Get Familiar With These Women in Booze

by Sydney Blanchard

Since November 2014, our Chief Confusion Coordinator/Spin Doctor (and contributing blogger) Blair Loup has interviewed the women running the local booze scene. Each month, we feature one of these women and their experiences on the blog.

We've learned from them that it can be exciting (and at times difficult) working in the booze industry, a primarily male-dominated environment.

We're all about ensuring these women's voices and stories are heard and that they get the props they deserve for being the movers and (cocktail) shakers behind our drinking habit.

Read all about these killer women below, and be sure to check back with us each month to read about a new woman (in booze)!

Natalie Parbhoo, Duchess of Distribution

International Wine & Spirits

"First getting into it, the woman I replaced was only the second female representative in the city, so people just didn't take me seriously. They wasted a lot of my time flirting with me and never bought anything. That's when I realized I needed to be super aggressive to sell." 

Lindsay Nations, Baronness of Beer

Co-Founder and Vice President of Great Raft Brewing 

"I can't grow a beard and be the typical face of the company in the brewing industry, but there are so many things that would fall apart if I left one day. You don't get to be the face of the company when you don't fit the stereotype sometimes."

Dori Murvin, Sorceress of Service

Manager and Wine Director at Beausoleil Restaurant

"I love working here. The food's good, the wine's good, it's just a good place. I don't have a poker face. I have to work somewhere I believe in."

Nora McGunnigle, Head Mistress of Hops

Craft beer writer/blogger

"I definitely feel like it took me a long, long time for people to take me seriously as a beer person."

Myrna Arroyo, Vino Valedictorian

Owner of Roux Wine Tours

“I really enjoy helping people discover wine, it’s as simple as that!”

Brandi Lauck, Warden of Whiskey

Co-owner of Lock and Key Whiskey Bar

"It’s always been Arthur’s dream to own a bar, but what’s really cool is that it’s become an outlet for the creativity and the passion that I have for women and their understanding of whiskey," she said. "This has been a great opportunity to ‘be on stage’ and bring my knowledge of whiskey to other females that are interested."

Cari Caramonta, Mother of Malts

Co-founder and Creative Director of Gnarly Barley Brewing

“Personally, I love building the business. I enjoy marketing and branding. I think it’s cool that we bring a different dynamic to the table."

Erin White, Priestess of Pairing

Sommelier at August

“If you make a list of all of the things I love, it all incorporates into wine. There’s an artistic sense of color, fragrance, food, cooking, and people; for me, it all kind of funneled into one category.”

Beth Donner, Dame of Distilling

Co-founder, Co-Owner, and President of Donner-Peltier Distillery

"It’s a male dominant industry, you know? It is what it is."

Halston McMullan, Hustler of Houston Hops

Louisiana Sales representative for St. Arnold Brewing

"The more I learn about this company and the more I have to fight for it, the more it becomes a part of me. I didn’t know I’d be so proud."

Libby Landry, Governess of Grapes

"We’d pack up the boys and live in the old barn showering with a water hose until each harvest was complete. That was our life for a while."

Abigail Gullo, Leading Lady of Libation

Bartender at Compère Lapin

"Women may be known as bartenders, but men are 'mixologists.' I feel like I’ve missed out on a few jobs because I don’t have a mustache.”

Mary Lewis, Superintendent of Suds

Sales Manager at Mockler Beverage Company

“My job now is to motivate my team. I don’t want my guys to think I’m just the lady that sits in the office."

Brea Frederick, Vixen of Vermouth

Bartender at Olive or Twist

“Being a woman in this industry is challenging, but being a lesbian in this industry makes things even more difficult."

Insta-Worthy Cocktails in Baton Rouge and New Orleans

by Sydney Blanchard

I don't know about y'all, but any time I go out and order a cocktail, I feel compelled to photograph it and post it on Instagram. There's just something so fun and novel about ordering a pretty cocktail. And if it tastes great? Even better.

Louisiana (New Orleans, specifically) is the birthplace of the cocktail, and what better way to celebrate local cocktail culture than to make a not-so-comprehensive list of some of the most photo-worthy cocktails we've had in the Baton Rouge/New Orleans area?

Without further adieu...here's our list! What would you include?

Grapefruit Margarita at Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar

A little sweet, a little tart, and adorably pink, the grapefruit margarita at Jolie Pearl is perfect for pairing with oysters. 

