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Dram & Draught

Raleigh, NC Whiskey Bar Located in the Heart of Downtown Raleigh

News & Blog

Jeff Taylor & “Jack’s Doxy” Head to Atlanta

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Our very own barman Jeff Taylor is headed to The Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic regional competition in Atlanta on Monday, July 22, 2019.

Jeff is Competing in The Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic

Jeff will be going head-to-head against six other bartenders for the chance to represent the Southeast Region at the finals in Tennessee. From there, one winner will be chosen to attend Bar Convent in Berlin with one guest. There are seven regional competitions with seven bartenders competing in each. Help us cheer Jeff on and follow Dram & Draught on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the latest information on how he is doing in the competition.

The Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic

The Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic is presented by Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack, Liquor.com, and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Liqour.com, in conjunction with Tales of the Cocktail, sought out some of the best bartenders from around the world. The bartenders’ have to be passionate about whiskey and what it means to create a truly meaningful cocktail experience. The bartenders were asked to submit their best Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour recipe for a chance to win a trip to Europe for the bar convention in Berlin. The whiskey sour has to showcase the bartender’s skills, highlight the attributes of Gentleman Jack, and be a cocktail that they would proudly serve to guests in their own bar. The cocktail also has to feature Gentleman Jack as the base spirit. The judges then chose seven contestants from each of the seven participating markets based on their recipes to move to the regional competitions. The regional competitions take place from July 8 through August 5, 2019. One winner from each region will then move on to the finals in Tennessee. The finals are scheduled for August 25 through August 29, 2019. The grand prize winner from the finals will receive a trip for two to Berlin to attend Bar Convent.

“Jack’s Doxy”

Jeff is Competing in The Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic

Jeff will be mixing up his cocktail “Jack’s Doxy” and it may be one of the best whiskey sours we have had the opportunity to try. Jeff is passionate about everything he does but he is especially passionate about cocktails, with the whiskey sour being one of his favorites. We can’t wait for his return so you can try one for yourself.

Where’s the Rest of the Crew?

While Jeff is in Atlanta, Ian and Jake will be in New Orleans with Red Bull for Tales of the Cocktail 2019. Big things are sure to be happening when the guys return!

Toasting to Our Time at 623 Hillsborough Street

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We’re nearing the end of our time at 623 Hillsborough Street, friends! We’ve enjoyed just short of three fantastic years here and will be moving to our new digs at One Glenwood next week. Join us Thursday, July 11, 2019, through Sunday, July 14, 2019, for a few rounds of fun to toast to the ol’ watering hole each day.

Thursday, July 11 – A Thursday Night Toast

Enjoy $5 Boilermakers (Coors Banquet & Ezra Brooks) all night.

Friday, July 12 – Bottom Out the Barrel

Help us bottom out our barrel of Elijah Craig Bourbon at just $4 per ounce. Order it by the ounce or have a two-ounce pour – the way we like it – for $8. Bring your friends for cocktails, too, as we’ll be donating $1 for each cocktail sold on Friday and Saturday to the Spina Bifida Association.

Saturday, July 13 – Last Saturday Shenanigans

$1 for each cocktail sold will be donated to the Spina Bifida Association. At 6 p.m., we’ll be lighting up a frozen “Dram & Draught” liquor luge and invite you to come snap pictures with it. A special “Thanks!” to our friends at Deep Eddy for being part of tonight’s celebration! Their vodkas make a great chilled shot to be enjoyed off tonight’s liquor luge… just sayin’.

Sunday, July 14 – Sunday Sign-Off

All beer and wine selections will be half off. Help us drink it all so we don’t have to move it next week! $1 for each cocktail sold will be donated to the Spina Bifida Association. Beginning at 3 p.m., we’ll break out the monster Sharpies and we invite you to scribble your messages of love and great whiskey on the walls in one final tribute to a great drinking establishment. And share your note on social media by tagging us, please!

PS: Our grand opening at One Glenwood is planned for Saturday, 27. Mark your calendars to come join us!

Our Own Jake Davis Wins Little City Brewing Bacardi Cocktail Competition

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On Sunday, June 30th, our friends at Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. hosted a Bacardi Cocktail Competition featuring craft cocktail bartenders from all over Raleigh and Durham slinging their newest and most-creative recipes for a chance to win some awesome prizes. Two of our own barmen were asked to participate in the competition – Jake Davis behind the bar creating cocktails and Ian Murray serving as one of the judges.

The afternoon started out with ten bartenders competing in a “winner take all” round but due to the stiff competition, two finalists went on to a surprise sudden death round. Jake was last to make his cocktail in the first round, which we thought might have made him a little nervous as he watched the judges critique each of his competitors. Not Jake, though. He shared, “Going last made me confident because I was still excited about my presentation and cocktail.”

The first cocktail Jake created was a daiquiri riff made with Bacardi, banana syrup, Curaçao, and flower. The garnish included three dehydrated bananas with a flower in the middle. Delicious and pleasing to the eyes, too! His second cocktail was a celery shrub stirred drink which featured tiki bitters, celery, and vermouth topped with a bougie twist. Fancy!

