From our friends at Macon Bistro & Larder...
General Manager Andra Johnson (AJ) of Macon Bistro & Larder, located at 5520 Connecticut Avenue, NW has been experimenting throughout the year with rarer low-batch production spirits that are not widely advertised. Through her research, she discovered that many of these lesser-known spirits are actually higher in quality because of their low production batches, and yet they still come in at a price point that is less than well-known, mainstream brands. The end result is a more quality-driven, approachable spirits program that allows her to keep her purchasing costs down, affording her the opportunity to drop the price point for the consumer by $1-3 per cocktail, depending on the spirit.
“Every beverage program has a philosophy. Some bars want to be a neighborhood sports bar, others want to focus more on mixology, and some just want to deliver the classics the best way they know how,” says General Manager Johnson. “In terms of Macon Bistro's beverage program, I've tried to foster a sense of education and discovery among the staff and our guests, in order to keep things exciting and ever-changing. I recently began focusing on low-batch spirits that aren’t widely advertised. The spirits that I have found to be most surprising are in whiskey and bourbon selections, as well as liqueurs, apéritifs, and gins.”
AJ’s picks and comments on Macon Bistro’s low-batch spirit list are as follows:
• She swapped out her 750ml bottle of Bulleit Bourbon that costs $32.99 wholesale and has a 40% ABV with Traverse City Whiskey Company’s bourbon which costs $28 wholesale and yields a 43% ABV.
• She swapped out her Jameson Irish Whiskey that costs $33.24 wholesale with Glendalough Irish Whiskey which costs $28.70 wholesale. “It drinks much smoother and it’s more versatile for cocktails and infusions,” says AJ.
• She swapped Grand Marnier that costs $38.99 wholesale with Bauchant Orange Liqueur which costs $25.24 wholesale.
• She swapped Campari and Aperol that cost $30.24 wholesale and $20.24 wholesale respectively with Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo Americano Rosso, which costs $13.50 wholesale.
• She swapped out her Hendrick's Gin which costs $38.01 wholesale and 40% ABV with Green Mountain Gin which costs $20.70 wholesale and has a 46% ABV. “It is distilled six times to ensure a smooth finish.”
“Guest preferences are always important. That will always be paramount in this industry and we are more than happy to deliver those as well,” says Johnson. “However, our beverage program has a huge focus on introducing new products to our guests and trying to match their flavor profiles while providing the highest quality product. The standbys will be on the shelf, for the most part, but when you walk in to Macon Bistro & Larder you'll always walk out with a new favorite wine, beer, or spirit that you never knew about or never heard of and know that you can always come back here to get it.”
Macon Bistro & Larder is located at 5520 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20015. The restaurant is open for dinner, Tuesday through Thursday, from 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday, from 5 PM to 11 PM, and Sunday, from 5 PM to 10 PM. Brunch is served on Sunday, from 10 AM to 2 PM. The Larder opens at 2 PM daily, and the bar opens at 4 PM daily. For reservations, please call (202) 248-7807 or visit www.maconbistro.com.
