The best ways to celebrate National Bourbon Day

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This upcoming summer is all about celebrating those special moments, big and small. We're ready to raise a glass and cheers to the long days and longer nights. And there's no better way to celebrate than with a versatile spirit like bourbon that can hold its own and mix wonderfully in cocktails.

For the second year in Canada, we are celebrating this distinctive American spirit with National Bourbon Day. Mark your calendars for June 14th, because on this day we're toasting to (and with) all things bourbon — and you can too.

Cheers! Spirits from the USA has launched a campaign that partners with local Canadian bars and restaurants to celebrate National Bourbon Day. From flights to bites, there are countless ways to enjoy the iconic barrel-aged American whiskey this side of the border.

Bars are back and better than ever — whether you're trying bourbon for the first time or consider yourself a seasoned pro, there's something for everyone this Bourbon Day. Check out our list below of bars across the country where you can celebrate National Bourbon Day with their excellent bourbon specials and selections.

If you can't visit these bars, we've got some great bourbon cocktail recipes to shake up at home at the end of this post. Or, order a bourbon cocktail experience from barfromafar.com

Enjoy responsibly.

Where to celebrate National Bourbon Day in Toronto 

Mother Cocktail Bar

874 Queen St. W.

The best bar in Toronto (in our opinion) is hosting a Manhattan Experience with a list of different Manhattan-style cocktails. Also, if you're feeling adventurous, ask for bourbon in your whisky sour, and the creative hands at Mother will gladly shake one up.  

motherdrinks.co

Beast Pizza

96 Tecumseth St. 

This new popular pizzeria has a well-curated list of bourbon. Pro tip: Order the bone marrow and ask for your bourbon to be poured right through it for an epic Bone Luge.

@beast_pizza_to

BarChef

472 Queen St. W. 

BarChef has been a beacon of inventive cocktails in Toronto for over a decade. Get your dose of cocktail culture with their extensive and rare selection of bourbon from the back bar. 

barchef.com

Stock T.C

2388 Yonge St.

Want to whip up a bourbon cocktail on the fly? Order the pre-mixed Stock T.C boulevardier cocktail with bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth. 

shopstocktc.com

Love of Cocktails

1564 Queen St. W. and online

For all the bourbon lovers out there, we've got a cocktail kit for you, literally. The Bourbon Lover’s Kit from Toronto-based Love of Cocktails comes with three bourbon-based cocktail recipes: a bourbon sour, smoked maple old fashioned and the Nutty Professor.

loveofcocktails.com

Where to celebrate National Bourbon Day in Montreal 

132 Bar Vintage

132 Fleury W. 

If you're not sure which bourbon to pick, this ultracool Montreal drinking den has bourbon-tasting flights. The flavour profiles of bourbon vary greatly depending on a number of factors from how long it was aged to the char level in the barrel, so try a whole bunch to see what style or brand you enjoy best. 

le132.com

Burgundy Lion

 2496 Notre-Dame St. W. 

The Burgundy Lion Pub has the largest whisky collection in Quebec, and bourbon is definitely on the menu. They have an extensive collection of bourbon and offer private tastings and flights for you and your friends to enjoy.  

burgundylion.com

Where to celebrate National Bourbon Day in Vancouver

Fets Whisky Kitchen

1230 Commercial Dr.

This fabulous whisky bar is lined with murals — and whisky, of course! Snack on southern-style bites alongside bourbon-based cocktails from their wide collection. 

whiskykitchen.ca

Three delish recipes for bourbon-based cocktails