By Timothy Long

Bourbon brings people together. – Tom Gale

November is upon us. The temperatures are cooling. The leaves are turning. The holidays are approaching. And everyone is thinking about one thing…Bourbon.

I don’t know if bourbon has an official season. But if it did, it would start in November. November is built for bourbon. A good beer is a great thing during a football game, but a beer doesn’t warm you like bourbon. November is also sweater season. And nothing looks better in your hand while sporting a sharp sweater than a bourbon. Bourbon is more than a drink, it’s a fashion accessory.

A good bourbon is not hard to find in Old Town Alexandria. Almost every bar and restaurant carry at least a few of the better brands. But one establishment stands above them all, the award-winning Virtue Feed and Grain. Old Towners refer to it as just Virtue.

Tom Gale is Virtue’s Director of Operations and, more importantly, their Bourbon Steward. Tom hails from Virginia’s Northern Neck and is a true southern gentleman. A fact that becomes quite apparent the minute he begins to speak.  Tom tells me that where he’s from, they don’t refer to our area as Northern Virginia, but as North of Virginia. I chuckled. Tom has a plethora of witty quips in his verbal arsenal and he’s a delightful personality.  Our mutual love of bourbon became very apparent as we talked. Tom’s knowledge of bourbon is amazing. When he complimented me on mine, I was sincerely flattered.

The bourbon list is long and impressive at Virtue.  Tom handpicks every bourbon and has a story for every bottle. It’s quite remarkable. Virtue’s inventory isn’t selected by brand name, but by Tom’s standards of quality. Tom understands that all palates are different, which is something that I have stressed repeatedly in this column.

“It’s all about the palate. And sometimes, something is just not to your palate.” Tom says

I told him that, having spent thirty years in the business, I could relate to that. I write this column with a similar approach. I never review, I recommend. If I don’t like something, I simply don’t write about it. He looked at me with a big smile and said, “I’m stealing that.”

Tom likes to quote Frank Loyd Wright, “Simplicity is the essence of good design.” What a great philosophy for a hospitality establishment to live by. You can see this in everything that Virtue does.

The Father of Bourbon Old Fashioned is Virtue’s signature cocktail. Tom began our meeting by ordering us two.  It’s made with Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, one of my favorites, and Bittermilk Bourbon Barrel Aged Artisanal Bitters. Tom explains that it’s the bitters that make an old fashioned. These bitters are custom made for Virtue. The drink is amazing. It’s the little things that count. I was taught that years ago. And Tom says it several times throughout our conversation. This philosophy is part of what makes Virtue one of my favorite spots.

As we discussed the bourbon list, I could tell that Tom was having just as much fun as I was. He offered me a taste of Garrison Brother’s Honeydew Bourbon. They were using it to make the sauce for their Hickory BBQ Ribs special that evening. The choice made sense; the bourbon had a wonderful smooth honey flavor on the back end.

In the middle of the discussion, Tom stopped and looked at me.

“I have a bourbon that you need to taste. Wait here.”

He left the bar and returned with a bottle of Michter’s 20-year-old bourbon. It’s not on their main bourbon list. You have to ask for the Green Book, a list of their higher-end whiskeys. Tom pours us two small shots.

“I’m sharing this with you because I know you will appreciate it.”

Again, I’m flattered.

“Now kiss it to start. Just a tiny taste.”

I can tell by the tiny taste that this is an extraordinary bourbon. On my nose, I got vanilla, apricot, and orange. The first taste was creamy and almost savory. Pecan pie and buttered toast come out. The back taste was smoky with leather notes. Absolutely delightful.

Tom looked at his glass.

“It’d make a hound dog hug a rabbit.” Tom’s delightfully wry.

He smiled. “It’s said that Millionaires drink Pappy, and billionaires drink Michter’s.”

I’m not going to add this bourbon to my collection anytime soon; one bottle costs north of $800. And I have a wife.

A few weeks after my time with Tom, my wife and I attended an Elijah Craig Bourbon Dinner at Virtue. Tom was the host, along with a few of Elijah Craig’s top people. We all started with the Father of Bourbon Old Fashioned. I was delighted to drink it again. The dinner featured a different Elijah Craig whiskey with each of the three courses. The food was great. You’ll never go wrong dining at Virtue.

I’ve been an Old Towner for longer than I’d like to admit. Back in the day, this place was full of larger-than-life characters. Any Old Towner with a touch of grey can regale you with stories of Pat Troy, Ray “Mr. Ray” Giovannoni, Bryan “Bugsy” Watson, and many of the other restaurateurs who built this place. They created the original Old Town experience that I fell in love with. Old Town has changed since then, in many ways for the better. But I do miss those grand personalities.

That is until I walk into Virtue Feed and Grain. And Tom greets me with that gregarious personality and a funny quip or two. I am instantly transported back to those days. I feel like I just walked into Tom’s house. Virtue is family-owned. They provide an experience that only comes from family pride. It’s an understanding that it is the little things that count. I taste it in every glass of bourbon, every drink of beer or wine, and every bite of food. It’s a true salute to what Old Town was, and a wonderful example of what Old Town has become. My favorite bourbon spot is a big part of why I love it here. Cheers!

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com

Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon

The Elajah Craig whiskeys that were served at the bourbon dinner were the Small Batch Bourbon, the Toasted Barrel Bourbon, the Barrel Proof Bourbon, the Straight Rye Whiskey, and courtesy of Tom, the 18 Year Bourbon. None of them disappointed. But if I had to pick one, it’s the Toasted Barrel Bourbon. On your nose, you get toasted oak and caramel. On the palate, it’s smooth and rich with notes of pepper and spice. It has a delightful milk chocolate finish with just a touch of smoke. At around $55 and 94-proof, it’s a great deal.

La Aroma De Cuba Connecticut Robusto

This cigar is on the mild side but has flavors that will bend nicely with bourbon. It starts with light creamy traces of pepper, cashew, and coffee beans. As you get into the smoke the cashew becomes more prominent along with almonds and traces of honey and melon. It finishes as mellow and velvety as it starts with more of the melon flavor on the end. This cigar would complement any bourbon, especially the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. Enjoy.

This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.