Banff, Alberta CA

I recently returned from quite an adventure with my wife. A vacation that included Glacier National Park and Banff National Park. To say it was one of the most stunning visual experiences I have ever experienced would be an understatement.  Both places were gorgeous.

Banff is a picturesque town located within the park. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, it’s renowned for its natural beauty, towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes. The town itself has a charming, alpine feel about it with cozy restaurants, shops and art galleries. Although I have never been, it’s what I would picture Bavaria or Switzerland to look like. 

So, after a day of sightseeing, we were ready for a quality dining experience.   We did a bit of research on possibilities and one choice stood out… Chuck’s Steakhouse!  I know, I know, you’re thinking low hanging fruit chosen because of its name.  You’d be partly right on that, but the menu stood out to us due to the dry aged grass fed beef, as did the cocktail choices.  We wanted a nice steak and a great cocktail.  Chuck’s delivered on both.

I chose the Longhorn Old Fashioned.  Appropriate due to the number of Longhorn Sheep we had seen on the trip.  This is a Brown Butter Washed Wild Turkey 101 as a base, demerara + bitters.  It was great.  I was really in the mood for a good pour. It paired perfectly with my ribeye. And the view we had of the town was extraordinary.

I ordered up a second Longhorn Old Fashioned from our server, Drew.  This time I wanted to include some local flavor-some Canadian Whiskey.  I was back and forth between the 41-Year-Old Crown Royal and the less expensive Forty Creek Cherrywood Reserve. Forty Creek is distilled in the Niagara Region and was voted the Best Canadian Distillery in 2022.

It sounded tasty so I leaned that way. It was.  This was a 90-proof offering.  I would normally choose something a bit stronger to cut thru the sweetness but for tonight in Canada, it hit the mark. Drew came by afterwards with a small taste of the Crown 41 Year for me to sample.  That was much appreciated.

I cannot stress enough to include Banff on your bucket list. Whether you are looking for adventures in skiing, hiking or mountain biking, or you’re more comfortable with wildlife viewing, or seeking a peaceful retreat, Banff is for you. Just make certain you visit Lake Louise, with its stunning views and turquoise waters.  After you build up your appetite, visit Chuck’s Steakhouse for a great steak & Old Fashioned.  Ask for Drew and tell him The Nashville Whiskey Guy sent you.