Whisk-ey Away to Vermont in The Southern Gentleman and WhistlePig Giveaway through July 18

Will sipping whiskey whisk you away to Vermont? Could happen when you savor WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey at The Southern Gentleman in the Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Through July 18, each WhistlePig purchase enters you for a chance to win a trip for two to the WhistlePig Distillery in Vermont (entry form requires name and email address). The Southern Gentleman serves several varieties of WhistlePig whiskeys so guests can taste the different nuances. Partake in a WhistlePig flight, Whiskey Pig Rye Sidecar cocktails or try WhistlePig 10-year Rye ($22), 12-year Old World Marriage ($39) and 15-year Maple Smoked ($50).

WhistlePig Head-to-Tail Whiskey Dinner Trots into Ray’s at Killer Creek on August 20

Ray’s at Killer Creek pulls out the stopper to unleash a Whole Hog Whiskey Dinner, a.k.a. WhistlePig Whiskey Feast Head-to-Tail Dinner, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. WhistlePig master distiller Dave Pickerell and executive chef Mike Fuller have knocked noggins to curate a divinely swine-filled menu paired with the Vermont distillery’s small batch whiskies. Squeal over the night’s lineup: crispy ears with fried green heirloom tomatoes served with WhistlePig Straight Rye; chicharrón with creamed rice grits and pepper jam joined by WhistlePig Straight Rye 15 Year; “Bacon and Eggs” with Benton’s smoked pork belly lardons, grilled brioche, poached farm egg, red-eye reduction and house-made hot sauce with WhistlePig Old World Madeira Finish; Big Green Egg slow-roasted leg with hand-pressed corn maize, Silver Queen corn, avocado mousse and hot and sweet maple syrup served with Hillrock Solera aged bourbon; and baked apple and Georgia pecan cracklin’ with butter-caramel gelato paired with Hillrock Port Cask Finish. Cost is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064 and have a credit card ready to buy tickets to this high-proof event.

Saucy Ribs & Whiskey Menu Sashays into Marlow’s Tavern on September 15

Temps are falling and leaves will soon follow. Another sure-fire sign the season is turning over is Marlow’s Tavern kicks off its annual Ribs & Whiskey menu of saucy food and drink specials on Tuesday, September 15. Through October 19, chow down on seasonal faves including Kickin’ Chicken verde soup, daily smoke-house flatbread topped with slow-roasted pulled pork and Marlow’s secret sauce and BBQ Blazed Cobb salad. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey sauce blazes Drunken Chicken and glazes the slow-roasted pulled pork topping “A Pig with Buns” while East Carolina barbecue sauce hits North Atlantic salmon for “The Saucy Catch.” Choose to slather slow-cooked Smithfield James River St. Louis-style ribs with Jack Daniel’s glaze, hoisin barbecue, Marlow’s chipotle barbecue or East Carolina barbecue sauces. Sides such as Granny Smith apple-cabbage slaw, Southern-fried mac and pimento cheese and house-made sweet corn and jalapeño muffins round out plates. Even dessert gets sauced as bourbon bread pudding comes with a splash of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey for sippin’. Boozy cocktails include R&W S’weet tea, Triple Crown and Garden & Gun. Featured wines include Germany’s Villa Wolf pinot gris, Spain’s Marqués de la Concordia rioja, Rosenblum zinfandel from Paso Robles, California and Tommy’s Favorite sangria – available in red or white and made with seasonal fruit and agave nectar. Pabst Blue Ribbon WI ABV 5.8%, SweetWater “Sweet Georgia Brown” ABV 5.8% and Boulevard Smokestack Double-Wide IPA ABV 8.5% match up well with Ribs & Whiskey’s saucy fare. 

