Distilled: Ten Bourbon Bars Worth the Pilgrimage

Plus: A cocktail for baseball season; wedding barrels

The other night, I stopped in for a bourbon and a bite at Paddock & Whisky, which happens to be in my neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The bar stocks three-hundred-plus whiskeys, and after asking the bartender for some recommendations, I went with a flight of two Russell’s Reserve barrel picks, an eight-year and a nine-year (actually nine years, eleven months). The eight-year was good. The nine-year was...excellent. We started talking about aging and sweet spots and then somehow got on the topic of bourbons finished in rum barrels, which I’m going to have to try next time. “It’s cool how much variety there is these days,” she said. “You can always find something that’s your own personal bourbon.” That’s the thing about a good whiskey bar—the world is your bourbon oyster. Speaking of, you’ll find ten top bars in this week’s Distilled. These spots offer access in some cases to thousands of bottles, not to mention some great bourbon conversation. As for personal bourbon, we also take a look at the growing trend of couples choosing their own barrel for their weddings. And to welcome baseball season, chef Ann Kim, from our own Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta, offers up a bourbon cocktail featuring a spicy-sweet Coke syrup and peanuts. I’ll see you at the bar.

Voluminous shelves, vintage bottles, and bartenders who know their stuff: These “bourbontoriums” are whiskey heaven.

INTRODUCING CIGORA, THE ONLINE HOME FOR PREMIUM CIGARS. There’s a Narnia-like moment when you step into a great cigar shop. The door closes behind you, the outside world recedes, and the scents of cedar, leather, and spice envelop you as a tobacconist shares the stories tucked on the shelves. What if that same experience existed online? That’s the idea behind Cigora, a premium digital cigar community that blends education and conversation with a curated selection of respected brands and sampler collections. Even better: Cigora offers free shipping on all orders, making it easier than ever to explore new cigars. As an exclusive perk only for Garden & Gun Distilled subscribers, Cigora is offering 15% off orders (code CIGORA15, exclusions apply) through April 15. Explore Cigora.com.

For a personal spirited touch at your reception, consider your own barrel pick.

New Orleans–based bartender Chris Hannah has earned two James Beard Awards for Outstanding Bar Program for his work at the beloved French Quarter institution Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, which he ran for fourteen years, and Jewel of the South, which he cofounded in 2019. Hannah is also a cofounder and partner at Manolito in New Orleans, named after legendary Cuban bartender Manuel “Manolito” Carbajo Aguiar.

What’s the most popular bourbon you’re pouring?
We’re still seeing Blanton’s, Basil Hayden, and Buffalo Trace whiskeys called for at Jewel.

What’s the bourbon you’re drinking after-hours?
At a neighborhood bar after work: Wild Turkey. At my house after work: Pinhook or Four Roses.

What’s your dream bottle?
Larry Rice’s new label, of course. Also, the yearly limited release from Four Roses or any eight-to-twelve-year Willett Single Barrel.

Your most popular bourbon cocktail?
The Night Tripper [bourbon, amaro, Strega, and Peychaud’s bitters, named in honor of Dr. John].

What’s the most common question you get about bourbon?
Other than “Can bourbon be made outside of Kentucky?” it would be “Is Jack Daniel’s bourbon?”

Other than your own bar, where’s the best spot to drink bourbon?
Barrel Proof in New Orleans.

Neat? One cube? Crushed?
Neat: under 90 proof. One cube: over 90 proof. Crushed: julep only.

Raise a glass to baseball season with this cocktail from the Garden & Gun Club at the Battery Atlanta that mixes bourbon, Coke, and peanuts.

Bourbon fans can show their school spirit with the debut of five Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles ($35). The starting lineup pays homage to the University of Alabama, University of Florida, Syracuse University, Texas Christian University, and the University of South Carolina with wax-dipped bottles sporting team logos and colors.

Jack Daniel’s triples down on age statements with the second release of a fourteen-year, cask-strength whiskey ($150) and the addition of a ten-year ($90) and twelve-year ($100) whiskey to its Aged Series. The distillery is also for the first time offering a chance to purchase one of the limited-edition bottles via an online sweepstakes, open through April 7.

Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its exploration of wheat varietals with Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat ($550), following a debut release in 2023 made with Emmer wheat. An ancient grain more often used in baking, spelt brings a nutty, rustic character to the ten-year-old, 94-proof bourbon.

Louisville is gearing up for the 152nd Kentucky Derby with the return of Mint Julep Month, celebrated throughout April with juleps, cocktail classes, and events across the city. Download the mobile passport for details, and if you can’t make it to Derby City, consider G&G’s Mint Julep Month Dinner (April 23) at the Crunkleton in Charlotte.

Have you ever toured a bourbon barge? Beginning today, Ingram Distillery opens its Western Kentucky site to visitors with tours that include visits to its floating barrelhouses moored on the Mississippi River and tastings.

Set a calendar reminder: Tickets for the 35th annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, four days of sips, seminars, and parties held in September in Bardstown, go on sale April 14.

—Tom Wilmes, G&G contributor

THE LATEST FROM G&G