Enjoyed: Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Listed on the menu: Yes, on the seasonal menu as “Anniversary Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Rock Town 14th Anniversary Bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura and orange bitters, orange rind.

The occasion: The road trip continued on. After Hot Springs, we drove to the Talimena National Scenic Byway, which winds into southeast Oklahoma and through the Ouchita Mountains, one of the highest ranges between the Appalachians and the Rockies. (And we always pictured Oklahoma as totally flat and dry!) The fall colors were lovely and the views from the overlooks were impressive. We spent the night in a cowboy-themed inn in Talihina, Oklahoma. (Neither of us had ever been to the Sooner State before this.) The next morning we headed back east to North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, home to a World War II submarine. I still don’t know how I climbed that narrow vertical ladder back out of the submarine, but I knew I needed a drink to celebrate that feat! This distillery was only a few blocks from our lodging in the Governor’s Mansion Historic District of Little Rock, so we walked over.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The drink was a touch fruity with a lingering velvety finish. A few days earlier, as we sat in robes and waited for our massages in Hot Springs, I picked up The Arkansas Times and happened to read an article about Rock Town’s Abi Rogne, named the best bartender in the state. (Wow!) To my delight, Abi was working behind the bar the night we visited, and she made all four of our drinks. (Don’t judge. We weren’t driving and I had climbed up that tall ladder, remember?) I asked about this particular whiskey, and Abby told me it was aged in Sauterne barrels and that I should expect peachy flavors. She was right! Yum!

Final thoughts: Arkansas has more “dry” counties (34 out of 75) than any other state in the USA. We were not aware of this until we saw signs along the highways informing us that “the next 2 counties are dry, so buy your beer here now”. On this particular Sunday morning, we stopped for gas and decided to purchase some local beer in a “non-dry” county. We brought the six-pack up to the counter, and the clerk gave us the stink-eye and tersely stated, “You can’t buy beer. It’s Sunday.” We sheepishly apologized to him and told him we were from out-of-state and ignorant of local laws. Apparently, you CAN buy alcohol on Sundays in Arkansas only if it’s “on premises”, such as a distillery, so we were in luck when we reached Rock Town. We were able to purchase a bottle to bring home. Whew.

Enjoyed: Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Listed on the menu: No. The bartender asked for my preference in spirits, and I asked for a whiskey that was locally crafted.

Ingredients: Rock Town La Harpe Low Rye Arkansas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, simple syrup, bitters, cherries.

The occasion: Our next stop after Memphis was Hot Springs, for three reasons: neither of us had ever been to Arkansas and we wanted to check it off our list; we wanted to visit Hot Springs National Park; and in the mid-twentieth century, Hot Springs was a favored spot of gangsters, gamblers, and celebrities. So, we absolutely needed to get drinks at The Ohio Club, Arkansas’s oldest bar and a former speakeasy and casino. The bar was a favorite of bad guys (like Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, Bugs Moran, and Lucky Luciano) and of many Major League Ball players (like Babe Ruth) who were in Hot Springs for spring training. Al Jolson and Mae West, among others, performed there. Of course we were intrigued!

My rating: **** out of 5. The bourbon’s composition was 75% Arkansas corn, so the sweetness stood out. The cocktail met my expectations and fueIed my imagination. I really enjoyed drinking at the beautiful bar with a mahogany mantel (hand-carved in the late 1880s) which included three horse heads and a topless female torso. I felt the history all around me, and that made the drink go down even easier.

Final thoughts: Besides the great cocktails (Husband had The Al Capone, with Templeton Rye, Grand Marnier, bitters, and soda), we found other delights in Hot Springs. Husband drove a side-by-side through a hilly and rugged adventure park; we hiked on a lovely mountain trail; we sampled beers made with actual water from the hot springs; we dined at the iconic Arlington Hotel; and we splurged on a private hot water soak and couple massage at the historic Quapaw Bathhouse. And naturally, we drank the famous water, which was surprisingly delicious.

Enjoyed: Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Peabody Old Fashioned”. The bar–with much pride, as evidenced by the life-sized statue behind my drink–specializes in cocktails made with various types of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Ingredients: Fresh Orange and Cherry crushed together and served with “Peabody Select” Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Bitters, and Sugar Cube.

The occasion: We decided, months ago, that since we were going to be in Nashville for our son’s wedding, we needed to extend the road trip. Our first stop was Memphis. We spent two nights at the iconic Peabody Hotel and had front-row seats in the gorgeous lobby for the morning Duck Parade.

My rating: **** out of 5. The drink was almost too potent for me. This special edition whiskey is advertised as being anywhere from 125 to 140-proof, bold yet smooth. I agree. I did catch the trademark vanilla and toasted oak flavors, but the drink was a bit too intense.

Final thoughts: Memphis has much to offer tourists, especially those who enjoy music and history. “I’ve reason to believe we both will be received in Graceland,” as the song promised, and indeed we were. We also did a sing-a-long bus tour of the city, toured Sun Studios (the birthplace of rock-n-roll), ate ribs at Rendezvous, listened to the blues on Beale Street, and paid our respects at the National Civil Rights Museum. Sadly, we never saw the ghost of Elvis.

Enjoyed: Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Listed on the menu: No, but the venue’s bartender had all the ingredients available, as we previously requested. (The only cocktails specified on the printed “menu” at the bar were Apricot Manhattan and Lavender Gimlet, both in honor of beloved grandparents.)

Ingredients: Four Roses bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, orange rind.

The occasion: THIS WAS OUR SON’S WEDDING RECEPTION. So much joy and happiness!

My rating: **** out of 5. The drink was delicious and carefully made–the bartender took the extra step of rubbing the orange rind around the rim of the glass. However, I started with the Apricot Manhattan and then the Lavender Gimlet during the cocktail hour, because I simply had to try the bride and groom’s choices. (Ah, the unexpected flavors were subtle but lovely.) Then there was the champagne toast, and only then did I try the Old Fashioned, so I obviously didn’t give the drink my full attention.

Final thoughts: The bride and groom picked a winning venue. The evening was perfect. And it was our pleasure to buy drinks for the happy couple’s closest friends and family! Cheers, and best wishes to our kiddos, A and J!

Enjoyed: Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Listed on the menu: This cocktail bar has no menu. The server chats with each customer about favorite drinks, flavors, and the current mood. The bartender reads the notes taken by the server and then creates a specialized treat. I explained that I wanted a riff on an Old Fashioned, so I was presented with a “McIttrick”.

Ingredients: Elijah Craig bourbon, sherry, chocolate bitters, and a cherry.

The occasion: Our oldest child lives in Nashville, and the family gathered for his wedding! (Finally! We are thrilled!) On this particular Thursday evening, Husband and I took our daughter, her boyfriend, and our younger son out for the first of several pre-wedding celebrations in the East Nashville neighborhood. Each of us had a different cocktail, and each of us was intrigued by the server’s explanations and pleased with our drinks.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The server told me the sweetness would come from the sherry, so additional sugar was not needed. Correct. I prefer less-sweet Old Fashioneds. The chocolate bitters were a lovely finishing touch. Well done!

Final thoughts: I am so pleased that my adult children have developed such sophisticated palates for both food and drink. My babies are all grown up!