Proof Magazine Winter 2023

PROOF m a g a z i n e for Ohio spirit lovers winter 2023

Seasonal SIPS

Impress your friends with cocktails that will take you from Halloween to New Year’s Eve!

PROOF magazine

President & Publisher

content team Managing Editor Senior Editor Associate Editor Assistant Editor Managing Art Director Art Director Associate Art Directors Editorial Contributors

“ ” “ ”

Lute Harmon Jr.

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Claudia Plumley Kelsey Miller Gwynnie Ball Espresso martini Jennifer Coon with peppermint Stephanie Mauric Lindsey Smith Michael Hughes, Sel James Jason Brill, Nicholas Dekker, Alexia Kemerling, Michael Pramik, Rich Warren

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Spiked Apple Cider

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production@ohiomagazine.com Operations Manager Matt Kraniske Production Manager John Sisler Advertising Traffic Coordinator Hannah Bower

Corporate

HULI HULI TIKI LOUNGE: CHRIS CASELLA

Chief Financial Officer Finance Director Accounts Payable Coordinator

George Sedlak Perry Zohos Geli Valli

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Sugar Cookie Martini rimmed with sprinkles!

Pair it with homemade sugar cookies

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Cleveland Magazine | Ohio Magazine Lake Erie Living | Custom Media Quest Digital 1422 Euclid Ave., Ste. 730, Cleveland, OH 44115 216-771-2833 | glpublishing.com

What’s your favorite festive cocktail?

I

t’s no secret that I love festive drinks.

There’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than with a drink smoking with dry ice or maybe served in a glowing witches caldron — yep, I’ve done that!

Christmas time has even more festive options with Santa mugs, reindeershaped shot glasses and more. In this issue of Proof Magazine, Jason Brill takes you around Ohio to bars that celebrate Halloween and the holidays in big style. At Huli Huli Tiki Lounge in Powell, you’ll find smoking drinks (like the one I’m holding above) year-round, but manager Rick Ryan creates a new menu for both seasons.

If you’d rather warm up with something strong in your glass, read Alexia Kemerling’s story on ouzo.

This anise-flavored drink is revered in Greece. Typically 90 proof, it’s a good sipping drink for nights at home around the Christmas tree. If you prefer bourbon, read Alexia’s story on the B-Line — the 25-stop bourbon trail in northern Kentucky. Travel further south in Kentucky with Michael Pramik, who takes you to Louisville for a weekend getaway at two bourbon-themed boutique hotels and the many distilleries nearby.

He chats with Missy Hillock, co-owner of Chateau Bourbon, a wonderful B&B with bourbon balls you’ll never forget.

And finally, we’ve shared holiday recipes that incorporate spirits.

Nicholas Dekker shares recipes for bourbon brownies, eggnogspiced cookies and bourbon balls.

Happy holidays!

— CLAUDIA PLUMLEY, EDITOR

Copyright 2023 by Great Lakes Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without permission of Great Lakes Publishing. All rights reserved. Great Lakes Publishing is not responsible for errors or omissions. All information is subject to change.

PROOF MAGAZINE

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TAKE A PEEK The Holiday Issue 2023

08

Pumpkin Margarita 2 oz.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila ¾ oz. Lime juice ¾ oz. Pumpkin Carrot Spice Syrup 1 Lime wedge Black salt Pumpkin Carrot Spice Syrup 5 oz. pumpkin puree 5 oz. agave nectar 2 ½ oz. carrot juice 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice Whisk to combine syrup. Run a lime wedge along half of the outer rim of a rocks glass and roll in black salt. Then set it aside. Add all of the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, then strain into the prepared glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with a lime wedge.

From Jose Cuervo Tequila

02 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

25 18

NEW RIFF DISTILLING: RICK MARIANI; PENNIFOLD’S PUB: CATIE VIOX; THE FLYING PEPPER: SMALL NATION

ISSUE

in this

16

SPIRITED ADVENTURER 04

Writer Michael Pramik takes you along on his recent weekend getaway to Louisville.

THAT’S THE SPIRIT 06 Toast to the holidays with a glass of ouzo.

SEASONAL SIPS 08

Impress your friends with cocktails that will take you from Halloween to New Year’s Eve.

WHAT’S NEW 10

Find out what new products are on Ohio’s liquor shelves.

GET IN THE SPIRIT 13

Five holiday pop-up cocktail experiences not to be missed.

BAR OWNER TO KNOW 16

Jacob Trevino’s Gorilla Cinema brings creativity to Cincinnati.

BEHIND THE BAR 18

Head to an historic district in Dayton and downtown Bellefontaine.

BOURBON & BEYOND 22

Two bourbon-centered spots to stay in Louisville.

MAKE A B-LINE TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY 25

Follow the B-Line to hot spots in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.

SPIRITED BAKING 28

Infuse a little extra spirit into your holidays with bourbon brownies.

PROOF MAGAZINE

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SPIRITED Adventurer

Missy Hillock with her husband, John, and her mother, Carol Thomas, have operated Chateau Bourbon Bed & Breakfast in Louisville for eight years.

We asked Missy what it’s like to be a host along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Did you start Chateau Bourbon to capitalize on the bourbon explosion of the past decade?

We had been living in Norton Commons for a couple of years and saw the potential of the neighborhood. We love to travel, and we love bourbon, and we both really like to cook. It was just a good fit for us.

Chateau Bourbon is part of Select Registry, a listing of fine properties.

What does that mean to your B&B? Georgia McIntosh pours a Fort Nelson Crusta at Michter’s Distillery’s Bar in Louisvile.

Bourbon’s Magical City STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PRAMIK

a

s a bourbon enthusiast living in the heart of Ohio, I always look forward to visiting Louisville, Kentucky.

Louisville’s lively downtown is highlighted by bourbon-centric bars and restaurants, which foster a vibrant community of like-minded connoisseurs.

I love wandering into a bistro or pizza joint and seeing diverse whiskey collections behind the bar. The city’s Whiskey Row is a historic thoroughfare where the rich flavors and aromas of finely crafted spirits are revered.

During my latest visit, I discovered two lodgings that truly shine in the realms of graciousness and the art of refinement. Hotel Distil is a jewel in the heart of Whiskey Row. You must respect

04 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

a place that rings a bell in the lobby every day (at 19:33 military time) to mark the end of Prohibition nearly a century ago.

