🟢 Hartford’s Smokiest $89 Mezcal Dinner

Happy Tuesday!

OK, it’s officially cold.

You know how the family has the debate about when to finally turn the furnace on?

I always strive for my family to wait till Thanksgiving, but then it usually comes on a long time before then (like last week).

Oh well… maybe next year.

Now let’s warm up with some drinks.

In today’s edition of The Hartford Pour, we’ll get into:

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun Tip: I own over 70 bottles of whiskey - and counting…)

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I have had a few of you email me or DM on Instagram saying you had a good time at one of the places I’ve recommended.

That is awesome and helps me see that what I’m doing is helpful to you!

But it got me to thinking…

Jack Daniel’s is the OG for many when it comes to whiskey. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is quite possibly one of the biggest commercial successes ever.

But the traditional Jack Daniel’s is the LAST whiskey I reach for. Let’s level up your palate.

JD’s higher-end stuff is sooooooo much better than anything on the market and, in many cases, is worth every penny of the premium price.

So today, I bring you the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel (Toasted).

Distilled by: Jack Daniel’s
Mashbill: 80% Corn | 8% Rye | 12% Malted Barley
Age: Reportedly 7 to 9 years
Proof: 100
Findability in Hartford County: 7.5 out of 10
MSRP: $69

Sweet oak all day long (twice on Sunday). It’s warm and inviting and perfect as the weather gets colder.

There is a hint of the traditional banana note that higher-end Jack Daniel’s selections often have. So it comes together to make a Banana nut bread drenched in sweet cream.

It’s not super sweet, but the nose is reminiscent of a dessert in a glass.

On the front end, it’s a creme brulee and pastry. It’s absolutely delicious and it’s clear why it’s one of my favorite whiskies in the collection.

The oak and barrel char come across at the mid-palate. I really enjoy the dark fruits, maple and dryness.

I usually don’t enjoy a ton of dryness, but for this Heritage barrel, it works.

It’s 100 proof so that helps its lasting power. I don’t get a solid Kentucky hug until about 2 to 3 sips in (that’s when you feel the burn in your chest).

The finish is not super long, more medium to short, but there is so much going on to get to the finish, that I don’t miss it.

If I had to be critical, I don’t feel it sticking to my teeth like the Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye.

The mouthfeel is good, but short lived.

You can find this in most of your bigger stores: M&R, Max Beverage, Worldwide, Total Wine, etc…

It’s not a hard bottle to find, but it carries a hefty price tag at about $70 MSRP.

If the $70 price tag is stopping you, don’t let it. This bottle is worth the price tag. In fact, I would probably pay a little bit more for it, but not more than $75.

As you can see from the picture, I have been nursing this bottle because I don’t want the goodness to end.

As the bourbon whiskey bubble bursts, it’s nice to see really good bottles at affordable prices and this bottle is no different.

It has a couple imperfections on the backend, but still better than any Jack #7 (and you can quote me on that)

T8KE Rating: 7.75 | Great | Well above average

Here's how you know a hot chicken place means business: they sell milk.

Honestly, that’s a flex. But I kid you not… it’s right there next to the beer when you order.

Don’t get me wrong, I love spicy food, I really do. But Birdcode tests my limits, and any spot that sells milk to go with its chicken is playing on another level.

I once had a friend order the hottest chicken they had (it's called Code Breaker, which probably should've been the first clue lol). They couldn't even finish it.

Here's the thing though, it's still really good chicken. All that heat lives in the breading and seasoning, and underneath it's fresh, never-frozen chicken, brined for up to 24 hours and hand-breaded to order.

Not a heat person? That is Mrs. Hartford Pour. She usually goes with the Country level, which has zero spice and you'll be just fine.

Now on to the new good news…

The original West Hartford location at 120 Park Road reopens tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 28) at 11 a.m. after a full renovation, with a brand new interior and an expanded menu.

That means new milkshakes (Toasted Coconut and Mint Chocolate Chip) plus a Spiced Brown Sugar Root Beer and a Caramel Apple Ginger Ale.

My goodness, take me now! That root beer sounds amazing!

Honestly, a milkshake might be the smartest heat insurance in town.

Bonus: swing by on Halloween for $5 off any order (use code BOO online or just ask at the register).

Can't wait to see what else they've cooked up. Bring your appetite. The milk, they've got covered.

Ease into the week with oysters and a little stretching (just not at the same time, lol).

Max Downtown in Hartford (185 Asylum St) is doing Buck-a-Shuck Tuesday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Oysters want something crisp, so pair them with a glass of the Tangaroa Sauvignon Blanc out of Marlborough.

Whiskey people (hi), the Old Fashioned, Eh! is made with Canadian maple rye and walnut bitters, and I'm not saying you have to, but I'm also not not saying it.

If you'd rather earn your drink first, Pilates After Dark takes over Brignole Vineyards in East Granby (103 Hartford Ave) from 7 to 9 PM. It's a 50-minute mat Pilates class at the vineyard, 21+.

Afterwards, the Red Tail, their estate Chambourcin (cocoa, cedar, plum), is a pretty great way to undo all that hard work.

Shellfish or self-care. Tuesday's got range.

I’m not the biggest Halloween guy, but this weekend is upon us and the creep officially starts today, and it starts with dogs.

Howl-O-Ween Pup Street takes over Pratt Street in downtown Hartford from 5 to 8 PM, the last Pup Street of the season. The costume parade kicks off at 6:30 PM, judged by Lucky King Pops, a former foster dog of Barstool's Dave Portnoy.

A dog judging other dogs' costumes. I have so many questions.

Prizes include a free photoshoot from Clark Creative CT and Paint Your Pet Night vouchers to Muse Paintbar, and the first 50 dogs get a free pick from the pup-kin patch.

No dog? Speaking of painting… Parkville Market in Hartford (1400 Park St) has a Paint n Sip from 6 to 8:30 PM. Canvas, paints, and brushes are all provided, and the bar is right there when you're done. 21+.

Either way, you're leaving with something cute.

Thursday is sneakily the best drinks night of the week.

Mezcal fans, Max's Trumbull Kitchen in Hartford (150 Trumbull St) is hosting a Banhez Mezcal Dinner. Arrive at 6, dinner at 6:30.

Six courses (raw oysters all the way to beef Wellington and a negroni cookie), cocktails like the Robo & Famous, and Junior Hernandez from Banhez talking mezcal. It's $89 per person plus tax and tip.

Want something more low key? Glastonbury Wine & Spirits (2283 Main St) is pouring Mollydooker from 6 to 7:30 PM, including The Boxer Shiraz, Blue Eyed Boy, and a Cab called Gigglepot. Gigglepot is a real wine name and I fully respect it.

Or head to Witchdoctor Brewing in Southington (168 Center St) for a Halloween Charcuterie Workshop with the Meriden Humane Society from 6 to 8 PM. Build a board and grab a Pumpkin Or Sumthin if it's still pouring (it's been all over the check-ins lately).

Mezcal, Shiraz, or cheese. Honestly, no wrong answers, this Thursday is packed!

Do you know of an AWESOME restaurant or bar? Or something not included in this email you’d like to see?

REPLY to this email and let me know!