The key to a great bourbon cocktail is to produce a drink which complements the flavor profile of the bourbon and doesn't mask it. After all, we're not talking about any old hooch here. Bourbon is the all-American spirit created and made in the United States of America. It truly is our contribution to the world of distilled spirits. Author Steve Akley has gathered 50 unique bourbon cocktails from 50 iconic bars. In fact, it's actually 53 unique cocktails from 52 iconic bars but that title just didn't sound as good. One submitted two cocktails that fit in its chapter and two other locations submitted cocktails after the book was complete but prior to the final layout being completed. Steve elected to include them and figures they are a great "value add" taking the cocktail count beyond the stated amount. By the way, we're not talking the "same old/same old" here. We're talking about signature cocktails from some of the greatest drinking establishments in the United States. Take a look at this lineup of participants: Bale of Hay Saloon/Virgina City, Montana - Big Star/Chicago, Illinois - Bourbons Bistro/Louisville, Kentucky - Bourbon and Branch/San Francisco, California - Bourbon House/New Orleans, Louisiana - Bub City/Chicago, Illinois - Buckhorn Exchange/Denver, Colorado - Buffalo Bodega Gaming Complex/Deadwood, South Dakota - Butter Run Saloon/St. Clair Shores, Michigan - Down One Bourbon Bar and Restaurant/Louisville, Kentucky - E. Smith Mercantile/Seattle, Washington - El Gaucho/Seattle, Washington - El Moro Spirits & Tavern/Durango, Colorado - Equus and Jack's Lounge/Louisville, Kentucky - The Esquire Tavern/San Antonio, Texas - FAR BAR/Los Angeles, California - Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge/Alameda, California - Gallagher's Restaurant/Waterloo, Illinois - Hard Water/San Francisco, California - Herbie's Vintage 72/St. Louis, Missouri - Jack Rose Dining Saloon/Washington, DC - Martin's Tavern/Washington, DC - Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood/St. Louis, Missouri - Miller House/Owensboro, Kentucky - Mongoose versus Cobra/Houston, Texas - 9th Street Public House/Columbia, Missouri - Old Ebbitt Grill/Washington, DC - Old Major/Denver, Colorado - Parlay Social/Lexington, Kentucky - Parson's Chicken and Fish/Chicago, IL - Peacock Alley/Bismarck, North Dakota - The Pope House Bourbon Lounge/Portland, Oregon - The Porthole Restaurant and Pub/Portland, Maine - Red Moon/Put-in-Bay, Ohio - The Roosevelt/Richmond, Virginia - The Round Robin Bar at Intercontinental