Washington D.C. bourbon help?

[FlounderinDC]

I'm heading to DC later this week for business. I'm staying up near Dupont Circle and wondered if there were any stores or places I needed to hit. Any recommendations? If I have any free time I might go exploring. I'm not necessarily a "dusty" hunter, but since where I live doesn't get too much of a wide variety I always try to look for good stuff when I travel.

I've looked into some restaurants and bars, looks like Jack Rose is legit. Anyone been to Bourbon in Adams Morgan or Logan Circle?

Also, anyone have any good tips to secure bottles in airline checked luggage? Never done that before...ha!

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[dmarkle]

The Jack Rose is the best bet. Bourbon is a good place, too, but their selection is limited compared to the JR. They have most of everything that I have coveted on this board. I have had Old Fitz distilled in the 60's there (it's on the bourbon menu!), and regularly sip ER 101 there, a bourbon you haven't been able to buy for years. The Jack Rose is right by Bourbon in Adams Morgan.

Schneider's of Capitol Hill has a couple nice private bottlings of Jefferson's Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Elmer T. Lee, which I have loved. Last week, their stock was fairly low, and they had run out of Elmer, but they're a good shop. The liquor stores in Montgomery County, to the NW of the city have some of the best prices on bourbon in the country, even besting Kentucky. They are all county-run stores, so the prices are all the same, but the selection varies. Check out their weekly and monthly specials on the website to see if it's worth the trip.

[michaelturtle1]

If you decide to go dusty hunting, I can 100% guarantee you will find Old charter 7 yr and most likely 8 yr. the city had been hunted very hard in the last few years and OC is all that is really left.. And some random 80 proofers..

[nd2005]

Was there for work a month or so ago.

Bourbon's selection was plenty good for me - I had ER 10/101 and PHC Wheated Mashbill (They had every year of PHC).

Another place we went was The Passenger - kind of a dive bar looking place next to the convention center (hipster faux dive bar, not true dive bar, obviously). The bourbon selection was decent, but my friend and I asked for a pour and i swear the bartender gave us each four ounces. It was the most generous pour I've seen at a bar in years. Needless to say we came back for more.

[WsmataU]

Jack Rose is good, but no longer a top tier "must see." I used to be able to get Weller Centennial pours there. The last time I went, (6 months ago) the first 3 bourbons I ordered off the menu were not available (I think one was the 60s Old Fitz). They still have a good selection that most of the country don't see regularly, but most of the "great" bottles are gone. It is a nice bar setting and has much more availability than either of the Bourbon locations. Basically, it is still a great bar, but no longer the best.

[tanstaafl2]

Haven't been in a while but I have found the occasional unusual bottle at ACE Beverage (3301 New Mexico Ave, NW) when passing through DC. Nothing specific but they seem to have a decent inventory with an occasional interesting stray bottle to be had.

[DogfaceSoldier]

I had a great time at the Bourbon in Adams Morgan two years ago - great selection and prices...I go back every time I'm in DC.

[dmarkle]

Jack Rose is good, but no longer a top tier "must see." I used to be able to get Weller Centennial pours there. The last time I went, (6 months ago) the first 3 bourbons I ordered off the menu were not available (I think one was the 60s Old Fitz). They still have a good selection that most of the country don't see regularly, but most of the "great" bottles are gone. It is a nice bar setting and has much more availability than either of the Bourbon locations. Basically, it is still a great bar, but no longer the best.

Not to start a war here, but do you know of another bar in DC that has ER 101, DSP-16 Old Fitz, etc? The Jack Rose still is the best place to go in DC. I get depressed when I go to Bourbon and half of their bottles on the wall are empties.

[WsmataU]

Not to start a war here, but do you know of another bar in DC that has ER 101, DSP-16 Old Fitz, etc? The Jack Rose still is the best place to go in DC. I get depressed when I go to Bourbon and half of their bottles on the wall are empties.

[p_elliott]

They make a hard case liquor carrier for check in luggage. Go to winecruzer.com

Edited December 4, 2013 by p_elliott

[FlounderinDC]

Thanks for all the great information and discussion. It is appreciated!

[tanstaafl2]

They make a hard case liquor carrier for check in luggage. Go to winecruzer.com

Spendy little suckers! I think I will stick with my homemade versions. So far it has never lost a bottle.

[p_elliott]

Spendy little suckers! I think I will stick with my homemade versions. So far it has never lost a bottle.

True they are expensive and you could go to your local home depot and buy all the stuff to make one a lot cheaper.

[rutterb]

the williets choices were insane at Jack Rose. Also had a good selection of Japanese scotch.

[dmarkle]

Ah, speaking of Willets, Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons in Georgetown had a very nice selection the last time I was in there. Which was pretty much the only time I was in there. I don't have that readily accessible an expense account

[WsmataU]

Yeah,

if you are into the Willet bottlings, DC has an extremely good selection. Unfortunately Jack Rose ran out of the Velvet Glove the last time I visited.

[FlounderinDC]

In case anyone cares, here are my thoughts.

I was able to hit up both Jack Rose and Bourbon during my time there. Bourbon was ok. Again, I don't see much of the BTAC or higher end stuff around here so I had a pour of the ORVW 10 yr. and the W.L. Weller. I'd had the 10 year before and really liked it so I wanted to have some more. Never had the WLW before and wow...it was tasty. Right before I left the bartender gave me a small taste of one of the many Willett's on hand but I can't remember which one. It was so loud in there I couldn't hear what she was saying. It was very good but I had to run off. Place was busy and my only major problem was the craptastic music they were playing. I sat at the bar downstairs and it sounded like a terrible dance club in there.

Jack Rose was great. I ate and the food was pretty good. I had a pour of the Rock Hill Farms and the Jefferson's 17 year. That Jeff's was really interesting, maple syrup bomb on my unrefined palate. Bartenders were friendly and just reading their list was fun. Looks great too with all the bottles on the walls. I'd definitely go back to Jack Rose but iffy on Bourbon.

The bar attached to my hotel had a decent, small selection of bourbons as well. By the end of my stay, the bartenders knew my FRSB order. Anyway, I appreciate the input, thanks!

[Tony]

This is a good thread of information.

Has anyone been to the Columbia Room or Passenger and can share thoughts? - http://www.laughingcocktail.com/projects/

Best regards, Tony

[cardinalwildcat]

This is a good thread of information.

Has anyone been to the Columbia Room or Passenger and can share thoughts? - http://www.laughingcocktail.com/projects/

Best regards, Tony

I've been to Columbia Room. It is a speakeasy inside the Passenger. The cocktail tasting menu is terrific and consists of three drinks and an accompanying snack. The first two drinks are designed by the mixologist and the last drink is crafted to your specifications. It isn't cheap (~$69), but it is well worth going once.

[Tony]

I've been to Columbia Room. It is a speakeasy inside the Passenger. The cocktail tasting menu is terrific and consists of three drinks and an accompanying snack. The first two drinks are designed by the mixologist and the last drink is crafted to your specifications. It isn't cheap (~$69), but it is well worth going once.

[smokinjoe]

Sadly, I am of no help here, either, and cannot answer your question. I've never been to Washington DC. I am glad to see other people helping you out, though.

[Restaurant man]

Sadly, I am of no help here, either, and cannot answer your question. I've never been to Washington DC. I am glad to see other people helping you out, though.

You must be exhausted joe.

[smokinjoe]

You must be exhausted joe.

I am, Kev. But, I want to help. I have to make up for lost time...