And for those who’d prefer to stay on the outskirts of town, there’s the wonderful bed and breakfast called Chateau Bourbon. The innkeepers, Missy and John Hillock, go all out to make spirits fans feel welcome through themed room decor, hearty morning meals that smartly employ bourbon in each course and a daily happy hour cocktail (with dessert) for all guests.

Each of these lodgings add to the city’s enchantment for bourbon devotees and can transform a Louisville sojourn into something even more special.

We believe it gives us a good flow of visitors, as we’re one of 200 or so properties in the country with that distinction.

I’m on the Select Registry board as well, so we have a good network of keepers across the country we can touch base with.

What do your guests say they like about coming to Louisville?

They like being exposed to so many brands of bourbon, some that a lot of people haven’t heard of in their state. There are a lot of whiskeys you can only get in Kentucky because it takes so long for smaller brands to get into different markets.

Did we hear you have your own bourbon brand coming out?

It will be called Kentucky Goddess, and it’s an ode to women in the bourbon industry.

We’re going to be sourcing barrels and distilling at a local craft distillery. By this time next year, we’ll have our own bourbon.

06 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

OUZO

That’s the Spirit

As the year comes to a close, we recommend toasting with a spirit steeped in a culture of camaraderie.

Ouzo, an anise-flavored aperitif, is the perfect pour.

F

or fans of licorice and absinthe, ouzo will be a quick favorite. If that’s not your typical style, there may be a learning curve as your palate adjusts, but don’t count yourself out. This Greek classic is worth trying — especially for the snacks served as pairings. Feta cheese, olives, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves … the mouthwatering list goes on.

To indulge the traditional way, serve ouzo neat in a tall skinny glass, like a highball glass. Then, add a few drops of ice cold water. As the anise reacts to the cold liquid, the drink will shift from clear to a milky color, as if a cloud has been condensed into your glass. The amount of water you add is up to you, and you can continue to add more as you drink. Sip slowly — ouzo is meant to be enjoyed thoughtfully with friends before or after dinner.

Traditionally, ouzo is not a cocktail ingredient. If you do want to experiment, consider using it as a

BY ALEXIA KEMERLING

rinse, similar to absinthe’s role in mixed drinks. Or, go for a simple approach, like stirring ouzo with lemon juice, mint leaves, honey and iced water.

While anise is ouzo’s strongest flavor, other spices like cardamom, cinnamon, clove or fennel may be used in the distilling process as well. The spirit’s base is made from the remnants of grapes that have been pressed for winemaking.

Then, the product is distilled in copper pot stills. The commercial distilling process dates back to the 19th century, shortly after Greece’s independence was finally recognized. There are distilleries all over the country, but over half are located on the island of Lesvos. You’ll also find specialized bars called ouzeries that serve savory small plates and a wide variety of ouzos.

In Ohio, you’ll find several ouzo options, including the classic Ouzo 12, ready to transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean Sea.

Anise – The Star of Spirits The tiny star-shaped seed anise packs flavor that either delights or deters.

Its unique profile is worth exploring as it shows up in a variety of spirits.

Absinthe, maybe the most well known in the U.S., has a storied history and is often used as a cocktail rinse. Sambuca, an Italian liquor, is served neat or with one to three coffee beans in the glass. Turkey’s popular drink, raki, symbolizes friendship and nobility and is served after meals. Lebanon brings to the table arak, which is triple-distilled and aged in clay.

These anise-flavored spirits share common qualities, but have diverse histories and cultural experiences that are worth an exploration all their own.

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Seasonal SIPS IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS WITH THESE FUN COCKTAILS THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM HALLOWEEN TO NEW YEAR’S EVE!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN KOPANSKI

2 Bacardí Bat Brew

1 Tito’s Pecan Old Fashioned 2 oz.

3 1-2 1 1-3

toasted pecan-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka dashes of orange bitters brown sugar cubes orange peel cranberries

Toasted Pecan Infusion 750 mL. Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1 ½ cup toasted pecans

1 ½ oz.

1 oz. ¾ oz.

Bacardí Coconut Flavored Rum Cold Brew Monin Vanilla Syrup

Combine Bacardí Coconut Flavored Rum, cold brew and Monin vanilla syrup.

Shake all ingredients together with ice.

Strain into chilled coupe or martini glass.

Serve chilled. From Bacardí

Toast pecans in a 350°F oven until they become aromatic.

(About 5 minutes.) Let pecans cool, drop them into a resealable jar and fill with Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Store in a cool, dark place for 1 month.

Muddle 1-2 brown sugar cubes and 3 dashes of bitters.

Add toasted pecan-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka and one large ice cube. Stir with a bar spoon and twist orange peel directly over your drink.

Garnish with cranberries.

From Tito’s Handmade Vodka

3 1

08 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

2

4

3 Zombie Madness 1 ½ oz. ½ oz. ½ oz. ½ oz.

1 oz.

2 ½ oz.

Wheat Penny 1958 Bourbon Apricot Brandy Kraken Black Spiced Rum Irish Mist Lime Juice No Pulp Orange Juice

6 Salted Caramel Truffle ½ oz. ½ oz.

3 1 1

Pomegranate Juice Agave Syrup Dashes Cardamom Bitters Maraschino Cherry Orange Wheel

Fill a hurricane glass with ice. In a shaker tin, add all the ingredients except for cherry and orange wheel and add ice. Shake and strain into the hurricane glass. Garnish with the cherry and orange wheel. From Cleveland Whiskey

4 Warm Apple Pie 2 oz.

3 oz. ½ oz.

1

Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack Tennessee Cider Hot Chai Tea Maple Syrup Lemon Slice Whipped Cream

Squeeze lemon in bottom of mug.

Add tea and Winter Jack. Stir in maple syrup and top with whipped cream.

From Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

1 oz.

2 oz.

2 oz.

Noble Cut Salted Caramel Whiskey chocolate liqueur Noble Cut Signature Vodka

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

Strain into a martini glass. Add whipped cream over the cocktail.

Shave chocolate over the whipped cream. From Noble Cut Distillery

7 Hot Spiced Apple 150 ml.

750 ml.

