Best Bourbon Menu on Anna Maria: Hurricane Hanks Brings Big-Time Bourbon to Holmes Beach

If you’ve ever found yourself on Anna Maria Island thinking, “I want a great meal… and I also want a bourbon that tastes like a warm handshake from history,” you’re in the right place. At Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach, bourbon isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the experience. From classic Kentucky character to modern, hard-to-find pours that bourbon lovers hunt down like treasure, Hurricane Hanks has built a lineup that confidently earns the title: one of the best bourbon menus on Anna Maria.

And the timing couldn’t be better. Bourbon has gone from “grandpa’s nightcap” to one of the most celebrated spirits on the planet—showing up on cocktail lists in Tokyo, London, and Paris, starring in social feeds, and inspiring collectors to plan vacations around distillery tours. (Yes, that is a thing, and yes, it’s awesome.)

In this post, we’ll dive into what makes bourbon so beloved, why its popularity keeps rising in America and worldwide, and highlight Hurricane Hanks’ must-try bottles—plus a few delicious menu pairings to make your pour taste even better.

Why Bourbon Is Booming in America (and Everywhere Else)

Bourbon is uniquely American, but its fanbase is global—and growing fast. Part of bourbon’s magic is that it feels both approachable and deep. You can sip it neat with zero fuss, or you can nerd out for years on mash bills, barrel char levels, warehouse locations, and “why this bottle tastes like caramel, toasted pecan, and the memory of a campfire.”

Here’s why bourbon continues to surge:

• Craft and heritage, side by side: Bourbon has centuries of tradition, but it’s also constantly reinvented through single barrels, special releases, and experimental aging.
• Flavor you can actually taste: Vanilla, oak, brown sugar, cinnamon, leather, cherry, honey—bourbon offers big flavors without requiring a sommelier certificate.
• Cocktail renaissance: Classics like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are everywhere again, and bourbon (or rye) is often the star.
• Collecting culture: Limited releases and “allocated” bottles have created an entire community of enthusiasts who trade tasting notes the way some people trade fishing stories.

Even better? Bourbon tourism has become a major travel trend. People plan trips around distillery experiences, history, and tastings—especially in Kentucky, where bourbon culture is practically a state sport. If you want to explore that world, check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

What Makes a Bourbon “Great” (Without Getting Too Nerdy)

You don’t have to memorize regulations to enjoy bourbon, but it helps to know why certain bottles stand out. Bourbon typically delivers a signature profile: sweet aromatics up front, followed by spice, oak, and a lingering warmth. A truly great bourbon balances those elements so nothing feels sharp or one-dimensional.

When you’re sipping a higher-tier pour—like the bottles Hurricane Hanks is featuring—you’ll often notice:

• Richer aromatics: deeper vanilla, caramel, fruit, toasted nuts, cocoa, or baking spice
• More structure: a fuller mouthfeel and layered mid-palate instead of a quick “hot” finish
• Longer finish: the flavor sticks around in a good way—warm, smooth, and complex

If you want a simple, reliable reference for bourbon basics—what it is, how it’s made, and why it tastes the way it does—this overview is helpful.

Hurricane Hanks’ Best Bourbons on Anna Maria Island

Now for the fun part: the bottles. Hurricane Hanks’ featured list includes a lineup that bourbon fans recognize instantly—because these are the kinds of pours people talk about, search for, and celebrate when they finally find them. This is the sort of list that makes you slow down, choose carefully, and consider ordering “one more… for research.”

Eagle Rare 10 Year Straight Bourbon

Eagle Rare 10 is a classic for a reason. It’s elegant, oak-forward, and beautifully balanced—often showing notes of caramel, vanilla, and a gentle spice, with a refined finish that doesn’t rush you. It’s also one of those bourbons that converts “I’m not sure I like bourbon” into “Okay… I get it now.”

Best vibe: a relaxed pour that pairs with conversation, laughter, and the satisfying feeling that you chose correctly.

Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon

Named for one of bourbon’s foundational figures, Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch brings bold flavor with a polished edge. Expect a classic bourbon structure—sweetness, spice, and oak—delivered with confidence. It’s the kind of pour that feels like a “best of Kentucky” snapshot in one glass.

Best vibe: when you want something traditional, strong, and undeniably bourbon-y.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Blanton’s is a legend in modern bourbon culture—and one reason is right in the name: single barrel. That means each barrel has its own personality, and each bottle is a little snapshot of that specific barrel’s character. Often you’ll find bright notes like orange peel, honey, caramel, and warm spice, with a finish that keeps you coming back.

