Let’s talk…..5 o’clock!
Among the plethora of pleasure-seeking possibilities that draws our attention, my wife and I sometimes find ourselves canvassing the country-side in search of the perfect cocktail. For our taste, that either means something rum or bourbon based.
The hunt for the ultimate rum-runner has turned up a few contenders, from a little Italian eatery out in Plymouth to a more local (and thus more frequently visited) Polynesian restaurant in Westboro…..both here in Massachusetts. But I’ll elaborate on those in due time because as of late, our focus has been more on the bourbon bars as, with some assistance from my lovely wife, I’ve managed to develop a somewhat discriminating taste in search of the ideal ‘old-fashioned’.
While occasionally visiting friends in upstate New York, we often head out to Saratoga whether to window shop or watch the horses race, but are always certain to stop in to lounge a bit at the Cooperstown Distillery down on Broadway in Saratoga Springs on any such excursion. Its quaint ambiance is complemented with a tasting room and accessorized with over-stuffed furniture…..making for the perfect mid-day pit stop to satisfy the right taste-buds. And the proprietorship doesn’t let down, being well-versed in their area of expertise and armed with a varied selection of what attracted us to this particular locale in the first place.
And while one can always stop into the nearest Longhorn’s to scratch the proverbial itch for a decent old-fashioned, we did come across more of an authentic bourbon bar that’s not too far from our base camp out here in central Massachusetts and worth every mile of the 20-minute drive, the Oak Barrel Tavern in Worcester. Whether it’s an old-fashioned or a full flight of sipping bourbons, the woody ambiance and welcoming atmosphere makes this a belly-up-to-the-bar kind of outing…..every visit. Not to mention the number of top-shelf offerings that ensures this a worthy destination, no matter the time of day! Highly recommend!
But to put an exclamation point on our cocktail focused adventures, this year we’re planning a trip down to the heart of bourbon country and surrounding ourselves with the tall blue grass of Kentucky…..not to mention some of the best distilleries in the country! To make the trip extra special, we’re looking to book accommodations at a place aptly called the ‘Bourbon Barrel Retreat’…..staying in cabins most appropriately built in the shape of bourbon barrels. I’ll be sure to report back with our critique, but in the meantime be sure to check the place out by following the link in my newsletter where I share a little bit more about this highly attractive get-away destination!
Cheers,
Dick D.