Dean Fearing Does DFW

Dean Fearing's Southwestern cuisine feeds fancy travelers at exclusive DFWAirport lounge

American Express opened a new lounge at DFW Airport's Terminal D with some serious perks, including food from Dallas chef Dean Fearing and an Exhale spa where you can get facials and manicures.

Called the Centurion Lounge, it celebrated its opening on October 15 with a ribbon-cutting that included a feast and in-person appearance by Fearing himself.

This is the second Centurion; the original opened in Las Vegas in early 2013. It has sparked interest from jaded travelers for its lineup of features that go beyond the usual airport facility:

Card- and travel-related services such as reservations at restaurants, airlines and hotels
Free spa therapies from Exhale
Texas-inspired signature cocktails created by mixologist Jim Meehan, or wine from a selection curated by wine director Anthony Giglio
Access to Wi-Fi, use of personal computers and noise-buffering workspaces
Southwestern cuisine designed by chef Dean Fearing

The food format is a buffet, with a breakfast version running from 7 am-noon, and a lunch and dinner buffet that extends until 10 pm. At breakfast, it's almond bread French toast; egg frittata; blueberry muffins and vanilla-and-orange pound cake; and tacos with spinach and onions, or with egg, sausage and jalapeño Jack cheese.

Dinner options include corn soup, chicken enchilada casserole with green chile sauce, spinach and queso enchilada, brisket tacos, and a warm apple buckle for dessert.

"When American Express asked me to bring a local food tie to the lounge, I said absolutely yes," Fearing says. "I am thrilled that world travelers can experience a little bit of my Texas flavor and local cuisine while traveling through DFW.

"From a personal standpoint, and as a traveler myself, the American Express Centurion Lounge concept also suits all of my needs. I can relax, work on the road, enjoy great food, and have access to well-known wines and spirits – all in a single lounge. I am excited and honored to be part of this innovation."

Access is free to Platinum and Business Platinum as well as Mercedes-Benz Platinum cardholders and Centurion card members. Any other American Express card member can access it for a $50 fee.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon triumphs among top 10 'most exciting' whiskies of 2024

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

A Texas-based distillery has earned worldwide acclaim: Still Austin Whiskey Co.'s Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey has been recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with an impressive score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list. Its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 for a 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whisky Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

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