Music and whiskey are probably the only two things that make the best of

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time. The older they get, the more valued they become. The smooth pleasure of mature malt and the subtlety of the music of yesteryears so finely wedded as if it was a match made in heaven.

But like all perfect matches, good music and good whiskey, under one roof, is easier said than found in the country. It’s an open formula that very few pubs or restaurants seem to follow, much to the frustration of people like me.

But, as if to emphasis the bond between music and whiskey, a popular American whiskey brand has been actively involved in promoting rock ‘n’ roll in India. An initiative that all rock lovers should raise their toast to. Jack Daniels Annual Rock Awards has been among the most looked out for events by lovers of bourbon and rock ‘n’ roll since it started in 2005 here in India.

Unlike other rock shows, Jack Daniels Rock Awards take place in popular watering holes across cities and stretches for a couple of months. At the end of the party, performing musicians and bands are awarded based on votes and recommendation from a jury, while the crowd can cheer hic hic hooray!

Although, honestly, whenever I think of Jack Daniels, it’s not rock ‘n’ roll but country that pops in my mind. Whenever I’ve sipped JD, on rare occasions, George Jones’ Tennessee Whiskey plays in my head in repeated loops, that I start getting dizzy even before my first peg has hit rock bottom. But this year, at Jack Daniels tribute to Led Zeppelin, I was singing aloud every song I knew that was being played well past midnight. After the show it was Led Zep again all the way back home.

I had never tried Jack Daniel’s with Led Zeppelin before and I had never become so full of energy after work, after party and after midnight.

There was a time when Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin always downed Jack Daniels before very show. Now when I see Neal Preston’s, Led Zepp’s US tour photographer in the mid-70s, iconic photo of the legend gulping JD bottoms up, I know where his energy on the stage came from.

JD Rock Awards will move to Banglore with a tribute to Nirvana and finally end in Mumbai to the sound of Dire Straits in February 5, 2010. That means there is something to keep rock ‘n’ rollers warm till the winter is over.