What’s The Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey

Blakein
Posts
5

A common questions among new Bourbonrs is “What’s the difference between Bourbon and American Whiskey”?

The answer is pretty simple but yet confusing at the same time.

First, we are going to explain what Bourbon is. Then, we will look at how American Whiskey is different.

Based on the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5) there are six standards a whiskey must meet to call itself Bourbon: read more

Whiskey Review – Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky

Blakein
Posts

Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky by Ralfy

Here is some more information about Balcones Baby Blue from the Balcones website:

Baby Blue is a unique corn whisky made from atole, a roasted blue corn meal. Baby Blue isn’t bourbon nor white lightning. It has the freshness and verve of traditional corn whisky but with a refined complexity. The result is a round nuttiness and roasty overtones with a smooth finish. Baby Blue was the first Texas whisky on the market since prohibition, and is the only craft-made whisky to have received a 5-star rating from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal other than Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt. read more

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Release Date 2013

Blakein
Posts
2

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Release Map

Breaking News: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collections has been spotted in KY, NC, GA and Washington DC

I also saw Thomas Handy in FL but not the rest of the release

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
The previous edition of this bourbon was honored with a Gold Medal at the 2012 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The 2013 edition was distilled in the Spring of 1993 and has been aging on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th floors of Warehouses I and K. The barrels selected for this batch were actually aged for 19 years, and the taste has been described as dry, with hints of oak, leather, and tobacco. read more

Pappy Van Winkle Release 2013

Blakein
Posts

Updated as of 10/7/13

As of the beginning of October Old Rip Van Winkle has not set a release date for Pappy.

Old Rip Van Winkle did announce that it would not have a spring release. Instead, there would only be one release in the Fall.

Pappy Guess:

Early November

Pappy Van Winkle Release Tracker 

While you’re waiting get our new 

iOS app and start building your Bourbon Library read more

Review: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

Blakein
Posts
·
Reviews
8

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel:

Here’s what we know about ETL, it is distilled by Buffalo Trace using their Mash Bill # 2 and is aged for somewhere around 14 years. Mash Bill # 2 is that same Mash Bill Buffalo Trace uses for Blanton’s and Rock Hill Farms and has an estimated rye content of around 15%. While I love wheated bourbons there is something special about the spiciness that rye adds to a bourbons flavor. It is also important to note that there can be some discrepancies in flavor when tasting single barrels. read more

5 Best Bourbons for Beginners

Blakein
Posts
13

(ignore the cheesy alliteration in the title)

I am just getting in to Bourbon what should I try? I have heard this questions hundreds of times.

Here is a list of five Bourbons that all beginners should try. All of these bourbons are readily available and fairly inexpensive. They also serve a purpose to show you how different Bourbon can be. Keep in mind all Bourbons have to be at least 51% corn. After that rye, malt, and wheat are added to create different flavors and characteristics. read more

Drinking Bourbon Without Going Broke

Blakein
Posts

Bourbon can be an expensive hobby. Special releases and Limited Editions are not cheap and only come in 750 ML bottles. There are a few Bourbons/Whiskies that you can find in minis but these are usually from the Giants (Markers Mark, Evan Williams, Jim Beam, etc.).

Here are three tips to enjoy Bourbon without breaking the bank:

Find a local Bourbon or Whiskey Bar

I know, you will probably pay $20 for a 1 oz glass of Pappy or Four Roses Limited Edition but these are Bourbons that you will usually drink on special occasions any ways read more

When Did Pappy Van Winkle Become So Popular

Blakein
Posts
5

If you are a Bourbonr or have been to any of the numerous Bourbon blogs or forums you have heard stories of when Pappy could be found in the wild and Lot B and Old Rip would sat on liquor store shelves for months. This is no longer the case. Stores now have lists hundreds of names long months before the Fall release. Bottles of Pappy 20 and 23 selling on the secondary market for 1000% the retail price. To say that Pappy has hit a tipping point is an understatement. read more