Bourbon
Bourbon is the unquestioned king of American whiskey, its production dating back to the 1700s. While bourbon is invariably associated with Kentucky, where 95 percent of all bourbon is produced today, in reality it can be produced anywhere in the U.S. (though only Kentucky Bourbon can include the name of the state on the label). By U.S. law, bourbon must be made from a mash of at least 51% corn; be aged in new, charred oak containers; distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into barrel at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Contrary to popular opinion, there’s no minimum aging requirement for bourbon, although straight bourbon must be aged for at least two years and cannot have added coloring. One of the most popular spirits in today’s drinking world, bourbon prices have been on the rise as stocks have dwindled — although massive investments in the industry promise to ease those supply pressures in coming years.
Top Bourbon Posts:
Tips, Tricks, and Advice on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Top 10 Bourbons Under $20
Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project
When my brother was tasked with bringing some bourbon for a recent family gathering, the staff at a local franchise of a major retailer suggested McFarlane’s Reserve as an affordable Weller alternative. Just now ...
Yes, bourbon people, it’s time for yet another Barrell Bourbon batch release. You knew it was coming, and here it is, Batch 29. Did you think I would say Batch 30? Because that one already ...
Old Fitzgerald bonded release #2 for 2021 has arrived, dropping as an 11 year old expression this time out. Distilled in spring 2010, it was bottled earlier this year and has been sitting idle as ...
We’ve covered a lot of private barrel picks over the years, from the likes of Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, and even Jefferson’s, but one brand we haven’t yet sampled a private barrel of is Elijah ...
Four Gate continues to crank out whiskeys, and today we’re looking at two new releases — a rye and a bourbon, both quite different — from the Louisville-based operation. Four Gate Rye Batch 11 Ruby ...
One of the heaviest hitters of bourbon season has arrived: the always-anticipated Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. As is common with this release, it’s full of well-aged stock from the Four Roses rickhouses. The ...
Jack Daniel’s has been making headlines for its latest bottling, the first whiskey with a 10 year old age statement in more than 100 years. (You can see an old bottling of JD at 10 ...
MGP is once again getting ahead of the flood of fall bourbon releases with their crown jewel in the Remus line, Repeal Reserve. For those new to this one, it’s an annual limited edition that ...
So, while “toast” refers to bread, Basil Hayden’s Toast refers to… rice? This whiskey is composed of a wholly new mashbill for Basil Hayden, one which is built heavily around brown rice. To be sure, ...
In the spirits industry, it’s increasingly common to see releases “by” or “from” big-name celebrities and influencers. As it turns out, Emmy Awards do not always equate with fantastic pours from sourced product. But what ...