Get to Know Your Whiskeys, Tequilas and Liqueurs via Article 14 Flight Menu

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Or scotch. Or rye. The new whiskey flight menu at Article 14distills the nuances down even further by curating a dozen flights featuring small batch bourbons, ryes and scotches, as well as one flight each of tequila and cognac for good measure. Flight prices vary from $15 for a Rosy Sampler of Four Roses Yellow Label, Small Batch and Single Barrel to $52 for 12-, 15- and 18-year Macallan with the option of adding 30-year Macallan for an additional $70. Additional groupings include Third Seat (bourbon), Great White Buffalo or Western Blend (rye), Orphan Barrels, Glenlivet, Dalmore, Islay Sampler or Malted in Japan (scotch) and After Dinner Noir of Cointreau Noir, Grand Marnier and Grand Marnier 150. Flights land at the Article 14 bar in Midtown. Take your seat, please. 

The Southern Gentleman Lassos High West Distillery Whiskey Tasting April 29

Troy Karnes of High West Distillery shares his passion for fine whiskey and the Great American West with guests at The Southern Gentleman on Wednesday, April 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. Come for a night of fine whiskey and vodka tasting -- by flight or specialty cocktail -- and complimentary tastes created by the restaurant’s culinary team. Sip a Scarlet Bell featuring High West Vodka 7000’; The Fairchild with High West Vodka 7000’ Peach, gin, black pepper and Cocchi Americano; Grit & Grace, a mix of High West Double Rye, mint, apricot and lemon; or East of Hudson with High West American Prairie, Carpano Punt e Mes, bitters and smoked cherry (9-$10). Purists, focus on whiskey flights, $12-$22, including High West's Son of Bourye, American Prairie, Double Rye, Campfire and the extremely limited-release Midwinter Night's Dram. Information: 404-939-9845.

Ray's at Killer Creek Hosts Woodford Reserve Whiskey Dinner on November 21

Rich, earthy, smoky, sweet. Ray's at Killer Creek has more autumnal umami in its Woodford Reserve dinner menu than colors in a leaf pile. Reserve your place at the Friday, November 21 dinner and savor every mouthful complemented by Ray's personal selection of Woodford Reserve and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked whiskeys and Woodford cocktails. Guest speaker Shannon Holmes, Brown-Forman's whiskey brand champion, imparts wisdom on these small batch whiskeys. At 6:30 p.m., a reception opens the evening with grilled oysters, pumpkin bisque with smoked shrimp and grilled mushroom bruschetta. Dinner follows at 7 p.m. with tantalizing cedar plank salmon, burnt-sugar black-eyed pea chow-chow and crispy hand-pressed tortillas precluding hearts of romaine salad with smoky Caesar dressing and bourbon-coddled egg, and fall-off-the bone Coca-Cola braised pork osso buco with smoked cheddar and butternut squash risotto. White chocolate sweet potato bread pudding with salted caramel frozen custard brings the evening to a sweet and salty close. The cost is $75 plus tax and gratuity. Call 770-649-0064 to save your seat! 

G's Midtown Celebrates American Classics with Ribs & Ryes Menu Through January 21

Two American legacies - rye whiskey and succulent ribs - come together for Ribs & Ryes at G's Midtown, January 8-21. Baby back ribs glazed in Georgia peach rye barbecue sauce come with sides of smoked baked beans, coleslaw and Parmesan truffle "chips." Bone-in beef short ribs are slow braised with red wine and whiskey and joined by roasted carrots, celery and onions over creamy whipped garlic mashed potatoes. Hearty pork ribs in a plum and rye glaze are accompanied by skillet mac and cheese and green beans. Rib dishes are priced from $10-$16. Menu loyalists, the regular menu is still in play. From the "Ryes" menu, tip back a Catcher in the Rye or honey rye old fashioned incorporating Doc Holiday Double Barrel rye, Diamondback with Doc Rittenhouse rye or try Bulleit rye whiskey in the Sazerac. All cocktails are priced at $9 or at $4 for rye shorties. Do the rye thing and reserve a table: 404-872-8012.

