HENRICO, Va. – A local business owner was recognized in Bourbon Review, a national publication dedicated to covering bourbon and whiskey.
William “Mac” McCormack operates McCormack’s Whisky Grill in the Fan, and McCormack’s Big Whisky Grill at Regency Mall, in the former Texas de Brazil spot. The Fan restaurant opened in 2009 and the Regency location in 2014; Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler is co-owner of the Henrico spot.
Both establishments were recognized for a second year in Bourbon Review, in a survey of the country’s best 80 bourbon bars, region by region.
The Whisky Grill received mention along with bars in Brooklyn, Annapolis, Boston and Manhattan. The list is here.
“It feels great to get some recognition, sometimes I feel like local press skips over us because we don’t fit into any particular ‘best of’ class,” McCormack said of the national spotlight.
Both businesses are thriving, McCormack said, especially as the spirit continues to garner mainstream adoration.
“The Regency location is still not where it needs to be, but it’s gaining ground every day,” he said. “The mall is a tough location to get people to come to the first time as they are gearing up towards the renovation, but the people that come there, come often.”
“I think the name whisky hurts us at first with the assumption that it’s just a bar, but our reputation is beating that,” McCormack added.
Both spots serve a full menu in addition to a wide array of bourbon, scotch and whiskey, along with beer and wine.
McCormack offers over 2,000 bottles of liquor at the enormous Regency space, and over 300 bourbons. Many varieties for sale can’t be purchased by the bottle in Virginia.
“As far as whiskey offerings that are rare and unique, the 25-year-old Rittenhouse Rye is incredible, Wild Turkey Tradition bourbon, Booker’s 25th Anniversary bourbon, 20 year Pappy Van Winkle, George T Stagg, William Larue Weller, so many great and hard to find bourbons,” McCormack said.
