Revival 5 E. Eighth St., Covington Revival isn't a speakeasy, but it sure does look like one. This bottle shop/bar has become a destination for those seeking the finest bourbons and other spirits of yesteryear, offering up tastings and advice from friendly and knowledgeable staff members who know the curated selection of bourbon like the back of their hands. Revival specializes in rare and vintage bourbons, but the selection also includes Scotch, brandy, tequila, rum and gin, with more than 4,000 bottles in inventory and 120 open bottles for tasting. In addition to educated sipping, Revival also has a collection of rare bourbons for sale and can give "dusty" collectors a professional valuation of their bottles. Photo: Catie Viox

The co-founders of Revival Photo: Catie Viox // Revival

Northern Kentucky is getting a new spot to sip bourbon with the addition of the Revival Vintage Bottle Shop.

The “one-of-a-kind shopping and tasting experience” is slated to open Aug. 7 at 5 E. Eighth St. and promises hundreds of rare bourbons selected by co-founders Brad Bonds — a professional “dusty” hunter, a bourbon expert who can find and verify super old bottles of the spirit — Katie Meyer and Shannon Smith. 

“The bourbon, and spirits, community loves to learn — from barrels to bottles, process to tastings,” said Bonds in a release. “The intersection of education and a uniquely curated experience is what sets Revival apart. We’re not giving tasting tours. Each individual’s tasting experience will be crafted around their questions, interests and general curiosities.”

So you can sample bourbons at the Revival tasting bar, poured and explained by bourbon experts, or shop from their hundreds of bottles “representing over a century of rectifying and distilling in Kentucky,” they say.

A selection of bourbon available at Revival Photo: Catie Viox // Revival

Revival will also be the first location in Northern Kentucky where other dusty collectors can legally buy and sell their rare bourbons, or get a professional valuation of their bottles. 

“The vintage spirits law enables us to buy bottles from private collectors and offer the general public an opportunity to legally purchase and sell unique and rare spirits many seek but will likely never find,” said Smith in the same release. “We are excited for the opportunity to offer vintage bourbons and other spirits by the package and by the pour alongside their modern counterparts.”

Bourbon fans will also be able to get special subscriptions for monthly gift boxes that include tasting samples, invitations to events and advance notice of newly acquired for-sale bourbons before they’re available to the public. 

Revival joins other bourbon-minded establishments in the area like the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, Prohibition Bourbon Bar, New Riff Distilling and more. 

Retail hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and tastings for groups of eight or less are available by appointment only 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 6-8 p.m. Sunday. 

Due to COVID precautions, Revival is limiting its in-person occupancy to 21 people at a time and visitors are required to wear masks. 

Get more information at revivalky.com.

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This article appears in The Summer Guide.

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