M'tucci's - Barrels of Fun
/The daily mantra at M’tucci’s is “do your best”. We put that philosophy to work by creating service training programs for servers and bartenders, as well as wine and spirits education programs for servers and bartenders.
We have always believed that we can do it better, so we created our own shrubs soon after we opened in 2013 and added M’tucci’s Private Label Wines to our menus during the pandemic in 2021.
In August of 2019, before the opening of M’tucci’s Twenty-Five, we were able to become part of Maker’s Mark Bourbon’s barrel program. COO/Partner Chris O’Sickey, VP/Partner Austin Leard and Trey Godwin (a former manager/bartender) traveled to Kentucky and took part in a unique barrel program at Maker’s Mark. At Maker’s Mark, samples are drawn from barrels made from different wood staves (seared French oak, American oak, etc) and the tasters created their own blend, using combinations of wood which are inserted into the barrels and aged for an additional six months. But, not all barrel programs are the same.
You may ask, what is a barrel program?
Distillers of spirits, most notably whiskey and tequila, rely on wooden barrels to age and finish their products. Many states and countries have legal requirements of aging before a spirit may be called bourbon or añejo tequila. The most common barrels are made of American oak and are built to hold 50 gallons.
All wood is not the same, so after a period of time, the master distiller will taste barrel samples to decide which barrels will be used for blending for the final bottling. Their goal is that every bottle of Maker’s Mark or El Tesoro Reposado, should taste the same year-to-year. At times, one barrel stands out with a special flavor profile and the master distiller may decide that the flavor profile isn’t right for the blend, but it would make a incredible “single barrel” spirit.
That is why we now see many “barrel select” or “single barrel” bourbons available. Distillers are very particular about creating a single barrel flavor profile for a restaurant, because if it doesn’t sell, the distiller is stuck with a lot of product. Committing to a single barrel means you commit to approximately 230 bottles.
M’tucci’s is fortunate to have had success with M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark since we only had two restaurants at the time. We took the leap of faith in 2019, partly based on the fact that the Old Fashioned cocktail is our most popular cocktail and the belief that you, our guests, would love an Old Fashioned made with a barrel select bourbon. We were right, and we are now selling bottles from our 13th barrel of M’tucci’s Maker’s Mark Private Select Bourbon.
Now, with four locations, we are in a good position to take part in select barrel programs for bourbon and tequila, offering our guests something special that they can’t find elsewhere.
The barrel program continues to grow. In August, John and Austin visited Jalisco, Mexico and spent time at the Patrón distillery. After a few days of tasting, they selected a “young” añejo for the new M’tucci’s Patrón Añejo made from 100% Weber Blue Agave. It will be arriving in the next couple of months.
In September at Angel’s Envy, John & Austin were able to taste several barrel samples and chose three flavor profiles. Angel’s Envy then sent the samples to Albuquerque so all of the partners could taste and choose one flavor profile. All locations are serving M’tucci’s Angel’s Envy Single Barrel now.
Whiskey aficionados know that Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon is a highly coveted bottle. Allocations are such that last year all four M’tucci’s only received 10 bottles. This year, we have become part of their barrel program and will have a half barrel or around 120 bottles. We’ll be sure to let you know when we have it in house.
For our current Cocktail Spotlight, Barrel Select bottles of M’tucci’s Private Select Maker’s Mark, Russel’s Reserve and Angel’s Envy are used for a unique Old Fashioned.
Available at all locations for the next few months
At Teddy Roe’s
From Arcy Law, Operating Managing Partner at Teddy Roe’s: “When we decided to have a private label of whiskey with our name on it, we knew we wanted something special, that also has a household presence. Woodford Reserve has been a staple on many bars around the world for its incredible richness, bold flavors, and yet a smooth finish. At a tasting last year, we tasted 3 bourbons, and 3 rye whiskies, all of which were incredible, but one in particular really stood out.”
“We are the first bar with a personally selected Woodford Reserve Rye Barrel in the state of New Mexico. Today, we are reaching the bottom of our 3rd barrel, with the fourth being bottled over winter, and we want to thank the Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall for making such a beautiful whiskey.”
Arcy’s Tasting notes:
At first glance you will see that the whiskey has a beautiful caramel color, and on the nose there is a rush of honey, almonds, cherries, orange peel, hints of clove, peppermints, and as expected, rich vanilla bean. On the Palate I taste candied orange, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, then it moves to shortbread cookies, almonds, cooked honey, and apricots. The finish is smooth and long lasting making this is truly a very well made spirit.
Next month we have a small group going to Tennessee, where we will choose a single barrel of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. This will be our second hand picked barrels for Teddy Roe's, with many more to come. We look forward to sharing them with you.
Addy Nicole Wins!
Congrats to M’tucci’s Addy Nicole. Last week, we told you about our two bartenders in the Finals of the 505 Food Fights. They didn’t know what ingredients they would have to use to create a cocktail until the time of the competition. They were given Ford’s Gin and pomegranates for the first cocktail and Cuervo Blanco Tequila and peperoncini for the second.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Pesto/Ricotta Filled Ravioli - Roasted Chicken, Chestnut Msuhrooms, Jalapeños, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Pesto Cream Sauce, Crispy Prosciutto $25
8 oz. Picaña - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $36
Pan-Seared Ruby Red Trout - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $29
NM Red Chile Braised Sackett Farms Pork Shoulder - Salt Water Potatoes, Caramelized Onions, Spinach $25
Weekend Cocktail
Cocco Affair - Almond Rum, Lime Cordial, Liquid Alchemist Coconut, Basil Oil
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz. Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $35
Pan-Seared Salmon - Grilled Polenta, Cabbage Apple Slaw, Pesto Cream Sauce $25
Weekend Cocktail
Berry Island Spritz - Altar Vodka, Bulldog Gin, Bacardi Pineapple, Citronge Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lemon Juice, Blueberry Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters, Sprite
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Chicken and Shrimp Scampi - Pan-Seared Chicken, Garlic Shrimp, Marinated Tomatoes, White Wine, Lemon Butter, Pecorino, House Made Linguine $25
Pan-Seared Tuna - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
24 oz. Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43
Weekend Cocktail
Green Flame - Rolling Still Green Chile-Infused Vodka, Ancho Reyes Verde Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Pan-Seared Ono - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Capers, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Butter Sauce
Herb Roasted Cornish Game hen - Roasted Beets, Orange Frisée and Pomegranate Vinaigrette $27
Weekend Cocktail
In The Mangroves - Prichard’s Rum, Mango Cardamom Shrub, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Club Soda Splash
Live Music for October
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
10/13 Michael Rascon
10/16 Shane Wallin
10/20 RJ Perez
10/23 Robb Janov
10/27 Eryn Bent
10/30 Myles Chavez
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
10/11 Melissa Rios
10/17 Matt Jones
10/18 Eryn Bent
10/24 TBD
10/25 Robb Janov
10/31 Halloween no Music
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
10/11 Matt Jones
10/17 Shane Wallin
10/18 RJ Perez
10/24 Johnny Lloyd
10/25 Myles Chavez
10/31 Halloween No music
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
