We Requested 22 Bartenders: What’s Your Doomsday Bunker Bottle of Bourbon?

From zombie dramas to environmental catastrophe reveals, the cinematic apocalypse is nothing new. Neither is our obsession with consuming doomsday content material. And whereas we as viewers deal with the fictional finish of the world in our personal means (with a bowl of ice cream and a glass of wine, ideally underneath a weighted blanket), nothing helps a personality cope higher than booze — if they will get their fingers on it, after all.

Invoice from Season 1 of “The Final of Us” had a proclivity for Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages. Jeff Goldblum’s character in “Independence Day” goes for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. And in Hulu’s new present “Paradise,” President Cal Bradford (performed by James Marsden) is featured on a number of events sipping Blanton’s in his bunker. It acquired us questioning: Ought to the tip occasions ever come, what bourbon would the professionals wish to have readily available?

From available and versatile bottles to thousand-dollar splurges, hold studying to find the very best bunker bottles of bourbon in accordance with 22 bartenders.

The perfect bunker bourbons, in accordance with bartenders:

• Penelope Toasted Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Michter’s US*1 Small Batch
• Previous Forester 1910 Previous Effective Whiskey
• Rabbit Gap Founder’s Assortment Mizunara Completed Bourbon
• Previous Grand-Dad 100
• Wild Turkey 101
• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C914
• Henry McKenna 10 12 months Single Barrel
• Previous Forester 1920
• Angel’s Envy
• Van Winkle Particular Reserve Corti Brothers 20 12 months Previous Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 2019 King of Kentucky
• Child Jane Bourbon
• Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Previous Forester
• Michter’s 25-12 months Restricted Launch
• WhistlePig PiggyBack
• Previous Rip Van Winkle 25-12 months
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bitter Mash
• Russell’s Reserve 10 12 months Previous Bourbon
• Woodford Reserve
• Jefferson’s Ocean
• Barrell Bourbon Vantage
• Matchbook Metamodernity Straight Bourbon
• Pinhook Excessive Proof Bourbon

“If doomsday ever comes, what bourbon am I reaching for? It must be Penelope Toasted Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I first had it a pair years again sitting subsequent to a fire on a chilly night time in North Carolina — on a giant rock, no much less. My finest good friend was getting married, and nothing within the wedding ceremony was going as deliberate; because the maid of honor it actually felt like the tip of the world. We laughed and cried and as we sipped that bourbon, the chaos appeared to decelerate. We discovered peace within the second. Penelope Toasted has this lovely aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon, with wealthy notes of vanilla, cherry, and toasted marshmallow. There’s a light-weight char to it and it goes down easily. I additionally love the story behind it too — two finest associates making one thing particular collectively. When she and I get collectively we at all times end the entire bottle. So, if the world actually have been ending, I’d wish to be huddled by an open fireplace once more with folks I like, sipping a whiskey that actually stands out to me. And this time, I’d be certain we had precise marshmallows to toast, as a result of if it’s my final day on Earth, I’m going out tipsy and with a candy deal with!” —Jill Ferencz, assistant normal supervisor, Kasumi Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Fla.

“Michter’s Small Batch is simply the proper stability of heat caramel notes lengthened with a leather-based end. This bourbon is scrumptious by itself however has sufficient of a spine to face out in cocktails. Michter’s is a bartender’s favourite as a result of it has consistency and by no means fails in depth of taste.” —Alex Anderson, beverage director, Peychaud’s, New Orleans

“I wouldn’t thoughts Previous Forester’s 1910 Previous Effective Whiskey readily available if the massive one comes. It’s double-barreled, medium rye on the mash invoice (which is normally the candy spot for me), and 93 proof, so it has depth with out being too sizzling. It manages to be each comforting and attention-grabbing on the identical time. A dependable bottle to gap up with and wait out.” —Beck Hargrave, bartender, Oiji Mi, New York Metropolis

