Crisp air, a love of cozy gatherings, and the undeniable call for bourbon led Bourbon+ to offer up a whiskey cocktail-making class, held at Liquor Lab in Nashville, for Bourbon+ members.

At the start of the evening, guests were welcomed with a refreshing Whiskey Spritz to quench the palate and set the tone for a night of smoke, oak, and winter cocktails. Participants dined on a barbecue menu and snack station and were given full private access to the Lab as they captured the moments of the night at an exclusive photo booth. Members took their seats for a master class led by world-class bartender Marie Sanudo. (See recipes on page 30) 

The class consisted of creating three different whiskey cocktails—Apple-Sage Bonfire, Remember the Titans, and Smoked Cherry— designed to warm the soul for the cold winter months ahead.

“We’ve been working on different flavor profiles,” says Sanudo. “So this [event] allowed me to bring some of those forward. Knowing that we’re having people who do enjoy whiskey, we got to do something a little more advanced than what we would do in a normal class.”

At the end of the evening, guests left not only with new recipes but also with a new appreciation for the versatility of whiskey. This was more than just a cocktail class; it was a celebration of the spirit of whiskey and bourbon’s power to bring people together one sip at a time.

Photos by Orchee Sorker