The last many weeks have been filled with challenges. Work overflows. My back continues to be an issue. Many other disturbances in the force that I do not need to include here. Yet, in every week, there are moments; this one was saved by Vancouver Cocktail Week.

I was not able to attend many events, but the first one was a doozy. Raquel and I (husbands were unavailable) spent our Friday afternoon lunch eating snacks and sipping whiskey at Published on Main. This newly anointed Michelin Star restaurant is conveniently located only 2 short blocks from the house, making it an obvious choice for afternoon beverages of the adult kind.

Published opened only a few years ago, just before start of the pandemic. Rumour had it that the building was originally intended to be another Heirloom (vegetarian) restaurant, until the couple responsible for Heirloom split up, and a new local restaurant was born. Published was rated #1 in Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants in 2022 and received it’s Michelin Star just this year.

My first visit was with Rick during the pandemic. We sat outside, sipped particularly tasty Old Fashioneds, and had the best chicken sandwich of my life. We ordered one to share, immediately followed by a second. I am unlikely to ever forget that sandwich, or the homemade potato chips with smoked trout dip. Seriously! How can such basic food be so amazing?

It is considerably more challenging to get reservations now, and I rather miss the painted picnic tables that sat outside, inviting passersby for a snack and a cocktail on a sunny afternoon.

The event itself was wonderful; “Michter’s American Whiskey Cocktails and Snacks at Published on Main.” Good food, great spirits, accompanied by a bit of history and some whiskey-making education.

We arrived to cocktails at the ready; a Bourbon Old Fashioned with Douglas fir syrup and cypress bitters (both made by the restaurant bar manager). We nibbled on snacks that included the aforementioned chips and smoked trout dip, as well as chicken with the same delicious flavours as that very first sandwich. There were raw vegetables and dip, which we did eat in an effort to balance out all the other less diet friendly food and beverages.

The tasting was brilliant and included a Sour Mash (a flavour surprise), American Whisky (my least favourite, due to a rather chemical flavour) and the most delicious Rye imaginable. I say that as someone who essentially detests rye. I guess that loving rye bread does not naturally translate to an appreciation for rye whiskey. This rye really was exceptional.

Michter’s has a long history in distilling. They were the first American distiller, founded in Schaefferstown PA in 1753. The original name was Shenk’s, after it’s Mennonite founder. (This seems a little ironic for a faith that has historically valued temperance.) George Washington is said to have visited the distillery and purchased rye whiskey to fortify the troops during the Revolutionary War.

The distillery went through many hands, was bankrupted during Prohibition, and became Michter’s in the ’50’s. It’s somewhat awkward name came from the combination of Michael and Peter, the 2 sons of the owner. I especially appreciate the motto of the current owners, who acquired the distillery in 1990 “… producing the best whiskey possible, cost be damned!” Mission accomplished.

Michter’s has a small batch distillery in Louisville KY – the start of the Bourbon Trail. Over the course of our sipping, Raquel and I decided that a trip to Louisville was definitely in order. Rick’s response to the suggestion: “Kentucky is a class 5 gun state” – which means it is legal to carry a fully automatic weapon. Ok, ok, a little off-putting.

Aaron’s response was to text us this:

So…. there is some tentative planning in the works. There are other sites of interest of course: Churchill Downs, Mohamed Ali Center, The Louisville Slugger Museum…. We could keep ourselves busy. But as a true lover of bourbon (thank you Jon Warner!) this trip is very high on my bucket list.

Our final cocktail was the Campfire – a flavour bomb of a rye cocktail made with vermouth infused with BBQ spices, and roasted hay syrup. It was amazing. The homemade hot dog garnish had just a little bit of a kick. Although I had been selectively sipping, I could have licked the glass after this one.

And Raquel – special thanks for the defining quote of the afternoon, which became the headline for this post.

Time for me to go study that Bourbon Trail map….