3

Hendrick’s Gin Spiced Apple Juice Apple slices Grated nutmeg

Spiced Apple Juice 2 whole cloves 2 crushed cardamom pods 2 star anise juniper berries 1 orange peel

Simmer the apple juice with spices in a pan. Add gin.

Serve in a tankard or teacup and garnish with three slices of apple and a dusting of nutmeg. From Hendrick’s Gin

5 Pear and Bubbles 1-1 ½ oz. Pear Brandy Sparkling Wine

5

Pour brandy into champagne flute and fill the rest with sparkling wine to taste.

From Hood River Distillers

7

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What’sNew Find these new products on the shelves of OHLQ locations.

Stay in the know about what’s coming soon on OHLQ.com.

VAP = Value Added Pack

Brandy

Tikves Lozova Rakija Aged Grape Brandy - $34.79

Cordials

Athens West End Distillery Hazelnut Liqueur - $45.79 Cazadores Cafe - $29.99 Crooked Finger Apple Pie Liqueur - $43.12 Crooked Finger Lemonade Liqueur - $34.69 Jagermeister Aluminum Shot Cup VAP - $25.99 Noble Cut Distillery Limoncello Limited Edition - $39.99

Gin

Gervasi Pink Peppercorn Gin - $35 Lost Bridge Appalachian Gin - $34.99 Nordes Atlantic Gin - $29.13

Rum

Dead Man’s Rum - $29.17 Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection MarkXXII Touchstone Rum - $149.99 Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum - $32.99

Mi Campo Spicy Jalapeño Margarita RTD - $13.99 Milagro Añejo - $19.99 Number Juan Blanco Tequila - $49.95 Number Juan Reposado Tequila - $59.99 Patrón El Alto - $179.99 Patrón El Cielo - $129.99 Pluma Negra Jabali - $149.99

Tanduay Double Rum - $49.99

Tequila Ocho Reposado - $59.99

Tequila

Vodka

Cierto Blanco Tequila - $89.99

A.M. Scott Distillery Strawberry Vodka - $19.99

A1800 Cucumber & Jalapeño - $30.99 Código 1530 Double Barrel George Strait Rosa Reposado - $74.99 Código 1530 Tequila Añejo Rare Hare Playboy Black - $999.99 Corazón Expresiones French Oak Añejo - $79.99 Corazón Expresiones Weller 12 Añejo - $79.99 Don Fulano Añejo - $89.99 Don Fulano Blanco - $54.99 Don Fulano Reposado - $64.99 El Mayor Extra Añejo Bourbon Barrel Aged - $129.99 ElVelo Blanco Tequila - $39.99

A.M. Scott Distillery Orange Cream Vodka - $29.04

A.M. Scott Distillery Birthday Cake Vodka - $19.99 Candella Distillery Potato Vodka - $38.30 The Community Spirit Vodka - $27.99 Crystal Head Bone Bottle - $52.99 Echo Spirits x Columbus Underground Blackberry Vodka - $25 Hayner Lemonade Vodka - $19.95 Hayner Strawberry Lemonade Flavored Vodka - $19.95

Komos Añejo Reserva - $169.99

The New Richmond Distilleries Craft Vodka - $26.55

La Caza Añejo Tequila - $85

Rustic Brew Farm Vodka - $35.29

La Caza Blanco Tequila - $55

St. Elmo Espresso Martini RTD - $29.99

La Caza Tequila Reposado - $65 Los Magos Sotol 6 Year Reserva - $293.09 Los Magos Sotol Barrel-Aged WhistlePig Edition 1 - $65.03 10 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal - $39.99

Three Bishops Vodka - $10.15

Whiskey

1776 Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof - $44.99 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof - $44.99 2xo Innkeepers - $99.99 Aberfeldy 15 Napa Valley Wine Cask - $69.99

Brother’s Bond American Blended Rye Whiskey - $49.99

Hand Barrel White Marble Bourbon Whiskey - $64.99

Brother’s Bond Cask Strength Whiskey - $84.99

Hayner 7 Year Barrel Proof Rye - $89.95

Buckner’s 15 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon - $299.99

Hayner First Light Optimus Conatus - $69.95

Celtic Honey - $25.99

Hayner Honey Bourbon Whiskey - $64.95

Chattanooga Whiskey Rye - $42.99 Chivas XV - $49.99

Barrell Gray Label Seagrass - $149.99 Barrell Vantage - $84.99

Dalmore Scotch 30 Year Old 2023 Edition - $6,178.86

Belfour Rye - $57.99

The Deacon - $39.99

Belfour Small Batch Straight Bourbon - $71.49

Dewars Double Double 21 Mizunara - $149.99

Bird Dog Gingerbread Whiskey - $19.99

Fercullen Falls Irish Whiskey Small Batch - $34.99

Bird Dog S’Mores Whiskey - $19.99

Flatrock Moonshiner Huck Pear Corn Whiskey - $24.21

Blackened Cask Strength Volume 4 - $69.99 Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey - $104.99 Blue Run Reflection 95 Proof Bourbon - $84.99 Bluegrass Distillers Toasted Oak Bourbon - $62.78 Brain Brew Dexter Small Batch Rye - $59.97

Hayner Maple Bourbon Whiskey - $64.95 Heaven’s Door 10 Year Decade Series 02 Straight Rye - $99.99 Heaven’s Door Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $54.99

Flatrock Ohio Sweet Corn Moonshine - $33.85 Four Dogs Distilling Black Dog Bourbon Rye - $58.95 Four Dogs Distilling Mountain Dog Whiskey - $39.99 Green Spot Quails’ Gate - $99.99 H. Deringer Bourbon - $106.99

Heaven’s Door Straight Rye Sherry Cask - $69.99 High N’ Wicked The Judge Straight Bourbon Whiskey - $89.99 James Ownby Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey - $37.50 Knob Creek Rye 7 Year - $39.99 Kujira 15 Year Ryukyu Whisky - $249.99 Loch Lomond The Open Course Edition - Royal Liverpool 22 Year - $319.99

The Original Single Malt, A Holiday Tradition.