Vodka Freeze at Bistro Byronz

This snow-white, boozy vodka freeze is a Bistro Byronz favorite.Topped with a cherry and a lime slice, it's also a guaranteed like-generator on Instagram. 

Blueberry Hill at Olive or Twist

You can't get an ugly cocktail at Olive or Twist. This muddled blueberry cocktail bursts with berry flavor and color, making it perfectly photogenic.

Sweet-T-Sway at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar

As gorgeous as it is delicious, Lock & Key's picture perfect Sweet-T-Sway combines sweet tea, pomegranate liqueur, muddled mint and hand-crushed ice. 

Jalapeño Pineapple Cilantro Margarita at Araña

Visually stunning chunky pineapple and bright green jalapeño bits make this margarita at Araña pop (and will make all your followers envious).

Damn Thistle at Sac-A-Lait

Sweet, syrupy, and adorned with an edible hibiscus flower, the picturesque Damn Thistle at Sac-A-Lait features Donner-Peltier's Oryza Vodka and tastes like a dream.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Smash: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

It's National Bourbon Heritage Month, and some NOLA bartenders are taking notice by mixing up some specialty cocktails to celebrate this September.

What better way to start off National Bourbon Heritage Month than with a Buffalo Trace Bourbon Smash by the mixologists at Emeril's?

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Smash at Emeril's in New Orleans

Try out this refreshing bourbon cocktail this month to get you in the mood for citrus season!

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Smash

Wedge of satsuma or orange
1 ounce Buffalo Trace Bourbon
¾ ounce Grand Marnier
½ ounce Cherry Heering
½ ounce Falernum (liqueur/syrup with a sweetened combination of flavors including almond, ginger, clove, lime, vanilla, and allspice)
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Satsuma or orange wheel for garnish

Muddle the citrus wedge in a cocktail shaker then add the remaining ingredients except the citrus wheel. Add ice, shake and pour into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a citrus wheel.

Blood and Sand: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

Blood and Sand at Lock & Key

Fruity, sweet, and dark are words that can safely be used to describe the Blood and Sand at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. 

For anyone venturing into the world of whiskey cocktails, this combination of Monkey Shoulder scotch, orange juice, and cherry brandy blend together perfectly, making for a smooth taste well-suited for the novice whiskey drinker. 

It's almost like a more refined version of a screwdriver, except it's made with scotch and has a distinct cherry flavor to it, but it's not so sweet that it could be a drink featured on Sex & the City.

To me, that's a perfect balance. 

Curious George: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

The Curious George at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar in Baton Rouge

An old fashioned made with Scotch? Oh yeah, Lock & Key went there.

The Curious George, appropriately named, is one of several amped up versions of the class cocktail on the menu at Lock & Key.

Three simple ingredients come together to make for a solid, stiff drink:

Monkey Shoulder Scotch
Bitters
House-made Ginger Syrup

This particular blended scotch has a little smoke game going on, which is great, because smokiness is something I love.

I’ve even had a drink served to me at Restaurant Cotton in Monroe in a dome full of smoke: epic.

The ginger syrup gives the drink a snappy element. It’s sharp, sweet, and fragrant. I would definitely recommend you try this and all of the different off-the-wall old fashioneds Lock & Key has on their menu!

Elder-Fashioned: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

St. Germain.

The Elder-Fashioned at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar in Baton Rouge

It’s showing up everywhere: in gin cocktails, in champagne flutes, and now in your old fashioned.

St. Germain is an elderflower liqueur that’s sweet with subtle flavors resembling fragrant fruits like pear and peach.

Lock & Key Whiskey Bar has a way of mixing things you wouldn’t normally place in certain cocktails and having them seamlessly work together, and the Elder-Fashioned is no exception.

Made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, aromatic bitters, and soda in addition to the St. Germain; the Elder-Fashioned is an interesting twist on a classic.

St. Germain is very sweet, so the hearty Buffalo Trace Bourbon rounds out the flavors well. The soda is another ingredient you wouldn’t typically see in an old fashioned.

For me, the soda creates some wiggle room in order for all of the flavors to come through with a little added effervescence. Otherwise, I think it would simply taste like super sweet bourbon.

See? Lock & Key is keeping you from drinking overly syrupy cocktails six days a week!

