More on Bourbon

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Expanding our horizons to other forms of alcohol, here are some pearls of knowledge: Novel word alert: Bourbonism (noun): An obsession with the classic corn-based Kentucky whiskey. Louisville’s Bourbon District is marketing itself as the birthplace of Bourbonism and is pitching a post-quarantine walkable tasting tour of corn-based and rye spirits from seven distilleries (we’re planning a date with you, Angel’s Envy).TOP 5 BEST SELLING BOURBONS IN THE MARKETBooker's Bluegrass. Booker Noe launched his Whiskey in 1988 to start the small batch Bourbon collection. ...

Booker Noe launched his Whiskey in 1988 to start the small batch Bourbon collection. Even after 25 years, the label of the drink bears his name and handwriting. And now, they are releasing Booker’s in batches making use of the same recipe. Bluegrass from Booker’s is the first 2016 small batch of the collection, but it is not at all ‘small’. It is packed at full strength, aged for seven years and at 127.9 proofs, meaning that almost two-third of every sip is pure alcohol. The price of a full bottle is sixty dollars.2. Bulleit Bourbon 10 Years Old. This Bourbon is aged in American white oak barrels for ten years. ...This Bourbon is aged in American white oak barrels for ten years. The drink features a gorgeous russet hue which is very smooth, and the vanilla and dried fruits flavor of the drink combines together to offer a smoky finish without any bite. The drink is light on the tongue and is best to add to a classic cocktail. The price of a full bottle of Bulleit Bourbon is forty dollars.3. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof. ...At the times of Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., who was the former Buffalo Trace distillery owner, the Whiskey was bottled, unfiltered, and uncut from the barrels. This pre-prohibition method is exclusively used for E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof. This Bourbon is a strong, smooth blend drink, with light hints of rye. The price of a full bottle is seventy dollars.4. Four Roses Small Batch. ...Despite having a rich history that dates back to 1888, Four Roses stopped selling Bourbon in the US for forty long years. Later, Kirin, the Japanese Beer maker, took over the company and started selling their Bourbon again. The distillery combines their two mashed recipes with five yeast strains to make ten varying Bourbons, four of which are used in Four Roses Small Batch. The price is thirty-five dollars for a full bottle.5. Jim Beam Single Barrel.This is the bestselling brand of Kentucky straight Bourbon. This single barrel offering is full-bodied and features notes of caramel and sweet vanilla. The drink is best enjoyed neat, as ice or water dilutes the flavor. The price of a full bottle of Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon is thirty-five dollars.From World Whiskey Day:So, what exactly is bourbon? Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, distilled from a mash made primarily with corn. But it remains a mystery to many of us. Over 95%!o(MISSING)f the world's bourbon comes from Kentucky, but it can be made anywhere that is legal. But the word bourbon limits it to the U.S. Notice the Japanese called their distilled spirit a whiskey.For a whiskey to call itself bourbon, its mash (the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled) must contain at least 51 per cent corn. The mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less, the distillate must be stored in charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less, and it must not contain any additives.The origins of the name bourbon are extremely uncertain. However, the most prominent contenders are Bourbon County in Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Both took their names from the House of Bourbon, a European royal house of French origin.While the standards state that bourbon must be stored in charred oak barrels, there isn’t actually a minimum-ageing requirement. However, bourbon which has been aged fewer than four years must have an age statement on its label, and to be defined as ‘straight bourbon’ it must have been aged for a minimum of two.Bottled-in-bond relates to an American-made distilled beverage that meets the legal requirements laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. The act dictated that spirits must be the product of one distilling season from one distillery and bottled at 100 proof. It must also be aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.While law dictates that no flavorings or colour additives may be added to bourbon, it nevertheless has a diverse flavour profile, typically characterized by vanilla, oak, caramel and spice. The best way to find out, though, is to try for yourself!So, which one should you buy, to keep around for guests? Experts say Buffalo Trace is the best bang for the buck. We keep Maker's Mark here, just because we visited their tasting room when we were in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. One thing for sure, it makes the best mint juleps for Derby Day!!!!Many bourbon experts say we are experiencing a big shortage of bourbon. Add to that, the premium whiskeys from Japan that are taking the bar scene by storm, or should I say, the shot glass. I saw a Japanese single malt whiskey for $4,000 from Yamazaki, an 18 year old from Suntory. Officially the most expensive bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold, the elusive elixir sold for HK$2,300,000 (around $299,000). Sotheby's Hong Kong auctioned off the whisky that was bottled in 2011 and smashed the previous record of around $129,000 that was held by a 2005 bottling of Yamazaki 50-Year-Old.Michter's Bourbon bottle has been aged for 2o long years and is bottle at 114.2 proof. The dark amber color of this drink leaves a thick coat on the glass, and is a smooth-slider with every sip. Only a small number of these bottles are made each year, making them even more rare and ultimately, even more valuable. This single barrel bourbon won’t disappoint, if you have $1339 to spend on it!Just try a small bottle. You might like it!

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