If you’re in one of these cities or just passing through, congrats, you now have a bourbon bar to visit.

1. Hard Water, San Francisco

When I traveled with celebrity chef Charles Phan to the Willett, Heaven Hill, and Buffalo Trace Distilleries to select barrels, Phan said, “The hardest part is not to drink it all.” The James Beard-award winning chef recently opened Hard Water in San Francisco. Hard Water boasts more than 200 bourbons, one Tennessee whiskey and zero gins or vodkas. The list includes seven private barrel selections and a secret 12-year-old Old Rip Van Winkle private barrel selection. Well, it’s not secret anymore.

2. The Silver Dollar, Louisville, Ky.

Benjamin Franklin once said the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Unfortunately, Mr. Franklin did not live to taste Silver Dollar’s fried oysters, chorizo corndog, mac and cheese, or apple pie. This former fire station is a Southern food paradise, never straying from its high-quality food and always shelving 80 to 100 bourbons with 30 rye and unaged whiskeys. Vintage country music always spinning on the vinyl record player and mainstay Christmas lights flickering, Silver Dollar keeps it real, only selling Kentucky-made whiskeys and offering one vodka, one gin, and a couple dozen tequilas. If you plan to call foul for Silver Dollar’s tequila affection, remember tequila is often aged in used bourbon barrels.

3. Village Whiskey, Philadelphia

In one of the most important U.S. whiskey cities, Village Whiskey pays homage to its roots—whiskey. The overall list is quite impressive and the cocktails remind one of yesterday, but this may be the best food in a bourbon bar. Bestselling author and Iron Chef America winning contestant Chef Jose Garces is one of hottest chefs in the world right now.

4. The Century Bar, Dayton, Ohio

In what could be the most underrated bourbon bar in the country, The Century Bar takes you back to 1862 with its 150-year-old back bar. The home of the former Kette & Sons Rye Whiskey Distillery, Century Bar packs 168 bourbons, 20 private barrels, and 482 total whiskeys and regularly holds blind tastings. It’s the sort of place every bourbon drinker should visit at least once in his or her life.

5. Jack Rose, Washington D.C.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon is a glorious watering hole for thirsty whiskey drinkers. With more than 2,000 total whiskies, Jack Rose carries some of the world’s rarest bourbons. Owner William Benton “Bill” Thomas scurries the land, searching for Prohibition-era to 1960s-era bourbons that pack flavor profiles lost in today’s bourbon styles. Between his personal collection and his bar’s, Thomas might be America’s largest whiskey collector. 

Jack Rose is half-museum, half-whiskey love affair, and 100 percent educational. Oh yeah, they serve stunning cocktails and food, too. But, let’s be honest: You want a pour of some Old Grand Dad back when National Distillers owned it. Go ahead, treat yourself.