D R I N K R E S P O N S I B L Y. Tennessee Whiskey, 40% Alc. by Vol. (80 proof). Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, 40% Alc. by Vol. (80 proof). Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, 47% Alc. by Vol. (94 proof). Whiskey Specialty, 35% Alc. by Vol. (70 proof). Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey, 45% Alc. by Vol. (90 proof). Distilled and Bottled by Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JACK DANIEL’S, OLD NO.7, GENTLEMAN JACK, TENNESSEE HONEY are registered trademarks. ©2022 Jack Daniel’s.

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Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition 2023 - $44.99

Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Cask Strength Rye - $69.99

Method and Madness Japanese Mizunara - $3,300.01

Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Cask Strength Whiskey - $69.99

New Richmond Grant Whiskey - $47.47

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Cask Strength Bourbon - $69.99

NULU Four Grain Straight Bourbon - $79.99

Rubicon Creek Myth Single Barrel - $59.99

NULU Toasted Four Grain Bourbon - $86.99

Scotty’s Apple Whiskey - $39.99

O.K.I. Straight Bourbon Whiskey - $79.99

Seven Brothers Cask Strength Bourbon - $59.99

O.K.I. Straight Rye Whiskey - $79.99 Old Charter Oak Spanish Oak - $69.99 Old Pepper Single Malt Small Batch - $54.99 Old Route 8 Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon - $114.99 Old Soul Single Barrel Bourbon High Rye - $69.99 Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey - $19.99 Pursuit United Bourbon with Toasted and French Oak - $74.99 Pursuit United Rye with Sherry French Revere Oak - $74.99

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Scotty’s Peach Whiskey - $39.99

Seven Brothers Cask Strength Malt Whiskey - $59.99 Teeling Wonders of Wood Portuguese Oak - $99.99 WhistlePig Piggyback Rye VAP - $49.99 WhistlePig Summerstock - $72.99 Yu Japanese Whisky - $35.99

GET IN THE

Spirit Creative cocktails and Christmas go together like Clark Griswold and over-the-top holiday decor.

Luckily, these five holiday pop-up cocktail experiences don’t fail to deliver, unlike the hapless main character from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

BY JASON BRILL

THE CITIZEN’S TRUST: MIRACLE POP-UP; BELLWETHER: TOLEDO SPIRITS

pictured: Drink from festive glasses at The Citizen’s Trust. right: Order a pictureperfect cocktail at Toledo Spirits’ Bellwether.

If a high-society, Hollywood-esque Christmas celebration sounds like something you’d want to unwrap, the Miracle pop-up at The Citizen’s Trust in downtown Columbus might be the gift that keeps on giving. The swanky setting in a former ornate bank lobby gets a little kitschy for the holidays with festive mugs you can purchase to continue the fun back home. “We put a giant inflatable igloo in there that you can sit inside of and have a cocktail,” says bar manager Chris Marek. “There’s all sorts of inflatables.” While the drink recipes usually change every year, expect cocktails such as a holiday-spiced old fashioned, a boozy eggnog and a Christmas-themed cosmopolitan.

Find more festive drinks at Sleigh Bellwether, a holiday pop-up in Toledo Spirits’ dedicated cocktail lounge Bellwether. In the spirit of the season, the lounge is adorned with over-the-top Christmas decor. But the real reason to head here is for the holiday-themed cocktails made using Toledo Spirits’ own liquors and house-made syrups and infusions. The menu changes every year, but count on there being a spiked eggnog, a gingerbread old fashioned and a holiday-themed Moscow mule.

“The vibe is just killer because it’s really about family. It’s about sharing the season,” says cofounder Dustin Wade, who notes the spot also hosts a Halloweenthemed pop-up called Hellwether.

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Great Lakes Brewing Co., the famed brewers of Christmas Ale, decided to spread the festive love, opening the Secret Cellar Christmas Bar pop-up in the Cleveland brewery’s cozy cellar bar. While they know beer, they also show they know cocktails too.

The menu fluctuates year to year, but past concoctions have included an apple pie old fashioned made with cinnamon-infused bourbon and a bourbon-infused eggnog. Beer lovers can order Ralphie’s Revenge, Christmas Ale served with a Fireball whiskey chaser, which is named after the main character from A Christmas Story. Expect lavish vintage and Cleveland-themed decor.

“Every year we try to go bigger and brighter than the last, and that’s part of the fun!” says Mychael Montgomery, general manager of brewpub operations.

TROPICAL CELEBRATIONS

Highlights from Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Secret Cellar Christmas Bar pop-up.

Tiki and Christmas go together like Santa and reindeer. “A lot of the really critical classic ingredients in tropical cocktails go really well flavor pairing-wise with a lot of traditional holiday flavors,” says Tim Harnett, a mixologist at Tiki Underground, which hosts an annual Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Pop Up. While the Cuyahoga Valley bar’s menu varies from year to year, depending on the spirits the bar has to work with, the drinks usually feature warm, aromatic spirits such as dark rum and whiskeys. Last year’s drinks included the Nativity Strength, made

IT’S WOW SEASON

WOODFORD RESERVE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT WHISKEY, 45.2% ALC. BY VOL., THE WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLERY, VERSAILLES, KY. WOODFORD RESERVE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. ©2022 BROWN-FORMAN.

14 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

GREAT LAKES BREWING CO.: GREAT LAKES BREWING CO.

C R A F T E D C A R E F U L LY. D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY.

with rum, lime, house-made cinnamon syrup, cranberry and orange, or the Reinkiller, featuring rum, eggnog, pineapple and orange. “The main draw is the one-month window people have to come in and experience these short-lived cocktails,” says Harnett.

Sure, tiki is tropical and citrusy — but it’s also mysterious according to Rick Ryan, general manager at Huli Huli Tiki Lounge in Powell. “There’s kind of a darkness and exotic mystery on the horizon,” he says.

That’s what makes it such a natural fit for a Halloween pop-up, such as Huli Huli’s Shrieki Tiki. This fall, the bar gets dressed up around monster movie themes and features cocktails such as Guillermo’s Faustian Deal. In November, the bar turns into a Christmas pop-up, Huli Holiday, with decor to match many holiday moods from Christmas schtick to a wintry wonderland. While the cocktail menu often changes year to year, one constant is She Wrapped Up Her Damn Cat, made with spiced Evan Williams bourbon, ginger shrub, clove orange rosemary syrup, pomegranate and passionfruit.

