Varanese Restaurant is an eclectic Mediterranean style restaurant in the Historic Clifton neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky opened by Chef John Varanese in 2007. Fresh ingredients, prepared with a creative flair and a culturally diverse menu and a Varanese’s eclectic menu boasts an array of options from stuffed grape leaves, and fried green tomato salad, to the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork shown in the video below. In addition, a bar with an excellent selection of Bourbons, fine wine and spirits. Bartender Rory McCollister’s creations have won cocktail competitions like the Four Roses Julep Contest.

BourbonBlog.com recommends Varanese Restaurant highly! We have filmed the videos below and held mixology creation sessions at Varanese with  BourbonBlog.com mixologist Stephen Dennison. Whiskey Selection below that. Special thanks to Dave Allen, John Varanese and all the staff at Varanese for their hospitality!

Varanese Restaurant , 2106 Frankfort Avenue  Louisville, KY 40206

Bourbon Selection

Bakers
Basil Hayden
Blanton’s
Bookers
Buffalo Trace
Elijah Craig 12
Elijah Craig 18
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel
Four Roses Small Batch
Jefferson Reserve
Jim Beam
Knob Creek
Maker’s Mark
Noah’s Mill
Old Forester
Ridgemont Reserve
Rowan’s Creek 18
Russell’s Reserve
Wathen’s
Van Winkle 20
Van Winkle 12
Wild Turkey 101
Woodford Reserve

Rye Whiskey Selection
Old Overholt
Sazerac
Van Winkle

American Whiskey
Jack Daniels
Jack Daniels Single Barrel
Gentleman Jack

Irish Whiskey
Canadian Club
Crown Royal
Crown Royal XR
Seagrams 7
Seagrams VO

The eclectic and elegant, Z’s Fusion is on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Z’s Fusion specializes in Euro-Asian Fusion cuisine using the freshest local ingredients available. The bar stocks over 50 Bourbons, and several appetizers, entrees and a dessert feature the magic ingredient. For a truly unique Bourbon experience, try the Cherry Pipe Tobacco-infused Maker’s Mark with vapor accompaniment that was originally created by mixologist Stephen Dennison.

A few signature cocktails from Z’s Fusion

Cucumber Martini-
hendricks gin, cucumber
juice, lime juice, cucumber slice

Cherry Blossom Mojito-
cherry jack rum, lime juice,
grenadine, mint leaves,
soda

Fusion Cocktail- finlandia
grapefruit vodka, lychee
puree, kinsen plum wine

Fusion Cosmo- pearl plum
vodka, kinsen plum wine,
sweet and sour, triple sec

O’tini- stoli blueberry vodka,
cointreau, pomegranate
juice, club soda, blueberries

Pomegranate Sour- old
forester bourbon, pama
liqueur, house made sweet
& sour, dehydrated orange
& cherry

Old Fashioned #9- maker’s
mark bourbon, pimm’s cup,
muddled cherry & orange,
splash of soda

Margarita Up- el jimador
tequila, cointreau, fresh
squeezed lime juice, orange
vapor, lemon salt rim

Z’s Cosmo- stoli razberi,
cranberry juice, triple sec,
splash of sweet and sour

Rusty Horseshoe- dumante
pistachio liqueur, woodford
reserve bourbon, cherry
tobacco vapor

BourbonBlog.com has covered many stories at Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville. Proof’s large spirits collection is highlighted by an impressive selection of 50 of Kentucky’s finest Bourbons which are presented below along with a the 21c Signature Cocktail menu for you to view. Named one of the “Best New Restaurants of 2006” by Esquire Magazine and 21c Hotel was voted the #1 Hotel in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler.

SMALL BATCH BOURBON LIST AT PROOF ON MAIN

Bakers $9
Basil Haydens $9
Bulleit $9
Buffalo Trace $7
Elijah Craig 12yr $8
Evan Williams 1783 $8
Four Roses Yellow Label $7
Four Roses Small Batch $9
Jeffersons Reserve 15yr $12
Jeffersons Reserve 8yr $8
Jim Beam Black $7
Jim Beam Distillers
Series 7yr $12
Jim Beam White $7
Johnny Drum Private Stock $12
Knob Creek $9
KY Vintage $7
Makers Mark $8
Michters 10yr $8
Noahs Mill $14
Old Bardstown Estate $7
Old Fitzgerald 1849 $8
Old Forester $7
Old Forester Birthday $16
Old Forester Signature $11
Old Grandad 86 $7
Old Grandad 114 $8
Old Pogue Masters Select $10
Pure Kentucky XO $10
Ridgemont Reserve 1792 $8
Rowans Creek $11
Russells Reserve 10yr $8
Sam Houston $9
KY Bourbon Distillers
Vintage 17 $12\
KY Bourbon Distillers
Vintage 21 $12\
KY Bourbon Distillers
Vintage 23 $14\
Wild Turkey Spirit $12
Woodford Reserve $9

