I'm excited to go to this guided tour through a bourbon tasting, something I've never done before. I hope to learn a little bit and taste a bunch! Anyone else in the area going?

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE LEADS GUESTS ON A BOURBON JOURNEY FROM BARREL TO BOTTLE TO TASTE

Morton’s in Philadelphia Hosts Premium Bourbon Event Featuring Whiskey Professor Bernie Lubbers on Monday, August 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Cost is $45 per person. For reservations, call 215-557-0724.

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Philadelphia is celebrating bourbon, a distinctive American spirit, with an evening tasting of premium bourbons on Monday, August 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to sample a variety of select bourbons from the Small Batch Bourbon Collection and listen to Bernie Lubbers*, a whiskey professor, take them on a fascinating journey from the barrel to the bottle—all complemented with Morton’s fare.

Cost to attend is $45 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, and reservations can be made by calling 215-557-0724. Space is limited.

Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Professors, such as Bernie Lubbers, travel the American Whiskey Trail in an effort to educate and entertain people about this American Native Spirit and are well trained to guide guests through a unique learning and tasting experience.

Lubbers has a passion and interest in sharing the history, process and many nuances of color, age and proof among the different bourbons. He is one of three whiskey professors who underwent in-depth training at the Jim Beam distillery in Kentucky and represent Beam Global Spirits & Wine from this educational experience.

“What an incredible time this will be for our guests who prefer bourbon,” said Thomas Allen, general manager at Morton’s in Philadelphia. “The evening promises to inform and delight them about the art and science of processing bourbon with the added benefit of taste comparison among four premium bourbons in signature cocktails.”

Bourbons to be served in the Small Batch Bourbon Collection include:

Knob Creek: Knob Creek’s bourbon is a small-batch bourbon, created in limited quantities from a recipe dating back two centuries. Aged nine years in charred American white oak barrels allows the bourbon to absorb more sugar, giving a sweeter taste and nose and full-bodied flavor. Knob Creek will be mixed in a “Mint Julep.”

Bookers: The late Booker Noe, master distiller and grandson of Jim Beam, originally created Booker’s as a holiday gift for his friends. This bourbon ages for six to eight years until it is bottled at its natural proof, straight from the barrel, uncut and unfiltered. Such care and consistency in the aging process delivers a range of intense flavors from oak tannin and smoky vanilla. Booker’s will be mixed into a “Manhattan.”

Basil Hayden’s: Enriched by a hint of peppermint, Basil Hayden’s mellow taste and dry, brief finish bourbon was developed in 1796. It is made in small batches and its recipe requires a larger percentage of rye than other bourbon recipes. It rests eight years in wood at a mild 80 proof. The spicy flavor of the rye and the sweet smoothness of the corn give Basil Hayden’s a unique flavor that is light-bodied in taste. Basil Hayden’s will mixed as a “Southern Citrus Smash.”

Baker’s: Named for Baker Beam, grandnephew of Jim Beam, Baker’s bourbon is a robust, small-batch bourbon for the bourbon connoisseur. The mix of corn, rye and barley grains, yeast and seven soothing years in new oak combine to give this bourbon a deeply mellow, richly flavorful, medium-bodied taste, with a fruity, warm sugar-vanilla aroma. Baker’s will be showcased in “Washington Apple.”

“We are eager to have guests attend the Small Batch Bourbon Collection evening,” added Allen. “The format is perfect to showcase how to nose, sip and taste this spirit.”

Morton’s The Steakhouse is located at 1411 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Valet parking is available. For more information and to make reservations, call 215-557-0724 or visit www.mortons.com.