SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - The business partners behind Daiquiri Express and What’s On Tap? and have added a new spirited enterprise to their repertoire.
Bourbon Bar debuted at 8620 Youree Dr. in Shreveport-the brainchild of owners Mike Johnson, Randy Comer, and Wayne Wentworth.
The mission is to bring a mainstream hot commodity to the residents and guests of south Shreveport.
“We saw a national trend of bourbon that’s crazy. People are going crazy over bourbons,” Johnson said. “Some bourbons are hard to get. Some bourbons are unattainable and you can’t get them at all. But we have about 80 bourbons now and growing.”
Bourbon Bar is conveniently placed next to one of the Daquiri Express stores on Youree Drive just south of Bert Kouns. Its location is part of a plan to fill a void in the area’s bar scene. The Youree Drive strip is lined with retail stores and restaurants, but the entrepreneurs noticed it lacked standalone bar options.
“We realized there just wasn’t anything like this out here,” Johnson said.
The founders aim to create a casual, warm atmosphere for an easy, laid-back time hanging out whether seated at the bartop or cozied up in one of the large booths.
Bourbon Bar is a prime place to catch a sporting event on any of the 17 large screened televisions. Watch parties will be hosted at the bar once the local teams’ seasons resume.
A bevy of games extends the entertainment options, including darts, video poker, ring toss, and Golden Tee.
Although the bar doesn’t serve food in-house, customers are welcome to bring food in or order delivery.
Bourbon Bar opened June 5-a delay from their pre-pandemic plans to open in March on the International Whiskey Day. However, every day is whiskey day for Bourbon Bar patrons.
“I’m trying to brand us as a destination bar that way when people come in town-this is something you’re not going to get somewhere else,” said General Manager Nicole McGowan.
The bar is stocked full of various liquor, beer, and wine selections, plus margaritas, martinis, and other signature cocktails are on the menu, so there’s something for everyone. The shining star is the establishment’s namesake, due to the exclusivity and vastness of the bourbon inventory.
The well-versed bourbon drinker and novices are invited to dive into the collection to taste and learn as they go.
Bourbon is a subcategory of the whiskey family. What sets it apart begins with its ingredients. Bourbon’s sweetness is largely due to it being made from at least 51 percent corn. Bourbon requirements include that it has an alcohol proof of no less than 80 when bottled and no more than 125 when stored. It must be aged at least two years in a new, charred oak barrel and contains no additives.
Also, contrary to popular belief, bourbon doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky. The state maintains a reputation as the bourbon capital as it is its birthplace and produces nearly 95 percent of bourbon, however, it may be made anywhere in the U.S.
Bourbon Bar’s extensive stockpile includes rare bourbon and whiskey, such as Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s W.L. Weller Special Reserve, Blanton’s single-barrel bourbon, and Eagle Rare.
High-end options include WhistlePig, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Selection, and Willett Pot Still Reserve.To get started, patrons may take a taste tour with a flight of three bourbons served on a branded wooden plank. The cost varies depending on what’s chosen.
“You can taste and compare,” Johnson said.
Picking the perfect bourbon is based on personal preference, he said. A deciding factor is in the finish-or the flavor lingering after consuming.
“Some people like something really strong-more than 80 proof. Some people like a little sweeter or a little more of a smoky taste or vanilla-chocolate hints to it,” Johnson said.
Bourbons may be enjoyed neat or add a few drops of water to open up the aroma. Bourbon Bar’s signature cocktails are made using a recommended bourbon chosen to accent the recipe. But guests may request a different bourbon of choice.
Traditional cocktails are on the menu but prepared with special touches in the details from the ingredients to the preparation techniques. Fresh fruit is used in the cocktails in lieu of syrup. Margaritas made with real strawberry, pineapple, prickly pear, and mango are on the list.
The Old Fashioned is recommended with Bulleit bourbon. What breathes new life into the classic cocktail is the muddling of a Luxardo’s maraschino cherry into the bourbon, opposed to the cherry simply serving a garnish. It’s completed with a blend of bitters, cane sugar, and orange.
“For someone who’s not used to drinking bourbon, it’s a lot easier to drink this,” McGowan said.
In another twist, Bourbon Bar veers from the vodka-based Moscow Mule to present the Kentucky Mule made with Jim Beam bourbon, ginger beer, and a splash of lime.
One of McGowan’s personal favorites is the Bourbon Smash, made with fresh muddled strawberries, Maker’s Mark bourbon, orange juice, wild berry liqueur, and a splash of soda.
Bourbon Bar is open from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Happy Hour is in effect from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Sunday specials include mimosas, screwdrivers, and Bloody Marys, then there’s Margarita Mondays, and Wine Wednesdays during which wine is discounted from open to close.
At the time of publication, Bourbon Bar was seating guests inside at 50 percent capacity during Phase 2 of the COVID-19 reopening phase set by the governor.
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