Jake admits he was not expecting for a sudden death round, however, this wasn’t his first cocktail rodeo and he was ready to roll with the (tiki) punches! Jake competed earlier this year in the March Madness Cocktail Competition presented by Dragon’s Milk at Dram and Draught. When asked how he felt competing for a second time and he said, “It was still stressful, but I had more time to really focus on my delivery for this competition.”

Overall this was a fun, small community competition. It was a tough competition with a lot of talent but ultimately, Jake won! We couldn’t be more proud of our guy. To learn more about upcoming events and competitions check out our events calendar.

Follow Barman Ian at Tales of the Cocktail

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Our very on barman Ian Murray is headed to Tales of the Cocktail 2019 with Red Bull in New Orleans from July 18 through July 21, 2019. We can’t wait to hear all about his trip (and try the new cocktails that result from this experience) when he returns but in the meantime keep up with Ian on Instagram and make sure you are following Dram & Draught on Instagram for even more cocktail fun.

Ian Murray

Ian was selected by Red Bull to attend as one of their guests along with seven other lead barmen and working owners from around the country. While he is there, he will get to attend educational seminars, brand education classes, tastings, cocktail tours, meet and greets with others in the industry, spirited dining and drinking events, and more. We are always looking for ways for our staff to grow their knowledge and we are excited that Ian is having the opportunity to attend for his sixth year.

“I am really looking forward to Tales because it is the first time in a couple of years that it is at a new venue – Royal Sonesta New Orleans – so it will be a completely new experience for me.” – Ian Murray

About Tales of the Cocktail 2019

Tales of the Cocktail

This summer, the worldwide cocktail community will descend on New Orleans once again as Tales of the Cocktail returns for its 17th year. This annual gathering that’s equal parts cocktail conference and family reunion will feature a spirited schedule of brand new seminars, tastings, competitions and networking events representing the latest our industry has to offer. Catch up with old friends, learn some new techniques and further your career at Tales of the Cocktail 2019.

About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization, the global leader in spirits education, and a platform to address issues facing the industry. The mission of the Foundation is to Educate, Advance, and Support the global hospitality community through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the industry and to create lasting impacts in our host communities.

Negroni Week: June 24-30, 2019

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We’re excited to be participating in Negroni Week at both Dram & Draught Raleigh and Greensboro. Negroni Week is a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charitable causes around the world. We hope you’ll join us for a night or two and enjoy delicious cocktails all week for a good cause.

Negroni Week at Dram and Draught

In Raleigh: 

This will be Dram & Draught Raleigh’s third year participating in Negroni Week. The two special recipes slated for your enjoyment are an Appalachian Negroni and a Classic Negroni.

Appalachian Negroni – $11
Nolet’s Dry Gin, Appalachian Fernet, Campari, Orange Bitters

Classic Negroni – $11
Tanqueray 10, Campari, Carpano Antica

For each Negroni purchased in Raleigh, we’re proud to be making a $1 donation to The Greater Carolinas Chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Spina Bifida Foundation.

The Greater Carolinas Chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in North Carolina and South Carolina and raise funds for critical MS research.

The Spina Bifida Foundation mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and enhance the lives of all affected through research, advocacy, education, and support.

In Greensboro: 

We’ve got six special recipes ready for you to enjoy throughout Negroni Week. The Greensboro Negroni Week menu features:

Classic Negroni– $11
Tanqueray 10, Campari, Antica

El Jimador Negroni – $11
El Jimador Negroni, Suze, Cochhi

Pineapple Negroni – $11
Emulsion, Montenegro, Campari, Pineapple Allspice

White Negroni – $10
Tanqueray Gin, Suze, Caparono Dry

Old Forester Boulevardier – $10
Old Forester, Campari, Sweet Vermouth

My New Birthday Suit – $11
Zaya Rum, Tuaca, Yellow Chartreuse, Angostura, Smoke & Salt Bitters

For each Negroni purchased in Greensboro, we’re proud to be making a $1 donation to Mental Health Greensboro and Spina Bifida Association.

Mental Health Greensboro offers free mental health support services in our community to ensure that nobody has to struggle with mental illness alone.

Dram & Draught Co-Founders Receive Executive Bourbon Steward Certification from Stave & Thief Society

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In March 2018, Dram & Draught co-founders Kevin Barrett and Drew Schenck attended Moonshine University’s Stave & Thief Society Bourbon Steward Certification class in Louisville, KY, and they are now spreading the gospel of the legendary whiskey throughout their North Carolina footprint.

Barrett and Schenck are always striving to learn more about the spirits industry which is one of the reasons they chose to attend a day-long workshop where they furthered their knowledge specifically of Kentucky’s signature spirit: bourbon. Barrett and Schenck now proudly sport “Certified Executive Bourbon Steward” pins and have started down the path of also certifying their establishments and employees.

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The goal of the Stave & Thief Society Executive Bourbon Steward Certification is to provide a standardized education of bourbon. For proprietors, those certified learn skills to guide their staff in various aspects of Bourbon Stewardship and customer relations, as well as further hone opportunities to improve bourbon sales.

