M'tucci's Private Select Bourbon
/M’tucci’s has an amazing cocktail program that includes hand-crafted Shrubs, staff-created cocktails, and our own riffs on some of the classic cocktails. Our selection of bourbon and rye are among our most popular. So, to increase our commitment to craft cocktails, we sent two of our managing partners (Chris O’Sickey and Austin Leard) and our bar manager (Trey Godwin) to Bourbon country, primarily around Louisville, Kentucky.
When they arrived, they were asked why they were visiting, and the three responded in unison, “We’re here for the whiskey.” They were promptly corrected, “You mean bourbon.”
Their goal was to soak up the culture of bourbon and bring it back. However, they did a little more than just sip bourbon and soak up the culture.
“Since we sell a lot of whiskey, our goal was to find a program that was unique and would allow us to buy our own one-of-a-kind barrel. After some research, we discovered that Maker’s Mark had a program that would be unique for us,” said Austin Leard.
Maker’s Mark started distilling in 1953 and is still owned by the same family today. Their attention to detail, their passion for quality ingredients, and the slow, exact aging they demand, are what make this bourbon special. You can read about their story here.
In 2010 they released Maker’s Mark 46, which was their first new product since they distilled the original Maker’s Mark Bourbon. The son of the founder created the Maker’s Mark 46 barrel select bourbon by adding a combination of seared French Oak staves to their barrel-aged bourbon for an additional 9 weeks (on top of the 5 3/4 to 7 years of aging). The flavor profile of the 46 has a higher level of caramel and vanilla. The success of this process led to the Private Select program, which led us to Kentucky.
In the tasting room, there are five different styles of wood staves which have been added to five different barrels of fully matured Maker’s Mark at cask strength for an additional 9 weeks. After tasting the five flavor profiles, our guys started blending flavors to find the perfect blend that that would be uniquely for M’tucci’s. Maker’s Mark claims that there are more than 1,000 possible combinations.
Chris, Trey and Austin mixed and blended and created four different flavor combinations and they ended up choosing #4 - one was too spicy, the second one didn’t have enough spice and one didn’t have enough full mouth-feel. After creating the combination that they felt was right, they went to the barrel room and uncapped a barrel and removed the top rings. Ten selected seared French oak staves were added and the barrel was reassembled. Then the 53-gallon barrel is filled with cask strength Maker’s Mark, where it will age for another 9 weeks in a cold limestone cave. After the aging is complete, our bourbon will be bottled in unique Private Select bottles. M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark will be just under 108 proof.
Trey, Chris and Austin each initialed our unique Private Select labels, which are printed on an old 1935 hand cranked printing press, then they signed our barrel, which we will display in our restaurants.
Look for M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark Bourbon to arrive in 12 weeks or so, depending on delivery times.
Austin filling the 53 gallon barrel with what will become M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
In addition to the Maker’s Mark experience, our three M’tucci’s guys visited the Jim Beam Still House where they saw Jim Beam White Label being made. They sampled Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Bookers, and Bakers and visited Angel’s Envy. One day, they took a break from bourbon and went to Copper and Kings, a distillery that specializes in brandy. Their aging program features a selection of brandies aged in a variety of barrels that have held rum, tequila and even port.
While they toured some Maker’s Mark rack houses, they learned about the unique look of the rack houses that stems from the days of prohibition. As the whiskey ages in barrels, the evaporation (the Angel’s Share) would produce a black mold on the exterior of the buildings. This was a telling a sign for federal agents looking for illegal bourbon production during the dark days of prohibition. Now all of the rack houses are painted black.
When M’tucci’s Private Select arrives, you can look for three things:
M’tucci’s Private Select will become the main bourbon in our Old Fashioned (now Stranahan’s).
We’ll create a Signature Cocktail (maybe two).
We will expand our private select program beyond bourbon.
Chris said that the passion for bourbon in Kentucky permeates every aspect of their lives. Bourbon is as important in the toniest hotel lounge as it is in the dark, basement dive bar.
