Small-Batch Spirits
By Joshua Lurie
NBC.com – Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Last Saturday was the first day that Bar Keeper’s off-site liquor license kicked in, concluding Joe Keeper’s more than year-long odyssey to fill the shelves at his Silver Lake barware store with small-batch liquor.

Keeper’s initial order focused on spirits he’ll need for his bartender-centric gift boxes, which will be available in mid-October, featuring all the ingredients you’ll need to make signature cocktails at home. So far, Keeper’s reached out to 10 of his favorite local bartenders to acquire recipes, which will accompany the boxes. “I realize that there are many more talented bartenders in the L.A. area,” says Keeper. “However, these just happen to strike a chord with me…Also, I wanted their expertise…such as Steve Livigni with Rum and Julian Cox with Tequila.”

The featured bartenders will be Matt Wallace (Seven Grand), Julian Cox (Rivera), Eric Alperin (The Varnish), Chris Bostick (The Varnish), Alex Straus (Shangri-La), Matt Biancaniello (Library Bar at Hotel Roosevelt), Marcos Tello (Tello/Demarest Liquid Assets), Michel Dozois (Neve Ice), Steve Livigni (La Descarga) and Dave Kupchinski (The Tar Pit).

Manager Patrick Kelley, who’s been with the shop since February, provided a sneak peak at a pair of gift boxes. Marcos Tello’s recipe is for the Staten Island, which includes Bols Genever, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, Ramazzotti Amaro and Galliano. Matt Biancaniello, Table20’s Best Bartender in L.A., is sharing the Kentucky Bubble Bath, a mix of Bulleitt Bourbon, Cynar and house-made lavender syrup.

Customers can also buy classic cocktail gift boxes, including Sazerac or Rye Manhattan, pairable with either new Schott Zwiesel or vintage glassware. Bar Keeper also sells spirit sets, including bourbons with different flavor profiles. Of course single bottles are available as well, whether you want Willett bourbon, Del Maguey mezcal, Crème de Violette or other small-batch spirits. Bottles like Campari, Chartreuse and Punt e Mes are essential cocktail components. Kelly said you can also pair your bottles with ice molds. The only thing you can’t get is a pour of liquor in Bar Keeper, since the license is limited to off-site sales. [The Feast]