Humbling Old-Fashioned: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

I'm a sucker for a pretty cocktail, especially one with fancy garnishes. It just makes me feel very adult and very sophisticated. I've only been legally allowed to drink for two years, so ordering alcoholic beverages is still a novelty to me.

Humbling Old-Fashioned at Lock & Key

I'm new to the whiskey cocktail game, and I'm easily impressed, I'll admit it. It doesn't take much to get me excited.

Recently at Lock & Key I ordered the Humbling Old-Fashioned and boy was I ever excited.

This three-ingredient whiskey cocktail tastes more complex than it actually is (it's got three main ingredients).

Buffalo Trace bourbon, Hum Hibiscus liqueur, and agave nectar combine to make this sweet, murky cocktail.

But don't think fruity, think floral.

The hibiscus liqueur tastes like springtime, and it really comes through in this twist on the old fashioned.

I'd put it on shaved ice and call it a snow ball any day.

I'm really excited to try all of Lock & Key's variations on the old fashioned.

Who Dat Rye: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

The Who Dat Rye at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar in Baton Rouge, LA

While there are some whiskey cocktails designed for the faint of heart at Lock and Key, there are several pages of the menu dedicated to those who embrace the stuff.

The Who Dat Rye featuring Wild Turkey Rye, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, bitters, and Herbsaint rinse is bold, but refreshing.

It’s got a strong whiskey taste and the liqourice-y zing of Herbsaint quickly follows. Some may shy away from the strong flavor that so many classic southern drinks share, but I crave them.

A fun twist to this cocktail that something like the Sazerac doesn’t have is the Luxardo cherry liqueur.

If you don’t know what a Luxardo cherry is, it’s those really dark cherries popping up on bamboo skewers in drinks everywhere. It’s the OG maraschino cherry.

The benefit of adding the cherry liqueur is that it takes the edge off of all of the other strong flavors and makes the Who Dat Rye a chilled, sip-worthy cocktail to enjoy on a hot Louisiana evening after work.

Kentucky Campfire: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

It's no secret. I have a pretty bad sweet tooth. My dentist can't keep me away from candy, despite my ever-increasing number of fillings. It's a real problem.

It can probably go without saying that I love dessert-y drinks. I can't really do fruity drinks, but I will always opt for a sugary, boozy concoction.

Kentucky Campfire at Lock and Key Whiskey Bar

That's why I ordered the Kentucky Campfire the last time I was at Lock & Key.

The combination of house-made peanut butter simple syrup, bourbon, hazelnut liquor, Creme de Cacao, and hickory pecan bitters results in a cocktail that tastes exactly as you'd expect it to: warm, peanut butter boozy deliciousness.

Jay and Blair said they'd prefer this as a shot, and I'll admit, its strength and its sweetness would make it fun to shoot, but for me it works really well as a cocktail.

Heck, I'd pair this with a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Sweet-T-Sway: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

Sweet-T-Sway at Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

Somehow, despite the fact that I've worked with Bite and Booze for 6 months now, I've managed to miss out on team trips to one of Jay's favorite watering holes, Lock & Key. When Blair asked if I wanted to grab a whiskey cocktail after work last week, I agreed, even though whiskey cocktails are generally not my thing.

Blair pointed me to a section of the menu called "Whiskey Doubters," and from there I landed on the Sweet-T-Sway.

Much to my delight, I couldn't even taste the Sam Houston whiskey in this concoction (sorry, whiskey lovers).

But the sweet tea combined with pomegranate liqueur and muddled mint served over crushed ice was perfectly refreshing and brought to mind a mint julep.

Maybe if I try each cocktail on the Whiskey Doubters menu I'll eventually become a Whiskey Believer.

If Lock & Key keeps slinging creative, hand-crafted whiskey cocktails like the Sweet-T-Sway, I'll be converted in no time.

For all you Whiskey Doubters out there, I highly recommend trying the Sweet-T-Sway.

Introducing "Free Booze Friday": Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

Pappy, Stephen, and Lorraine pose with host Jay Ducote on the set of
Free Booze Friday

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

At the Bite and Booze headquarters, we receive a lot of free alcohol (including whiskey) in the mail. Brewers, distillers, and winemakers (well, their PR people, mostly) constantly send us a barrage of booze. So much, in fact, that we now have a legitimate bar in our office.