“I’m excited to bring our Private Select Bourbon to M’tucci’s and share it with everyone else,” he said.
Won’t that be a fantastic Christmas present??
M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark Bourbon barrel is resting here right now!
NEWS FROM M’TUCCI’S
LABOR DAY: All of our restaurants will be open normal hours on Labor Day, so if you’re around, we are too!
M’tucci’s @ Lava Rock Brewing Co.
HAPPY HOUR
Happy hour is back and better than ever. Lucky 7 Happy Hour features The Burger, a 10” Margherita or Pepperoni Green Chile Pizza, Charcuterie Boards and Wings for $7, Monday - Friday 3:00 - 6:30. Pair the food with a beer for $10.50 or $11, depending on the beer. Not eating (why not?), then $1 off all pints.
M’tucci’s Moderno
Weekend Specials
Squid Ink Rissotto - Baby Scallops, Calamari, Mushrooms & Marinated Tomatoes
Tomaresca, Chardonnay, Abruzzo, Italy: Balanced acidity, lite fruity aftertaste, slightly dry
Icelandic Cod Buttery to medium texture
Bottega Vinaia, Pinot Grigio, Italy: Delicate floral notes, fruity aromas from pear and peach, a little dry with balanced acidity
Cut of the Day: 24 oz Porterhouse
Sassarogale, Sangiovese, Italy: Notes of wild berries, cherries and a moderate spiciness
Gelato - Stracciatela
Sorbet - Peach Champagne
Lemonade - Peach Ginger
8:30 Friday 8/30: Lani Nash Live in the bar
7:00 Thursday, 9/5: Oscar Butler Live in the bar
M’tucci’s Italian
Weekend Specials
Pan-Seared Seafood- Robalo, Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula with Lemon Beurre Blanc & Capers
Ravioli - Fennel Roasted Duroc Pork & Goat Cheese Ravioli, Artichoke Roasted Summer Squash & Red Bell Pepper, White Wine Butter Sauce, Arugula, Shaved Parmesan
Rotisserie - Garam Masala Roasted Duck Legs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Cherry Balsamic Reduction
Cut of the Day - 24 oz T-bone, Croquets Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction
M’tucci’s Italian Café & Market
Voted Albuquerque’s Best Deli by the Albuquerque Journal’s Readers.
The Café & Market continues to offer amazing pastries in our display case every day. We carry the same great Italian imports, all of our artisan breads, and a wide variety of imported, domestic, and house made cheese and meat. There is an expanded selection of coffee and pastries. We’ll still have charcuterie boards to eat in or take out with wine and beer by the glass. Click here to see our new menu.
Fresh Mozzarella and Burrata, plus Aged Balsamico for Caprese Salad. All you need is tomatoes.
M’tucci’s Catering
Recently, we catered the New Mexico Make A Wish foundation fundraiser. We provideda full bar and the buffet included Charcuterie Boards, Shrimp Boards, Chianina Meatballs and Arancini. Give us a call for your next event, wedding reception or party! Click here to see our catering menu. 505.350.0019 or [email protected]
ONGOING NEWS
M’TUCCI’S AROUND TOWN
Our market items can be purchased at a couple of locations in Albuquerque. We deliver our fresh bread every Tuesday and Friday to Silver Street Market at 2nd and Silver. Choose from Sourdough, Fennel Rye, Wheat, Baguette, Ciabatta, and Raisin Rosemary Focaccia.
Drinking at Bosque in Nob Hill? You can order a M’tucci’s Charcuterie Board while there.
SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT & DISCOUNTS
Area service industry workers can get a Service Industry card from us by showing proof of employment. With the card you receive 10% off your check every day and 20% off on Sundays from 6:00 - 9:00. Dine in only.
ONLINE ORDERING
Our food is available for delivery with Door Dash or for pick up. Pick up something for the weekend or on your way home from work. The links to ordering are on the Home page.
MTUCCI’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Videos about making cocktails and pasta and getting to know the M’tucci’s culture. Click here
See you next Friday - Ciao!
