Two tasting flights offered 3 (1oz.) pours, one for $5 and a higher-end option for $10. I was curious about the aged vodka and the single batch bourbon on offer so I went with the higher-end flight. Staff must have been charmed by Mama Metrosips and me out day drinking or something because they let me sample ALL of the products for the price of the $10 flight. #yay
Really enjoyed the Starka aged vodka - not sure I've tried one before; had aged gin, but this was very different. My taste buds aren't really sophisticated enough to pinpoint why, but guessing probably due to the aging in wine barrels rather than spirit barrels. Also liked the barrel strength bourbon. Living in the South has made me a bit snooty about my bourbons now (not unlike my issues with crab outside of Maryland) but this was a very pleasing blend of flavors with a wonderfully lush roll over the tongue. Would have actually bought a bottle, but the $55 price tag felt a bit indulgent for an impulse buy. Regretting that now though.
The Aquavit was also a nice, different offering - dry and not too viscous, without the cloying anise you can sometimes get. It's taken me a long time to embrace some of the heritage tastes of my Scandinavian family like caraway, rye, and licorice, but I'm getting there. Really appreciated their efforts to curate a product line that is unique but also approachable.
Looking at their merch wall, a random memory occurred to me; this is, in fact, the company whose coaster I have accidentally cemented to my window sill. It happened so early on at this apartment that at one point I assumed someone else left it there (not actually reading the name in the logo). Now, of course, I realize the odds are no other Atlantan would have done that. #yepIdidthat Sigh. Oops. Any tips on how to remove the damn thing without damaging the paint job would be much appreciated...Anywho, I was highly impressed by the knowledgeable, amiable staff, and wanted to bring home all the food products they had (rotating local bourbon hot sauces, ginger syrups for Moscow mules, whiskey caramels - all available in store only) but budget restraints won out. Bought a bottle of their American Whiskey, a 100% malted barley mash, with a 20% discount for having done the tasting. Pretty smooth for the price point, with a pleasant vanilla finish. Also, you get to keep the 4oz. tasting glass! Bonus. Great impromptu find in the city, and a tasty start to my visit home.
You can always find this place packed on a weekend night and sometimes they host parties that you can't get into, but other than that happening every once in a while this is the place to be. The New York Event Venues have nice upstairs and down stairs area.
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