THE PROOF COLLECTION

Pappy Van Winkle $10
Woodford Reserve $10

VAN WINKLE BOURBONS

Family Reserve 15yr $12
Family Reserve 20yr $18
Family Reserve 23yr $40
Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr 90 $7
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 yr 107 $9

SINGLE BARREL

Blantons $11
Eagle Rare 10yr $8
Elijah Craig 18yr $12
Elmer T Lee $9
Evan Williams 10yr $8
Four Roses $10
Hancocks Reserve $12
Henry McKenna BIB 10yr $10
Old Grandad BIB $8
Rock Hill Farms $12
Wathens $8
Willet $12

BARREL PROOF SELECTIONS

Wild Turkey Rare Breed $9
Bookers $12

Signature Cocktails at Proof on Main

Pomme 75 $8
champagne, apple brandy, lemon

Old Fashion Root Beer $10
WJ Weller, sassafras, soda

Pimms Flip $7
raspberry, egg, tart lemon

Mile High Club $9
aviation gin, pomegranate,
grenadine and lime

Sonny’s Blues $10
Finlandia grapefruit, lillet blanc,
triple sec

Oleana $10
Cachaca, honey, lime, vanilla bean

Black Mamba $10
Appleton special rum, Chambord,
blood orange, mezcal

House-Made Tonic $9
vodka or gin, lime

The Proof Sour $11
woodford, house made sour, meyer
lemon

The Old Seelbach Bar is located in the hotel that served as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for The Great Gatsby. It has been restored to its authentic, early 1900’s décor. The expansive Bourbon bar has been described as “one of the finest stretches of mahogany in the country” by Gary Regan, author of The Book of Bourbon. For a list of Bourbon bars throughout the world, visit BourbonBlog.com

The Old Seelbach Bar
500 S. 4th St.
502-585-3200
www.seelbachhilton.com

BourbonBlog.com has been partying in the Maker’s Mark Bourbon House in Louisville’s Fourth Street Live! for many years now. More than just Maker’s Mark Bourbon available here, see the menu of Bourbon Flights and the scrumptious food menu with dishes made with Maker’s Mark below. Maker’s Mark Bourbon House is part of Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail.

The nearly 60 ft. long wood-topped bar features an entire wall of backlit Maker’s Mark bottles and a spectacular “wall of fire”.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
446 S. 4th St.
502-568-9009
www.makerslounge.com

Bourbon Flights at Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge

Three Styles of Bourbon
Wheated Maker’s Mark
High Rye Four Roses SIngle Barrel
Low Rye Knob Creek
$11

Low Rye Bourbon’s
Jim Beam
Knob Creek
Woodford Reserve
$11

High Rye Bourbon
Bulleit
Four Roses Small Batch
Fighting Cock
$12

Wheated Bourbon
Maker’s Mark
Old Fitzgerald
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve
$14

Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s
Eagle Rare
Elijah Craig 18 year
$12

Wild Turkey Flight
Wild Turkey, 101 Proof
Wild Turkey “Kentucky’s Spirit” Single Barrel, 101 Proof
Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 10 Year, 101 Proof
$12

Four Roses
Yellow Label
SIngle Barrel
Small Batch
$12

Proof of Age
Basil Hayden’s 8 year, 80 Proof
Jim Beam’s Black 8 year, 86 Proof
Booker’s 8-9 year, 124-128 Proof
$12

Millionaire’s Row
A.H. Hirsch 16 year
Jefferson’s Presidential Reserve 17 year
Vintage Bourbon 23 year
$25

Dinner Menu at Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, Louisville, Kentucky

APPETIZERS

Bourbon Smoked Chicken and Apple Sausage
In-House Bourbon Smoked Chicken-Apple Sausage, KY Bourbon Ale Spiced Dijon Mustard, Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
$10

Bourbon Vinaigrette Vegetables
Fresh Vegetables Tempura or Grilled, Olive Oil, Bourbon Vinaigrette
$8

Rock Shrimp “Popcorn”
Rock Shrimp Marinated in Bourbon Buttermilk and Fried accompanied with Bourbon Mustard Aioli and Sweet Chili Sauce.
$12

