I’m going to tell you something that might surprise no one:

I’m cheap

If there is a deal to be had, I will find it. I have sat down at a restaurant, found a gift card promo online, and bought it to save a few bucks (or to get a free appetizer). I have a way to always find a deal (and my parents call it “pulling a Chris”).

That being said, I was sitting at my local Elks lodge last night and the bartender mentioned that I should try the new bourbon they got today. She said it was Four Roses Small Batch Select. A good friend next to me actually bought my drink I enjoyed a delightful pour. I asked the bartender for the bottle to take a picture and I chuckled just a bit.

What would you imagine the price to be of a pour of Four Roses Small Batch Select at a restaurant?

If I was in the Indy area, I would guess I would $10-$12 for an 1oz pour.

If I was in Chicago, it might be $15-$20 for a pour.

In lovely old New Castle, Indiana – It was $4 for a pour. Don’t believe me? Look at the very classy post-it note that was attached to the bottle.

That’s why I’m here to argue that there is a secret to finding cheap drinks (specifically bourbon) if you know where to look. And it’s not going to be at that weird liquor store in the middle of nowhere.

Where To Find Cheap Bourbon Pours

The answer is: Fraternal Organizations

Social clubs such as the Elks, Eagles, Masons, Moose, Knights of Columbus, etc are some of the best (and cheapest) places to get a drink.

Most people assume that fraternal organizations are typically reserved for older folks. I imagine your grandpa or great grandpa might have been a member of at least one of these organizations if you grew up in the midwest. And most people have no idea what these fraternal organizations even do. They just know they sponsor their kid’s baseball teams and possibly run a bingo hall or golf course.

What people don’t know is that these clubs often have some of the best deals on food, drinks, and events around.

How Can Their Prices Be That Low?

I think it really comes down to a few different things:

1. Membership fees – These are social clubs and all of these places have yearly dues. These dues go to the operation of the facilities and to help the community. As a member of an organization, you get special perks like access to the facilities and event, specific nights where dinner is for members only, access to other lodges across the nation, etc. These fees help to offset the cost of operating a bar or a kitchen.
2. Lower markups – When you have a little bit of wiggle room in your operating expenses from the membership dollars, you don’t have to charge a 3 times markup on everything to break even and make a profit. Heck, these are non-profit organizations who are going to give any profit away to causes in their community. So you can take a $55 bottle of bourbon and charge $4 a pour for it. When you do the math, the lodge is still making money (roughly $30-$40) on selling 1oz pours. Money is being made, but not as much as a restaurant needs to make.
3. Repeat business – If you walk into any fraternal organization, my guess is you will see a group of people that know everyone there. The bartender knows exactly the drink they are going to order and they might even have a typical “spot” at the bar. You might also find a daily and a weekly drawing somewhere if you look hard enough. The fact that these people are in the bar each day bring a steady stream of revenue into the fraternal organization. Most restaurants have regulars who stop 1 time a week. These bars have people who stop by 5-6 days a week. You make more on the volume of drinks sold instead of the mark-up.

What Do They Usually Have?

This all depends on the lodge, club, and the members. These types of organizations tend to carry what the regulars enjoy to drink (since they are their main customer base). At our Elks Lodge in New Castle, I’m one of a few people that help make suggestions on what to carry when it comes to craft beer or bourbon.

For example: I went to Moon Drops Distillery and did a tasting. I enjoyed the tasting, so I asked for a card to take back to my local Elks Lodge. The nice lady wrote down the information and I took the card back to the lady who does the liquor purchasing and asked if they could grab a bottle of bourbon, a bottle of lemon drop moonshine, and a bottle of apple pie moonshine. Less than a week later, these three items were sitting at the bar. The Four Roses Small Batch was a request by another regular. If you ask for it and will drink it, they’ll carry it.

On my trips to other Lodges and states, I have noticed this same thing holds true. If I head to the Muncie Elks Lodge, I’ll be able to find Blade and Bow on the shelf for a $5.50 pour. If you head down to the Franklin Elks, you’ll find some great bourbons for no more than $6 a pour. If you head to the Greenfield Elks, you’ll be delightfully surprised by their selection and their prices as well. I’ve had Jefferson’s Ocean at a K of C in Ohio for $6 a pour. An Eagles Lodge close by has Woodford Double Oaked for $5.50. It holds true in Wisconsin and other states as well. If there is a bourbon drinker, odds are there is a good priced pour waiting for you.