The question of what to do with all this booze kept coming up, so Jay and Tommy (from tommysTV) came up with an answer: a web series where Jay would act as host and bartender, serving free booze to puppets with big personalities crafted by Baton Rouge puppeteer Clay Achee. 

And thus, Free Booze Friday was born.

You can find a safe trailer here.

But for a little Whisk(e)y Wednesday fun, here's a somewhat NSFW teaser trailer. You may notice that some of this series was filmed at the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. Beausoleil Restaurant and Bar served as our other backdrop. 

You may be asking yourself, "Why?"

But our answer to that is, "Why not?"

Why the heck not?

Geek Nation will be hosting each bi-weekly episode (there are 12 this season), so check out their website to stay up to date.

You can also like and follow Free Booze Friday on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

And tune in to learn a little bit about all sorts of interesting wines, beers, spirits, liqueurs, and, of course, whiskeys.

Irish Mule: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

The Irish Mule at Lock & Key

There comes a time on every trip to a cocktail bar that a patron glimpses at a menu and sees some sort of play on a Moscow Mule. The normally potent but refreshing vodka drink features lime and ginger beer. Fortunately, those flavors go with all sorts of spirits. Take for example, Irish Whiskey.

Lock & Key's Irish Mule features Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey, an excellent choice for those of you who want to drink some quality Irish elixir. Add to that a squeeze of lime, orange bitters, and some ginger beer, and you've got quite a spin on the mule in every amazing way.

This drink could be suitable ever for people who aren't the biggest whiskey fans out there. The Irish variety is smooth and subtle in the cocktail, so you really won't miss the vodka. That being said, this is also a great drink for you if you enjoy whiskey and just want a little twist on a mule. Bottoms up!

Touch of Smoke and Fruit Flight: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

The Touch of Smoke and Fruit Flight at Lock & Key

A lot of posts that I've made about the whiskey and whisky at Lock & Key has featured reviews of individual bottles of booze or an insight into the cocktail menu at the bar. This week, however, we'll examine a whiskey flight at Lock & Key, and why they present a terrific way to consume the water of life.

The Touch of Smoke and Fruit Flight ($23) provides a tasting of three single malt Scotches that are nicely balanced but complex enough for any Scotch drinker to appreciate. Typically the Dalwhinnie 15 is included in this flight, but since Lock & Key was out of stock on my most recent visit, they replaced it with the Aberfeldy 12 Highland Single Malt. I didn't complain. The Aberfeldy had a nice peat flavor without overwhelming smoke. A hint of mint and splash of pear were also there.

The Cragganmore 12 from Speyside presented a lovely balance of fruit and smoke, as advertised. This is a nice sipping Scotch to be sure. The Clynelish 14 from coastal Highlands may have been my favorite of the bunch. It carried the most smoke upfront and then finished a little more fruity.

All in all this flight impressed, and getting three pours for $23 is a great way to enjoy different flavors while at a whiskey bar with the kind of selection that Lock & Key has. I highly recommend it!

1804 Old Fashioned: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

1804 Old Fashioned at Lock & Key

There are a plethora of fantastic cocktails on the menu at Lock & Key and lately they haven't been shy about introducing new ones. Or in some cases, really old ones.

Take, for example, the 1804 Old Fashioned. This recipe actually dates back to the early 1800s when it was simply known as a cocktail. It includes Angostura bitters, a sugar cube, 1792 small batch bourbon, and a twist of lemon rind.

Notice that there are no muddled oranges or cherries. That's how you know it really is old school!

You can find this Old Fashioned along with many other varieties at the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. You can of course also find lots of other whiskey (and whisky for those that care about the "e") based cocktails, too.

High West Whiskey Son of Bourye: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

High West Whiskey Son off Bourye

The High West Whiskey Son of Bourye presents a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskeys to create an extremely satisfactory elixir. At 46% ABV, the whiskey from Utah packs a good punch. The booze comes through on the nose along with vanilla and candy corn. On the tongue we picked up flavors like spiced caramel, white pepper, and a slight smoke. On the finish it stings a little with the spiciness from the rye. Pepper, hay, and a hint of mint at the end coat your tongue on the way down.