Lobster Cakes
Sweet Cold Water Lobster Hand-Patted Cakes, Lime Tartar
$13

Warm Goat Cheese Skillet
Creamy Montrachet Goat Cheese with Fresh Herbs, Shitake Mushrooms, Smoked Tomatoes and Warm Flat Bread.
$12

Low Country Cornmeal Fried Oysters
Cornmeal Dusted, Tomato-Jalapeno Relish, Bourbon Creamed Corn
$10

Maker’s Shrimp “Cocktail”
Boiled Spiced Shrimp, Lime Tartar, Maker’s Cocktail Sauce
$13

---

SALADS

Bibb Salad
Limestone Bibb, Bourbon Spiced Pecans, Carrot Curls, Cucumber Sticks, mint and Cherry Tomatoes in our Citrus Vinaigrette.
$9

Country Caesar Spears
Crisp Romaine Hearts, Creamy Garlic Peppercorn Caesar Dressing, Tomatoes, Cornbread Croutons, Ham Cracklings, Parmesan Crisp
$9

Lobster Spinach Salad
Chopped Sweet Lobster, Spinach, Bleu Cheese, Tomato, Cucumber, Bacon, Avocado
$12

Wedge Salad w/ Bourbon Buttermilk
Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon, Egg, Bourbon Buttermilk Dressing
$8

---

ENTREE

Chili Sea Scallops
Chili-Rubbed Jumbo Sea Scallops, Cipollini Onion Bacon Gratin, Succotash
$29

Low Country Shrimp and Grits
Fresh Shrimp, Creamy Poblano White Cheddar Grits, Country Ham, Stewed Tomatoes, Bourbon Cream Sauce
$25

Southern Fried Basa “Catfish”
Cornmeal Bread Basa, Roast Garlic Chipotle Infused Black-eyed Peas, Red Rice, Lime Tartar
$24

Sweet and Spicy Lobster Pasta
Fresh Lobster, Spinach Fettuccini, Andouille Sausage, Sweet Onion Relish, Tarragon Cream
$29

Thai Crab Cakes
Lump Crab, Sweet Soy, Sweet Chili Marmalade, Sesame Asian Slaw
$26

Portabello Napoleon
Balsamic Glazed Portabellos, Carrots, Spinach, Onions, Asparagus,
Pepper and Rosemary Skewer
$18

Spinach Fettuccini
Spinach Fettuccini, Spicy Marinara, Crimini Mushrooms, Asparagus, Red Onion
$16

Maker’s Mark Peach Pork Tenderloin
Maple Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, Bourbon-Peach Chutney, Sweet Potato-Andouille Hash, Braised Greens
$23

Kentucky Bourbon Ale Braised Boneless Short Ribs
Kentucky Bourbon Ale Braised Short Ribs, Roasted Root Vegetables, Fried Tobacco Onions
$25

“Old-Fashioned” Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Country Fried Chicken, Bourbon Peach Chutney, Braised Greens, Mashed Potatoes
$24

---

STEAK ENTREES

Bourbon Sirloin
Bourbon Marinated, All Natural Corn-Fed Sirloin Steak, Lobster and White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus
$31

Filet and Frites
Angus Beef Tenderloin, Hand-Cut Steak Frites, Bourbon Demi-Glace
* Fried Oyster and Béarnaise add $10
$38

**All prices are subject to change.

There are Bourbons at Jockey Silks which you will rarely find anywhere else. Cozy up to a fire and the old world décor of wood, leather and horse-racing memorabilia in one of city’s oldest Bourbon bars. Jockey Silks is located in the Galt House Hotel & Suites, Jockey Silks features 165 varieties of Bourbon – always generously poured. Jockey Silks was named one of Whisky Magazine’s “Best Bourbon Bars in the World.” For a list of Bourbon Bars across the world, visit BourbonBlog.com

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar
140 N. 4th St.
502-589-5200
www.galthouse.com

Enjoy an Old-Fashioned cocktail in the lavish lobby bar of the Brown Hotel that Southern Living Magazine describes as “straight from a 1930’s movie set”. At this treasured 1923 landmark, the famous “Hot Brown” was created to satisfy the cravings of the late-night dance crowd. Sample one for yourself, and take a browse below of a few Signature Cocktails available at The Brown Hotel Bar. The Brown Hotel Bar is on the Urban Bourbon Trail of Louisville.

