Colonel Dickie

Is that:

a) Dickie Brennan's official Kentucky Colonel appellation?

b) Dread Pirate Robert's "screen" name?

c) A great name for a cocktail?

Last Thursday I was invited to attend a ceremony proclaiming Dickie Brennan an official Kentucky Colonel. Legend has it that the Kentucky Colonel was established to honor a group of Kentuckians who had served valiantly in the War of 1812. Some of the perks of being a Colonel include access to a Colonel's Box at the Kentucky Derby and free dry cleaning on all white suits.

In all seriousness, it is a very big deal. Other members of the club include Bill Clinton, Pope John Paul II, and Muhammed Ali. Mr. Brennan has spent a lifetime highlighting and selling Kentucky's finest commodity: bourbon. In recognition of his work, they made him a Colonel. Which means Donnie Boy Riguez has a shot to become an honorary Mayor of Metairie in light of his tireless devotion to daiquiris.

The event was held upstairs at Bourbon House in a wood paneled room that seems tailor made for secret rituals. To begin, there were a few cocktails: a Meyer Lemon Sidecar and a Sazerac. Then a five course meal with a different bourbons accompanying each dish.

My favorite was the spicy butternut squash puree with toasted pumpkin seeds and cayenne maple oil and jumbo lump crabmeat. This soup had a wonderful texture, intense heat, and nice sweetness from the crab. In fact it almost reminded me of Indian cuisine. This was paired with Eagle Rare Single Barrel, a delicious and peppery bourbon. Of course, all the bourbons were pretty incredible. Shoot, bourbon is America's greatest invention.

Sorry I don't have any pictures because it was darker than an angsty teenager in there. So congrats again to Dickie Brennan and thank you to his staff and the lovely people of Kentucky.