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Travel Like a Babe: Whiskey in Phoenix, Arizona

October 30, 2017 ~ Alison Kranz ~ Leave a comment

Well, it hasn’t been a year, but I still feel like a slacker for not posting about our April 2017 trip to Phoenix, Arizona, until now. As it’s starting to cool down into fall, I’m actually looking back on the desert heat with a sense of nostalgia, while simultaneously trying to remember all the amazing spots we checked out six months ago.

BARS

We’d gotten tips on a speakeasy called Melinda’s Alley, and it was so secret we couldn’t even find it the first time we tried! We finally found it on our second evening and were glad to discover they hadn’t been open the night before — making us feel slightly less lame.

The red light above the door is all that gives it away. If it’s on, they’re open.

And the red light continues inside.

Across the street and down the alley is another tucked away spot, Valley Bar, where they have a comprehensive list of Arizona whiskey. Oh, and we also got to play a few rounds of skeeball.

We spent a solid night sidled up to the bar at Honor Amongst Thieves, but only after stopping in downstairs for a drink at Stock and Stable.

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This stuff is 🍭

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Apr 15, 2017 at 9:22pm PDT

 

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Moving on to a couple favs đŸ‘ŒđŸŒ

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Apr 15, 2017 at 10:45pm PDT

 

RESTAURANTS

We got a tip from a bartender that Crudo served a mean brunch, so how could we say no? I nommed on a giant duck egg (among other tasty things). Don’t worry, their whiskey selection’s on point too.

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Great selection. Trying new things đŸ‘ŒđŸŒ

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Apr 16, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

 

NON-BOURBON EXPERIENCES

Hands down the highlight of our trip was connecting with Walter Productions, a Phoenix-based group that creates art cars and amazing experiences for Burning Man and beyond.

While we were in Arizona, we got to perch atop Big Red.

And we connected with them on the playa this year to host a “find your spirit animal” whiskey tasting inside their art car, Mona Lisa.

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We got to do a whiskey tasting inside of a @camp.walter art car! What's your whiskey spirit animal? đŸđŸ—đŸ»đŸ°

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Sep 7, 2017 at 10:04pm PDT

 

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Travel Like a Babe is a series focusing on whiskey travel tips for destinations around the globe.

Been to any of these spots? Have somewhere we need to check out next time we’re in town? Let us know in the comments.

 

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Travel Like a Babe: Whiskey in Austin, Texas

December 9, 2016 ~ Alison Kranz ~ 2 Comments

don't mess with texas mural

When my fellow Babe and I spotted a cheap flight to Austin, Texas, we bought it and forgot about it. As November—and our flight—neared, we had no real agenda for our trip, so we turned it into a whiskey tour. What better way to travel?

 

DISTILLERIES

Since we didn’t rent a car, we weren’t able to make it to Garrison Brothers Distillery, which is about an hour out of town. But, this spot was highly recommended to us by many, so add it to your list if you find yourself in ATX.

Garrison Brothers Whiskey

 

BARS

With live music in the back patio and a full whiskey bar in the front, what’s not to love about The Blackheart? We tried some tasty Texas whiskey there in the form of Kooper Family Rye.

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Trying more Texas whiskey đŸ‘ŒđŸŒâ­ïž

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 5, 2016 at 8:20pm PDT

 

You may miss it at first, but follow the “Cocktails” sign to the lower level of this parking garage and enter into Garage Bar, a concrete oasis if there ever was one.

Garage Bar sign

While underground, we tried some more Texas whiskey. This time Balcones Baby Blue.

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#drinklocalwhiskey

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 4, 2016 at 6:09pm PDT

 

While we are on the topic of nondescript entrances: Tucked away on the bustly and otherwise-bro-y 6th Street, you might miss Midnight Cowboy. But make sure you don’t by booking yourself a reservation and ringing the bell for Harry Craddock. Order a stirred cocktail and the bartender will wheel a bar cart over and make your drink table-side.

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Sneaked into a speakeasy tonight 😏

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 4, 2016 at 8:32pm PDT

 

The Grackle and its whiskey wall are not to be missed. Located in East Austin, this bar is a haunt for industry folks. In fact, we ran into our bartender from Midnight Cowboy while we were there.

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#wallofwhiskey 😍

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 6, 2016 at 10:27pm PST

 

The Roosevelt Room has a cocktail menu that spans the decades, literally. You can pick from The Early Years (pre-1880), Turn of the Century (1880–1919), Prohibition (1920–1933), Post-Volstead (1933–1950s), Tiki (1950s–1970s), The Dark Ages (1950s–1990s) [Ed. note: lollll], and Modern Classics (2000s–Present). But, don’t worry, they have regular whiskey too.

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Woodford at the Roosevelt

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 3, 2016 at 7:22pm PDT

 

RESTAURANTS

In addition to their stellar cocktails and whiskey selection (which is set against the backdrop of a sliding-ladder bar) Péché offers delicious food. Not usually an adventurous meat eater, I tried rabbit, boar, duck, octopus, and mussels and they were all divine. Check out this spread.

Dinner spread at Peche

We’ll cheers to that.

cocktails at Peche

 

There’s often a wait at Odd Duck, but never fear: Their brunch cocktail menu will tide you over until you are seated.

