Custom Spirits at Chatham Bars Inn

In 2018, Chatham Bars Inn’s Adam Couto and his team were on a mission to develop a beverage menu that exuded the same sense of creativity that guests have come to expect from all areas of the Inn. Their quest to concoct cocktails with a sense of place led them all the way to Kentucky, where they called on the Maker’s Mark distillery to create a custom bourbon that concentrated the feeling of Chatham Bars Inn into every smooth sip. 

Chatham Bars Inn Maker’s Mark Private Select Vol. 1 became the inaugural spirit in the Inn’s ever-expanding litany of custom beverages. According to Couto, he and his team have worked with Maker’s Mark on three different barrel projects, including the Chatham Bars Inn Maker’s Mark Private Select Vol. 1, specifically for the Inn. This bourbon was so popular at the property that the first barrel – the equivalent of 250 bottles of bourbon – sold out in 10 weeks. 

At the Sacred Cod Tavern, drinks are modeled after the physical environment of the bar. A classic tavern with dark wood and low lighting, the tavern specializes in a variety of whiskeys, including the Chatham Bars Inn Private Select Bourbon from Makers Mark. “Whether it’s going to Kentucky and blending these bourbons or something else,” says Couto, “with everything we put on our menu, we want to have a story behind it.” 

The Private Select Bourbon has notes of pepper with deep oak, which lends itself well to mixed drinks like the Bourbon Smash and reflects the classic atmosphere of the tavern where it is served. The subtle hints of cherry, vanilla and caramel, which balance the earthier flavors, offer a warm, deliciously smooth, satisfying flavor when drinking the bourbon neat. 

It’s only natural, after the success of the bourbon and craft beer, that Couto’s journey to find the perfect tequila for Chatham Bars Inn’s waterview bars would culminate in another custom project. His latest endeavor, the acquisition of a Private Select barrel of reposado tequila, began in late 2019 when Couto and his team visited a distillery in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

The La Alteña distillery, which produced the popular El Tesoro tequila, was founded in 1937 in the mineral-rich highlands of Jalisco. Today, the grandson of the company’s original founder is El Tesoro’s master distiller. After tasting from four barrels of reposado, the Chatham Bars Inn team chose one with a flavor profile they all felt would meld perfectly with the waterview, tequila-focused Bayview Bar at the Inn. 

El Tesoro ages their reposado tequila in American oak ex-bourbon barrels for up to 11 months. This in-depth aging process creates a sweet and smoky flavor with hints of vanilla and oak. Additional accents of fruit essence and dill complement the taste of agave with smoke and pepper notes. These slightly botanical flavors reflect the outdoor environment of the Bayview Bar. 

Mayflower Brewing Company, a craft beer microbrewery located in nearby Plymouth, Massachusetts, brews and packages their beer by the sea using traditional brewing methods and ingredients to create recipes with a sense of place and New England’s changing seasons in mind. So, when Couto wanted to expand Chatham Bars Inn’s custom beverage program, he knew that they would be perfect for crafting specialty brews that emulate the atmosphere of the Inn, Bar menus change frequently at Chatham Bars Inn, and reflect the seasons, food menus and holiday celebrations. 

Half of each menu will depend on which of the Inn’s six bars guests find themselves at, with unique menu items to fit the vibe of the space, yet one item that is found throughout the property is Mayflower’s “Coastal Encounter,” brewed especially for the Inn. Couto says that the popular “Coastal Encounter” is a favorite because of its crisp and dry-hopped light body. 

Chatham Bars Inn serves this refreshing pale ale year-round. A popular pairing of the classic New England beer is to sip the cool, hoppy ale during one of the Inn’s sunset clambakes, which are set against the backdrop of the ocean in the summer months. Australian hops lend this golden brew flavors of lemongrass and citrus, resulting in a slightly bitter and fun thirst-quenching drink that incorporates the atmosphere of the surrounding land, sea and history. 

After building a relationship with Plantation Rum, we knew it was time to work together on a single barrel project. This wasn’t as straightforward as other barrel projects we’ve done in the past because they don’t have a constant supply of barrels available. In fact, the head distiller only releases single barrels when he feels they have reached their peak in flavor, balance and proof. When it was time, they sent us the three samples that were available. Not just to us, but the entire region. After tasting through all three with our team we unanimously agreed on the Barbados VSOR single cask. 

Distilled in 2016 but not bottled until 2022, this rum matured for 4 years in Bourbon casks, then a year in Ferrand casks and another 4 months in Port casks.  The result was a delicate and balanced rum that opens with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg with fruity notes of dry fig, raisins and plum with roasted chestnut and strawberry in the background.  It’s light and fresh, but bold enough to drink on its own. Due to the aging, it’s a versatile spirit we can use to create elevated rum cocktails or substitute it for some bourbon drinks.

Please keep in mind, the availability of each of the above is dependent upon current supply.