“People love the simplicity of it,” Ryan says of the drink inspired by National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

ABOVE: Holiday cocktails include the Reinkiller at Tiki Underground. pictured: Drink from spooky mugs during Shrieki Tiki at Huli Huli Tiki Lounge.

ESPRESSO MARTINI GET COZY WITH COFFEE LIQUEUR! REINKILLER: TIKI UNDERGROUND; SHRIEKI TIKI: HULI HULI TIKI LOUNGE

GERVASI VINEYARD Gervasi’s Giava liqueur is an exquisite composition emanating from tailor-roasted coffee delivering rich coffee flavors and aromas augmented by alluring sweetness.

1½ oz GS Small-Batch Vodka 1¼ oz GV Cold Brew Coffee ½ oz GS Giava Liqueur ½ oz Baileys

Shake the ingredients in a shaker tin filled with ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with Espresso Beans.

canton, oh • gervasivineyard.com PROOF MAGAZINE

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LEFT: Movie fans will like the Overlook Lodge.

PICTURED: A magical cocktail from Pennifold’s Pub.

Jacob Trevino’s Gorilla Cinema brings creativity to Cincinnati spaces.

BY RICH WARREN

W

hat exactly is Cincinnati’s Gorilla Cinema? It’s been described as a “hospitality group,” one that offers imaginative bar and restaurant concepts. It’s also been labeled “a creative experience company.”

Begun in 2014 as a series of pop-up events to bring together people who love movies, drinks and food, Gorilla Cinema today has a number of brickand-mortar establishments in the Queen City, along with its continuing pop-ups, each one with a unique and entertaining theme.

As founder and owner Jacob Trevino explains, “We want to spark

16 | PROOF MAGAZINE Winter 2023

wonder and curiosity in our patrons in an environment they’re not likely to forget. For that reason, each of our properties tells a story of some sort with food and beverage to accompany it. Our hope is to create environments people are actually excited to visit, one that surprises them and even ignites their imagination.”

Currently, Gorilla Cinema properties that combine cocktails and dining with immersive experiences are Tokyo Kitty, a Lost in Translation-themed Japanese karaoke bar with seven private rooms; The Overlook Lodge with rustic decor reminiscent of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining; and The Lonely Pine

OVERLOOK LODGE: HAILEY BOLLINGER; PENNIFOLD’S PUB: CATIE VIOX

Know BAR OWNER TO

Steakhouse with a mid-century modern motif inspired by the mythic Route 66.

Also among the mix is La Ofendra Tequila, paying homage to Trevino’s roots in south Texas and his Mexican grandparents. With one of Cincinnati’s largest selections of tequila and mezcal, the bar conjures up the 1940s Mexican cinema. Trevino recently sold another long-time establishment, Tiki Tiki Bang Bang, a tiki-themed speakeasy, to its former manager. “I fully expect the passionate employees there will pick up the torch and run with it,” he says.

Gorilla Cinema’s newest establishment, Cosmic Gorilla, located near Findlay Market, is a comic book store filled with a wide variety of pop culture merchandise.

The bar associated with it, however, is a perfect example of how Gorilla Cinema’s creative team is constantly reinventing its spaces.

When it opened in 2021, the bar operated as a superhero themed establishment called “Capes and Cloaks.”

That was followed by a wizard-themed bar called “Pennifold’s Pub,” making a nod to Harry Potter, and then “Galactic Cantina,” paying homage to the bar for bounty hunters in the original Star Wars movie. That will be followed by — who knows?

“My amazing creative team generates so many ideas, we’re constantly thinking of new concepts to create,” Trevino explains.

That creative team includes Trevino’s wife, Katie, the company’s creative director. Their fondness for creating memorable pop-up events (like past ones set in a Pan Am layover lounge) will continue with the Horror Movie Survival Camp weekly event with viewings of horror movies at the Overlook Lodge next door, as well as the Christmas themed Miracle at the Overlook.

Late this year or in early 2024, Gorilla Cinema’s empire will extend outside Cincinnati when a yet-to-benamed Palm Springs cocktail bar opens in Dublin’s Bridge Park.

Expect any cocktail you order at a Gorilla Cinema establishment to be as imaginative as the bar’s atmosphere.

The Overlook Lounge’s Writer’s Block is a case in point with its mix of teainfused bourbon, apple berry sweet tea and St. Germain.

Likewise, the cocktail called Kissu at Tokyo Kitty is a blend of Captain Morgan Coconut, Strawberry Pucker, banana milk and Coco Lopez. Margarita lovers can choose from a variety of flavors (not to mention dozens of types of tequila) at La Ofrenda Tequila, even avocado.

“Often we’ll take classic cocktail recipes and mix them up by adding one new ingredient to add an element of surprise,” Trevino says. “Surprise is what we’re all about.”

BEHIND THE

BAR All across the state you’ll find unique bars and restaurants with surprising cocktails, great food and vast collections of spirits that are destinations all on their own. From a historic district in Dayton to thriving downtown Bellefontaine, here are two destinations worth seeking out this season!

BY NICHOLAS DEKKER

Belle of Dayton

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The Flying Pepper

Even before settling in downtown Bellefontaine in late 2020, The Flying Pepper was well known all around the area. Owners Humberto Nieto and Laura Haverkos launched their food truck in 2016 at the Logan County Farmers Market, taking it around to Urbana, Springfield and Yellow Springs.

The food truck continues to make the rounds, but now guests have a brick-and-mortar destination for their authentic tacos, enchiladas verde, grilled poblanos and tortas — not to mention their notable selection of spirits.

The Flying Pepper took over a beautiful, red brick storefront in Bellefontaine with a modern but comfortable interior, highlighted by a brightly lit backdrop to the bar and a colorful mural covering one of the focal walls. Patrons can also enjoy their meals with a margarita out on the front patio.

One of the big draws is The Flying Pepper’s cocktails and spirits. Sip on guava margaritas, palomas and a hibiscus fizz, or try a few tequilas. The eatery makes a name for itself with its selection of nearly 40 tequilas and mezcals.

Sample your way through tequila blanco (unaged), reposado (aged 2-12 months) or añejo (aged more than one year), as well as the delightfully rich and smoky mezcal. Order flights featuring a curated trio of one-ounce pours from The Flying Pepper’s offerings.

Pick from creative cocktails at the Van Buren Room.

