As I embark on my bourbon journey, of course the goal is to try as many bourbons and other whiskies as possible. For now I am mostly concentrating on bourbon. I have tried about a dozen so far, and I am getting a little frustrated. Part if this is the nature of bourbon. In order for a spirit to be called bourbon, it must follow a fairly strict recipe/process. Since all bourbons follow these guidelines, it is difficult for them to produce something distinctive and clearly different from each other. The variances are subtle, especially to a new taster. I expressed this frustration in a post on the straightbourbon.com message board. The members there gave me some good advice. First was patience. Many of the experienced tasters there said that it took them six months to develop the ability to pick out nuances in different bourbons.
The second piece of advise I received was to develop the ability to isolate the 'rye' content of a bourbon. Some bourbons have a higher rye content than others. By conducting side by side tasting of these different bourbons, I was able to start to differentiate between bourbons for the first time. The first side by side tasting I did was Makers Mark (actually a wheated bourbon) and Wild Turkey 101 (high rye). The difference was clear. I am making progress! I even bought a bottle of straight rye whiskey (Rittenhouse) to compare the heavy rye flavor to my other bourbons.
Wheat is the other ingredient that is easy to isolate with a little practice. Examples of wheated bourbons are: Makers Mark, W. L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Blitz, meet your Pappy
On Christmas, my 22 year old son generously gave me a special present. It was a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year bourbon. This is one of the most expensive bottles of bourbon available, and is considered one of the 'Holy Grails' of bourbon drinkers. I was expecting to get a nice bottle of bourbon from him, but I didn't expect this. It actually felt a little too soon in my bourbon journey to experience something at this level. It's as if I just started a baseball card collection and somebody gave me a Babe Ruth rookie card. It looks a out of place in my little whiskey collection of a half dozen low-to-mid-shelf whiskies. Also, I was concerned that I was too inexperienced a bourbon taster to appreciate such a vintage.
It took me about a week to find the right time to taste the Pappy. The result? Keep in mind that I am not at the point of providing specific tasting notes, I can just provide a general impression. One can definitely tell it is well aged, because there is a very strong oak character. Some have labeled it too 'woody'. It's a wheated bourbon, so it is smoother than most I have tasted. It was so different from anything else that I have tasted, that my first impression was not positive. However, after I was accustomed to the taste I began to appreciate this fine bourbon. It's wonderful as a special occasion pour.
Is it worth the money? That's usually the first thing people ask. I think that's the wrong question. Does it taste five times better than a good mid-shelf bourbon? I don't even know how you can measure that. It's more about the experience. Based in ticket prices, is a Super Bowl game ten times more enjoyable to watch in person than a regular game? For me, Pappy is worth the price to try, and now share, one of the great bourbons available.
It took me about a week to find the right time to taste the Pappy. The result? Keep in mind that I am not at the point of providing specific tasting notes, I can just provide a general impression. One can definitely tell it is well aged, because there is a very strong oak character. Some have labeled it too 'woody'. It's a wheated bourbon, so it is smoother than most I have tasted. It was so different from anything else that I have tasted, that my first impression was not positive. However, after I was accustomed to the taste I began to appreciate this fine bourbon. It's wonderful as a special occasion pour.Is it worth the money? That's usually the first thing people ask. I think that's the wrong question. Does it taste five times better than a good mid-shelf bourbon? I don't even know how you can measure that. It's more about the experience. Based in ticket prices, is a Super Bowl game ten times more enjoyable to watch in person than a regular game? For me, Pappy is worth the price to try, and now share, one of the great bourbons available.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Whiskey on the WWW
As mentioned in my last post, there is a wealth of information on the Web for anyone wanting to learn more about whiskey. Below are some that I have found helpful:
http://www.bourbonenthusiast.com/ - This is a good site for bourbon reviews by members of the site's message board.
http://www.maltadvocate.com/ - This is the website for the magazine of the same name. It
http://www.bourbonenthusiast.com/ - This is a good site for bourbon reviews by members of the site's message board.
http://www.maltadvocate.com/ - This is the website for the magazine of the same name. It
covers all whiskeys.
http://www.whiskymag.com/ - Web site for Whisky magazine, published in the U.K. Scotch heavy coverage, but occasional American Whiskey news.
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/ - This is the blog for a Chicago based writer who specializes in 'American Whiskey'.
Of course, there are many other resources on the web, and I will feature them periodically on this blog. But there is one site that is my favorite. It's bourbon oriented, and since I am so far partial to bourbon, I am also an active poster on their message board under the name 'Blitz'.
http://www.straightbourbon.com/
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/ - This is the blog for a Chicago based writer who specializes in 'American Whiskey'.