How Can I Get In?

This is a great question – Some of these organizations have special cards, fobs, or other methods to allow their members in. Guest are a little more difficult. Sometimes there are “open to the public” nights, sometimes you can walk in and ask for an application to get a look around, and sometimes you can find a member and have them take you as a guest.

Regardless – If you are wanting to make this your new favorite bar, you are going to need to get a membership. Memberships run between $30-$100+ depending on the organization, the location, and the amenities. This is typically charged on an annual basis.

Once you are a member of one lodge or spot, you can take that membership with you across the nation. I have a Moose membership in a town I’m not even in so I can stop at the Green Bay Moose for breakfast before a game (cheapest and most delicious in town). I use my Elks membership to visit Lodge in Florida so I can avoid paying tourist prices. I use these membership for more than just my weekly dinners. I use it as a special “low price” club I can visit anywhere and everywhere I go!

Conclusion

As I sat there last night at my local Elks Lodge, I was wondering if I would have had more fun taking a trip to Indy to grab a drink and dinner. Most likely, the answer would have been no and it would have cost about 3 times more than my night last night. I had fun playing pool, talking with familiar faces, and drinking cheap drinks for the entire evening. And I’ll be back up there in just a few days to do it all over again. The cheap pours of bourbon are just one of the many perks.

Note: If you are reading this from West Fork, I would love to come visit. This post is from my research online and I would love to write a post about my actual experience.

I’ve been a fan of West Fork Whiskey for quite some time. Their downtown location was a frequent stop when the wife and I were looking for a good cocktail. I think their bourbon and other spirits have really grown over the years, especially the Old Hamer line, but I think I’m not the only one who feels that way.

This past year, West Fork Whiskey (or how they spell it West Fork Whsky) opened a new location in Westfield. Although I haven’t had a chance to actually make it up to the new location yet, it’s on my list and I wanted to give a rundown on what to expect.

Located in booming Westfield, Indiana, our 35,000 sq. ft. facility is home to The Mash House Restaurant, Stave Cocktail Lounge, and 5,000 sq. ft. Event Center. Our whiskey distilling operations are expected to be fully operational at the beginning of 2023, at which point distillery tours will begin. In the meantime, we offer whiskey education and tastings 5 days a week with private dining and seasonal events.

West Fork Whsky Website

The Location

The new location is up in the Westfield area about 30 minutes north of Indianapolis. It’s a easy drive from Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville. I haven’t been up to the location, but I was able to pull a blueprint from the website. Looks like it’s a blended version of a distillery, barrel storage, a restaurant, and a cocktail lounge. It also includes event space and outdoor space (plus plenty of parking – way better than their downtown location).

The Tours

This might be the part I’m most excited for. The Barrel Thieving Experience!

What could be better than trying bourbon straight from the barrel!?!

I’ve only ever done this at Three Boys (aka Whiskey Thief Distilling) in Kentucky and it was one of the best tours ever.

It looks like West Fork has these tours Thursday – Sunday and the cost is reasonable as well (only $25).

You can schedule a barrel thieving tour here.

The Mash House Restaurant

The distillery has a restaurant called the Mash House. If they put as much work into their food as they do their bourbon and spirits, I imagine this restaurant will be amazing as well. I’ll report back once I have a chance to give it a try.

From the West Fork website:

An Indiana-focused, family-friendly restaurant led by Chef Carlos Salazar, bringing new interpretations of the food you know and love. Visit us in Westfield for a meal, a cocktail, or bourbon tasting! Our restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and something on the menu for everyone!

The Menu

Here is a link to the menu.

A few things that jumped out to me:

I’m a sucker for tenderloins, so I’m going to be getting one of these two sandwiches (I tend to love spicy food, so I’m most likely going to get the Westfield Hot).

If I don’t end up picking the Westfield Hot Tenderloin, I’ll go with the nachos or the Smoke & Fire burger.

There is also a brunch menu that looks killer. I might have to rearrange the plan to make it up on there on a Sunday instead of a week night.

Weekly Specials

I’m always looking for a deal, so here are their weekly specials for your reference.