VAN BUREN ROOM: MATTHEW EVANS

Belle of Dayton’s cocktail bar, the Van Buren Room, is a cozy enclave in Dayton’s historic Oregon District, surrounded by beautiful homes and brick-lined streets. When you step in through the front doors, you’re greeted by a portrait of Sarah Angelica Singleton Van Buren, daughter-in-law to President Martin Van Buren. Because he was widowed, she took on the job of First Lady during his time in the White House, and she was known as a consummate host.

That same sense of welcome imbues the single-room cocktail bar that looks into the distillery. Guests can sidle up to the bar or tuck into a booth while friendly bartenders showcase their menu of signature creations, classics and house cocktails that feature the distillery’s spirits. First-timers should try the Detrick Rye Manhattan, built on Belle of Dayton’s Detrick Straight Rye Whiskey, or the Joe and Ginger, made with house Habana Joe Spiced Rum, lime and ginger ale from Dayton’s Warped Wing Brewing.

The Van Buren Room is the ideal spot to taste their massive whiskey selection or work your way through Belle of Dayton’s spirits, from their spiced rum and rye whiskey to their aromatic Belle of Dayton Gin and their fiery Hell’s Vodka, made with seven different types of peppers.

Sit outside at The Flying Pepper.

The Flying Pepper is popular for lunch.

THE FLYING PEPPER PATIO: SMALL NATION; THE FLYING PEPPER FOOD: THE FLYING PEPPER

Grab a seat at the bar at the Van Buren Room.

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

HOLIDAY

Spirit Holiday gift giving just got a lot easier.

Add a bow to make these bottles gift-ready.

Highland Park 18YO

Rich, complex, aromatic and smoky, this 18-year-old single malt is predominantly crafted from first-fill, sherryseasoned European oak casks. F. Paul Pacult named it “The Best Spirit in the World.”

A must-try whisky!

Giava Coffee Liqueur

Gervasi’s Giava liqueur is an exquisite composition emanating from tailor-roasted coffee delivering rich coffee flavors and aromas augmented by alluring sweetness.

Experience the lush rush of Giava.

Enjoy in a traditional espresso martini or affogato-style over your favorite gelato.

Maestro Dobel® 50

Maestro Dobel® 50 is crafted from 100% blue agave sourced from a family-owned, single estate in the volcanic lowlands of Tequila, Mexico. The artisanal process includes slow-cooking, slow doubledistillation and a unique refinement process, then aging in American and Eastern European oak barrels.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon

We elegantly marry two of the world’s most coveted types of oak used in whiskey making: American White Oak and Spanish Sherry Oak. With flavors of vanilla, butterscotch, baking spices and dark chocolate, this award-winning gem delivers again and again.

Ezra Brooks 99

Bottled at an elevated 99 proof for an enhanced flavor profile, Ezra Brooks 99 is a classic, oak-barrel-aged Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that’s charcoal filtered for a smooth, mellow finish.

Enjoy notes of caramel and vanilla, with hints of peppery spice.

Bushmills 12 year Old

Bushmills® 12 Year Old is 100% malted barley, triple-distilled, then aged for 10 years individually in seasoned bourbon barrels and sherry casks before being married into an extremely smooth whiskey. It showcases the exceptional flavor, character and smoothness that Bushmills’ long legacy of single malt, copper pot whiskey-making can achieve.

1800® Cristalino

1800® Cristalino is aged in French and American oak barrels, married together, then rested in port wine casks. It is meticulously filtered to crystal clear clarity while retaining the depth and complexity of Añejo along with the silky smoothness of a Claro.

west branch malts Spiced Apple

Visit the distillery at West Branch Malts to taste and buy any of their quality spirits including whiskey, vodka and maltshine. The Spiced Apple is perfect for fall cocktails — made with single malt whiskey and infused with apple and cinnamon flavors.

&

BOURBON

BY MICHAEL PRAMIK

BEYOND As the starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville’s Whiskey Row can be described as ground zero for visitors to bourbon country.

When calling on this historic street lined with distilleries and vibrant entertainment, check into these two exceptional accommodations that promise not just a place to rest, but an immersive experience into this welcoming region.

Enter the luxurious haven of Chateau Bourbon Bed & Breakfast in Norton Commons and the vibrant tapestry of Hotel Distil in downtown Louisville — each offering a distinct perspective on hospitality and the spirit that defines Kentucky.

WHISKEY ELEGANCE AND SOUTHERN COMFORT MEET AT CHATEAU BOURBON I made a small miscalculation when measuring the bourbonrelated knickknacks in the Single Barrel Suite at Chateau Bourbon. I counted 20, including glasses, coasters, photographs and even the Jim Beam-branded hand soap. It was really 21 bourbon-themed items. I didn’t realize co-owner John Hillock had crafted the bed’s headboard out of French Oak staves used to make Maker’s 46, mimicking a display in the living room of this comfortable B&B. “When they were putting it up, you could smell the whiskey on them,” says co-owner Missy Hillock, John’s wife. “It was so good!”

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Indeed, you’ll get a full dose of the amber elixir at this four-room B&B situated in the looks-old-but-feels-new urban community called Norton Commons, 20 minutes from Whiskey Row. A blend of modern amenities and historic influences creates an atmosphere that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Chateau Bourbon offers more than just a place to lay your head; it’s an immersion into the world of whiskey, hospitality and Southern charm for the bourbon fan. It’s run by the Hillocks, who for eight years have delighted bourbon fans with their spirits-influenced food and their welcoming hospitality.

They’re happy to talk all things bourbon.

At 5 p.m. each day, the hosts serve dessert along with a handcrafted cocktail. On my visit, it was a slice of heavenly strawberry shortcake along with a Chateau Bourbon Sour, their take on a New York Sour, with a float of red wine topping the tart bourbon drink.

Breakfast is a bourbon-enhanced feast, as Missy and John say they like to introduce the spirit into each course. That certainly was true — bourbon-soaked cherries adorning the homemade granola; a bacon, cheese and egg souffle served

Find distilleries throughout downtown Louisville.

WHISKEY ROW, CHATEAU BOURBON, HOTEL DISTIL: MICHAEL PRAMIK

pictured: Sip on the Chateau Bourbon Sour cocktail. below: Hotel Distil lies in the heart of Whiskey Row.

with a side of Evan Williams hot sauce; and waffles with buttered bourbon syrup.