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Cory's Coffee: Clyde Mays whiskey, cold brewed coffee, cinnamon, dry vermouth, nitro tap 😋

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 6, 2016 at 10:03am PST

 

NON-BOOZY BOURBON EXPERIENCES

Austin is known for their hot sauce, but we stumbled upon this Kentucky brand in the Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Shop.

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đŸŒ¶ whiskey sauce + my future meals = 😋 đŸŒ¶

A post shared by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Nov 9, 2016 at 7:47pm PST

 

Be sure to poke into Uncommon Objects to peruse all sorts of tchotchkes, including a lot of old school whiskey memorabilia.

uncommon-objects-austin-texas

 

NON-BOURBON EXPERIENCES

  • Via 313 Pizza: What can I say? We were in Austin for five days and ate here three times. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is.
  • Street Art: Rad murals and other street art abound in Austin. Stroll around at your leisure and see what you stumble upon.

 

NOT PICTURED, BUT WORTH VISITING

  • Firehouse Hostel: Slide the secret bookshelf door and enter into a cozy, hidden bar
  • Small Victory: Yet another parking garage bar, though this one with less of a “garage” feel. Head up the nondescript staircase and find your urban sanctuary.

 

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Travel Like a Babe is a series focusing on whiskey travel tips for destinations around the globe.

Been to any of these spots? Have somewhere we need to check out next time we’re in town? Let us know in the comments.

Travel Like a Babe: Whiskey in Santa Cruz, California

January 24, 2016January 24, 2016 ~ Alison Kranz ~ 2 Comments

If you are Working Babes like us, you take advantage of any three-day weekend you get. So, in true Babe fashion we decided to skip town and head to Santa Cruz, California, for the long MLK Jr. Day weekend. And boy, are we glad we did.

We’d done a little research before setting out, but hadn’t had much luck in terms of Santa Cruz whiskey tips. Luckily, once we got to town we made friends with some locals who let us in on a few hot spots, and we figured it only fair to share the knowledge!

DISTILLERIES:

Venus Spirits was our main pre-meditated destination on our Santa Cruz adventure, thanks to a handy 7×7 article we stumbled across ahead of time. We reached out to Venus and the owner, Sean, offered to have us in for a tasting and tour.

venus spirits tasting room santa cruz

We tried their suite of gins, agaves, and whiskeys, and had a hard time picking a favorite! They offer a rye and single malt whiskey (with bourbon coming soon), and their Gin No. 2 and El Ladrón Reposado are aged in whiskey barrels, giving them that amber color and hint of whiskey flavor.

The perfect gin for a bourbon babe! #barrelaged

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 16, 2016 at 2:28pm PST

Tastings are $15 a flight and you get to keep the glass.

BARS:

Our first night in town, we took a tip from our Airbnb hostess and headed to 515 Kitchen & Cocktails. Smartly, we also listened to the lady we sat next to at the bar who let us in on a little secret: We could tell the bartender what we liked in a cocktail and he’d make us a custom drink. Yes, please! They charge you for whatever alcohol you get, plus $3 for the creativity.

When your bartender is this hot you order a second mimosa. #brunchtips #babetips

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 17, 2016 at 1:47pm PST

We ventured into Hoffman’s Downtown the next rainy afternoon, and the bartender treated us to a sample of Seven Stills’ Fluxuate and Chocasmoke. Hoffman’s stocks many other whiskey options as well, including local favorites from Venus Spirits.

Ahh, a fully balanced breakfast of oatmeal stout and cold brewed coffee whiskey. #whiskeyforbreakfast

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 16, 2016 at 12:27pm PST

If you want to take a break from the whiskey, check out Poet & Patriot. An Irish pub with live music, it’s a cozy spot to relax for a pint and a listen. Not to mention, they have the most interactive coasters we’ve ever seen.

#bestcoasterever Call us?

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 15, 2016 at 11:20pm PST

Also check out: The Red Room. We enjoyed too many Michter’s while we were there to be bothered with pausing for pictures, but with over 100 whiskeys, this bar is worth a stop-in. Be sure to mosey downstairs for the more mellow crowd.

NON-BOOZY BOURBON EXPERIENCES:

Verve Coffee makes a mean whiskey latte using house-made Bulleit simple syrup.

Today in whiskey for breakfast: whiskey latte with Bulleit simple syrup ☕

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 17, 2016 at 12:42pm PST

Also check out: The inspiration for Verve’s whiskey latte, The Penny Ice Creamery, and their whiskey custard ice cream. We didn’t make it in to try the ice cream, but it’s on the list for next trip.

BONUS TRAVEL BABE TIP:

Pack your own Duke’s Meats jerky to tide you over in between meals, but don’t leave it where the cat can get it.

Bourbon babes aren't the only ones who likes @dukesmeats bourbon jerky. #guilty

A photo posted by Bourbon Babes (@bourbonbabes) on Jan 16, 2016 at 12:36am PST


Travel Like a Babe is a series focusing on whiskey travel tips for destinations around the globe.

Been to any of these spots? Have somewhere we need to check out next time we’re in town? Let us know in the comments.

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