Happy Friday!
Not sure why it took me so long to discover Justified, a FX TV series based on Fire in the Hole, a story by Elmore Leonard. But if you like great, action-packed stories that make you think – not to mention, constantly watching characters pour and drink damn good bourbons this is a perfect one to sip bourbon too.
As you watch you’ll spot some great bottles – Wild Turkey 101, Ancient Age, Elmer T. Lee and of course, Pappy Van Winkle. Plus, Raylan Givens, the bad-ass US Marshal from KY, delivers one of the best bourbon lines ever –- “Bourbon is easy to understand. Tastes like a warm summer day.”
In fact, right now I’m enjoying a warm summer day (EH Taylor Small Batch) or three right now –- even though the sun has set.
In other news, I’ll turn 50 on Jan. 31, the same day we draw a winner for the Old Rip Van Winkle 10YR. (If you want a chance to win go here.) Just need to decide which of my bottles of Old Rip or Pappy to pop. Should I go 10, 12 or 15? Still have the kids graduating college, marriages, births, etc. So what do you think?
Before we get into this week’s 4 Shots, here’s a few links to check out:
This Week’s 4 Shots:
The cult of Pappy: Why Richmonders love this rare bourbon
Pappy Van Winkle.
For bourbon lovers, the name alone elicits reactions that most other spirits can only wish for.
“Until someone shows me otherwise, I believe there is Pappy and then there’s everything else,” Richmonder Sean Ryan said.
Fellow Richmonder John Batchelor agreed: “I have been fortunate enough to sample many different bourbons over the year — through a timely purchase, a generous friend or a restaurant with an above average spirits selection. In my view, it’s crystal clear, Pappy 23 is the best I have ever had, and it’s not even close.”
Barrel to Bottle, Ep. 18| To Pappy or Not to Pappy: Chasing the great bourbon unicorn
The hunt is on in the wide-world of whiskey for all things Pappy Van Winkle, but are there cheaper alternatives that are easier to find?This week, Kirsten Ellis and Jeff Carlin welcome back to Barrel to Bottle w/Binny’s Beverage Depot, Whiskey Hotline expert Joe Maloney and Beer Buzz expert Roger Adamson to find out. Kristen lays out the historic legacy of Pappy Van Winkle while Joe puts Roger and Jeff to the test in a blind tasting of unique alternatives to Pappy.
Changing the Game: Allocated Bourbon All Year
This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Jonathan Blue. For those of you who don’t know: Jonathan’s investment firm, Blue Equity, had already owned Party Mart and now recently acquired Liquor Barn with partners from Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd., a publicly traded company from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Talking about keeping Kentucky bourbon in Kentucky: That sure is one heck of a way to do it!
During our time together, we spoke of many things, but what struck my interest was how he plans to change the game, in regards to how allocated bourbons hit his store shelves. Jonathan seems to believe very firmly in customer loyalty, which is something I have preached for years. I have always felt customers should be rewarded for repeat business, and this is exactly what we should see very soon from Liquor Barn. Party Mart has been doing this in a similar fashion for a long time, which is why they have been my store of choice. These two stores will now operate as separate brands, but essentially, the same company.
Bourbon Bars are the New Dive Bar
It’s been 10 years since the great bourbon boom truly trickled into the everyday bar business. I’ve seen nearly a dozen bourbons in chain restaurants in places as random as Boise, Idaho. In major cities, if a bar doesn’t have at least 20 bourbons, some people walk out unimpressed. And of course, more than 100 bourbon-themed bars quench our thirst all over the country.
But there’s a new phase of bourbon bars and restaurants—they have no identity and don’t know who they’re targeting. So many bourbon bars employ bartenders who don’t know jack shit about bourbon.
The best at educating staffs and having an identity: Bourbon’s Bistro and Silver Dollar in Louisville; Jack Rose, Washington, D.C.; canon, Seattle; and Delilah’s, Chicago. All of which maintain massive bourbon, Scotch and Irish whiskey collections, servicing unique-to-them customers entirely different. For example, canon boasts the world’s most-impressive original cocktail list and is bubbling over with vintage whiskey, attracting cocktail lovers and whiskey geeks. Jack Rose appeals to this audience, too, but a U.S. senator is as likely to come here for the steak as the whiskey. And Delilah’s, well, the charm flows here.