Step out to walk to Watch Hill Proper, a bourbon bar a few blocks away. Select from a dizzying array of some 1,500 American whiskeys. You won’t find clear spirits or beer, but you’ll discover a tidy, eclectic menu where the dishes range from sashimi to lobster rolls to huge steaks. Also a block from Chateau Bourbon is Commonwealth Tap, a neighborhood bar with fine cocktails and a well-curated wine list.

RING IN THE END OF PROHIBITION AT HOTEL DISTIL Each evening, guests of Hotel Distil are invited to gather in the modern lobby of the Whiskey Row property. A hotel employee rings a bell (loudly) to celebrate the end of Prohibition, and guests may imbibe in a complimentary toast.

The bell rings precisely at 7:33 p.m.

That’s 19:33 in military time, honoring the year that Prohibition ended. It’s a worthy toast to the end of an era many would love to forget, but which accurately captures the spirit of Whiskey Row. Hotel Distil, a 205-room Marriott Autograph Collection property, stands out. The site was the birthplace of J.T.S.

Brown bourbon, which in 1870 was the first whiskey to be sold in a sealed, glass bottle. The founder, George Garvin Brown, later teamed up with his friend and accountant, George Forman, to establish the Brown-Forman company. It’s now one of the world’s largest spirits makers, owning Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve whiskey brands, in addition to several other spirits labels.

Upon checking in, I was presented with a “prescription card,” reminiscent of those issued by pharmacies during Prohibition, which was my ticket to the nightly cocktail hour.

The hotel is a barrel’s roll from the Old Forester Distillery and is an excellent site to reach many of Whiskey Row’s distilleries, eateries and other attractions by foot. One is attached to the hotel, the prime steakhouse known as Repeal.

Steaks here are grilled on a fire enflamed with barrel staves from several nearby distilleries, lending a slight smokiness to the expertly prepared filet mignon.

The bourbon is similarly luxurious.

Guests at Repeal can order single pours or flights from an extensive bourbon menu, and sample rare drams from the restaurant’s well-curated specialty bourbon cabinet.

A prime option for guests in the hotel’s upscale suites is an in-room cart service.

A staff “bourbon ambassador” will assist with single pours and cocktails from a themed whiskey collection of the guest’s choice.

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distilleries to see during your

Louisville getaway Lying near the Ohio River in the heart of Louisville, Whiskey Row is ground zero for aficionados to kick off their Kentucky Bourbon Trail experience. This historic district has the official first stop on the trail: the Frazier History Museum on Main Street. Whiskey Row also is home to an array of distilleries and other whiskey-related stops, each with its unique charm and flavor profile. Here’s a guide to just some of what awaits.

Get inspired at the Frazier History Museum.

Old Forester Distillery: Take a trip through the bourbon production facility, where a 44-foot column still greets visitors, and the art of cooperage is highlighted. Later, sip a flight of Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series of bourbon at the bar.

Kentucky Peerless Distilling: Kentucky Peerless is an old brand brought to life in the past decade. Peerless has gained a loyal following for its excellent bourbons and ryes.

Rabbit Hole: Get a tour of the whiskey and rye making process at Rabbit Hole that ends with tastings in their Overlook lounge. Be sure to sample the Bespoke Gin, the only gin finished in Kentucky Rye barrels.

Barrels & Billets: As a hidden gem on Whiskey Row, Barrels & Billets offers an immersive whiskey experience, in which visitors craft their own bottles from on-hand whiskeys of various flavor profiles.

It’s next to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, another fun stop.

Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery: Michter’s pays homage to history at its Fort Nelson Distillery, housed within a meticulously restored 19thcentury building. Here, you’ll savor small-batch spirits that have been painstakingly crafted. Don’t miss the well-appointed bar upstairs for a masterfully crafted cocktail.

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Get tasting tips in Buzzard’s Roost.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: Step into the past at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, where a sensory journey through time brings to life the legacy of Kentucky’s first commercial distiller. There’s usually an opportunity to purchase some of the brand’s lines that are unavailable, or in short supply, elsewhere.

Buzzard’s Roost: Near Evan Williams lies this relative newcomer to the Whiskey Row scene. Owned by Judy Hollis Jones and Jason Brauner, Buzzard’s Roost adds a layer of flavoring to distillate it purchases elsewhere by aging it in newly charred oak barrels. Take the bourbon/chocolate pairing class for a sublime introduction to this nouveau whiskey producer.

Copper & Kings Distillery: Venture beyond traditional bourbon with Copper & Kings’ avant-garde

See Old Forester’s towering still.

approach to distillation. Specializing in brandy, this distillery infuses creativity and a rock-and-roll spirit into every drop by “sonic aging,” exposing their distillate to pulsating bass rhythms through a chain of subwoofers.

Castle & Key 502: Grasp a taste of this Frankfort, Ky., distillery at the Falls City Market in downtown Louisville, a few blocks south of Main Street.

Visitors can purchase spirit samples and cocktails as well as bottles of Castle & Key’s products.

Prohibition Craft Spirits: Take a cocktail class and go on a tour at this distillery that crafts bourbon, tequila, gin, vodka and rum.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery: Just outside of downtown is the maker of Blade and Bow, I.W. Harper and Orphan Barrel’s unique Scotch and bourbon labels. Try a chocolate pairing or taste cocktails through the ages.

FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM: RACHEL WATERS; BUZZARD’S ROOST WHISKEY: BUZZARD’S ROOST WHISKEY; OLD FORESTER DISTILLERY: OLD FORESTER DISTILLERY

Angel’s Envy Distillery: Angel’s Envy stands as a testament to postcraftsmanship, with its distinct aging process in barrels of varying spirits.

Take the hour-long Signature Tour to witness how bourbon and rye are finished and sip a few samples.

Try samples at New Riff Distilling.

MAKE A B-LINE TO

NEW RIFF DISTILLING: RICK MARIANI

Northern

Kentucky

Some travelers decide their route first and which restaurants and bars to go to second. If you want to immerse yourself in bourbon country, flip the script and start by picking bars and bistros along the B-Line first. With seven craft distilleries and countless bourbon bars and restaurants, this trail will take you on a route to legendary sips throughout northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area.

