Bourbon. I never imagined that I would ever be found sitting at home or a bar caressing a glass of the beautiful amber toned whiskey. That’s because I didn’t truly understand what it was. I tend to cook with this…not drink it. I’ve even been to a number of food & drink events where bourbon makers were some of the most popular folks there. Instead of taking a closer look, I would simply walk by. What I didn’t realize is that with a little exploration, I would have learned a little about what it is, what it takes to make the different varieties or perhaps even walk away with the identity of one that suits my palate.
In late September, as part of National Bourbon Heritage Month, I attended a celebration at Southern Art and Bourbon Bar. They were named one of America’s 75 Best Bourbon Bars by Four Roses Bourbon. What does it take to receive such an honor?
The Criteria for being named one of the Top 75 Bourbon Bars are:
- Variation: Having a broad and wide selection of Bourbon is certainly the leading variable to operating one of the top Bourbon bars in America. You need to offer your patrons all the brands they’ve heard of and are comfortable with, but also introduce them to many more they might not have tried or are able to buy at a retail store.
- Staff: Knowing the history of Bourbon and the staple brands is a must if you want to be one of the 75 bars on this list. Bartenders and managers should be able to walk their customers through the different nuances of each Bourbon, such as the mashbill, distillery origin, proof and basic tasting procedures like examining the hue and aroma.
- Events: A bar that promotes and offers their customers special Bourbon gatherings is always a good way to stand out. Courting special Bourbon distillers as speaking guests or offering Bourbon pairings with interesting food or other drink pairings is something that should get you extra attention as a Bourbon haven.
- Menu: Bourbon should be the dominate category of your menu and should also have a strong presence if craft cocktails are served.
- Location: Know your surrounding competition. Having 80 Bourbons on the shelf probably won’t get you too much attention in Bourbon Country or other strongholds like Chicago or New York. But if you offer a decent variety in a remote location or city that is not considered a Bourbon hotspot and follow the other criteria, your chances of being considered a Bourbon Oasis are very high.
During the event, we experienced all of the above AND a bit of education about Four Roses Bourbon production. Our celebration included a tasting of Four Roses Yellow Label, Small Batch and Single Barrel Bourbons.
What I was able to retain after a few sips here and there was this:
- Bourbon comes from something called a Mash Bill, a grain recipe. Most distilleries have one mash bill and a particular yeast strain that is unique to their distillery. Four Roses runs two mash bills. One is 75% corn, 20% rye and 5% malted barley. The other is 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley.
- Four Roses also has five different yeast strains, each with different characteristics.
- The two mash bills and five yeast strains allows Four Roses to produce 10 different whiskies each year.
- The Yellow Label Bourbon we tried is the lightest of the three and is a blend of all 10 recipes. It’s 80 Proof and is aged about 6 years.
- The Small Batch is made using 4 of the 10 recipes. It’s 90 Proof with an average age of 7 years. This one was recommended for use when making a Manhattan.
- The Single Barrel is pretty straightforward – one recipe in one barrel. It’s 100 Proof and was described as being the most elegant of the three and I tend to agree. It was my favorite and is the reason why I can understand the social or singular desire to pour a glass and linger for a while.
In addition to the bourbon making tutelage, we were also able to indulge in the works of Southern Art’s culinary talent. Southern inspired starters like Church Lady Deviled Eggs with bacon, Pimento Cheese with Housemade Saltines, and an array of cheeses, meats and spreads delivered a taste of home in a warm and inviting setting.
Toward the beginning of our gathering, there was a conversation about my wish for a Bourbon Pecan Pie to land on our table for Thanksgiving. Imagine the joy when this beauty was delivered from the kitchen – and Bourbon Cake Pops too!!
Life is sweet and so very good!!
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar is a beautiful dining and gathering destination. It is well deserving of its accolades as one of America’s 75 Best Bourbon Bars. You’ll have to give them a try to see for yourself.
For more information on Four Roses Bourbon
Visit their Website | Follow on Instagram | on Twitter
For more information on Southern Art and Bourbon Bar
Visit their Website | Follow on Instagram | on Twitter
Disclosure: The Four Roses Bourbon and Southern Art Menu Tastings were complimentary. I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are based on my own personal experiences. You can view my full Disclosure Policy here.