“Assuming we’re really ultimately occasions and financial institution accounts don’t matter, I’m risking life and limb to get my fingers on as many bottles of Rabbit Gap Founder’s Assortment Mizunara Completed Bourbon. With simply round 2,000 bottles produced in 2024 and a hefty price ticket, I can’t say I’m within the tax bracket to have tried it, however I’d undoubtedly leverage this for doomsday negotiations. It is a bourbon that took time and care to excellent, from the deep, wealthy taste profile all the way down to deliberately choosing slow-growth Mizunara oak, which may take as much as 200 years to develop. If I’m going for availability and drinkability within the apocalypse, I’ll go together with Michter’s US*1 Small Batch, an ideal base spirit for cocktails and equally loved neat. Floating round $40 per bottle, Michter’s has by no means let me down.” —Anthony Aviles, director of meals & beverage, The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia

“If there was one bottle of bourbon that I wish to take with me into the bunker, it undoubtedly wouldn’t be something costly or excessive. As a substitute I might go together with one thing basic and dependable that’s versatile to combine with absolutely anything, but nonetheless daring sufficient to shoot or pair with a beer. So in a state of affairs like that, I might in all probability go together with Previous Grand-Dad 100 or Wild Turkey 101. I really feel like these manufacturers are workhorses that by no means miss and at all times hit the spot when you find yourself in search of a wee nip of bourbon.” —Erick Castro, proprietor, Gilly’s Home of Cocktails, San Diego

“Oh, simply Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C914, for each kind and performance. If we’re speaking doomsday, I at all times consider the zombie apocalypse. This bottle might simply be lengthened with sterilized water to be sure to might stretch what it’s important to final even longer from a consumption angle, and nonetheless be at a proof value a buzz. It additionally would show to be the very best at disinfecting wounds, and can be probably the most flammable ought to you should whip up some torches to seek out your means at midnight, or Molotov cocktails to fend off the hordes of zombies.” —Nick Hirsch, mixologist supervisor, RMD Group

“Ought to doomsday arrive, I’m cracking open Henry McKenna 10 12 months Single Barrel. It’s acquired that wealthy, spicy depth and simply sufficient warmth to remind you that you just’re alive, with a protracted end to hold you thru to the very finish. It’s a outstanding single barrel, bonded bourbon with critical character — easy sufficient to savor, robust sufficient to face no matter comes subsequent, be it the tip of time or the daybreak of a brand new period.” —Lauren Campbell, lead bartender / whiskey sommelier, Bing’s Bar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

“If we’re speaking end-of-the-world bourbon, I’m not losing my time chasing after some elusive unicorn bottle. I’m grabbing Previous Forester 1920. It’s robust, dependable, and doesn’t want a cult following to show it’s rattling good. It’s excessive proof, at all times delivers, and by some means nonetheless flies underneath the radar — until you realize what you’re in search of. Previous Forester has roots that run deep: America’s first bottled bourbon, with a legacy on Whiskey Row that goes again means earlier than bourbon turned a buzzword. The 1920 Prohibition Fashion nods to the sort of whiskey that stored its head down and survived the storm, which feels becoming for a last-pour situation. At 115 proof, it’s acquired simply sufficient burn to maintain issues attention-grabbing whereas the world burns with it. If that is my final hoorah, I need it to be with a bourbon that’s acquired spine, historical past, and 86-inflated ego. That’s precisely what Previous Forester 1920 brings to the desk.” —Dom Sala, regional beverage supervisor, American Social Bar & Kitchen

“My bunker bottle must be Angel’s Envy. It’s a superbly made bourbon with a signature port- barrel end that provides it simply sufficient depth to sip neat, however nonetheless performs nicely in a cocktail (as a result of even within the apocalypse, I’m making Previous Fashioneds). It’s dependable, nicely crafted, and has sufficient complexity to maintain me happy. That stated, if I’m caught on a desert island, I’m bringing the costliest Pappy Van Winkle, too. I simply googled it, it’s the $54,640 Van Winkle Particular Reserve Corti Brothers 20 12 months Previous Straight Bourbon Whiskey. If it’s finish occasions, I’m completely hoarding the costliest bourbon in most bars!” —Lauren Rojas, head bartender, Jac’s on Bond, NYC

