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High West Distillery in Park City has opened The Nelson Cottage for those looking to experience whiskey in a more intimate setting.
The renovated home, just two doors up from the distillery on Park Avenue, is offering multi-course whiskey pairing dinners on Friday and Saturdays and during the week as space allows, said owner David Perkins.
"There's no better way to learn about whiskey than to pair it with food," Perkins told guests during a recent dinner to introduce the space. "In this setting, people will learn to understand what I think is the ultimate slow food." Whiskey, of course, takes years to age.
After buying the home in 2012, High West named the one-story framed bungalow after one of the earliest families to settle Park City. It was built during the mining boom of the early 1900s and in recent years has housed a coffee shop and candy store.
High West remodeled and updated the home, keeping some of its historical features — including a misshapen brick fireplace — to use as an event space for its pre-fix dinners, but also to accommodate groups of 25-30 people.
"Something we didn't have at the distillery," said Perkins.
During the communal dinners, whiskey expert Terry Ginsberg educates guests on a High West whiskey offerings and how they pair with each course prepared by the chef.
The winter menu includes unique pairings such as a bone broth with Double Rye whiskey, salmon with Campfire Whiskey and coffee-roasted bison tenderloin with American Prairie Bourbon.
Where • The Nelson Cottage, 651 Park Ave., Park City; 801-592-1174
When • Friday and Saturday evenings, and some weekdays as space allows
Hours • Doors open at 6:30 p.m., communal dinner at 7 p.m.
Cost • Multi-course dinner $125 per person; optional whiskey pairings an additional $50-$75
Details • highwest.com/nelsoncottage