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
Hot on the heels of so many recent whiskey releases, Barrell has added to the annual fall bourbon frenzy with its 25th bourbon batch. That’s a lot of batches, and while there’s never been a ...
Holland, Michigan-based Coppercraft has had its sights set on being a “grain to glass” distillery since 2012, and today the operation makes at least 8 products. Coppercraft is still working to get there, though, as there’s ...
Ready for the “ultimate expression of American whiskey?” Woodford Reserve recently dropped a surprise bottling called Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition. What’s in the bottle? Standard Woodford that spends three extra years in XO Cognac casks. ...
We first encountered Lux Row’s new Distiller’s Collection private barrel offerings last month when we reviewed the Virginia ABC’s Ezra Brooks Single Barrel bourbon selection. Well, here’s another bourbon offering in the collection, and ...
Old Fitzgerald’s second release of its Bottled-in-Bond series for 2020 is a 14 year old bottling, distilled in 2005. As always, this is a 100 proof expression made from a wheated mashbill. Let’s give it ...
Have we hit peak “toasted barrel”? Michter’s got the trend started (IMHO), then we had Woodford Double Oaked, Barrell Dovetail, Wilderness Trail, and more. (Don’t call me on the timeline, I’m throwin’ seeds here.) With ...
I’m not going to lie: The flood of releases, both bourbons and ryes and all named after race horses, is daunting and confusing. There were at least 6 special editions in 2018, and 4 so ...
Bardstown Bourbon Co. impressed us back in 2019 with the inaugural releases of its Fusion and Discovery Series whiskeys. As a reminder, the Fusion Series showcases blends of BBCo’s house-made whiskey and an older sourced ...
When it comes to single barrel bourbons, there aren’t that many bargains to be had, especially not when the proof begins to creep up. Lux Row’s new private barrel program, dubbed Distiller’s Collection, is looking ...
Coffee is becoming increasingly visible in the whiskey world, with Jameson Cold Brew already a popular option for blending these two great tastes. For something a little more traditional — and considerably sweeter — check ...
