Whiskey lovers, rejoice! Right in time for America’s 250th anniversary, Chris Hujber of Tucker’s Tap Room has teamed up with Vintage Spirits general manager Brian Dickson to create a monthly event focused solely on America’s original spirit: Bourbon.
“Brian came to me and said he had this group called the East End Spirits Society. There are about 80 members and they love to have these special whiskies, where they talk and taste higher-end spirits,” says Hujber.
Dickson approached Hujber to add an extra fun addition to one of his tastings: a barbecue and bourbon night. It sold out in record time. The evening, which featured the small-batch collection of Jim Beam whiskies, which include Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Booker’s and Baker’s bourbons, was paired with a multitude of house-smoked meats from Tucker’s Taproom, as well as some fun swag from the distillery and a welcome cocktail that highlighted the best of both worlds: a bacon bourbon Old Fashioned. “We infuse the bourbon with bacon fat,” says Hujber, “and use real maple syrup as the sweetener. It’s silky and spicy!”
The evening was such a hit that Dickson and Hujber have joined forces to open up the monthly tastings to the general whiskey-loving public, held on the last Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.
The monthly whiskey tastings and barbecue pairings at Tucker’s Taproom include great sips and bites, plus experts from the distilleries on hand and fun swag to take home. (Photos courtesy of Tucker’s Taproom)
The next tasting is open for sign-up as of last Friday but be forewarned: The seats go fast, Hujber says. (The last one — an evening with Elijah Craig whiskey and some U.S. Open-themed swag from the producer — sold out in a matter of days.)
This month’s tasting will be with a Northforker house favorite: Michter’s whiskey. This award-winning producer from Kentucky is known for their small-batch specialty bottlings that can run in the hundreds and hundreds of dollars (although their entry level US1 whiskey clocks in at about 45 bucks at Vintage and is excellent). A representative from Michter’s will be on hand to talk whiskey, and bottles slated for tasting will be:
- Michter’s Sour Mash (which will be featured in the welcome cocktail, Sour Mash Old Fashioned with chocolate bitters and honey)
- Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon
- Michter’s Straight Rye
- Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey
In addition, Tucker’s Taproom will be serving a five-meat plate, with a quarter pound each of house-smoked brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork, ribs and sausage, as well as corn bread, mac and cheese and coleslaw. The $70 cost gets you all that, and tax and gratuity is included. Sweet!
To reserve your spot, click here. Tucker’s Taproom is located at 9095 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 631-298-7077.