Of course, there are many other resources on the web, and I will feature them periodically on this blog. But there is one site that is my favorite. It's bourbon oriented, and since I am so far partial to bourbon, I am also an active poster on their message board under the name 'Blitz'.
http://www.straightbourbon.com/
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Time for learnin'
Not only had I developed at thirst for whiskey, I have developed a thirst for whiskey knowledge. It's funny, once you start talking to people about something you are passionate about, things that support your passion come your way. A while back my friend Steve called me because he came across a program on the History Channel's show 'Modern Marvels' entitled 'Whiskey'. It's a very good primer on the subject and I recommend that you search for this show.
A while later at work two co-workers brought me an article from the local paper about the sale of a distillery in Kentucky, and another friend brought in to work an old bottle he found at home. It was a Bicentennial edition of Jim Beam, in a commemorative bottle from 1976.
Of course, he wanted to know if it was worth anything. So here's some interesting information:
Whiskey stops aging once it leaves the barrel. So a whiskey aged 9 years and bottled in 1976 will taste the same as a whiskey aged 9 years and bottled yesterday. Therefore, there is not much value in old Whiskey. There are some old bottles that will have a value as a collectible because of rarity, but it's a small market. So I told my freind "just drink it".
In further quest for knowledge, I also 'youtubed' the words 'whiskey' and 'bourbon'. I found some good educational videos there. Try it.
The best source for information that I have found so far, to nobody's surprise, is on the internet. I will highlight these findings in my next post.
A while later at work two co-workers brought me an article from the local paper about the sale of a distillery in Kentucky, and another friend brought in to work an old bottle he found at home. It was a Bicentennial edition of Jim Beam, in a commemorative bottle from 1976.
Of course, he wanted to know if it was worth anything. So here's some interesting information:Whiskey stops aging once it leaves the barrel. So a whiskey aged 9 years and bottled in 1976 will taste the same as a whiskey aged 9 years and bottled yesterday. Therefore, there is not much value in old Whiskey. There are some old bottles that will have a value as a collectible because of rarity, but it's a small market. So I told my freind "just drink it".
In further quest for knowledge, I also 'youtubed' the words 'whiskey' and 'bourbon'. I found some good educational videos there. Try it.
The best source for information that I have found so far, to nobody's surprise, is on the internet. I will highlight these findings in my next post.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Journey Begins
I came back from Kentucky with just a half bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon. But having been exposed to the concept of 'Fine' Bourbon, I had a strong desire to try as many Bourbons as possible. Like most people, my time and funds are limited, so this journey will be marathon rather than a sprint. My first purchase of good Bourbon was a bottle of Knob Creek, which is the best selling premium Bourbon from Jim Beam. Having been a long time Jim Beam 'White' drinker, I just have an affinity for the Jim Beam product. Shortly thereafter, I acquired a bottle of Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams Single Barrel 1998, and Jameson Irish Whisky. Thus, the beginning of my humble whiskey collection:
At this point, the reader might be expecting a review of the Bourbons I have tried thus far. Frankly, my tasting skills and experience limit me to only telling you what I like and what I don't, but not exactly why. I am sure that later I will be providing detailed tasting notes as I try new whiskeys. However, one tasting skill that came quickly to me is the difference between aged, premium Bourbon and younger, inexpensive Bourbon. One of my first side-by-side taste tests was my old standard Jim Beam White and Buffalo Trace. The difference is significant, even to an inexperience taster. I don't think I will ever drink the White Label again, except for maybe as a mixer. However, when I have tasted Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek together, the difference is difficult for me to discern. They are both about the same age and have a similar taste, at least to me. More practice is required!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Blitz's final thoughts on visiting the Bourbon Belt
When I told people I was going on a trip to visit the Bourbon distilleries, the typical reaction was something like, "that sounds like an awesome party." I was thinking the same thing. In reality, It wasn't much of a drinking trip at all. At the distilleries, the most we were able to drink was three half-shots of Bourbon at Jim Beam. At two distilleries a day, that's not a lot, and that's O.K. We bought a bottle of Buffalo Trace and drank it at my uncles, but the trip was really more educational than anything. We came away with a tremendous appreciation for the history of Bourbon and for the art and craft of making Bourbon. Also, we realized how few of the Bourbons that we had experienced, and how many different Bourbons we will want to try as we develop our Bourbon palette.
What will I do different next time? Well, first of all, we found out that the Kentucky Bourbon Festival was taking place a few weeks after we were there. If you are going to go the the Bourbon Belt, it would just make sense to go there during the festival, although that might have been a little overwhelming on the first visit. Secondly, I would visit some of the well known 'Bourbon Bars' in the area. Some of them carry up to 120 different Bourbons to sample. It would be a real opportunity to try Bourbons that are not available in my area. Thirdly, I would make the visit a 'buying trip' by patronizing some of the local liquor stores. Again, like the bars, the selection and probably the pricing for Bourbon in the Louisville area must be better than other areas.