The Brown Hotel Bar
335W. Broadway
502-324-1389

www.brownhotel.com

Signature Cocktails
From the Lobby Bartenders

The “New Fashioned”
Our version of a classic
Made with Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Grand Marnier, Amaretto & Ginger Ale
$11

The “Megjito”
South Beach in Louisville
Appleton Rum, Simple Syrup, Pama, Club Soda and Mint
$12

The “Sweet Meg”
A twist on the “Meghito”
Pritchard’s Cranberry Rum, Simple Syrup, Club Soda and Mint
$12

The Bourbon Ball
The Real Thing but in a glass
Maker’s Mark, Godiva Dark and Frangelico
A double splash of cream in a martini glass
$14

The Red Headed Peach
Bacardi Peach Rum, Club Soda And a double splash of Cranberry
Garnished with a zesty lime.
A low-calorie treat with lots of flavor
$9

The “Pearopolitan”
Grey Goose La Poire, Triple Sec, Cranberry and Lime
Topped with Ginger Ale and a Pear wedge
$13

Little Green Apple Margherita
“Like it was picked from the tree”
Patron Gold, Green Apple Schnapps, Apple Juice and a splash of sour
In a martini glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon
$12

Champagne flight
Four 187 ml. bottles nestled in a julep cup
G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut, Heidsieck Monopole Brut
Pommery Pop Rosé and La Demoiselle Rosé

$69
The Lobby Bar Menu includes several items including…

The Hot Brown
“ A Louisville Tradition since 1926”
Roasted Turkey Breast and Toast Points
Covered with Sauce Mornay, Parmesan
Baked Golden Brown and
Finished with Bacon and Tomatoes
$16

**Prices and items subject to change

BourbonBlog.com has covered Bourbons Bistro extensively over the past several years with video episode including the one linked below on BourbonBlog.com. Also check out the Bourbon list of over 130 Bourbons below at Bourbons Bistro. As part of the Urban Bourbon Trail, Bourbons Bistro in on Historic Frankfort Avenue in Louisville. Bourbons Bistro is the bourbon lover’s bar and they also host monthly Bourbon dinners.

In this video episode, , owners of Bourbons Bistro in Louisville, Kentucky, invite BourbonBlog.com to Bourbons Bistro to taste and review their hand-selected bourbons from bourbon barrels that they personally chose at the Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve distilleries.

Bourbons Bistro
2255 Frankfort Ave.
502-894-8838
www.bourbonsbistro.com
HAPPY HOUR: 4:30–7EVERYDAY DINNER: 5–10 SUN–THURS, 5–11 FRI & SAT

