New Montrose Burgers

Montrose mogul to open a new Houston burger spot that vows to stick to the classics: No trendy meat!

Although it's only been a week since Reef chef/owner Bryan Caswell's slider joint Little Bigs made a move down Montrose to a not so little space in the Chelsea Market, the petite restaurant space at the corner of Westheimer and Montrose already has a new tenant. Montrose mogul Shawn Bermudez, who's known for Royal Oak, Boondocks, Pistolero's and recently opened Stone's Throw, will be opening the neighborhood's first dedicated burger restaurant there in the spring of 2015.

Known simply as The Burger Joint, the restaurant extends Bermudez's partnership with chef Matthew Pak, who already oversees the food trucks Koagie Hots and The Golden Grill. Bermudez's Instagram followers may have gotten a hint that something was up, as he's been busily posting pictures from a burger tour that's taken him to Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and New York. In a text, Bermudez told CultureMap what he's learned from his studies.

Montrose lacks a dedicated burger joint, but the neighborhood doesn't lack for burgers. To compete, The Burger Joint will have to be special.

"I noticed that burger culture has gotten away from a classic burger and fries. Some of the more foodie burgers that are out there are so big and so rich you can't bite them, let alone finish them," Bermudez writes. "We're going to bring a classic burger joint to Montrose.

"Obviously, with my partner Matthew Pak being such a creative chef, there will be some twists thrown in with different proteins, great fries and dipping sauces, classic sides with a twist and an ice cream element found at all classic burger restaurants."

Beyond that, Bermudez isn't offering many details. However, construction has already begun to transform the space into whatever The Burger Joint will become.

As noted above, Montrose lacks a dedicated burger joint, but the neighborhood doesn't lack for burgers. Rudyard's, Hay Merchant, Lowbrow and a whole host of food trucks (among others) deliver high-quality burger options. To compete, The Burger Joint will have to be pretty special.

If Bermudez and Pak are able to apply the lessons of all that eating, that won't be a problem.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists