Good things are going on in the world of whiskey, particularly bourbon. I stopped into Haymarket Whiskey Bar yesterday afternoon to check out the progress on the package liquor sales. That’s right, in case you haven’t heard, Haymarket has obtained a package liquor license and has been selling bottles since right around Derby time. In fact, while I was there, a woman who was presumably staying at a nearby hotel came in and purchased a cold bottle of wine.
While you can already purchase a bottle of bourbon from Haymarket on your way home, it will soon be much easier and convenient for customers. The shelving has gone in by the bar, and there are plans to turn a smaller bar area into a checkout station. There will also be coolers with six packs of cold beer to go.
Haymarket is the only package liquor store open past 7 p.m. in the area, with sales going until 2 a.m. Billed as a “Boutique Bottle Shop”, the store's primary emphasis will be on bourbon and whiskey. There will be a small selection of other spirits as well, and proprietor Matthew Landan vows that prices will be competitive.
Landan had hoped to get the package sales area together by the beginning of July, but that date has been pushed back somewhat. Either July 11 or July 18 will be the tentative grand opening of the space.
Look for further expansion at Haymarket in the near future. There are talks of having a bottle club, whereby regular customers can buy an entire bottle and have it stored on the premises. There are also talks of limited foodservice.
Also, don’t forget about Master Distiller Nights, which are the third Monday of every month. Check Haymarket’s Facebook page for all events. July’s Master Distiller will be Fred Noe, and August’s will be Jim Rutledge.
Photos Courtesy Of Haymarket's Facebook And Maggie Kimberl