Tuesdays – $6 West Fork American Lagers

Wednesdays – $8 Old Fashioneds and $5 Off To-Go Bottles

Thursdays – $8 Beer & Shot (The Dave) and 1/2 off bottles of wine

The Stave Cocktail Bar

I always felt like the downtown West Fork Whsky location felt like a small cocktail lounge and I loved it. I could sit there and enjoy a cocktail and a conversation. When I saw the new Westfield location, I was worried it was going to be bigger and it would lose the feel for the small intimate feel. I haven’t been to the location yet, but I’m hoping this isn’t the case.

From the Wesk Fork Website:

Stave offers warm hospitality, attentive, full-table service, knowledgeable staff, and uncompromising quality in all offerings. This intimate cocktail lounge showcases the elegance and versatility of whiskey in its simplest and most complex expressions. Stave’s cocktail menu is exclusively available within its space. 

This speakeasy-inspired lounge is cozy, intimate, and can be on a wait during peak hours.

A few things jump out to me right away. I know my wife will want to try the Espresso Martini and I know I’ll have to grab a smoked old fashioned (I don’t know why, but I love these things). I also learned that I would be labeled as rugged (imagining me as a rugged mountain man is hysterical).

Conclusion

I look forward to making a trip up to Westfield and trying out the new West Fork Distillery. I plan on taking my wife for a nice dinner followed by a drink or two in the cocktail lounge. I then plan on taking a group of my bourbon drinking friends to the do the Barrel Thieving Tour. I’m hoping I might be a short drive away from an amazing distillery and restaurant. Once I do, I’ll give an actual review of my trip.

Stay tuned!

As I woke up this morning, I received an email from Buffalo Trace that included some updates on their expansion, some new expressions, a fundraiser, a 5k, and something I didn’t expect:

A section on Counterfeiting and Fraud.

I’ve always known that there is shady business going on out there, but I guess I didn’t understand the extent to which it was occurring. I remember reading and article about this topic a last year from the Wall Street Journal, but this email made me think about it all over again.

Here is what they sent:

During this holiday shopping season, we are once again warning whiskey fans to be on the lookout for fraudulent activities, as “bad actors” are getting more sophisticated. We have seen an uptick in some of our more popular brands being counterfeited in the past few years, sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between legitimate whiskey and “fake.” We encourage shoppers to only buy from licensed retailers, not online groups such as those found on Facebook or Craigslist.

In the last year, we have seen consumers duped by online sellers of Blanton’s and Double Eagle Very Rare, with buyers receiving no bottles after payment, or sometimes empty bottles, or in the case of Blanton’s, fake empty bottles with plastic horses on top instead of the signature metal horse stopper collectors know and love.

This past summer, an astute label printer in Ohio contacted us after being contacted by a new client to produce Weller Bourbon labels. Sensing something was amiss, the printer contacted us to verify, which led to us taking legal action against the third party wanting the labels printed.

We have also been made aware of unscrupulous characters setting up fake domains and purchasing credit card machines to make it seem as if Buffalo Trace Distillery is conducting bottle sale transactions online. For the record – Buffalo Trace Distillery does not sell its alcohol products online

Our whiskies have not been the only targets of scam artists. When we opened our October tour bookings, all tours for the month were booked within seconds, with one group claiming nearly 500 tour spots under various email addresses. Through our online tour reservation system, the bad actor was found out quickly and the tours were freed up for other fans. Our understanding was that the tours were going to be sold by the third party, even though all tours and tastings at Buffalo Trace remain complimentary.

We work with the FBI, Secret Service, Customs, and Border Patrol on tracking down counterfeit whiskey importers, buyers, and sellers so that they can be caught and punished. We have also invested nearly $3 million in legal fees in the past five years to have fraudulent online whiskey sellers shut down, and bad actors charged.

The biggest concern for the whiskey purchased outside the retail system is the health and safety of the unsuspecting consumer. Having seen cases in other countries where the recipient falls ill after consuming the product, and in some instances dies, we warn fans not to consume anything that looks suspicious, and not to purchase any spirits from anyone other than licensed retailers. If you feel you have been duped, you can report the site to the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorneys General office and contact your credit card company about its fraud protection policies.

Buffalo Trace Distillery – Email (12/27/22)

The professor in me wants to take a few moments and let you process that blurb from the email. There are people setting up fake liquor sites, printing Weller labels, and sending empty bottles on the secondary market.

This is just nuts.

So how do you protect yourself from these kinds of issues? I’m going to provide a few tips that could save you from doing something that is going to cost you money in the long term.