Best vibe: when you want a “special” pour that feels like an event.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Gold

Take what people love about Blanton’s and dial up the intensity: Blanton’s Gold is typically higher proof and often comes across richer, bolder, and more powerful on the palate. It’s a standout pour for bourbon lovers who want that extra punch—more depth, more warmth, and more “wow” from the first sip to the last.

Best vibe: when you want a bourbon that announces itself in the best way.

Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Straight Bourbon

Old Fitzgerald 11 Year brings maturity and elegance—time in the barrel can add remarkable complexity, rounding edges and deepening the flavor spectrum. With older, well-aged bourbon, you’re often tasting layered oak, caramelized sweetness, and nuanced spice, with a longer finish that feels luxurious instead of loud.

Best vibe: the “slow sip” pour—perfect for when you want to take your time and let the glass evolve.

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel sits in that sweet spot where craft precision meets aged complexity. It’s prized for its balance: rich and flavorful, but not chaotic—oak, sweetness, and spice working together like a well-rehearsed band. If you enjoy bourbon that feels both refined and deeply satisfying, this one belongs on your short list.

Best vibe: when you want a top-shelf pour that still feels smooth and composed.

How to Choose the Right Pour at Hurricane Hanks

If you’re standing at the bourbon list thinking, “These all sound amazing—help,” here’s a quick way to decide:

• Go refined and classic: Eagle Rare 10
• Go bold and traditional: Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch
• Go iconic and expressive: Blanton’s Single Barrel
• Go bigger and more intense: Blanton’s Gold
• Go deep, mature, and layered: Old Fitzgerald 11 Year
• Go balanced, premium, and complex: Michter’s 10 Year

And if you want the “Anna Maria Island strategy,” it’s simple: start with one pour you know you’ll love, then try one you’ve never had. Bourbon is a journey—delicious, slightly dangerous (to your willpower), and best enjoyed with good food nearby.

Best Hurricane Hanks Menu Pairings for Bourbon

Bourbon pairing is all about complementing richness, salt, smoke, spice, and sweetness. At Hurricane Hanks, you’ve got plenty of options that play beautifully with these pours. Here are some go-to pairings that make bourbon taste even better (which feels unfair, but we’re not here to judge):

• Bacon Wrapped Scallops – Sweet scallop + smoky bacon is a dream with Blanton’s or Eagle Rare, especially if you love a caramel-and-smoke vibe.
• New England Clam Chowder – Creamy, savory comfort pairs nicely with a balanced bourbon like Eagle Rare or Michter’s 10 Year.
• Taco Salad – That mix of spice, crunch, and savory goodness is a great match for E.H. Taylor (bold enough to stand up to it).
• Steak or burger-style entrées – Anything hearty and grilled loves older, oakier pours like Old Fitzgerald 11 Year.
• Chocolate or caramel-forward desserts – If you see something sweet on the dessert list, try it with Blanton’s Gold for a rich finish to the meal.

Pro tip: If you’re ordering a higher-proof pour (like Blanton’s Gold), pairing it with something salty or rich can smooth the heat and amplify the flavor notes—like turning the volume up on the good parts and down on the burn.

Bourbon Culture, But Make It Island Style

Bourbon can be serious business—tasting wheels, collector talk, bottle drops—but Hurricane Hanks gives it that Anna Maria Island energy: relaxed, welcoming, and fun. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a great pour. You just need a good glass, a good meal, and a place that actually cares about what’s behind the bar.

And if bourbon has taught the world anything, it’s that patience pays off. The time in the barrel. The craft in the process. The slow build of flavor. It’s the opposite of rushed—and that feels right on an island where the best moments happen when you stop checking the clock.

Plan Your Next Visit: Sip Something Special at Hurricane Hanks

If you’re looking for the best bourbon menu on Anna Maria, Hurricane Hanks is serving a lineup that hits the sweet spot between iconic and hard-to-find. Whether you’re celebrating a vacation night, meeting friends for dinner, or just treating yourself because you survived another week of emails, this is the place to explore bourbon the right way—one great pour at a time.

Want to go deeper into bourbon history and culture? These are great reads:

• Bourbon (Encyclopaedia Britannica overview)
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail (distilleries, tours, and bourbon travel)
• Whisky Advocate (whiskey news, reviews, and trends)

Bottom line: Bourbon is having a moment worldwide—and Hurricane Hanks is bringing that moment to Holmes Beach with a list that bourbon lovers respect and first-timers can fall in love with. Order a pour, pick a pairing, and toast to the fact that some of the best “vacation memories” start with two words:

“One more.”