Got a surprise late Christmas present delivered to the house on Friday.  A gift selection of hickory-smoked bacon and smoked ham from Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams courtesy of Gia's folks. 
I checked this place out about a year ago when I first started making bacon-infused bourbon because the original recipe from PDT in Manhattan used Benton's bacon..  But I didn't order it for some reason.  And I'm a bit pissed at myself.  Because this is easily the best bacon I've ever tried!  I should have had it a year ago!  Thick-cut with an incredible smoky flavor.  Nothing even comes close.  I honestly don't believe I'll ever buy another brand of bacon.  It's THAT good.
I was amazed to see that the vacuum-packed yummies were shipped without refrigeration.  It's because of the dry-cure process that Benton's uses.  They say their bacon will last for 4-6 months in the original packaging in the refrigerator after shipping.  I don't think it will last that long in our fridge...we are going to eat it up too quickly!
I slow-cooked it over low heat per the cooking instructions that came with the bacon.  It resulting in a uniform and as hearty-looking a bacon as I have ever seen.  I reserved the bacon fat to make some bacon bourbon.  Well, since this is bacon from Tennessee I decided to use Tennessee Whisky instead.  Good ole' George Dickel.  And THAT was fantastic.  Brought it over to my sister's house this weekend and made a few cocktails for her birthday.
My recommendation?  Buy this bacon right now.  You won't regret it.

 
8 comments:
Mmmm....Bacon.
mmm...bacon infused bourbon...You wouldn't happen to be working on a batch of that for a contest winner, would you?
Most assuredly on the list to try, then. Bacon is proof that God loves non-Muslims too, y'know.
sounds delish, sugar! if i send you the money for bacon & bourbon, plus shipping fees, will you make some for us? xox
i also left you a late christmas present last night, right outside your door in a flaming brown paper bag.
feel free to stomp on it... it will let the Christmas out!
Paticus - the problem is shipping it. I had another idea for your prize...I'm working on it. :)
RW - Ya know, I was just reading about beef bacon last night. I can't imagine it's as good, but it's out there for our Muslim friends.
Savannah - Like I said to Paticus, shipping an open bottle of bourbon presents some issues.
Slyde - You crazy kid, you...
Dickel! Yum. Been ages since I've had that stuff!
Ummm, and of course the bacon sounds fabulous, too...
Sybil - I've only recently discovered Dickel. I like it better than JD.
I wouldn't worry too much about bacon that lasts months. Bacon rarely lasts more than 3 days at our place.
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