-
The Bar at Husk
Nashville, Tennessee
Just a few blocks south of Broadway, Sean Brock’s Nashville outpost is lauded for its locally sourced interpretations of Lowcountry standards. But the bourbon-soaked bar downstairs is equally buzzworthy. It has more than a hundred options, including such hard-to-find antique bourbons as Stizel Weller’s David Nicholson 1843 from Brock’s personal collection, along with offerings from local distilleries Corsair, Prichard’s, and Belle Meade. husknashville.com
-
The Blackheart
Austin, Texas
Housed in a renovated Victorian on Rainey Street with a shaded patio, picnic tables, and regular live music, the Blackheart features a thoughtfully curated selection of more than a hundred high-end bourbons, including all of the Pappy Van Winkles and such Lone Star brands as Garrison Brothers and Swift. Sip a house old-fashioned (or two)out back. blackheartbar.com
-
Bluegrass Tavern
Lexington, Kentucky
This place is hallowed ground for bourbon-country natives. Among the 450-plus collection—nearly all of them Kentucky bourbons—aficionados will find rare bottles of Four Roses Single Barrel, George T. Stagg, and A. H. Hirsch Reserve 16-year-old. Need a guide? Ask one of the whiskey-savvy bartenders for a recommendation. bluegrasstavern.com
-
The Crunkleton
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The name alone makes this narrow, inviting bar on Franklin Street worth a visit. But then there’s the gregarious Gary Crunkleton—owner, bartender, entertainer. Not to mention a stellar bourbon list that’s more than a hundred strong, including the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The staff knows exactly what to do with every bottle—whether building a cocktail around it or pairing a patron with the perfect pour. thecrunkleton.com
-
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Washington, D.C.
You’ll find more whiskey on the wall here than at any other bar in the Western Hemisphere. The current tally of 2,100 bottles includes nearly 600 bourbons—from Jack Rose–exclusive Willett single barrel to 1964 Black Bowmore first edition. Enjoy a snifter in the classic dark–wood saloon, on the breezy open-air terrace, or in the basement whiskey cellar. jackrosediningsaloon.com
Food & Drink
Five of The Best Bourbon Bars
Honor America’s native spirit at one of these five standouts

illustration: Tim Bower
Related Stories:

Drinks
Standout Southern Breweries
These thirty-two entrants in our Craft Brewery Bracket are making their mark

Food & Drink
Ten Biscuits Worth the Drive
Top stops for buttery, flakey goodness in our favorite Southern food towns

The Southern Agenda
New Southern Hot Plates
New restaurant openings across the South
Trending Stories:

Music
Song Premiere: Listen to Chapel Hart’s New Single, “If You Ain’t Wearing Boots”
New music from the Mississippi trio who rose to fame last year on America’s Got Talent

Arts & Culture
“The Outsiders” Turns Forty
See rare images of the stars—before they were big—around the Oklahoma set

Arts & Culture
A South Carolina Seafood Company Reveals a Piece of Forrest Gump History
How much shrimp is required to create a movie classic? About six thousand pounds, apparently