“If cash is not any object — as a result of it’s going to not be needed if doomsday is asking — then I’m reaching for a 2019 launch of Brown-Forman’s King of Kentucky, which is aged for 15 years in rickhouses which are warmth cycled month-to-month, leading to roughly 70 p.c angel’s share. The whiskey is bottled single barrel at cask power, and I can safely say it is among the most scrumptious bourbons I’ve ever had. It’s the one I’d wish to be sipping on if the world was ending.” —Jonathan Adler, beverage director, Shinji’s, NYC

“My go-to bunker bottle of bourbon must be Child Jane Bourbon. I not too long ago found it after it was launched to me because the ‘little sister’ of Widow Jane. It’s a flexible bourbon, excellent for summertime with its recent aromas, easy profile, and creamy end accented by a contact of heat spice. I’m not a heavy bourbon drinker, so after I do get pleasure from it, I desire one thing that’s easy and barely candy, whether or not loved neat, on ice, or in a cocktail.” —Caitlinn Santiesteban, beverage operations & stock supervisor, Amal & Stage 6, Miami

“Ought to we now have to bunker down, Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey can be my bourbon as a result of it’s versatile, accessible, and nonetheless distinctive. It’s pretty in a cocktail like a Penicillin or Whiskey Bitter, but additionally simply comforting to sip on the rocks. I benefit from the contact of spice that mixes nicely with the sweeter caramel and vanilla with out being overly smoked.” —Christiane Jones, head bartender, Chinese language Tuxedo, NYC

“If the world was ending and I might solely choose from the raided liquor retailer’s bourbon choice, I might combat onerous for any Previous Forester I might get my fingers on. I’ve at all times fallen again on Previous Forester as a go-to when in want of a basic bourbon. My uncle David’s enthusiasm for the model led me to discover it early on as a inexperienced bartender. I particularly benefit from the model’s signature chocolate word in most of its expressions. It additionally is a superb option to split-base most different spirit genres with, resulting in its versatility. This was additional cemented after touring their expertise heart in downtown Louisville, Ky., which is a surprising technique to work together with all issues Previous Forester. In truth, as I sort this now, my zombie apocalypse plan is to raid that first.” —Maximilian Menaker, beverage supervisor, The Chloe, New Orleans

“For my bunker bottle of bourbon, I’d have to decide on Michter’s 25-12 months Restricted Launch. It’s a type of ultra-rare bottles that captures the whole lot I like about American whiskey: depth, complexity, class, and character. Aged to perfection, it provides layer upon layer of wealthy caramel, dried fruit, oak, and spice, but by some means stays extremely balanced and easy. It’s the sort of bourbon that reminds you why you fell in love with the spirit within the first place. Given how restricted and onerous to come back by it’s, Michter’s 25 looks like the proper ‘end-of-the-world’ pour, one thing really particular to savor when it actually counts.” —Beau Bradley, head bartender, The Tyger, NYC

“If doomsday arrived, I’d be discovering as a lot WhistlePig PiggyBack I might get my fingers on. A 100-proof, 6-year-aged bourbon is the proper bottle to slowly drink via Armageddon.” —Brian Gravelle, bartender, Juniper and Ivy, San Diego

“I’m normally reaching for tequila or mezcal, but when I needed to bunker down with one bourbon, it’d be the 25-12 months Previous Rip Van Winkle. If we’re speaking finish of days, I’m not going out sipping one thing common. This bottle is uncommon, easy, and constructed for a second that basically means one thing. Everybody’s acquired that one you say you’ll save for a ‘big day’ — nicely, doomsday looks like a good excuse. I’d pour it slowly, take it in, and lift a glass to the chaos. If that’s the final sip, I need it to be one I’ll keep in mind.” —Rudy Antunez, director of bars and eating places, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Ariz.