Appetizing Aperture: Marlow's Tavern Ribs & Whiskey

At Marlow's Tavern locations, fall means the Ribs & Whiskey menu is back and available through October 28! Check out the specialty menu here. Hot tip: through September 30, guests who make a donation to the Share Our Strength Dine Out for No Kid Hungry campaign will receive a $5 coupon. (Coupon redeemable at any Marlow's Tavern location from Tuesday, October 1-December 31, 2013. Limit one coupon per donation. Limit one coupon per visit, per guest.)

Get Ready to Sniff, Sip and Swallow at Seven Lamps Whiskey Dinner on March 26

  

Learn to sip whiskey like a pro at  Seven Lamps on Tuesday, March 26. The Buckhead restaurant is teaming up with Heaven Hill Distilleries, America's largest independent and family-owned producer of distilled spirits and the second-largest holder of aging bourbon whiskey in the world, to host a five-course whiskey dinner from 7-9 p.m. A few reasons you'll be kicking yourself if you miss out on this: 

• This isn't your typical whiskey dinner. Not only will you get a half-ounce pour of whiskey or bourbon, you'll also get a cocktail specially crafted by beverage manager Arianne Fielder with each course.  
• The food. Just to give you an idea of what you're in store for, the first course is baked clams with andouille, jalapeno and fried bread. Check out the rest of the menu for more details.
• Whiskey professor Bernie Lubbers will be there to guide you through every sniff and pour, making sure you get a little knowledge to go with that buzz.

The cost is $65 per person. While experts might recommend taking your time when tasting whiskey, seating is limited for this dinner, so don't put off on reserving your spot. Call 404-467-8950 and make that reservation today! 

American Spirit Whiskey Kicks-off Tailgating Recipe Contest

Whiskey and football make a winning team. Show off your mixology skills in American Spirit Whiskey's tailgating cocktail contest. Share a photo and the recipe of your most creative concoction for football season on Facebook and ask friends and family to vote. The good folks at American Spirit Whiskey will pick a winner from the top-five vote getters in early November, and the winner will take home an American Spirit Whiskey oak barrel (minus the whiskey).

Get Meaty. Get Saucy. Get Some Marlow’s Ribs & Whiskey Starting Today

When the chill of fall hits the air, you know Marlow’s Tavern is gearing up to unleash its Ribs & Whiskey menu, offering an assortment of sweet and tangy ribs and drinks to match, all infused with the distinct flavor of Jack Daniels.

The menu, available today, September 18 through October 22, will tickle appetites light and hearty over lunch and dinner. Saucy starter specials ($6-$15) include “Kickin’ Chicken” verde soup, Marlow’s smoke-house flatbread, “A Pig with Buns,” BBQ blazed Cobb salad or “Drunken Chicken.” Order slow-cooked Smithfield James River St. Louis-style ribs by the half or full rack ($16.50/$24) or Marlow’s Ribs & Whiskey “Hookup” of ribs and drunken chicken with sides ($25). Bourbon bread pudding with a splash of Honey Jack is a sippy-sweet dessert ($7). Rib-ticklin’ drinks ($3-$9) include “A Kick from Ginger,” Georgia peach lemonade, R&W S’weet Tea, Black Cabin Smoked Ale, Red Rock Ginger Ale, Villa Wolf Pinot Gris or Cartlidge and Browne Pinot Noir.

Visit your neighborhood Marlow's Tavern to enjoy the once-a-year taste this menu has to offer. 

Start Celebrating St. Pat's Early at Fadó - Enter To Win Passes To The Bushmills Whiskey Tasting

Fadó Irish Pub& Restaurant is known for having the best St. Patrick’s Day party in Atlanta. This year is no exception; the party will fill Fadó and spill out onto Peachtree starting in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday, March 17. The day will be packed with Super Saturday 6 Nations Rugby, Irish dancers, a U2 tribute band and lots more. Buy tickets in advance here.

