Varanese Restaurant will host the “100+ Proof Bourbon Dinner” on Thursday, July 28, with a reception at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm. The dinner will delight even the most discerning bourbon enthusiast and will showcase a bourbon flight and 3 craft bourbon cocktails, plus four incredible courses. The special guest for the evening will be Bernie Lubbers, “The Whiskey Professor” at Heaven Hill Distillery, who will be on hand to answer questions about the bourbons being served and their special attributes. Lubbers is a foremost advocate for bourbon and whiskey, traveling around the nation as an educator and advocate. His book, Bourbon Whiskey: Our Native Spirit, is currently in its 3rd edition, and has been praised as a, “…modern and accessible guide” to bourbon.

The cost of the four-course dinner is $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (502) 899-9904, emailing letsdine@varanese.com, or logging on to www.varanese.com.

The menu will consist of:

Reception Cocktail
“Peach Julep”

Flight:
Evan Williams (BIB) 100 proof – Old Fitzgerald (BIB) 100 proof – Pikesville Rye 110 proof– Sacred Bond Brandy(BIB)

First Course
Crispy Fried Quail Legs
Served over a Peach Waffle with Cayenne Sorghum Glaze and Popcorn Shoots

Second Course
Kentucky Limestone Bibb Lettuce Salad
With Ancho Buttermilk Dressing, Fried Green Heirloom Tomatoes,
Applewood Smoked Bacon and Manchego Cheese

Third Course
Entrée Cocktail
“Watermelon Fizz”
Bourbon Barrel Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs
With a Henry McKenna Carolina BBQ Sauce
Served over Bleu Cheese Smashed Red Skin Potatoes and Slow Braised Collard Greens

Fourth Course
Dessert Cocktail
“Brandy Alexander”
Southern Fried Apple Pie with Shaved Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Served with Country Style Vanilla Ice Cream