[Review] The Shining (Breckenridge Bourbon)

2020. The world locked down as COVID-19 stormed into our lives like a Rocky Mountain blizzard. For weeks we were trapped in our own homes, cut off from friends, family, and neighbors. We understood how the Torrance's must have felt during their stay in the Overlook Hotel. We made bread, joined Zoom calls, and learned new skills, though each day we grew more and more on edge.

Monday.

Tuesday.

Thursday.

Saturday.  

But just imagine if we were isolated from civilization with no internet, electricity, or celebrities telling us that we are all in this together.  We may never have gotten through it.

1980. Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Universally regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time.  A film that is so massively intertwined into pop culture, that thee talented Lisa & Louise Burns A.K.A The Grady Girls (twins) are still making appearances at specialty conventions 45 years later!  

Based on Stephen King’s third novel, director Stanley Kubrick's adaptation is a wonder to behold. Full of beautiful and haunting shots throughout, Kubrick flexes his directorial muscle, even if King disagrees with many of the decisions made in the film. Others have spent countless hours providing commentary on the King/Kubrick relationship, from subject matter dissent to overall tone and character portrayal. I won't do that here. Instead, I will play Switzerland and say that both the novel and movie are works of art, speaking to me in their own way. Both book and film deserve all their praise and should be enjoyed with plenty of bourbon.

Speaking of bourbon - today's bourbon choice is Breckenridge, a Colorado-based blended whiskey with “snowmelt water from the Rocky Mountains.”  Chosen to pair with the film purely based on location, Breckenridge contains a generous amount of rye in its mash bill (38%), leaving the rest full of corn (56%) and unmalted barley (6%).  It’s low proof, 86, aged only 2-4 years, and 43% ABV.  Price paid $45. The price is a bit on the Rocky Mountain high side, as this seems like a steep cost for such a young, blended, bourbon.

However, due to the low proof, this is something Jack Torrance could sip … forever, and ever, and ever…

The Shining begins with Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) making his way to the Overlook Hotel in hopes of landing a sweet gig that keeps him away from any outside human contact for the next 5 months. Just what the Doctor (Sleep) ordered, as Jack's looking for some quiet time to focus on his writing. There's just one minor detail that hotel manager Stuart Ullman decides to share first. You see, “for some people solitude and isolation, can of itself, become a problem”. And in 1970, former caretaker Charles Grady, overcome with what was described as "cabin fever", ran amok and killed his family with an axe before turning a shotgun on himself.

Jack laughs.

Wow. That's some story. I bet Jack will want to run this by Wendy (Shelley Duvall) first before making a decisio-- Jack accepts the job.

As the family moves into the Overlook, I raise up my glass of Breckenridge. The nose gives off sweet toffee and ethanol. The first sip? Not great. I get a syrupy mouth feel and some vanilla Coke, which eventually gives way to a touch of (offensive) peppery spice and heat. Let's hope for a better go of it after the hug wears off.

Fast forward a month and things seem to be going just swell for the Torrance's. And as for Kubrick? Kubrick is in his bag with great camera shots and sound mixing. Danny rides his trike around the hotel, Jack awakens while Wendy enters the bedroom (as seen through the mirror) and the overhead zoom of Wendy and Danny in the maze while Jack looks over the replica is on another level.

Acting wise, obviously Nicholson is stealing the show (though sometimes seems a bit too unhinged) but throughout the film, the late Shelley Duvall waves effortlessly between free-spirited, sympathetic, nervous, vulnerable, and strong. For years it seemed as though Duvall's performance was painted with a broad brush of being overly dramatic, aloof and nagging -- I myself would have used some of those words to describe her in my prior watches of the film, but this article nails it. And this time feels different. Maybe it's the bourbon vapors in the air, but I am glued to the screen every time she appears.

Another another sip of Breckenridge yields similar results. Much of the same, unfortunately. Kind of wishing there was more range in this bourbon.

Speaking of sipping, fans of the film will no doubt recall the scene where Jack wanders into the Gold Room, makes his way to the bar, and orders a bourbon. Lloyd, the Overlook’s dapper, ghostly, barkeep, slyly obliges. 

“You slip me a bottle of bourbon, little glass, and some ice.  You can do that, can’t-cha, Lloyd?”

However, bourbon enthusiasts will quickly point out that although Jack IS served an amber-colored, definitely-looks-like-bourbon liquor, it most certainly is NOT a bourbon.

Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey is what Lloyd pours into Jack’s glass. A fine drink in 1980, but bourbon has come a long way. To compromise and to celebrate Old Jack Daniels 7 being featured, I propose we do a side shot of Jack to chase our Breckenridge.  That should keep us nice and warm!

The final act features Jack fully-gone and many of the scenes and quotes have be parodied over time. My guess is most people will have been introduced to some piece of the The Shining long before ever actually watching the film. It's simply one of the best.

The Shining belongs near the top of every horror fan's list.

"We're all gonna have a real good time." - Wendy Torrance

Breckenridge, however, can be tasted and enjoyed, but up to you to decide if there's room on your shelf for a bottle. For me, the real estate is hard to justify. I find Breckenridge lacking in several key areas, but remain hopeful that the distillery can produce high quality bourbons in the coming years.

Breckenridge: 4.5/10

The Shining 9.75/10