Nov
A couple of months ago, an executive with Chicken Cock Whiskey, who happens to be a USC alum, reached out to G.C. and I about wanting to work with us on several different ideas this fall. Up until then, I had only seen some of their premium whiskey behind the counters but admittedly only tasted their Kentucky Straight Bourbon by the time that phone call took place. I personally think it’s a fine whiskey at $60 and tell people that all the time, but I had yet to try a single barrel or anything “fancy” or allocated from them. Fast forward a couple of months and we are tasting 10+ barrels of 8-year bourbon downtown Columbia at Ambrosia Taverna. The representative who met us also brought out each of their allocated bottles for us to try, and we were quickly sold that this brand wasn’t about gimmicks. The Chicken Cock brand carries historical significance with the Cotton Club in Harlem, but it also carries a mascot that each of us holds dear to our heart. It didn’t take us long to decide that discussing partnerships, tastings, and future barrel picks with them was a good idea. A Chicken Cock needs patience to be GAME, so we tasted through the barrels and found one that was. 120.8 proof, 8 years old, and we appropriately named it “The Roost”.
Just before our planned Chicken Cock dinner November 3, eight of us set out to play Palmetto Golf Club that morning on the first day that they were open for Member’s guests since late spring. My father has been a member since the late 70’s and graciously invited us, so it was special to share the course that I cut my teeth on with 4 people who never had the opportunity to play it. Palmetto opened in 1892 and is one of the oldest golf courses in the country. It was re-tooled in the 1930’s by the greatest golf course designer that the world has ever known in Alister MacKenzie, has been played by US presidents, Hollywood, and has the oldest known original USGA membership. I don’t know how else to describe the peace and tranquility of this place than to liken it to a small national park with a miniature museum. The Clubhouse and Pro Shop is littered with history as golf balls and clubs of every era are on display. So are the names of some of the best amateur golfers and Calcutta players in the country, and even today 5 professional golfers are members. If you noticed I didn’t say much about the round, there’s good reason. I played like trash, and that bears mentioning. One of our longtime members whom I first met last year, Marc Joehnk, played some of the best golf I’ve ever seen him play. I would trade a good round any day for him to play at least 8 strokes better than his handicap for his first time at Palmetto on his birthday weekend. If you don’t play much golf, playing 8-10 strokes better than you always play is like upsetting a top 5 opponent, but the opponent is you. You’re happy you played well but wonder why you can’t do it every time. That’s golf. Glad there wasn’t money involved because I would have been paying up.
After the round, I had set up a special barrel tasting with Driftless Glen out of Wisconsin; a brief visit to their website will reveal over 50 National and International awards including the prestigious double gold in San Francisco. This was a unique & special barrel selection as I had former MLB catcher and Gamecock Legend, Grayson Greiner, help us select the barrel. We tasted through 3 ryes and 3 bourbons that were all between 7 and 7 years 300 days old. We ultimately decided, and unanimously I might add, on a Rye that will be sure to warm your toes this winter. It was fabulous and stood out in a crowd of incredible whiskey. The specific rye we chose is 7 years 283 days, and I’ve asked them to hold it until January to make it a true 8-year-old whiskey. This will be a bottle you won’t want to miss out on, I promise you that. Choosing an exceptional barrel and playing Palmetto G.C. with family and friends would typically make for a full day. That wasn’t the case on November 3 as we had a premium whiskey tasting with Chicken Cock at Prime Steakhouse in downtown Aiken within the hour.
The line-up they had in store for us was impressive! They brought and poured nearly every premium whiskey Chicken Cock has ever released. They poured their Cotton Club 20 year Rye, Kentucky Straight, The Chanticleer (Cognac finished), The Island Rooster (rum finished rye), and their newest label, The Red Stave (Petite Sirah finish). As with any whiskey tasting of multiple options, one stands out and one finishes at the bottom. That doesn’t mean every one of them won’t be on my bar at home. I personally love the Island Rooster and the Chanticleer. They both fit the profile I like for a night cap and are on the sweeter side. The surprise pour for everyone in attendance was our newest barrel release, “The Roost”. Once we sat down for dinner, each guest got a generous pour from our 8-year Single Barrel which turned out to be a favorite for quite a few people. Just a fantastic whiskey that The Gamecock Bourbon Society is pleased to share with you via Green’s Beverage store.
Prime Steakhouse delivered an incredible dinner beginning with a house salad and vinaigrette and followed it up with Brasstown beef filet mignon with mushroom demi-glaze and center cut pork chops topped with the most flavorful chimichurri; onion rings and mashed potatoes on the side for those wondering. Post dinner we gave out a couple of great door prizes to three lucky guests, sang Happy Birthday to three incredible people (my father and son share the same birthday), and left feeling incredibly fulfilled and satisfied after seeing so many happy faces throughout the night. Rest assured; this will not be the last time we have a dinner like this. The last stop of the night came by invitation from one of our members and guest for the evening, Patrick Donovan. He owns Bravefriend Apparel and Design downtown Aiken and invited us back to his store for a nightcap that truly enhanced the evening to a 10 out of 10. My only regret is that every one of you reading this couldn’t be there all day. Everyone deserves a day like this, and I hope yours comes soon if it hasn’t already. Cheers!
***If you have any suggestions for a tasting dinner near you, anywhere in South Carolina, leave us a comment below and we will do our best to accommodate***
“The Roost” will be available to the public this Friday at Green’s on Assembly Street. They will be available at statewide Green’s stores the following week after the Vanderbilt game. Visit GamecockBourbon.com and go to the “Bottle Pick-Up” tab at the top to reserve your bottle by name at the store of your choice.
