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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.
“Our recent dining experience at The Establishment was absolutely superb...From the succulent whole fish to the exquisite wagyu beef and the delicious cocktails, every dish was flawlessly executed and incredibly satisfying. The culinary excellence was matched by the outstanding service from the staff, who made our evening a truly memorable one.” - Customer Review, July 2024 #charlestonrestaurants #chsfoodie #charlestonfood #charlestonbars #charlestoncocktails #chstoday #chsevents #chseats #charlestonfoodie #charlestonlivemusic #broadstreet
Do you have your tickets to the Not Your Mother’s Gin Dinner? July 31 • 6 pm • 7 courses paired with cocktails exploring Gins from around the world! $120 all in with taxes and gratuity - don’t miss out on this GINternational experience that takes you from the US to Europe, Australian and even Japan! 🔗 in bio for tickets #charlestonfood #chsevents #chstoday #charleston #charlestonfood #gin #gincocktails
{blistered snap peas} an absolute must if you’re dining with us tonight 🌻 sunflower purée, black pepper vinaigrette, radish, and a whole lotta pecorino romano. #chseats #charleston #charlestonfood #charlestonrestaurants #chsfoodie #eatdrinkchs #chstoday #chsfood #broadstreet #localproduce
NOT YOUR MOTHER'S GIN DINNER · July 31 · 7 courses featuring gins from around the world! 🔗 in bio for Tickets. Our 'Not Your Mother's Gin' Dinner will be an immersive and interactive dining experience that will explore gins from regions around the world, from South Africa to Italy and Australia. Each course will be presented with a uniquely crafted cocktail that elicits the flavor profiles of the featured gin, along with a gin sidecar (a tasting sample to the side) to experience its uninhibited essence. The Establishment’s Executive Chef Elliott Howells and Chief Mixologist, Ryan Wise have pushed the boundaries to create a 7-course menu that will take you on a total sensory experience. From English peas to Tasmanian pepper berry and lime leaf to pineapple, some of the very ingredients that makeup each gin may appear on your dish or in your glass.
This one’s for the team 🖤 It’s been 3 years since we re-opened our doors after COVID, and our success today is a testament to the resilience, support, and passion of our entire community. First and foremost, thank you to our incredible team. Your unwavering dedication to upholding our values is unparalleled. Day in and day out, you bring passion, commitment, and heart to everything you do. We’re not just running a business; we’re a family, and each one of you is a vital part of it. To our farmers, fishermen, purveyors, suppliers, and distributors, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your hard work and dedication behind the scenes are the backbone of our operation. You ensure we have the best ingredients and resources to create the wonderful experiences our guests cherish. And to our amazing guests and the Charleston community, thank you. Your support uplifts not just us, but the entire food and beverage community throughout Charleston. Every shared meal brings us closer together and makes us stronger. Here’s to many more years of great food, and even greater friendships. From Everyone at The Establishment, we’re honored to be part of your lives and look forward to continuing this incredible journey with you. Cheers 🖤
“Tremendous experience. While it’s hard to rank a Top 5 Charleston restaurants in order, it’d definitely be in the group.” - Customer Review, May 2024 #charlestonrestaurants #explorecharleston #broadstreet #finediningcharleston #charlestoneats #chseats #charlestoneats #chsfoodie #charlestonseafood #localseafood #sustainableseafood
We will be closed from Tuesday, July 2 - Thursday, July 4. Thank you for your support as our team takes much-deserved time off, and we'll see you Friday, July 5 đź–¤
Limited menu item this evening features a local medley of veggies from Jenkin’s Farm on Johns Island…harvested fresh and hand-delivered this morning from Sue Jenkins Crawford herself! • spoon tomatoes, mini eggplants, purple husk sweet corn, baby bell peppers, and jalapeños • #localproduce #johnsisland #johnsislandtomatoes #southcarolinafarmers #charlestonfood #chseatslocal @thesuecrawfordexperience