The program was created in 2015 by the Distilled Spirits Epicenter, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association official educational member, with input from an independent advisory panel of distilling experts, historians, leaders in the hospitality industry and professional spirits educators.

Prior to attending, only two other North Carolina establishments had received certification – Raleigh’s Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar and 73 & Main in Mount Pleasant, just outside of Charlotte. There are now eight, including Dram & Draught. You can see the growing list of member establishments at StaveandThief.com/Members.

“Working in the operational distillery, the history, really dialing into the flavor profiles… there was a lot to learn in becoming a Certified Executive Bourbon Steward,” says Schenck. “This was worth all the effort, but the biggest thing for me is for Dram & Draught being among the first in North Carolina to go through the program.”

“The best of the class for me was the mini distillery. We had a good knowledge of bourbon already, but we got to mill our own grain, distill our own mash, and even taste the heads, hearts, and tails. That’s something you just don’t get to do in everyday life,” shares Barrett.

The eight-hour course began by covering a basic history of whiskey in the United States and leading to the evolution of bourbon (which Barrett and Schenck were already well-versed in), but the real magic for the duo began when the class moved into a real, functioning distillery for a hands-on experience of the bourbon-making process.

The final portion of the class focused on examining the array of aroma and flavor components of bourbon and identifying how specific decisions during the production process determine the final attributes of the bourbon.

From the certification class, Barrett and Schenck have deepened their knowledge on a variety of bourbon topics including the basic science of the distillation process, flight building, and legal classifications. With a heightened ability to identify proof, age, and mash bill through blind sensory evaluation – and a better understanding of the bourbon industry as a whole – the two have returned to the Old North State ready to serve as true Bourbon Stewards through their growing list of whiskey establishments and planned tourism opportunities.

About Stave & Thief Society

Stave & Thief Society was founded in 2014, and is the first bourbon certification program recognized by the bourbon industry and the only to be recognized by the Kentucky Distillers Association as its “Official Bourbon Education Course.” The programs were developed by professional distilling and spirits educators and advised by a panel of experts in the bourbon and hospitality industries to provide a premium, standardized bourbon education that is accessible and holds real value. To learn more, please visit StaveandThief.com.

Sother Teague Book Signing in Raleigh & Greensboro

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We had such a great time at our Jim Meehan book signing that we were eager to host another – and this time we are doing it in Raleigh and Greensboro with Sother Teague!

Sother Teague - I'm Just Here for the DrinksRaleigh

We’ll be opening early at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2019, to host Sother Teague as he visits North Carolina! Purchase your copy of his book, “I’m Just Here for the Drinks” to reserve a signed copy. The last time we hosted an author, books sold out early so don’t miss your chance.

Your $25 ticket includes admission to our meet and greet event with Sother, a signed copy of his book, and light hors d’oeuvres. (Already have your own copy of the book? Purchase admission to this event for just $10 at the door on Monday, June 3.)

Greensboro

We’ll be opening early at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, to host Sother Teague in Greensboro. As we mentioned before, these books are going to go fast. Get yours early and come talk shop with the man himself!

Your $25 ticket includes admission to our meet and greet event with Sother, a signed copy of his book, and light hors d’oeuvres. (Already have your own copy of the book? Purchase admission to this event for just $10 at the door on Tuesday, June 4.)

Can’t Make it to Raleigh or Greensboro?

Sother Teague will be at one of our favorite Wilmington establishments, manna, on Sunday, June 2, 2019. $15 gets you in the event and $40 includes a signed copy of his book. Liquid refreshments will be provided.

About I’m Just Here for the Drinks: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking and More Than One Hundred Extraordinary Cocktails

Sother Teague, one of New York’s most knowledgeable bartenders and Wine Enthusiast‘s Mixologist of the Year (2017), presents a brief history of both classic and lesser-known spirits with modern-day wit and old-school bar wisdom, accompanied by easy-to-mix drink recipes you’ll soon commit to memory.

Better than bellying up to some of the world’s best bars with a veteran bartender, this series of essays and conversations on all things alcohol aims to reveal how the joy of drinking changed both history and culture, and will likely inspire you to make a little history of your own. After all, no retelling of a great caper or revolutionary event ever started with the phrase, “So a bunch of guys are all eating salad…”

This hardcover collection of timeless tips, insight from industry pros, and 100+ recipes is more than just a cocktail book: it’s a manifesto for living a more spirited life.

We look forward to seeing you in Raleigh or Greensboro on June 3 and June 4, 2019. 

 

 

Recap: Kentucky Derby Watch Parties in Raleigh & Greensboro

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We had successful Kentucky Derby Watch Parties in both Raleigh and Greensboro on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Guests in both locations dressed to impress while they watched on the big screen sipping Proper Juleps and Scioto Downs.

Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center was on site in Raleigh and Greensboro and we donated $3 from every Proper Julep and Scioto Downs sold to Horsepower. Brandy, a horse from Horsepower even showed up in Greensboro for the party! Both locations raised $600 each for the Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center for a total of $1,200.

The race was an intense one. Watch the crowd in Greensboro go wild as Maximum Security crossed the finish line.

Not long after the race finished, Country House was named the winner of the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security was disqualified.