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You may be familiar with this distinction, seeing it on spirits labels in the liquor stores or on cocktail menus around your town or city. But what does it mean? And what does it say about the product inside?
In the late 1800's, the question of where one's booze originated either wasn't important or folks just didn't give much thought to it. Or if their whiskey was even whiskey at all. Generally, alcohol was bought by wholesalers in barrels rather than bottles making it all too easy to tweak or mask the product with additives and artificial flavorings to stretch the product for more profit, frequently using questionable ingredients to do so.
A traditional whiskey distiller from Kentucky, for example, could be easily undercut by another distillery using a neutral spirit like vodka which is much less expensive and requires much less skill to make and add to their vodka such ingredients as caramel coloring, wood chips and even formaldehyde to alter it enough to pawn it off as something that vaguely resembled a traditionally made whiskey.
After experiencing this con for some time, whiskey distillers and consumers alike got fed up. With the help of the federal government, they set up a standardized designation known as the Bottled In Bond Act. This was one of first examples of a consumer protection law in the US.
The Bottled in Bond or "BIB" designation is one that holds a spirit to a fairly high standard. The Bottled in Bond or Bonded spirits standards are as follows:
Because of these standards, what you get is essentially a "craft" spirit. A unique expression of that distillery's terroir/climate/water etc.
As a bartender and cocktail creator, using a BIB spirit will ensure you of a couple of things. Because of the four-year aging minimum and a 50% ABV, you know your spirit is going to have a strong flavor profile and alcohol content to give it the backbone to stand up to all other ingredients. Especially for more savory or less sweet style cocktails.
The takeaway for me in understanding more about BIB spirits is that a BIB designation of a spirit does not necessarily guarantee a higher quality. That is still a very subjective realm. But it does speak to the authenticity of the product. It's the truest expression of that distiller's "art" in their craft. And that speaks volumes to me.
Come sit down at the bar at The Establishment and let's explore some of these BIB whiskeys. We have several on the menu, and now that they have grabbed our attention, you can rest assured you will see many more offerings a little sooner than later.
Cheers to all!
Ryan Wise
Bar Manager
The Establishment
Some of The Establishment's Bottled in Bond whiskeys.
The weekend is coming! The weekend is coming! Celebrate life's small victories with dinner on Broad Street. We're releasing our Fall Menu this week - including this Truffle Risotto with Carolina gold rice, pecorino Sardo cheese, and fresh shaved truffle
#truffle #chseats #chsdrinks #southofbroad #risotto #winenot #happyhour #charleston #downtown
COMING TONIGHT! Our latest addition to The Establishment cocktail program - the “Three Little Pigs” Whiskey Flight! FROM WHISTLE PIG: Straight Rye 10yr-Oak Char/Orange Peel/Mint Old World Cask Finished 12yr-Caramel/Raisins/Dried Winter Fruit Straight Rye Oaked 15yr-Baking Spice/Leather/Butterscotch For those who like it hot, but with all the flavor! #whistlepig #chsdrinks #bourbon #whiskey #brownwater #southofbroad #charleston
We're loving the touch of fall in the air ... and we're getting our menu ready for the season! Now on the menu - try the Butternut Squash Agnolotti with crispy duck confit, truffled raisins, brown chicken jus.
#autumn #southofbroad #agnolotti #housemade #pasta #duckconfit #eatlocal #chseats #chsdrinks #charleston
Want to try a pillowy bite of summertime? Grab a plate of gnudi with lump crab, sungold tomato, breadcrumbs, and basil. It's that thing that you need today of which you were unaware. Trust me
#gnudi #summer #bitesofsummer #charleston #southofbroad #tasteofsummer #finedining
We lack the willingness to let go of summer. So we created a cocktail that refuses to let it go: The Beach Brat!