Tips to Prevent Fraud and Counterfeit Bottles of Bourbon

1. Don’t buy bourbon from an unlicensed vendor – This might seem like common sense, but people will do some crazy things to make a quick buck. If you are buying bourbon off a secondary market, you are exposing yourself to some risk that the bottle might be a fake. People who actually receive bottles straight from the distillery (aka restaurants and liquor stores) have a more secure supply chain than someone from craigslist.
   
2. Inspect each bottle before you buy – As much as I want to say that everyone is honest, sometime that isn’t the case. If you are buying a bottle from ANYWHERE, always stop and inspect each bottle before you purchase it. Bottles from distilleries are going to have specific labels and seals, along with some sort of seal on the lid. If you are spending a lot of money on a bottle, also make sure you have done your research on the color, the labels, etc so you can detect if there is a glaring issue before you buy.
   
3. Don’t buy allocated bourbon online – Anyone with a computer and about $20 can setup a domain and put together a credit card processor. Just as Buffalo Trace says in the email: They don’t sell their bourbon online. If you magically can find a hard to get bottle, send up a red flag. It shouldn’t be that easy. If you have to second guess before you put in your credit card number, that’s a sign you shouldn’t do it in the first place.
   
4. Don’t worry about “rare” bottles – I have had the privilege of trying some of the “rare” bottles out there and they are tasty. But I’m never going to pay out the wazoo to get my hands on a rare bottle just to have a rare bottle. There are plenty of amazing bourbons on the market (and on the shelves) that can be purchased without risking that chance of buying a fake. I recommend looking at store barrel picks and other unique offerings at your local liquor stores.
   
5. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – This should be the tag line of the entire internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Use your brain and your gut before dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on a bottle of bourbon. You would do it if you were buying a car or a house, so make sure to do your due diligence if you are buying bourbon or scotch.

Conclusion

Don’t be one of those people who gets scammed trying to buy a rare bottle of bourbon. Use the tips above, plus your common sense before you buy any bottle of bourbon that has a high price tag. Know who you are buying from, know the bottle and inspect it, don’t use a scammy website to purchase it, consider buying other bottles, and use your brain and gut.

A close family friend scored a bottle of Booker’s bourbon and was talking about it at dinner on a Wednesday night. By Friday, we ended up at his house and were able to do a tasting of it. Although I could spend the whole blog post walking through the bourbon, I felt like there needed to be a focus on a little detail I noticed while opening the bottle.

My friend handed me the insert inside of the box that gave the rundown of the Booker’s Batch. He asked if I could read it without my readers (perks of being young) and I took a few moments to read it outloud. It said the following:

“This batch was pulled on a hot and humid day in July. The color of this liquid is golden amber, and you embrace the dark, sweet vanilla aroma right away. With just one taste, your mouth is filled with rich and sweet flavors of vanilla. The lingering finish isn’t overpowering, so soon after you’ll want another sip. I made myself a Kentucky Tea with Kentucky Tea Batch, and it brought back memories of my dad sitting at his own kitchen table enjoying his Kentucky Tea with supper.

As you can imagine, Dad loved the flavor of bourbon, especially his Booker’s Bourbon. Since Booker’s is over 100 proof, the flavor still pulls through when added to water. So, he’d take one part bourbon and four parts water and enjoy his drink. One night, when a reporter was at Dad’s house for supper, he asked why Dad drank Kentucky Tea. Dad quickly replied, “Why would I flavor my water with tea leaves when I can flavor my water with bourbon?” It was that simple – Kentucky Tea was Dad’s drink. He would drink it with a country ham or fish dinner and would say you need to sip the right proportion of Kentucky Tea to really appreciate the food.

As you sip this batch, add a taste of it to your water so you can try Dad’s Kentucky Tea with “Kentucky Tea Batch.” I know that’s how he would’ve liked it. Cheers!”

-Booker’s Bottle – Kentucky Tea Batch

I was excited to try the bourbon (which was great by the way), but the story sparked my interest. I’m a sucker for a good story and I always like to try new cocktails.

So I decided to try to make “Kentucky Tea” at home the next night. I didn’t use Booker’s, but I did use some Knob Creek.

