Quote:
Originally Posted by chromakey
Need trip report
Let the TLDR begin
So this was in a smallish bar with an incredible liquor selection in Chapel Hill. I'm not sure how he got them to come out for it but he said he had contacted Julian Van Winkle several times in attempts to get as much PVW as he could so I guess they had become somewhat friendly. They set up this event with the Southern Food Alliance, which is an organization that works to document southern culture from music, to food, to folklore and whisky. Tickets weren't cheap ($180).
As soon as we opened the door to the place we were smacked in the face
by the smell of bourbon. I almost thought they had scented the hallway or something but when we saw the room it made sense as they had already poured all of the glasses like the setup in the pic x 70 or 80 I'd guess. They gave us a copy of "Always a Fine Bourbon" by Julian Van Winkle about the history of the distillery and his Grandfather ("Pappy") when we came in.
The intro and tasting didn't start till everyone got there so there was all you can drink Old fashions with muddled orange peel and house brandied cherries (why the drink looks so red). They were pretty tasty and we had several before they started the actual tasting. The food was brought while we were waiting as well. It was good but not great and was not a whole lot so I was glad I pre-ate. Yes, that was indeed chocolate covered bacon
. There should be a fat glutinous smiley. Along with that was ham, assorted crackers, pickled okra and pimento cheese w/ bacon.
The bartender talked about whisky, focusing on bourbon for a bit and then Julian Van Winkle talked some about the history of the company and then introduced and discussed each of the bourbons as we went through them tasting at first neat and then with a tiny bit of water.
We were given pens and a paper for note taking on each and by the end of it mine looked pure madness. I think I lost it in the course of the evening but am hoping I come across it again. I was mostly trying to word vomit any sort of descriptors that came to mind in any way. I really enjoyed all of the samples we had with my favorite probably being the 15 and my least favorite being the 23.
Would def recommend if something like this comes to your area.