New Sugar’s Downtown

BBQ & Bourbon!

Sugars is proud to offer a wide selection of “small batch” Bourbons, of which only a limited amount are available each year. Let our bar staff know what selections you might be interested in tasting. We will be happy to get your favorite from the top shelf.

Origin:

Bourbon is the most American of spirits; there are strict laws to how and from what it is made. For example, Bourbon must be distilled from at least 51% corn and be aged for a minimum of 2 years in new charred, white oak barrels. And although Bourbon can technically be made anywhere, only the great state of Kentucky is allowed to place its name on the bottle. One adage often used when speaking about Bourbon is, “All Bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is Bourbon.”

Taste:

Bourbon is a whiskey that can be smooth and refined or very pronounced and flavorful. The grains used are apparent and become very much a part of the taste, if you can imagine the taste as a roasted (or toasted) flavor. The new oak used in aging is also very apparent in Bourbon’s taste. Sweetness on the finish is also often referred to among Bourbon drinkers. And let’s not forget strength, a bourbon can be very high proof and therefore its taste can be perceived as ‘hot’ or highly alcoholic. – With aromas of of maple sugar and toasted nuts, bourbon has a distinctly sweet, round and rich palate with slightly floral or vanilla oak flavors. – The finish is long and rich.

What the future holds:

Bourbon’s popularity is on the rise, especially in the “small batch” sub category. Over 100 small batch Bourbons are marketed to the discriminating Bourbon drinker. With varying styles and price ranges the category of small batch as well as standard Bourbons is becoming a niche market. Bourbon is typically drunk neat or on the rocks, but the popularity of Bourbon and Coke never ceases. Other traditional cocktails with Bourbon as the main ingredient include Mint Juleps (popular in the South and nationwide at Kentucky Derby time) and Old Fashion (a classic cocktail made with bitters, lemon and sugar).

“ If you love whiskey but haven’ t thought of bourbon as being in the same league as a good Scotch, Irish and even, these days, Rye, you owe it to yourself to give it another try. A well-made, well-aged bourbon offers a gorgeous spectrum of flavors, beginning with a distinctive sweetness that can, depending on the distiller’ s aim, turn spicy and peppery with clear fruitiness, or mellow into a creamy caramel toffee with highlights of citrus.” New York Times 2007

Our bartender will be glad to show you our entire bourbons/ whiskey list with 50 plus to choose from (2 oz pours)