And here is my review:

1. It’s not horrible. It’s not drinking bourbon on the rocks or neat, but it also isn’t a sugar bomb like a lot of cocktails. I feel like I’m drinking a strong version of New Holland’s Dragons Share seltzers. I can’t say I’m mad about it. I have actually decided to have another one tonight.
2. This might be my new summer drink. When I’m out at the golf course, sometimes I want a mixed drink, but I also don’t want to drink a bunch of bourbon and ginger ales. I might switch over to this and go with it. It’s easy to drink, has some good flavor, and would be good for the heat.
3. I think a higher ABV bourbon might make this even better. I think that would make life better in general, but the higher ABV bourbon might stand up a little better to the water.
4. I’ve tried this with seltzer water, so it works with that as well. I have found a way to use up that half can of seltzer water my wife leaves by the sink after making her vodka soda.
5. I’m rethinking the idea of a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. This reminds me of the Wisconsin Old Fashioned (usually made with brandy and sprite – or “sweet”), but I think you could take a spin with just seltzer water, bourbon, and bitters (plus that bright red cherry and a little orange). This might be the next thing on my list to give a whirl.

I’m a little surprised at my reaction to this Kentucky Tea. I thought it would be a waste of bourbon, but I guess the people who make bourbon actually were on to something. I don’t think this will be my every day drink, but this might become a drink that is in my top 5 during the warmer months. I’m never giving up bourbon neat, on the rocks, or my old fashioned, but if I’m looking for an easy sipper while I’m mowing or golfing, I might turn this way. Nice job Booker. You might have made me consider something I would have never considered.

What are your thoughts on Kentucky Tea? Will you try it?

After I give my kid a bath, I walk into the kitchen and grab one of my favorite tumblers to pour myself some bourbon. I have tried a bunch of different glassware over the years, but I find myself grabbing for one specific glass time and time again.

It’s the Yeti Lowball Tumbler.

I’m not one of those people who like a brand “just for the hell of it” – I’m someone who tries different products until I find the perfect one for the job.

Wondering why I love this glass so much? Let me give you just a few reasons!

Reason 1 – It Keeps Things Cold

I’m a person who likes to drink my bourbon on the rocks, so the Yeti Tumbler is my perfect bourbon cup. I find the ice doesn’t melt as fast and I can enjoy my bourbon over a few hours instead of 30 minutes. And it doesn’t get watered down.

If you leave it overnight (by accident of falling asleep in my chair), it will actually still have ice in the morning.

Reason 2 – No Sweating and Water On My Side Table

I always hate when I have a tumbler made of glass and it leaves a puddle on my side table. I always use a coaster, but my shirt ends up all wet as the glass drips with condensation.

That’s another reason I love the Yeti Tumbler. It doesn’t sweat and there isn’t a puddle when I’m all said and done.

Reason 3 – It Has A Lid

I’m pretty sure the bugs in my house and outside have really good taste in bourbon. They always seem to find their way into my drink.

The lid takes care of this problem.

It also makes it nice just in case my kid knocks over my glass or if I am wanting to take the tumbler on a walk.

Reason 4 – Color Coding Has Perks

I’m a person who likes to share my bourbon and that means you have a lot of glasses full of yumminess at one time. When I had a matching set of glasses, this meant that you had to keep your glass in your hand at all times.

Not with my Yeti Tumblers.

I have 5 different colors of tumblers and I make sure to use the different colors when I have people over to share. The last time this happened is pictured below and we had all 5 glasses in use.

Reason 5 – No Weird Flavoring

I was a little skeptical at first when I bought my tumbler. I was worried it would have a weird metallic taste when I put my bourbon into it. I have found this isn’t the case.

I have used my cups for years and I have never found a metallic taste while I was drinking.

Reason 6 – Covert Drinking

There may have been times in my life where I have decided to take a drink on a walk around my neighborhood. Instead of carrying a glass around the neighborhood, I can throw a lid on my cup and no one is the wiser.

Reason 7 – It Doesn’t Break

Drinking bourbon might lead to an accidental slight of hand and a glass might be headed to the ground for a shattering ending.

That doesn’t happen with a Yeti Tumbler.

Drop it on the floor and you might get a new dent, but that’s about it. It might be a party foul, but at least you won’t cut your foot on glass.

Conclusion

When it comes to the perfect glass for your bourbon, it’s going to come down to your personal preferences and budget range. In my opinion, there is a clear winner and that’s the Yeti 10oz Lowball Tumbler. It won’t break, keeps my bourbon ice cold, has a lid, and helps me keep my bourbon straight when I have a crowd.

If you haven’t considered getting one, you might want to do it.

What’s your favorite glass? I would love to hear and possibly try something new.