THE RETURN OF DRUNK BUNNY 10 GREAT FACTS

We Learned At Seven Grand Whisky Emporium

They don’t call me Drunk Bunny for nothing!

Keeping true to my reputation for being slightly wobbly and mischievous I found on my way to Seven Grand’s Whisky Emporium, a precursor to the night’s 16th Anniversary celebration complete with live bands, cigar smoke and all the varieties of whiskies a silly rabbit could ever hope for.

Still a bit hard to climb the steps due to my enormous liver but my old pal GlenDronach was calling so I managed to make my way up three short flights of stairs past the buckhead trophies and welcoming glowing whisky display to the bar where I was given a magic wristband for $50 and an equally enchanted Seven Grand branded whiskey glass.

Equipped with glass and very enthusiastic whiskey palette, I found myself hopping from one whiskey tasting station to the next learning some of the most incredible whiskey and whisky facts I knew may or may not have ever remembered.

One hop, two hop, three hop four, with each hop I sipped a little more.

I smell cheese!

That’s what went through my mind before my eyes fully focused on a charcuterie board of Brie in the distance.

What kind of whisky tasting is this?

Up until that moment I figured only wine went with cheese. But I was so wrong. So wrong…And that was just the beginning of 10 Great Facts About Whisky I learned that day.

So… first fun fact. Whisky is for Scottish, Canadians and the Japanese, Whiskey is used for whiskey distilled in Ireland or here in the US.

It was five o’clock somewhere alright. In the heart of DTLA, Seven Grand is legendary. One of many bars brought to the neighborhood by Pouring with a Heart, aka The Official Founding Fathers of Downtown Hospitality. Without them and their fifteen or so Old Fashion style bars who knows if Downtown would have ever become the lively place it is today.

Did you know Kentucky, that magical land of bourbon dreams, produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon whiskey?

It’s got to be a bourbon paradise, where barrels of Woodford Reserve outnumber the inhabitants, where the air is infused with rich aromas of oak and caramel. Adding a trip to Kentucky to my basket list – ASAP. CONT...PG>>

What could go wrong?

Public safety, homelessness, construction delays, maintenance and budget overruns have cost the people of Downtown time and money. As of late, trust in Metro seems to be heading in a downwards spiral.

Safety has been a pressing issue for the Metro, as passengers have reported incidents of crime and harassment, and the nightly news fills with reports of thefts, drug usage, violence, harassment, officer involved shootings, and numerous deaths.

These concerns can contribute to a sense of unease and impact the overall perception of safety while using the system. The rise of three new stations has become some what of a concern, rather than the joyous occasion it’s meant to me.

The Metro has been working to enhance security measures, increase law enforcement presence, and improve emergency communication systems to address these safety concerns but then there’s the issue of Downtown’s growing homeless population.

The issue of homelessness has also been a matter of concern within the Metro system.

Homeless individuals seeking refuge in stations and trains has created challenges for both passengers and the homeless population. The Metro has been collaborating with social service organizations to provide support and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with necessary resources. However, addressing this complex issue remains an ongoing challenge and then there’s the issue of cleanliness and overall maintenance.

The strain of maintaining older Metro lines already under scrutiny for being unsightly, and less sanitary may be exacerbated by the addition of the new connector. The increased demand resulting from the expanded network can further stress the existing fleet. Luckily for Metro and it’s daily commuters, with the new connector comes hundreds of new jobs.

And Now for More Good News!

Construction projects associated with Metro system expansion and maintenance which offered downtown communities an array of traffic jams and detours the past two years causing frustration, fuel wasting and unwanted delays. Street closures and detours due to to construction activities have inconvenienced commuters and businesses. Finally, these constructionrelated delays will be a thing of the past once the three new Metro Stations open in June.

Will This Whole Project Work Out as Planned?

We sure hope so.

With the unpredictability caused by the pandemic and the unforeseeable future, only time will tell if the scales will tip in the Regional Connector’s favor. The project is reported already $355 million over the projected budget, and just now underway two years later than scheduled.

For certain, Downtown commuters have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the new lines, the engineers of Metro have created something truly unique and innovative the whole world can share, and Downtown is willing to once again give Metro the benefit of the doubt, (as if we had a choice).

Congrats Metro team! Congrats and best of luck! #DTLAWEEKLY

As a speakeasy you bet your rabbit hole Seven Grand can teach you a thing or two about moonshine. Mostly manufactured under the cover of darkness, this high-proof liquor had to be brewed in secrecy back in 1920s DTLA, brewed and distributed through the art of bootlegging. I closed my eyes and made pretend this Old Forester was illegal, and in the spirit of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness downed two more shots back to back. After that, I cannot lie. I was tipped-over tipsy. Thank goodness for the brand ambassadors of Compass Point who kept me hopping in the right direction.

At that point I was a rebel in the whisky world, daring others to embrace its potent charms. Did you know Margie Samuels, the distillery owner’s wife designed the iconic red-wax sealed Maker’s Mark bottle? She wanted her hubby’s product to stand out so she suggested an artistic touch.

Never thought I’d stumble upon an event more fun event than Easter, but there I was. With my basket full of barely and rye and a tummy full of Teeling. And that’s when I realized, I loved whisky but not as much as I loved Frank Sinatra.

Frank Sinatra was laid to rest with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s by his side. Such a classy farewell, and testament to the everlasting bond between the two, feeling emotional this fact almost brought me to tears.

And there’s the tale of Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, who yearned for a final taste of whisky, but was as denied on his deathbed. He needed better friends.

If only whisky could have fought off the grim reaper like it did for Old Charles Joughin, the brave baker aboard the ill-fated Titanic. Joughin became the Angel’s Envy after claiming that whisky helped him survive three frozen hours in the North Atlantic. I believe him. I’d believe anything is possible after this many shots.

They say whisky is bad for you, but in reality the average measure of the Balvenie contains a mere 64 calories! Fewer than a banana, so just shut up and pour this bunny another sample.

The more I sipped the more I savored the flavors of whisky knowing it won’t burden my waistline. As the day turned to night I’d decided to GlenFiddish and dance to the incredible blues coming from a band that called themselves the Midnight Blues Review.

Boy, did I work up a sweat, making whisky drinking an even more enjoyable healthy workout routine. After the show walked up to thank the band…. And that’s when I had the pleasure of meeting the bar’s longtime entertainment director and bass player, Rick Taub.