Bigfoot Lodge's Spotlight on the Western Whiskey Movement

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to attend a soire at Bigfoot Lodge to spotlight their revamped cocktail menu last week.  Their new boozy brews, known as the Irreverent Cocktails collection, highlight craft whiskeys found west of the Mississippi as created by the famed cocktail slinging conduits, Marcos Tello and Aidan Demarest of Liquid Assets. 

This comes on the heels of a rustic makeover of the fourteen-year-old space which now includes two new brand new patios.  Having hosted a steady stream of loyal patrons over the years, the landmark bar (known for pioneering the eastside of town and introducing L.A. to the infamous PBR) is, as original designer (and partner), Bobby Green explains, “The same...just better.”

Their Irreverent Cocktails are the first time there’s been a collaboration between The 1933 Group (owners of the Bigfoot Lodge along with the Thirsty Crow, Oldfield’s Liquor Room, Bigfoot West, La Cuevita and Sassafras) and the cocktail creators Liquid Assets.  Marcos Tello and Aidan Demarest have successfully helped to install classically inspired cocktail programs throughout the Los Angeles area, including Seven Grand Whiskey Bar, The Edison, 1886 in Pasadena (a recent recipient of Food & Wine's Best Bar's in America 2012), Killer Shrimp, Tom Bergin's Horseshoe Tavern, and FEED Body & Soul in Venice.

Liquid Assets has conspired with the 1933 Group to create a new menu that is in step with Bigfoot’s original pioneering spirit. The new Western whiskey focused drink list features more than 20 unique, small batch whiskeys, ryes and bourbons which hail from the great American West, including: Oregon (Clear Creek Single Malt), Utah (High West Campfire, which Marcos Tello told me was his personal favorite), Colorado (Leopold Whiskey Small Batch), Washington (Oola Waitsburg), Iowa (Cedar Ridge Bourbon) and California (Silver Lightning Moonshine).  All of the new featured whiskeys are rowdy in flavor and profile.

We were able to try such imaginative drinks such as the:

Donkey Punch - El Silencio Mezcal, Vanilla Liqueur, Mint, Lemon

Cookie Duster - Leopold Small Batch Whiskey (CO), Chocolate Liqueur, Cream, & Mustache (Yes you read that right, there’s an actual super ironic mustache on the drink for all those Hipsters who think the one on their face just isn’t enough).

So sip and savour with verve all the flavor!