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