Getting together with friends is never a bad idea. In fact, it’s what gets us through week after week. As Nashville continues to boom and fill with tourists on the weekends, it’s often a bit of a hassle to meet groups out and about, leaving many of us choosing to entertain at home for intimate evenings. While having people over is always appreciated and enjoyable, it’s even better when you can host in a special place that’s ready for guests at all times. No clean up or decorating required, with the added bonus of lots of authentically Nashville elements to enhance any evening.
When looking to host a private whiskey tasting, complete with guitar picking and piano playing, no site seemed better than the casually elegant Bed and Breakfast, Buffalo Soul. Located just a block from Music Row and adjacent to Belmont University, the location is simple to find and centrally convenient to those from all areas of town. It’s also beautifully stocked with every possible item needed for any size of cocktail party or a complete sit-down dinner. The big plus is that if you rent the space, there are multiple bedrooms perfect for hosting overnight guests or enjoying a bit of a personal staycation. The space has also become quite popular with music-industry personalities seeking refuge to play instruments, sing and even just listen to music.
This roomy house was the ideal locale for a co-founders J.T. and Kasey Hodges to throw a small weeknight celebration of all things whiskey, bringing along Chris and Lolly to play some music for the evening. When they invited The Nashville Edit to be a part of it, we of course jumped right in, helping to choose sipping selections and create the perfect night for the celebration. We also invited the Hodges’ good friend and professional photographer, John Shearer, to join and help us capture some of the evening’s highlights.
“What could be better than tasting good whiskey while singing our favorite songs about it.”
– J.T. Hodges
Hosting your Own Whiskey Tasting
Choosing the right bottles to taste is key, as is having appropriate glassware on hand. We selected the official bourbon tasting glasses from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to pour samplings from select bottles, including Old Forester Statesman, both Bourbon and Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey from Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select. All of these choices are definite crowd-pleasers and will work well no matter what size the gathering.
When choosing food for their own celebrations, as well as providing service to those renting Buffalo Soul, the Hodges count on talent from private chef and catering expert Braiden Mallon of Bam Foods Catering. For this party, Mallon created dishes that complimented the rich flavors of the spirits with colorful presentation, also adding to the picture-perfect ambiance. He favors relatable and approachable foods, often with dishes reminiscent of classic favorites. Hailing from Leipers Fork, Mallon always brings a bit of southern comfort to the table, which is definitely appreciated when seeking a relaxing, low-key evening. When planning your own tasting, just be sure to have some hearty fare on hand to help soak up a bit of the Bourbon along with some salty or spicy items to enhance the flavors.
Whether you’re seeking a spot to host a dinner party, couples’ weekend or just a night of music and friends like the Hodges, Buffalo Soul is a top choice if you’re seeking something away from home. We will certainly be back to use their outdoor spaces for barbecues this summer, where the outdoor guitar-shaped fire pit is sure to be the site for more music and fun.
