3 minute read
Local Spotlight
-Mark Fichtner
C s ’s New Bo b Pick
with Castle + Key Distillery
Recently, Carson’s had a wonderful opportunity to take part in a private barrel selection process at Castle & Key. So naturally, we invited our good friends at TOPS to help tell you more about this process and why it’s so special to take part in this experience!
Written by: Carson Fitchner | Photos by: Woody Phillips
Here in Kentucky, bourbon goes hand-in-hand with great restaurant experiences; and being able to select your own private barrel allows restaurateurs to take full control of the fl avor and nuances we’re looking for. The process of selecting a private barrel is guided by the importance of a single choice; Bourbon or Rye? From this, many more questions arise; Is what we’re selecting more appropriate for sipping and enjoying on the rocks? Or is it more for mixing into a cocktail? All of these questions arise because of the distinct fl avor differences between Bourbons and Ryes. Ryes are much more spice-forward and tend to show up more prominently in anything they’re mixed into. So, as you’re choosing, you have to decide what kind of cocktails you’re aiming for and what signature fl avor best represents who you are as a restaurant and/or bar.
At Carson’s we dabble in both Bourbons and Ryes equally and play each to their strength across our diverse drink menu. We are always searching, tasting, and deciding with cocktails in mind; searching for those smokey and/or charred vanilla fl avors that bring out the best in our Old-Fashioneds, Manhattans, and other bourbon/rye-forward cocktails. And while the process is certaintly fun, tasting, exploring, and deciding on these fl avor profi les with friends is where the real memories are made.
Touring the distillery and learning everything from the intricate details of the distilling process, to the rotating of the rickhouse, to watching product be bottled, is just that much more enjoyable with friends to laugh and enjoy it with. The folks at Castle & Key give some of the best tours in the business and their private selection process continues that legacy of excellence. The process at Castle & Key for picking a barrel is a little different from others. We were presented with 3 to 4 different barrels that they had already crafted using the keen tastes and knowledge of their master distillers. The fi rst step is to taste them as they are, directly from the barrel (known as barrel proof), and then mix them with water to bring the proof down to get an idea of exactly what those products will taste like once fi nished and bottled.
Then, the real fun begins: discussing fl avor profi les, tasting notes, the emotion and experience felt when drinking it for the fi rst time and how might this product mix into a cocktail. Deliberation often goes on for several minutes, back and forth discussing everyone’s opinions before fi nally settling on that fi nal perfect barrel. We are truly thankful to our friends at TOPS for joining us, and for the fi ne people at Castle & Key; those who maintain such lovely grounds, while breathing new life into historic architecture and keeping the spirit of Kentucky Bourbon and Rye alive with an unparalleled product. We are lucky to be able to partner in this way and to serve smiles with their product in our restaurant every day. Our Castle & Key barrel pick “Carson Lane” is available at Carson’s in cocktails or by itself and is purchasable for retail in our restaurant as well. Come in and get yourself a bottle!