The whiskey is very complex with the nose, taste, and finish all providing different flavors. The one knock that I'd give the whiskey is that those flavors don't come together in as balanced of a way as I'd like. The flavors are distinct and complex, but not quite all woven together in harmony. At $9 a pour at Lock & Key, this whiskey actually get a great "bang for the buck" score. It is undoubtedly worth the money for anyone who wants to give it a try!

High West Whiskey Son of Bourye
Average Score: 84.67

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. Lock & Key has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys available for on premise consumption. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote from Bite and Booze, Arthur Lauck from Lock & Key, and Eric Ducote from BR Beer Scene. Using our own proprietary scoring system, whiskeys are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, Balance and Complexity, and "Bang for the Buck" which should encompass the whiskey's overall value. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y (though not undrinkable, you'd let somebody buy you one) while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss, anything above 80 is rather extraordinary, and anything above 90 is world class.

The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask: Whisk(e)y Wednedsay presented by Lock & Key

The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask

Whisk(e)y Wednesday gets back to scoring this week as we take a good long sip of The Balvenie 14 year Caribbean Cask single malt Scotch. This whisky is aged most of its life in used bourbon barrels but then finished at the end inside some Caribbean rum barrels. Brilliant.

The nose is soft and easy with hints of sweet honeysuckle, slight citrus, and minimal peat. Oak and raw sugar come forward with some vanilla as well. On the tongue you get a salty sensation and trickle of molasses. It tastes like a salt and sugar brine with a touch of lemon. There's a waft of smoke as well that didn't come through on the nose. The whisky finishes with a slight burn at the back of the mouth and then a smooth passage to the stomach. It then disappears like a pirate plundered any residuals. It goes too fast, really, and leaves you with nothing but a sensation of apple juice and a memory of what used to be.

The Scotch is remarkably balanced but not complex. It is mellow and delightful, packing one, albeit fantastic, note but perhaps leaving the seasoned Scotch drinker wanting a little bit more. Though, for those looking for a smooth, drinkable Scotch that isn't aggressively smoky or peaty, this is a great choice. At $17 a pour, The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask is not the best deal at Lock & Key, but it is isn't a bad value for the quality of the whisky. A score of 81.33 puts it into the Top 20 leader board for Whisk(e)y Wednesday. That's saying something, for sure.

The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask
Average Score: 81.33

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. Lock & Key has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys available for on premise consumption. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote from Bite and Booze, Arthur Lauck from Lock & Key, and Eric Ducote from BR Beer Scene. Using our own proprietary scoring system, whiskeys are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, Balance and Complexity, and "Bang for the Buck" which should encompass the whiskey's overall value. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y (though not undrinkable, you'd let somebody buy you one) while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss, anything above 80 is rather extraordinary, and anything above 90 is world class.

Brandi Lauck: Warden of Whiskey

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

Born in Virginia and raised on a farm in North Carolina, co-owner of Lock and Key Whiskey Bar Brandi Lauck transplanted to Louisiana to be a part of Playmakers of Baton Rouge and to be close to family. The little girl who grew up showing horses discovered a passion for theater in her teen years.

After working in theater companies in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in Baton Rouge, her focus shifted to teaching art classes to at-risk youth in the Capital City.

“I come from an art background, but I’ve always had a passion for whiskey," Brandi said. "My family is Irish, so it’s in our blood.”

Brandi eventually formed a one-woman show in the form of a small marketing and design company while raising her first child. She enjoyed running her own business so much that when she and her husband Arthur Lauck decided to open Lock and Key Whiskey Bar, she knew they made the right decision.

"It’s always been Arthur’s dream to own a bar, but what’s really cool is that it’s become an outlet for the creativity and the passion that I have for women and their understanding of whiskey," she said. "This has been a great opportunity to ‘be on stage’ and bring my knowledge of whiskey to other females that are interested.”

Brandi Lauck hanging out behind the bar while Arthur rambles on about whiskey

Brandi stressed that charity work has also always been an interest of hers and the venue has given them the opportunity to host events that benefit the community. They’ve already hosted some food drives and silent auction events, but Brandi has future plans to gather donations to support the Baton Rouge Crisis Center at her Women and Whiskey events. The Baton Rouge Crisis Center has helped Brandi through some tough times, and she’s hopeful the ladies who attend these free events will be willing to help her give back.

