As Owensboro continues to make headway across the nation and world for its various efforts in development and growth, another local restaurant has been recognized as a leader in the bourbon industry.
Lure Seafood and Grille was recently named a “Great Bourbon Bar of the World” by the American Bourbon Association. Lure currently offers over 200 different brands and styles of whiskey, including over 100 brands and styles of bourbon.
“The recognition lets us know we’re on the right path,” Lure Operating Partner Ben Skiadas said. “It’s not the driving force in things, but it’s cool to be recognized in any way.”
Skiadas said Lure strives to make bourbon accessible to everyone by not only focusing on the “purity” concept of bourbon, which is often idealized as a liquor one drinks either neat or on the rocks. While those are certainly optional ways to drink bourbon at Lure, the restaurant has focused on incorporating a number of bourbon-infused cocktails as well.
“It’s about approaching bourbon for everyone. We focus on doing cocktails the right way,” Skiadas said.
History is also a focus in Skiadas’ attempt to introduce customers to a variety of bourbon, saying those who start getting into the craft of tasting different brands and styles begin appreciating the history of the liquor in the same way other enthusiasts appreciate a well-aged bottle of wine.
“We’d like to get into the dusty bottles, taste a little bit of history,” Skiadas said. “Bourbon is like a little time capsule—I’ve had the pleasure of drinking pre-prohibition whiskey. It’s like taking a walk back in time.”
Quality reigns over quantity, according to Skiadas, who said Lure tries to offer not only a wide variety of bourbon and whiskey, but a good variety.
“We’ve started the Brown Water Enthusiasts of Owensboro with Brian Dant of White Lightning Liquor. We meet once a month [at Lure] to celebrate bourbon and all brown spirits aged in barrels,” Skiadas said.
To view more details about what the club offers and for more information on upcoming meetings visit their Facebook page @brownwaterenthusiast