Six & Twenty - Double Made Gin
House Made Orgeat
Fresh Orange Juice
Chinola-Passion Fruit Liqueur
House Made Pomegranate/Hibiscus Syrup
Club Soda Topper
It’s a very tropical, tiki style cocktail with a super refreshing effervescence! It’s still very hot out and this cocktail will definitely help cut through that heat! Come take a load off and enjoy some last tastes of summer
Happy Hour starts at 5 pm, with specials on cocktails, wine and beer! And don’t forget about the delicious small bites from the kitchen. Hope to see you soon! Cheers - Ryan Wise, Bar Manager
#chsdrinks #happyhour #cocktail #cocktails #gin #cocktailbar #cocktailtime #cocktailoftheday #mixologist #craftcocktail #southofbroad #charleston #broadstreet
#tropical #imbibe #cocktailhour #cocktailsofinstagram #instacocktails #cocktailporn #tiki #tikitime #summertime #lastofsummer
'Here at The Establishment we have a mantra that we strive to abide by. We say “Take it all the way.” It has many meanings, but the basic concept is, if you’re going to do something, do it to the absolute best of your ability, all the while thinking of ways to make it better. Be it individually or as a collective team. My latest cocktail creation, aptly named “All The Way,“ is an homage to that mantra' -Bar Manager, Ryan Wise
This cocktail is robust yet delicate and smooth on the finish. Super refreshing and with every sip you discover different nuances. I invite you to come taste this featured delight for yourself!
Happy Hour begins at 5 pm Tuesday-Saturday!
CHEERS!
#chsdrinks #happyhour #cocktail #cocktails #whiskey #cocktailbar #cocktailtime #cocktailoftheday #mixologist #craftcocktail #southofbroad #charleston #broadstreet
It's finally Friday! You've survived the week. Reward yourself with an incredible Prime Ribeye with beef tallow potatoes, urfa biber, shaved onion, and bordelaise. Pair it with something from our award-winning, 3000+ bottle wine cellar. Relax ... the weekend is here!
#chseats #steak #primeribeye #southofbroad #winenot #sommelier #meatlover #beef
I present to you the Church Street Stroller - an original cocktail from The Establishment
Take a Church Street Stroll and come take a load off at The Establishments bar. Have some refreshing and creative libations, small bites and appetizers, or a full meal. I can promise that you will not be disappointed!
Please come join us for Happy Hour, Tuesday-Saturday, doors open at 5pm. We have specials on cocktails, beer, wine and small bites from our kitchen
#churchstreet #chsdrinks #happyhour #cocktail #cocktails #whiskey #cocktailbar #cocktailtime #cocktailoftheday #mixologist #craftcocktail #southofbroad #charleston #broadstreet
Last chance to play! Enter your email address and get up to 50% off of EVERYTHING on your next visit (last night is August 31)! Full details and registration at link in bio
#charleston #southofbroad #chseats #chsdatenight #chsdrinks
Looking for something to beat the heat!? Come by and indulge in this tropical-inspired creation by Bar Manager Ryan Wise
THE BROAD STREET SLIPPER features:
Local Firefly Vodka
Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Cointreau
House Made-Pomegranate-Hibiscus Syrup
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
TALK ABOUT REFRESHING!!!
Come by today and get a “Sipper of the Slipper”😉 Doors open at 5pm for Happy Hour!
Look forward to seeing you all!
It's TODAY! Join us TONIGHT for HALF OFF all whiskeys, bourbons, scotches and any bottle or glass of wine. Whether you'd prefer to join us at the bar for happy hour or in the dining room for dinner, you can try something new or an old favorite. Make your reservation now!
#charleston #chsdrinks #chseats #cheapdate #winenot #whiskey #bourbon #drinkup #happyhour #southofbroad
With the help of a lot of talented chefs from the Lowcountry and beyond, The Establishment raised almost $20,000 this summer on our nights off for local charities! We had an amazing time giving back and look forward to doing it again next year!
#giveback #charleston #chseats #chsdrinks