Des Moines, IA Burbon bars

[Inthewater]

Okay, just a note to any Central Iowa folks here, if you haven't been to the new incarnation of Shorty's (speakeasy-ish bar below Sbrocco on Court Ave Downtown) then you have missed out on one of the best in-bar burbon selections around these parts.

Prices are reasonable until you try to crack into the PVW, which I have not tried yet.

Counted 15+ burbons on the shelf, which is a huge number of choices for these parts in a bar. There could be other places with a similar selection, but I have not seen it.

They had:

JB
MM
Basil Hayden
Knob Creek
Booker's
Templeton
Sczeraczeraczerac..(however it is spelled)
Eagle Rare SB
Buffalo Trace
ORVW 10/90
Not sure about this name, its the VW "Lot B"
Some other plain labeled VW, think it was a reserve Rye?
PVW 15
PVW 20

Hmmm...

(ri)1 rye whiskey
and a couple others.

Anyway, it has been a good chance for me to try a few pricey bottles without spending $50+ on them. I particularly liked the ORVW 10/90 ($6.50 neat) and the Eagle Rare SB ($4.50 neat). Think the PVW 20 is like $20 or $30 a shot...eeeek.

Just a heads up, a hidden little burbon drinkers cove down there, with a nice selection of Irish whiskey and Scotch as well.

[Josh]

Sczeraczeraczerac..(however it is spelled)

I hear that's Billy Joel's favorite whiskey, Sazarac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac

[IowaJeff]

Thanks for the heads up! I saw that they were shaking Shorty's up a bit and heard they would have a large whiskey selection, but figured that just meant they would have the Jim Beam small batch line or something. That is a pretty solid list. Prices don't seem too bad. I might check that out after work today!

[Inthewater]

The new set up down there is way better, not sure if you have been before.

This is much more like the original bar, before the flood. Bar is the full length of the room running North and South. Not sure what they were going for with the tiny bar that had about 6 bar stools, this has got to have about 15-20 seats again. Actually, pretty good food as well, with Chef Meeks upstairs making it, and frozen Fong's Pizzas

I like it a lot. Plus there are still a lot of people that don't know it is down there, so usually laid back.

Let me know what you think.

Also, Red Stagg shot machine, like the Jager machines everyone has. Hehe. Shots are $3 and you get a funky little Red Stagg shot glass. Didn't think much of it, but gave me an excuse to try that as well with out spending $17 on a bottle.

[Inthewater]

I hear that's Billy Joel's favorite whiskey, Sazarac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac

+1 to you, good Sir. Well played.

[p_elliott]

Maybe the next time I have training in Des Moines we three can meet up there.

[IowaJeff]

That would be fun. Let me know if you're in town.

[hectic1]

That is a very nice selection...IMO there are 2-3 must samples if you haven't had them...

1. Pappy 15-this is one of my favorite bottles as any price. This is my desert island bourbon!
2. VWFRR-A fantastic rye bourbon that is as good or better then anything out there. The bottlings from the last couple years are in the 18-19yr range according to Julian Van Winkle!
3. Pappy 20-one of the best bourbons produced by VW...I just wish it was a little higher proof.

Good luck working your way through the list...

[Inthewater]

I'd be down for hooking up for a tasting at Shorty's if it ever happens. Let me know.



Hectic - Doing my best to work my way through already.

[B3Nut]

I hear that's Billy Joel's favorite whiskey, Sazarac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac

You oughta know by now!

I better move out of this thread now...