This holiday season arrived wrapped not just in twinkling lights and good cheer, but in a generous pour of Jefferson’s Bourbon. We were invited to ring in the festivities at a Holiday Happy Hour celebrating a brand that has quietly, and sometimes boldly, reshaped the American whiskey conversation. Jefferson’s is known for pushing boundaries through the art of blending and experimental aging, producing layered, distinctive flavors that feel both thoughtful and adventurous. It was the perfect spirit to anchor an evening designed around discovery.
The gathering took place in the effortlessly stylish Living Room at the W Hotel Union Square, a space that hums with downtown energy. Food flowed throughout the night, while cocktails featuring Jefferson’s Bourbon were crafted by Seahorse, one of New York City’s most buzzed-about new restaurants. While we have yet to experience their full menu, their cocktail sensibility alone has us eagerly anticipating a future visit.
We toasted the season with a lineup that showcased some of the Jefferson’s portfolio: Jefferson’s Bourbon, Jefferson’s Rye, and Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea, the latter paired luxuriously with caviar. Our evening began on a note that felt tailor-made for winter. The Orchard Old Fashioned combined Jefferson’s Bourbon with apricot liqueur, ginger syrup, and bitters. For those of us with a particular affection for ginger, it was an immediate favorite. Warm, gently spiced, and quietly elegant, it struck the kind of balance that invites a second round without hesitation.
The original Jefferson’s Bourbon served as a reminder of why the brand’s foundation is so beloved. Crafted to deliver layers of depth and character, it brings together rich, inviting flavors in harmonious proportion. Versatile and refined, yet approachable, it works just as beautifully sipped neat as it does anchoring a thoughtfully constructed cocktail. It is the kind of bourbon that elevates moments without demanding attention.
Curiosity then pulled us toward Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea. We will be spotlighting its unique aging process in greater detail soon, but even in this setting, its story was compelling. The Seahorse Old Fashioned featured Jefferson’s Ocean with demerara, vanilla, and bitters, allowing the whiskey’s character to shine. Born from an experiment at sea, Jefferson’s Ocean is aged aboard ships that travel the globe.
The Jefferson’s Ocean and caviar pairing offered a quietly luxurious highlight of the evening, one that felt as thoughtful as it was indulgent. Those sea-born differences made the pairing with caviar feel almost inevitable. The bourbon’s caramel depth and subtle maritime character echoed the caviar’s rich, savory, oceanic notes, creating a harmonious balance that elevated both. Each sip and bite revealed new layers, where sweetness met brine and warmth met refinement, turning the pairing into an elegant expression of Jefferson’s Ocean’s singular aging journey.
One of the evening’s memorable moments, and a fitting way to usher in the new year, came through an unexpected exchange. Instead of leaning on the usual, well-worn resolutions, guests were invited to surrender them to the Jefferson’s Bourbon in-event poet, who transformed those familiar intentions into something far more evocative. Each rewritten resolution emerged personalized, lyrical, and thoughtfully crafted, turning self-reflection into a creative ritual. It was a quietly touching experience that added depth to the celebration and offered a more meaningful lens through which to greet the year ahead.
Our evening concluded with the Holiday Manhattan, built around Jefferson’s Rye, amaro, dry vermouth, and bitters. Jefferson’s Rye celebrates innovation through a distinctive blend that delivers impressive depth and balance. Bold spice leads, followed by layers of fruit, floral, and herbal notes. It is complex yet welcoming, equally rewarding in a cocktail or enjoyed on its own.
Altogether, the Jefferson’s Bourbon core portfolio, including Bourbon, Rye, and Ocean, remains a favorite within the bourbon community and serves as an excellent introduction to a brand that continues to redefine what American whiskey can be.