“My bunker bottle must be Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bitter Mash. Although not the flashiest bottle, it could be the tastiest in my view. The exceptionally excessive rye performs an enormous half as I usually desire excessive rye content material in my bourbons. The notes of vanilla and baking spice are in excellent concord with the punch of that rye, however the bitter mash has a component to play and lends a little bit of a brine high quality to totally spherical out the profile. Coming in at 90 proof, it’s simply fulfilling neat, over a rock, or in a cocktail (although I desire the primary possibility). This whiskey carries on the historical past of considered one of Buffalo Hint’s nice grasp distillers, and at all times lives as much as the identify.” —Tristan Brunel, bar director, The Tusk Bar / BRASS, NYC

“If doomsday arrives and I solely have one likelihood to seize my favourite bourbon from behind the bar, one explicit spirit stands out: Russell’s Reserve 10 12 months Previous Bourbon. The barrels have the deepest #4 alligator char and are chosen from the middle reduce of the timber rickhouse. Ninety-proof is the proper quantity of heat to maintain my stomach completely happy and my thoughts relaxed within the bunker. Great notes of vanilla and toffee provide consolation, with a spice that enables me to savor every sip.” —Chad Berkey, lead bartender, L’Auberge Del Mar, Del Mar, Calif.

“When somebody asks me about my bunker bottle of bourbon, my reply is Woodford Reserve. This bourbon is a basic for a cause. It provides the depth you count on from a premium bottle. On the nostril, you get hints of vanilla, cocoa, and orange peel. The palate is easy and balanced, with notes of caramel, toasted nuts, and a spiced end that at all times retains you coming again. Woodford is as versatile as it’s dependable. I get pleasure from it neat, in a wonderfully stirred Previous Original, or as the bottom for a daring Boulevardier. It’s the sort of bottle that by no means permits you to down, whether or not it’s a quiet night time in or a shift behind the bar. In a world stuffed with uncommon releases and hard-to- discover bottles, generally the actual luxurious is having one thing acquainted, trusted, and persistently glorious. For me, that’s Woodford Reserve.” —Freddy Salazar, beverage director, Enso, Brooklyn

“If doomsday hits, the primary bottle I’m grabbing is Jefferson’s Ocean, which is aged at sea, with simply sufficient salt and story to make the tip really feel just a little extra epic. Some of us attain for that particular bottle they’ve been saving for ‘sometime,’ others might go together with a tried-and-true favourite like Buffalo Hint or Wild Turkey 101. Whether or not it’s uncommon, low cost, or simply your go-to, all of us have that one bourbon we’d need by our facet if the world went sideways.” —Javier Mojica, meals + beverage supervisor, Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix

“Certainly one of my favourite bourbons, although a bit costly and containing an ABV of 57.22 p.c, is Barrell Bourbon Vantage. A mix of straight bourbons, every completed in considered one of three distinctive virgin oak casks — Mizunara, French, and toasted American oak — it provides a taste journey via three forests, every including its personal character to the glass. Every whiskey part is completed individually to spotlight what every oak sort brings to the get together — totally different toast ranges, char intensities, and regional wooden traits — then blended along with precision to create a wealthy, multidimensional profile. And it could last more on a desert island for the reason that ABV isn’t one thing you may simply chug.” —Amir Babayoff, bar director, Ophelia Lounge, NYC

“I suppose if I’m going to be in a bunker for finish occasions, I’d in all probability deliver a bottle of Metamodernity from Matchbook, or a Pinhook Excessive Proof. Nicely, I’d deliver each — I’m breaking the foundations, however the world is ending (hypothetically) and I’m good underneath strain. So I in all probability would really sneak two within the bunker anyway. The Metamodernity is simply an attention-grabbing bourbon; it has a enjoyable mash invoice consisting of corn, rye, barley and toasted oats. It’s actually wealthy and only a enjoyable sipper. Pinhook is making a few of my favourite American whiskeys proper now. They’ve their very own mash invoice, and until I’m wildly mistaken they use the next share of rye than typical bourbons. The excessive proof is simply good. Texturally it’s like tough velvet and with an ideal chew. There may be such an ideal spice to it and it doesn’t get repetitive.” —Ramsey Musk, founder, Mama’s Boy

*Picture retrieved from New Africa through inventory.adobe.com