The good news in all this pathetic pandemic panic is that we are not alone. At least that is what I keep telling myself to keep a spark of hope alive.
We are quarantined. We are tired of Netflix and chilling. We want to be amongst our friends, preferably sitting around the Unstable Table at The Back Door, elbow to elbow, discussing the mundane things that happened at work.
Oh, and work. That thing I once spent 40+ hours a week of my life identifying with, giving effort to, finding a purpose in — but now it’s gone. I am one of the thousands in the local tourism industry — or any industry in general — who have been laid off, or lost their jobs, or just been told not to come back to work until all of this blows over.
But will it blow over? How long until it does? And after the dust has settled, will people have the extra income to spend on travel, bourbon tours, cocktails — hell, even a nice meal at a restaurant? That remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, I foresee rough waters ahead. And since we’re in our own tiny lifeboats instead of hunkering together aboard the USS Kentucky — or whatever a big-ass boat might be called — I hope we can paddle together, six feet apart, and all make it out unscathed on the other side. What this new side might look like, I have no idea. I don’t think anyone does.
But just remember. You are not alone. I am not alone. We are not alone.
And with bourbon and a strong wi-fi, we will make it out of this.
What’s in your glass? I’ve been sipping on the new Larceny Barrel Proof, Old Forester 1910, Four Roses Small Batch and Michter’s 10 Year Rye. And no, not all at once, of course. That was Saturday night.
Cheers.
Also, cheers to Gov. Beshear for marking liquor stores as “essential businesses.” And cheers to Gov. Beshear in general. He’s kicking ass and taking names!
Support your local liquor store! This week’s Thinking Outside the Quarantine Box winner goes to Westport Whiskey & Wine for their creative curbside packages. Below is their menu of prepared bags/boxes at affordable prices:
Beer
Stout Beer Sampler $24.99 on sale for $22.99
Two bottles each:
Still Water, Kung Pao
Dark Horse, Plead the Fifth
Against the Grain, 35k
Sour Beer Sampler $30.99 on sale for $22.99
Two bottles each:
Brouwerij Van Steenberge, Monk’s Café
Brasserie Trois Dames, Saison Vielle
New Belgium, Where I Live
Spirits
The Great American Bourbon Tasting Kit $150 on sale for $121.00
All 750mls
Basil Hayden, 80 proof
Maker’s Mark, 90 proof
Jim Beam, Black Extra Aged, 86 proof
Old Grand Dad, 80 proof
Knob Creek, 100 proof
6 pack Kentucky Straight Ice
Includes tasting mats and sheet for tasting notes and tasting tips for 6 people.
Let us know if you have more people.
Add on a 6 pack of Glencairn glasses for $40
The Mai Tai Bag $61.99 on sale for $45.99
One bottle each:
Marti, Estate Rum, Panama, 750ml
Italia, Lime Juice, 125ml
Pierre Ferrand, Dry Curacao, 750ml
Barsmith, Simple Syrup, 375ml
6 pack Kentucky Straight Ice
Includes recipe card.
Hot Ice $45.99 on sale for $39.99
One bottle each:
Early Times, BIB, 1 Liter
Liber & Co, Fiery Ginger Syrup, 250ml
Fee Brothers, Peach Bitters, 150ml
7lbs Bag of Home City Ice
Includes recipe card.
The TNS Sour $84.99 on sale for $72.99
One bottle each:
David Nicholson, Reserve Bourbon, 750 ml
Gran Gala Liqueur, 750ml
Barsmith Simple Syrup, 375ml
Master of Mixes, Lemon Juice, 375ml
Fee Brothers Bitters, 150ml
6 pack Kentucky Straight Ice
Includes recipe card.
Los Altos Diablo $83.99 on sale for $65.99
One each:
El Tesoro, Blanco Tequila, 750ml
Italia, Lime Juice, 125ml
Stirrings, Ginger Liqueur, 750ml
Barsmith, Simple Syrup, 375ml
Mathilde Crème de cassis, 375ml
White Rock, Club Soda, 6pk 10z bottles
6 pack Kentucky Straight Ice
Includes Recipe card.
Wine
Italian Bag $110 on sale for $75
One 750ml each:
Indigenous, Prosecco
Indigenous, Verdicchio
Indigenous, Primitivo
Indigenous, Nebbiolo d’Alba
Indigenous, Barbera
Indigenous, Sangiovese
Includes recipe suggestions
Life’s a Conundrum Wine Bag $120 on sale for $90
Three 750ml bottles each:
Conundrum, White Wine, California
Conundrum, Red Wine, California
Red Wine Grab Bag $74.99 on sale for $60
One 750ml each:
North by Northwest, Red Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington
Paxis, Red Blend, Portugal
Milou, Rouge, France
Farmhouse, Red Blend, California
Lapis Luna, Red, California
Leftie, Red, California
Bubbles Bag $78.99 on sale for $60
One 750ml each:
Biutiful, Cava, Spain
Gouguenheim, Malbec Bubbles, Argentina
Yulupa, Sparkling Wine, California
Veuve du Vernay, Brut, France
Maschio, Prosecco, Italy
Evolution, Sparkling Wine, Oregon
White Wine Grab Bag $66 on sale for $54
One 750ml each:
Faisao, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Froid De Canard, Sauvignon Blanc, France
Frisk, Riesling, Australia
Belcreme de Lys, Chardonnay, California
Monte Volpe, Pinot Grigio, California
Galerna, Verdejo, Spain