BY ALEXIA KEMERLING PROOF MAGAZINE

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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT 25 STOPS ALONG THE WAY. 1 At Augusta Distillery in Augusta, bourbon lovers get the

ultimate first taste. On the “Pardon Our Dust” Distillery tour, you’ll get to pop the barrel bung yourself and pour a sample right from the cask.

2 Taste 100 proof bourbon distilled on-site at Pensive Distilling Co. in Newport or go for a sweeter sip with apple pie moonshine.

3 Bourbon flights and comfort food await at Tousey House Tavern in Burlington.

4 Top shelf pours, fresh pasta and a view of the Ohio River — it doesn’t get much more soul quenching than Caproni’s Restaurant in Maysville.

5 Shareable menu items and cocktails create a vibrant atmosphere at Coppin’s at Hotel Covington.

6 Located right next to another B-Line stop (looking at you, Coppin’s!), Knowledge Bar and Social Room in Covington delivers a memorable craft cocktail experience.

7 For nearly a century, Pompilio’s Restaurant, a Newport favorite, has been serving classic Italian dishes, and their featured bourbon list is worth a pour or two.

8 Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop in Covington feels like a museum, except you can drink the exhibits. This stop is a must if you’ve got a bourbon bucket list. Taste and take home rare bottles.

9 Pair a Lisse Old Fashioned with a Holland Farms Beef Brisket at the beautiful, Dutch-influenced Lisse Steakhuis in Covington.

10 Patio dining on the banks of the Ohio River is complemented with a locally sourced menu and a four-column whiskey list at The Beehive Augusta Tavern in Augusta.

11 Three Spirits Tavern in Bellevue offers both a cozy indoors and a dog-friendly outdoor space, along with a bourbon list so long you have to ask for a special menu.

Grab a seat at the bar at Pensive Distilling Co.

Be surrounded by bottles at Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop.

ADD DOBEL 50 CRISTALINO TEQUILA TO YOUR HOLIDAYS

PENSIVE DISTILLING CO.: PENSIVE DISTILLING CO.; REVIVAL VINTAGE SPIRITS AND BOTTLE SHOP: GNOME CREATIVE

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12 A Cheerwine Bourbon Slush is on the menu at Libby’s Southern Comfort

in Covington if you need to sweeten up your B-Line adventure.

13 Pair fine bourbon and savory smoked meats at Smoke Justis, located in a unique

historic spot in Covington.

14 Named one of the best bourbon bars in Bourbon Country by The Bourbon Review,

THREE SPIRITS TAVERN: THREE SPIRITS TAVERN

Sip an elegant cocktail at Three Spirits Tavern.

Covington’s Rich’s Proper Food & Drink takes pride in their Southern-fusion menu, bourbon collection and craft cocktails.

15 Find pours beyond the ordinary at Second Sight Spirits, a craft distillery in Ludlow that produces the first legal bourbon in Kenton County since Prohibition.

16 Carrying on generations of family legacy, Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta crafts and hand-bottles products ranging from single barrel bourbons to Southern Dew Bourbon Ball Moonshine.

17 Above Goodfellas Pizza in Mainstrasse Village, Wiseguy Lounge embodies speakeasy vibes and serves mouth-watering drinks like the Wooden Nickel, a bourbon cocktail with maple smoke.

18 Whether you prefer your bourbon neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, The Globe, a friendly Covington bar, has you covered.

19 Over 500 bourbons and ryes line the bar shelves in Newport at the Purple Poulet, a Southern bistro also known for its epic fried chicken.

20 The Prohibition Bourbon Bar in Newport is reminiscent of a speakeasy, but its collection of bourbon and whiskey is anything but secret. With more than 6,000 offerings, this legendary spot has a claim on the world’s largest collection.

21 The Old Pogue Distillery in Maysville carries on a family legacy of producing small batch bourbon in the historic hills of Kentucky.

22 The cozy brick patio at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar in Covington is a perfect spot to end your day. Ask the bartenders about special vintages or craft cocktails.

23 Admire the three-story copper column still (and sample its products) on the tour at New Riff Distilling, a must-stop in Newport for folks interested in the art and science behind spirits.

24 From pickle platters to wagyu beef meatballs to sweet corn cake, the locally sourced menu at Bouquet Restaurant in Covington is as eclectic as it is delicious, and their bourbon collection is also impressive.

25 A tour at Boone County Distilling in Independence comes with equal parts bourbon and stories. After all, they claim their whiskey is “made by ghosts.”

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SPIRITED

Baking

BY NICHOLAS DEKKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN KOPANSKI

Bourbon Brownies During the holidays it’s ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1¼ sticks unsalted butter especially heart-warming (plus more to grease the pan) 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips to infuse a little extra spirit large eggs ½ cup confectioners’ sugar into your seasonal sweets. 4 Maker’s Mark offers several ¼ cup Maker’s Mark Bourbon Preheat your oven to 325°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line it with recipes like bourbon balls parchment paper and butter the parchment. In a large saucepan, heat the butter or eggnog-spiced butter and bourbon over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter melts.

Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Remove from heat and immediately cookies that incorporate add 1 ⁄ cups of the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly. their signature bourbon.

Once cooled slightly, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Stir in the confectioners’ sugar until well-combined. Transfer to the prepared pan Their flourless bourbon and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ⁄ cup chocolate chips on top. brownies are perfect Bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes, until the top is glossy and a toothpick inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. to take to parties or Lift finished brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper. Sprinkle with for a nighttime snack. confectioners’ sugar as desired. Cut into 12 bars and enjoy!

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XXXX: PHOTOGRAPHER

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A GREAT WHISKEY WITH A

NOBLE HEART 1 MILLION TREES PLANTED & COUNTING I N PA RTN ER S H I P with O N E TR E E P LA N T ED

visit nobleoak.com to learn more @ NO B L E OAK AWARD-WINNING DOUBLE OAK BOURBON FINISHED WITH SHERRY OAK STAVES

©2023 NOBLE OAK SPIRITS COMPANY. NOBLE OAK® WHISKEY, 48% ALC./VOL. DISTRIBUTED BY EDRINGTON AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

AWARD-WINNING DOUBLE OAK RYE FINISHED WITH PORT WINE OAK STAVES