Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/646914
march 2016 / the tasting panel / 83 sipping Jack to begin with. He says, "One of the main reasons I actually began to drink Jack was because my friends and I all loved Mötley Crüe (we still do). We traveled around and went to quite a few concerts." Brian isn't the only Bay Area bartender who discovered Jack Daniel's through rock n' roll. Johannesburg-born Jacques Bezuidenhout, today in charge of San Francisco's Forgery, shares: "Growing up in South Africa, when I was coming into my legal drinking age, it was the decade of heavy metal and Guns N' Roses. So my familiarity with the brand was always the hard rock bands and their love of Jack Daniel's. You always associate it with Guns N' Roses and new album releases and that kind of rock n' roll feel, that gritty edge which I love." Guns N' Roses' appreciation for the whiskey brand will forever be remembered in their iconic live album, recorded during their 1988 Jack Daniel's tour. But, when it comes to his cocktails, Jacques seeks more old-school inspira- tion. When asked how he would describe the famed Jack Daniel's flavor, Jacques answers, "I hate to use that word smooth, but I'd say well rounded and well balanced—good tones in whiskey you're always looking for." Perhaps no American icon is smoother than Ol' Blue Eyes, and Jacques names his Jack Daniel's cocktail after Sinatra's "That's Life." Built with Jack, Campari, Galliano Ristretto (an espresso liqueur) and an absinthe rinse, the cocktail follows a beautiful arc. On the nose, it displays an alluring citrusy freshness. On the palate, it slowly crescendos to show the sumptuous warmth and body of Jack Daniel's, then tapers off with a pleasantly bitter coffee finish. Jacques also finds himself a fan of Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select, a higher proof whiskey Jacques offers on bottle service at the adjoining nightclub Verso. Brian, instead, is sticking with the band that introduced him to Jack Daniel's. He calls his cocktail "Same Old Situation," a classic Mötley Crüe track. The drink may be named after a heavy metal hit, but it tastes refreshingly light on its feet. The Pineau des Charentes adds an inviting floral brightness to the Jack-based cocktail, and a lovely rose-petal quality from the Amaro Montenegro. The whiskey holds the whole thing together, giving the drink width and a creamy texture. Brian tells us, "The cool thing is with Jack, it's so versatile, whether you're a mom-and-pop bar or you're working your way up into a craft cocktail bar. Being a Tennessee whiskey, I see Jack holding onto their position as the go-to in that specific category of whiskies." Jacques echoes, "I think they resonate because it's such a quintessential brand." From the Big Band era to the days of hard rock to the present, one certainty has become clear—Jack Daniel's will continue to inspire generations of musicians and mixologists to come. Jack Daniel's Brand Ambassador Eric "ET" Tecosky on Jacques Bezuidenhout (pictured) of San Francisco's Forgery: "He gets a lot of attention as a leader in the cocktail community, and he deserves every bit of it. Jacques has been a good friend in the business, but more important to me, a good friend in life." That's Life by Jacques Bezuidenhout, Forgery, San Francisco ◗ 2 oz. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey ◗ ½ oz. Campari ◗ ¼ oz. Galliano Ristretto ◗ Absinthe rinse Mix all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass except for the absinthe. In a rocks glass, add ice and spray with absinthe to coat ice or pour a little absinthe over ice to slightly cover the ice. Strain contents from mixing glass over the ice into the rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. Same Ole Situation by Brian Mean, Dirty Habit, San Francisco ◗ 1½ oz. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye ◗ 1 oz. Chateau Montifaud Pineau des Charentes Blanc ◗ ½ oz. Montenegro Amaro ◗ 4 dashes Bittercube Jamaican Bitters #2 Combine all the ingredients together and add ice. Stir for about 10 seconds and then strain into a Nic & Nora glass. Garnish with an orange twist.