rev:text
| - My first impression was that the Old Sugar Distillery is urban industrial chic to the extreme. But after a moment or two I realized that it's not an act - this is a working distillery first and a bar second. And its a good thing that they are better at being a distillery than a bar!
The drink menu features (as it should) cocktails made with their own distilled spirits. The current selections include a honey liqueur, rum, ouzu, sorghum whiskey, brandy and grappa. When I arrived at about 7:30 on a Thursday evening the place was at about half capacity with three people working the bar. It took about 5 minutes for one of the bartenders to notice me and finally ask me what I'd like.
I ordered the Queen Jennie sorghum whiskey, neat. The nose was strong with a hint of vanilla. It's aged for 8 months in charred oak barrels that are only 5 gallons - helping to shorten the aging process by increasing the amount of wood per gallon of whiskey. Upon sipping there is a toastiness that comes through from the barrel, along with an almost maple syrup flavor. Not having the chance to speak to anyone knowledgable about the whiskey, I don't know if this is characteristic of sorghum or if there is somehting added to the whiskey to give it that flavor. It was nice, smoother than a traditional bourbon and almost like sipping a manhattan type cocktail.
All in all, Old Sugar is an interesting place to try out or visit occasionally, The industrial atmosphere and limited offerings would preclude me visiting on a regular basis, but I would happily go back with cocktail minded friends to try some of the other offerings.
|