Brandi said Lock and Key is thriving and getting more attention every day. Brandi is as much a part of that as “Whiskey-pedia” Arthur. She’s a respected figure among women in the industry, and she knows her stuff, but it wasn’t always so easy. Like many women in the industry, Brandi had to earn the respect of investors and distributor reps overtime.

What’s unfortunate (I’ve also had the displeasure of experiencing this) is that male counterparts are trusted and respected immediately while women are required to build up trust over time.

“We run our business together, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve had my own ladder I’ve had to climb," Brandi said. "Arthur has been nothing but supportive, and we make a great team.”

Nevertheless, Brandi’s Women and Whiskey program has grown tremendously since its beginning. Now is a great time for women in the whiskey industry. There are more and more women being appointed to master distiller positions all over the world. It is a scientific fact that women have more taste buds and can therefore taste whiskey better than men. That being said, if you are a woman in the Baton Rouge area, head to Lock and Key the third Wednesday of every month and taste some delicious whiskey for free!

This post is part of a monthly series highlighting Louisiana women in the business of booze. Previous features include:

Natalie Parbhoo: Duchess of Distribution

Lindsay Nations: Baroness of Beer

Dori Murvin: Sorceress of Service

Nora McGunnigle: Headmistress of Hops

Myrna Arroyo: Vino Valedictorian

Sharp Dressed Man: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

Sharp Dressed Man at Lock & Key

One of the newest cocktails to grace the menu at the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar is the properly named Sharp Dressed Man. The simple but refreshing take on an Old Fashioned begins its life with a house-made ginger simple syrup. The ginger adds a touch of floral spice that takes the drink in a unique direction. A few dashes of Angostura bitters and a generous pour of a peppery bourbon make this whiskey drink the real deal. It is then garnished with an orange peel and served over a new hand cut crystal clear ice block. Lock & Key is getting fancy!

You may notice that there is no muddled orange and cherry at the bottom of this glass. Not to worry, though, as this is really the appropriate way to make an Old Fashioned. Bitters, sugar and a brown spirit do the trick. The rest if just lagniappe.

The Sharp Dressed Man is definitely worth a try next time you're at Lock & Key!

Women and Whiskey Features the Sazerac: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

The Lock & Key Whiskey Bar may have a new sign, but that doesn't mean anything will change on the inside. If you're a lady and you've been missing the Women and Whiskey events, do yourself a favor and head over to Lock & Key this evening. They'll have special guests to come in to teach everyone the history of the Sazerac, Louisiana's official cocktail, along with a demonstration on how to make your very own.

Each month, Women and Whiskey is lead by Brandi Bostic Lauck, one of the owners of the whiskey bar. She organizes this special monthly tasting in order to provide an opportunity for women to come learn about whiskey with other women. Socially, whiskey is usually associated with the male gender and Brandi is looking to change that by providing women with vocabulary and facts they need in order to "talk like a man about whiskey." Forget everything you knew about girls night, because Brandi is going to hit you with free whiskey tastings, door prizes, and knowledge.

It all starts at 6:30 PM on one Wednesday a month at Lock & Key, and the April event is tonight (4/15).

Burt Reynolds' Mustache: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

Burt Reynolds' Mustache at Lock & Key

Few things are as legendary as Burt Reynolds' mustache. Perhaps a Hulk Hogan leg drop or Britney Spears in a school girl outfit could come close, but still, that is one Hell of a mustache. In fact, it is such the 'stache that the Lock & Key Whiskey Bar named a cocktail after it. Part bourbon, part Scotch, and part other elixirs, the cocktail presents a smokey, whiskey forward balance that is great for sipping with or without upper lip hair.

The drink begins with a generous pour of Buffalo Trace bourbon. The skilled barkeeps at Lock & Key precisely add dry vermouth, simple syrup, B&B brandy, and Laphroaig 10 yr single malt Scotch to the mixture then pour it over a large square ice cube in a round rocks glass. The cocktail looks simple. It isn't garnished with an herb garden or served up where expectations are for the drinker to extend a pinky while sipping. Instead, the classic whiskey drink presentation is exactly how Burt Reynolds and his mustache would want it. And once you draw it to your tongue, your taste buds will tell you that the drink is anything but simple. There's a touch of sweetness that gets rounded out by the smoke from the Scotch. Every ingredient plays its role, and you'll be looking forward to ordering another.

Burt Reynolds and his famous mustache