Omar bought a new bourbon a few months ago, Varchas. We drank it, but did not know much about it. Was it VAR-KIS or VAR-CHIS?? Turns out it is the latter, pronounced VAR-CHIS. An ad popped up in my Facebook feed for a distillery tour for Shankar Distillery in Troy. I was intrigued as I had no idea where a distillery was so close to us. Turns out, it is right by Oakland Mall on that industrial street that brings you into the back parking lot. I bought 2 tickets for Saturday at 4, and thought we could grab dinner after.
We pulled in and were surprised to see that it almost looked closed. There was not a car in the parking lot. One of the bartenders was outside (who we later learned was Mike) and directed us to the tasting room.
Upon entering, it is a warm and inviting area, with a nice bar and comfortable chairs. Mark, the other bartender, and also our tour guide for the night, greeted us warmly and gave us our welcome cocktail (included in ticket price) of an Old Fashioned with their 102-proof straight bourbon whiskey. It was a very generous pour and a great drink. We sipped and talked about the distillery while Mark told us stories of its founder, Varchas Shankar, a software technology businessman, and bourbon enthusiast. Turns out that is where both the distillery name and the name of the bourbon came from.
Varchas comes from the historic city of Mysore in South India. He has a great story about creating successful businesses here in the US. He started the distillery, capturing the intrigue of India, and chose to use the double headed eagle (Gandaberunda) as the bottle topper, a warrior symbol from the Kings of the Mysore Kingdom, symbolizing his success in America. Other bottle toppers show Eagles in various stages of flight.
Mark showed us around the distillery and explained the process in detail. We learned a lot about what goes into the making of bourbon and the complexities of using charred barrels, and how long to store, and when it is ready to be served. They are not yet operational, still waiting for final permits from the city, but they expect to be fully operational within a couple weeks. I think we’ll go back when the distillery is in full operation to take the tour again.
After the tour, we went into the tasting room where Mark walked us through 4 different bourbons. The right way to swirl in the glass, how to sip properly for the best mouth feel and what happens to the notes when you add a few drops of water (some changed dramatically). We could not believe that this all came included in the $20 tour ticket (well worth the price!!) We got so much knowledge, and a nice little buzz!
We went back to the bar area where the bartenders were giving us “samples” of other lines they offered, gin, sherry cask and port cask bourbons. Very interesting! We wound up buying 3 fifths. The Reserve 102, The Barrel Proof and the Heritage. Our 3 favorites!
Now you can also go here to just sit at the bar and enjoy a mixed drink. They make their own bitters and juices, and the bar is impeccable. Note they do not have beer or wine, just mixed drinks and no food, so keep that in mind. You are there for one thing only, to sip a mixed drink, or sip straight bourbon in a nice, comfortable area. Sit at the bar or sit back in a plush lounge chair.
We HIGHLY recommend going on this tour. It is well worth the cost, and you will be educated, entertained and will be able to try some awesome bourbons.
Follow up:
One week later, after a very early happy hour dinner, we decided to pop back in and have a cocktail. Mark was there, who recognized us right away, as was Mike again, but this time we met Laura, another bartender, who was very nice and full of cheerful energy. Varchas Shanker was also there but ran out before we had an opportunity to speak to him. We did get a chance to meet the master distiller, Kylash Sivakumar, who, very impressively, only at 30 years old has established himself as an expert craftsman in the industry. We had the opportunity to try their Tequila that will be ready in a few weeks. It was smooth and unlike any Tequila I have had. It had some deep herbal notes and flavor. The more aged, the more robust the flavor. Our one drink led to three as we were having such a good time. As the bar is smaller, and more intimate, it may be our new stomping ground as we love a place that we know the bartenders and they remember us. Again, and I can’t emphasize this enough, go check it out. Or actually don’t, so Omar and I can keep this hidden gem all to ourselves.
