is "Spirit Whiskey with Natural Flavors," Sazerac markets it as a whiskey today, and it was long classified as a whiskey liqueur — it is a whiskey-based drink flavoured with fruit and spices, not a straight whiskey.
How strong is Southern Comfort Original?
35% ABV (70 proof), per the brand's official FAQ — the Black expression is 40% and the 100 Proof is 50%; this listing is the Original.
Who invented Southern Comfort?
New Orleans bartender M.W. Heron, in 1874 — he blended stone fruit and spices into whiskey and called the result, after a first name of "Cuffs and Buttons," Southern Comfort.
A New Orleans original since 1874 — order Southern Comfort online today from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
