Enjoyed: Saturday, August 7, 2021

Listed on the menu: Yes, as Epice Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Old Forester bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon, bitters, orange peel

The occasion: Jenn agreed to show me around Nashville some more, while the men went to watch the qualification races for the next day’s Music City Grand Prix. Although the afternoon was very hot, Jenn and I ducked into the air-conditioned shops of the charming 12 South neighborhood, where I found some fun souvenirs for myself. We then had a tasty lunch (green salad with goat cheese, dried apricots, almonds, and fig vinaigrette) followed by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Jenn later drove us to a favorite brewery in her neighborhood. I am tickled that she didn’t mind spending so much time with me!

My rating: *** out of 5. The cocktail was fine, and the bourbon was a quality one, but I was disappointed, since I was hoping for a creative, more “ethnic” spin on this drink, since we were at a Lebanese restaurant. I did catch a few small bursts of cinnamon as the end note of my initial sips, but I wanted a more steady flavor of cinnamon, perhaps, or maybe of vanilla, as stated on the menu.

Final thoughts: Although 12 South is full of tourists, the neighborhood is cute and worthy of inclusion in every single issue of Southern Living magazine.