Fadó is preparing for this unforgettable party by having several tasting events this week. Some of the “pre-gaming” events include a Guinness Black Lager and Foreign Extra Stout tasting that begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 9; Paddy Pickleback shots are $3 each starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 10; and the Paddy's Day Irish Session is not to be missed at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 12. 

If you're over 21, you're the perfect age to have fun at the upcoming spirit tastings at Fadó and to help fight childhood cancer in the process. On Tuesday, March 13, 92.9 davefm radio host Rich Sullivan will be at Fadó for a Bushmills Whiskey tasting beginning at 7 p.m. For $39.95 per person, guests will enjoy a tasting of five whiskeys and six dishes guided by Master of Whisky Kevin Mulcahy of Diageo, the world's leading premium spirits distributor. The food portion of the menu includes salmon bites, lamb and bleu cheese sliders, hot brie rarebit, rasher- and Irish cheddar-stuffed mushrooms and mini cheesecakes.  Twenty percent of the night's proceeds will go to the Atlanta chapter of St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that supports childhood cancer research. Only 75 people can attend this rooftop-level event so be sure to grab tickets here ASAP.

However, if you’re feeling the luck of the Irish, then we have a proposition for you – we are giving one person and a guest a chance to win passes to attend the Bushmills Whiskey Tasting. In order to win this coveted prize, submit a limerick in the comment box below this post. Not sure what a limerick is? Click here for a quick explanation. Your limerick should tell us why you and your guest should get to attend the Bushmills Whiskey Tasting. Also, be sure to leave your full name or twitter handle along with the limerick in the comment box. The winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon, so be sure to check back on the blog to see who is our lucky winner. Sláinte and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Because Every Tuesday Deserves A Whiskey Dinner...

Why wait until next week to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day when you can start now?  Head to Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant in Buckhead tomorrow at 7 p.m. - the authentic pub is throwing the largest St. Patrick's Day party in the city of Atlanta beginning with the Second Annual Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits Whiskey Dinner!  This Irish whiskey tasting, hosted by Master of Whiskey Kevin Mulcahy, features a selection of delicious hors d'oeuvre paired with festive beers and whiskeys for $39 per person (all inclusive).

The five-course menu includes Smithwick's mini burgers paired with a sampling of Guinness, Harp Lager or Smithwick's Ale; corned beef rolls paired with Bushmills Original; smoked salmon bites paired with Bushmills 10 Year Single Malt; sausage rolls in puff pastry paired with Bushmills Black; and chicken boxty quesadillas paired with Bushmills 16 Year Single Malt.  Everyone will end the evening with Baileys and coffee.  What a delicious way to kick off everyone’s favorite March holiday!

"Ribs & Whiskey" Starts Tomorrow at Marlow’s Tavern

McCall and I got a sneak-peek (and taste) of some the new Marlow’s Tavern “Ribs & Whiskey” menu items at the kick-off party last week and let me just say, we enjoyed every bit of it. We definitely give it two messy thumbs up! The official “Ribs & Whiskey” bonanza starts tomorrow at all six Marlow's Tavern locations. Menu items include Marlow’s trademark St. Louis-style Maker’s Mark®-glazed ribs, slow cooked and offered daily by the half or full rack ($13.99 and $19.99); and their daily specials ($8.99 - $18.99) like “a pig with buns” on Mondays, “the saucy catch” grilled Atlantic salmon on Tuesday, sweet Georgia BBQ shrimp and grits on Wednesdays, “drunken chicken” roasted with Maker’s Mark® glaze on Thursdays, and Marlow’s “Ribs & Whiskey” combo platter on Fridays and Saturdays. On the whiskey side, order up a glass of “A Kick from Ginger,” bourbon peach iced tea, “Roadside Fruit Stand,” “Marlow’s Rum Buck” or other bold cocktails ($4-$7) featuring Maker’s Mark® whiskeys and other spirits. There are plenty of selections for beer and wine drinkers, too.

Marlow’s Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.