Jon Taffer is a man on a mission to save bars and turn them into thriving businesses. As the star of the hit reality TV show Bar Rescue, Taffer has been using his expertise in the bar industry to breathe new life into struggling establishments for over a decade. With his no-nonsense approach and a keen eye for detail, Taffer has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to transform even the most hopeless of bars into profitable ventures. And now, he’s taking things to the next level with his newest venture: Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon. This latest offering from Taffer promises to be the perfect addition to any home bar and is sure to delight whiskey enthusiasts everywhere.
(Courtesy Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon)
A Look at Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon
What inspired the creation of Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon?
Taffer: I have to make at least five recipes of cocktails and food items for every “Bar Rescue” episode, so I have to get creative. While filming an episode, I was sparked by a moment of innovation in the kitchen when we decided to see what would happen when we took a process similar to sous vide and combined browned butter with whiskey in a water bath under high heat. We know browned butter is a delicious flavor accompaniment that is used to really elevate the flavor profile, so why not try it in a spirit? After the sous vide type process, when we added the browned butter to whiskey, we were welcomed with a smooth, decadent, and rich spirit that cannot be beaten. We created a cocktail that featured this new browned butter whiskey at one of our Taffer’s Taverns called The Campfire, and it ended up becoming one of the best-selling cocktails. That’s when we knew we really had something here. And here we are now, offering Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon to the Las Vegas community along with Boston and plans to go nationwide in the future.
(Courtesy Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon)
How did you come up with the flavor profile?
Taffer: While experimenting in the kitchen, we wanted to find a way to fuse an indulgent, favorite ingredient that is used throughout kitchens to complement the bold complexity of the whiskey. Browned butter is one of those ingredients that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. It can be elevated and showcase those bold, intense flavors we were after. We found notes of toffee and vanilla coming through, with scents of toasted caramel and crème brulee on the nose. It ended up being a match made in heaven, and we’re happy with what we’ve produced with Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon.
How have your experiences from Bar Rescue influenced your creative decisions in making Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon?
Taffer: I have to come up with 100s of recipes a year on my show. Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon was created while filming an episode of “Bar Rescue,” and I really pulled out all the stops and creativity to make this spirit what it is. We wanted to create something that could appeal to the masses but not lose its crafted credibility so even whiskey connoisseurs could enjoy it neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail.
Are there any plans to make different flavors or other liquors?
Taffer: We’re excited for the Las Vegas community to enjoy Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon and look forward to everyone being able to try it out themselves when it’s available nationwide soon. We love the idea of experimenting with different ingredients and seeing what other great flavors we can create in the kitchen.
(Courtesy Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon)