Bourbons Bistro Bourbon Menu

80 Strong 80° 5
Ancient Age 100° (BIB) 5
Ancient Age 90° 5
Ancient Ancient Age 86° 10yr. 5
Anient Age 80° 5
Baker’s 107° 10
Bankers Club 5
Basil Hayden’s 9
Benchmark Old No. 8 5
Blanton’s Single Barrel 93° 12
Booker’s 126.7° 14
Bourbon Deluxe 80° 4yr. 5
Bourbon Hollow (BIB) 5
Bourbon Supreme 80° 5
Buffalo Trace 9 yr. 90 Single Barrel 8
Buffalo Trace 90° 6
Buffalo Trace Experimental 10yr. Chardonnay Finish 20
Buffalo Trace Experimental 6yr.  Cab Franc Finish 20
Buffalo Trace Experimental 6yr. Chard Finish 20
Buffalo Trace Experimental 8yr.  Cab Franc Finish 20
Buffalo Trace Experimental Fire Pot Barrel 20
Buffalo Trace Experimental Twice Barreled 20
Bulleit 90° 6
Cabin Still 80° 5
Corner Creek 8yr. 88.6° 6
Distiller’s Masterpiece 75
Dowling Deluxe 100° 5
Eagle Rare10yr. Single Barrel 90° 9
Eagle Rare 17yr. 90° 15
Echo Spring 80° 5
Elijah Craig 12yr. 94° 6
Elijah Craig 18yr. Single Barrel 90° 10
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel 90° 7
Evan Williams Black Label 6
Evan Williams Master Distillers 90° 10
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 86.6° 7
Ezra B. 12yr. Single Barrel 99° 8
Ezra Brooks 7yr. 101° 6
Ezra Brooks 80° 5
Ezra Brooks 90° 5
Fighting Cock 6yr. 103° 6
Fitzgerald 12yr. 90° 10
Four Roses 40th Anniversary 16
Four Roses 80° 6
Four Roses Single Barrel 100° 10
Four Roses Small Batch 90° 8
George T. Stagg 140.6° 15
Hancock’s President’s Reserve S.B. 88.9° 12
Heaven Hill “Very Rare Old” 100° 5
Heaven Hill 4yr. 100° (BIB) 5
Heaven Hill Black Label 80° 5
Heaven Hill Gold Label 80° 5
Heaven Hill Green Label 90° 6yr. 5
Heaven Hill Ultra Deluxe 80° 3yr. 5
Heaven Hill White Label 100° 6yr. 5
Henry McKenna 10yr. Single Barrel 100° 8
Henry McKenna 80° 5
Hudson Baby Bourbon 15
J.T.S. Brown 100° 5
J.T.S. Brown 80° 5
J.W. Dant 100° 5
Jefferson’s 88° 8yr. 8
Jefferson’s Reserve 90.2° 10
Jim Beam 5
Jim Beam 7yr. 5
Jim Beam’s Black Label 90° 6
Jim Beam’s Choice Charcoal Filtered 80° 5
Kentucky Beau 80° 5
Kentucky Gentleman 80° 5
Kentucky Pride 90° 10yr. 6
Kentucky Tavern 80° 5
Kentucky Vintage 90° 6
Knob Creek 9yr. 100° 8
Makers Mark 90° 8
Noah’s Mill 15yr. 114° 12
Old Bardstown 10yr. 101° 6
Old Bardstown 80° 5
Old Bardstown 86° 5
Old Bardstown 90° 5
Old Charter 10yr. 86° 5
Old Charter 12yr. 90° 5
Old Charter 8yr. 80° 5
Old Charter Proprietors Reserve 13yr. 90° 6
Old Crow 3yr. 80° 5
Old Fitzgerald 100° 5
Old Fitzgerald 1849 90° 5
Old Fitzgerald Prime 86° 5
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007 96° 8
Old Forester Signature 100° 6
Old Grandad 100° (BIB) 5
Old Grandad 114° Barrel Proof 6
Old Grandad 86° 6
Old Pogue 91° 12
Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr. 107° 8
Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr. 90° 7
Old Taylor 6yr. 80° 5
Old Weller 7yr. 107° 6
Old Weller Antique 107 Single Barrel 8
Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr. 107° 15
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr. 95.6° 35
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20yr. 90.4° 20
Parker’s Heritage Collection Cast Strength 17
Pritchards Double Barrel 8
Pure Kentucky Extra Old 107° 8
Rebel Yell Sour Mash Bourbon 80° 5
Ridgemont Reserve “1792” 8yr.  93.7° 8
Rock Hill Farms 100° 12
Rowan’s Creek 12yr. 100.1° 10
Sam Houston 90° 9
T.W. Samuels 100° 5
Ten High 80° 5
Van Winkle 12yr. 90.4° 8
Very Old Barton 5
Very Old Barton 6yr. 90° 5
Very Old Barton 80° 5
Very Old Barton BIB 5
Vintage Bourbon 17yr. 94° 10
Vintage Bourbon 21yr. 94° 15
Vintage Bourbon 23yr. 94° 20
Virginia Gentleman 80° 5
Walkers Deluxe 3yr. 80° 5
Wathens Single Barrel 94° 8
Weller 12yr. 90° 6
Weller Centennial 10yr. 100° 10
Weller’s Special Reserve 7yr. 90° 5
Wild Turkey “KY Spirit” 101° 14
Wild Turkey 101° 7
Wild Turkey 80° 6
Wild Turkey American Heritage 15 yr. 18
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 108.2° 8
Wild Turkey Russel’s Reserve 10yr. 90° 8
Willett 7
William Larue Weller Limited Edition 121.9° 15
Woodford Master’s Collection Four Grain 92.4° 30
Woodford Master’s Collection Sonoma Cutrer 30
Woodford Reserve 90.4° 8
Yellowstone 80° 5
Yellowstone 90° 5

Louisville’s Courier Journal named Bourbons Bistro Best New Restaurant of 2005.

Bourbons Bistro was named American Icon of Whisky – Restaurant and Bars 2006 by Whisky Magazine and was also featured in Bourbon Documentary

An 1892 tavern, minutes from downtown near Distillery Commons. Once a neighborhood watering hole, now a comfortable, casual bistro. Bar includes a fine selection, including Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15, 20 and 23-year-old. The menu represents a melting pot of international and regional American cuisine.

Baxter Station
1201 Payne Street
502-584-1635
www.baxterstation.com

Part of Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail. For a modern Louisville experience, step into a fresh new space of contemporary design at BLU. Sample 50 Bourbons, Bourbon-infused appetizers and Bourbon flights in the heart of the city at the Downtown Marriott.

The Bar at BLU
280 W. Jefferson St.
502-627-5045
www.blugrille.com