About 60 miles east of Atlanta (and about 30 miles from my town), there is a small town named Madison (population about 4000?). The town is named for the 4th U.S. President, James Madison. It was founded in 1809, the first year of James Madison's presidency. It has been named the #1 small town in America by Travel Holiday magazine for what that is worth.
Madison is a beautiful little town that was spared destruction by Sherman's army on its way from Atlanta to Savannah. There are many reasona offered as to why Madison escaped the fate of many other Georgia towns. The most common of these is that Sherman's roommate at West Point was from Madison. Alas, that story has been disproved. The most likely reason is that the town sent word to Sherman that it would offer no resistance, unlike many small Georgia towns which did resist, however hopelessly.
Because it was spared, Madison has many beautiful ante-bellum homes and has become quite prosperous, with many well-heeled residents. As a result, it has some excellent restaurants, two museums, a cultural center, and a very active civic community.
I go to Madison often to visit (the graveyard there is fascinating) and recently traded in my small truck for a larger truck at the Madison Ford dealership. The small truck struggled when pulling my Travel Trailer and I was uncomfortable with it.
As the salesman, the money guy, and I were scratching through the paperwork they trot out when you buy a vehicle, we were jawboning back and forth about various and sundry things. They were both retired and only worked part time at the dealership and hence were not your ordinary asshole car sales dummies.
During the conversation, it was revealed that they were both bourbon lovers, Maker's Mark being there chosen bourbon, along with Jack Daniels. Being the generous spirit that I am, I told them that there were better bourbons out there than MM, numbering in the hundreds. I promised that next time I came to the dealership, I would bring them a sample of a great bourbon that would do a body slam on good ole Maker's Mark.
So the next time I went to Madison, I took them a sample of Pappy 20. Being men of discrimnation, they took to the Pappy and agreed they had never had any bourbon quite like it.
As I was leaving Madison that day, I noticed the truck I traded in parked just outside a restaurant that I liked in Madison. The restaurant was closed for renovation, but the door was open and some men were milling about inside. I stopped and went in and asked who owned the truck outside and was informed that the restaurant owner had just bought it. I told him I was the former owner and that I had been pleased with the truck except for its towing capabilities. We then started talking about his new restaurant and I told him I had eaten there before and loved their Filet Mignon stuffed with blue cheese. He said that would remain on the new menu and asked if I had any menu suggestions.
Well, I said, I will leave the menu to you, but I would suggest that you carry a top of the line bourbon for any bourbon loving customers such as myself. He wrote down a couple of my suggestions, most notably Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old.
Now fast forward a month or so and it is yesterday and the anniversary of my marriage to the best person I have ever known (and who is quite attractive too). We had talked of going to a nearby Cajun restaurant that we both enjoy, but I suggested that we go to Madison and see if the new restaurant, called O'Hara's, was open yet. My wife had also liked the previous incarnation of this restaurant so it was agreed that we would go there.
When we arrived, I glanced at the bar and lo.........there stood a bottle of Pappy 20 as proud as a peacock! I started to do my little 'Popeye' dance, but a glance from my wife said, 'Don't embarrass me again!'. So I don't do the 'Popeye'.
We are seated and when the waiter comes over I orderd some Pappy. I see the young woman bartender pouring the Pappy and walk over to ask how it is selling. I notice that the bottle has only about one fifth of its contents remaining. She says it is doing well and tells me that there are two other people in the restaurant drinking it at this very moment.
I look around and at a nearby table is the money man from the Ford dealership with a bourbon hard by his right hand. I stroll over to say hello and he notes that he is drinking Pappy, and thanks me for letting him try a sample.
Pappy has come to Madison!
Post Script:
For dinner I had crusted West Coast Halibut on a bed of potatoes in a tomato/orange sauce............fantastic meal. My lovely wife had beef tenderloin medallions on a bed of scalloped potatoes and spinach........also fantastic.
For dessert we shared a rich dark chocolate pie with Chambord raspberry liqueur. That and the Pappy 20 did a great duet together. The Pappy 20 was $10 for a generous 2 oz pour and the total bill came to $72, ncluding the tip...........a bargain in my eyes!