Bourbon Aging Explained

Blakein
Posts
19

Bourbon Aging Explained

Everyone loves Bourbon because of its sweet and complex flavors. But, where do all of those flavors come from. This post will explain how Bourbon aging works and what flavors this process adds to the Bourbon. FYI, I refer to “distillate” several times in the article. This is the Bourbon after it has been distilled but before it has entered the barrel for aging. I use the word distillate since it is not Bourbon until it has been aged in new oak barrels. read more

Five Best Barrel Proof Bourbons

Blakein
Posts
2

Five Best Barrel Proof Bourbons

Barrel proof Bourbon is bourbon that was bottled without the addition of water. Barrel proof bottles will usually say uncut.

It is one of the most pure forms of Bourbon you can have.

Here is a list of what I believe are the five best barrel proof Bourbons:

5. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Ok, this is a Rye not a Bourbon but it is still excellent. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. The 2012 edition was named “World Whisky of the Year” in Jim Murray’s 2013 Whisky Bible 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

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

Mash Bill Break Down

Blakein
3

What is a Mash Bill?

Mash ingredients, mash bill, or grain bill are those materials used in brewing from which a wort can be obtained for fermenting into alcohol. Mashing is the act of creating and extracting fermentable and non-fermentablesugars and flavor components from grain by steeping it in hot water, and then allowing it to rest at specific temperature ranges in order to activate naturally-occurring enzymes in the grain that convert the starches to sugars. The sugars will be separated from the mash ingredients and then converted to alcohol and other fermentation products by yeast in the brewing process. read more

2013 Fall Bourbon Releases

Blakein
Posts

Fall is like Christmas for most Bourbonr’s

During the fall it feels like distilleries are releasing new bourbons every week.

Here is a partial list of the Bourbons and Whiskies set to release this fall:

Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition (Est. Release Mid/Late September)

(the release I am most excited about) – This year, to commemorate their 125 years of distilling, Four Roses is releasing their Limited Edition Small Batch. “The recipes, each with different flavor characteristics, include an 18-year-old selection of Four Roses’ recipe coded OBSV (featuring delicate fruit, spicy and creamy characteristics), a 13-year-old OBSK (rich in spiciness, full body), and a 13-year-old OESK (spicy, full body).”  If you’re not familiar with Four Roses they have ten unique recipes (2 mash bills, 5 yeast strans) which they use to craft their bourbons. read more