All in all it was a lot of fun, the southern hospitality was wonderful, the company was great, and the trip really wet my appetite for all things Bourbon.
What will I do different next time? Well, first of all, we found out that the Kentucky Bourbon Festival was taking place a few weeks after we were there. If you are going to go the the Bourbon Belt, it would just make sense to go there during the festival, although that might have been a little overwhelming on the first visit. Secondly, I would visit some of the well known 'Bourbon Bars' in the area. Some of them carry up to 120 different Bourbons to sample. It would be a real opportunity to try Bourbons that are not available in my area. Thirdly, I would make the visit a 'buying trip' by patronizing some of the local liquor stores. Again, like the bars, the selection and probably the pricing for Bourbon in the Louisville area must be better than other areas.
All in all it was a lot of fun, the southern hospitality was wonderful, the company was great, and the trip really wet my appetite for all things Bourbon.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Makers Mark Distillery Tour
Our visit to the Makers Mark distillery was wonderful. Like Buffalo Trace, it was a step back in time as soon as we arrived on the property. The grounds and the buildings are beautifully maintained.
Our tour started out with the introduction of Makers Mark 'Ambassadors' who were present for the tour. In effect, Ambassadors are a Makers Mark club. It's a promotional thing. More about this later.
What happened next has become my favorite story from our visit to Kentucky. We had a large tour group, and as we approached the first building on the tour, we were hit with the smell of 'Angels Share'(the smell of Bourbon evaporating through the barrels, see Buffalo Trace blog post). One of the tour members blutered out "whats that smell?" Our tour guide spun around, her eyes got huge, and a little too loudly she exclaimed:
Whereas the Buffalo Trace tour focused mostly on the barrel aging, Makers Mark concentrated mostly on the distillation and bottling processes. These two tours are a nice combination in that regard. Of course, there is a tasting at the end of the tour. The tasting took place in their very elegant and beautiful gift shop, which seemed a little out of place in the rustic Kentucky compound. I was curious how they were going to make the tasting interesting, because Makers Mark only makes one product, and nearly everybody who tours their distillery has already tried it. Well, they came up with something clever. At the tasting, you are given one glass of 'white dog' and one glass of finished Makers Mark. 'White Dog' is the distilled product that goes into the barrels for aging. It's perfectly clear and tastes like pure alcohol. Essentially, it's a before-and-after of the barrel aging process.
Makers Mark of course is known for their bottles that are hand dipped in red wax to seal the cap. At the distillery, you can dip your own bottle in wax for a keepsake. It's something that sounds cooler than actually doing it, but it makes for a nice story and I am happy to have the memento.
Interestingly, the bottles that you buy for the dipping are half the size of the normal 750ml bottles, and you can't buy any other Makers Mark bottles at the distillery. The reason given was that they did not want to compete with the local retailers.
Our tour started out with the introduction of Makers Mark 'Ambassadors' who were present for the tour. In effect, Ambassadors are a Makers Mark club. It's a promotional thing. More about this later.What happened next has become my favorite story from our visit to Kentucky. We had a large tour group, and as we approached the first building on the tour, we were hit with the smell of 'Angels Share'(the smell of Bourbon evaporating through the barrels, see Buffalo Trace blog post). One of the tour members blutered out "whats that smell?" Our tour guide spun around, her eyes got huge, and a little too loudly she exclaimed:
"THAT'S BOURBON! WE ARE A BOURBON DISTILLERY."
Whereas the Buffalo Trace tour focused mostly on the barrel aging, Makers Mark concentrated mostly on the distillation and bottling processes. These two tours are a nice combination in that regard. Of course, there is a tasting at the end of the tour. The tasting took place in their very elegant and beautiful gift shop, which seemed a little out of place in the rustic Kentucky compound. I was curious how they were going to make the tasting interesting, because Makers Mark only makes one product, and nearly everybody who tours their distillery has already tried it. Well, they came up with something clever. At the tasting, you are given one glass of 'white dog' and one glass of finished Makers Mark. 'White Dog' is the distilled product that goes into the barrels for aging. It's perfectly clear and tastes like pure alcohol. Essentially, it's a before-and-after of the barrel aging process.
Makers Mark of course is known for their bottles that are hand dipped in red wax to seal the cap. At the distillery, you can dip your own bottle in wax for a keepsake. It's something that sounds cooler than actually doing it, but it makes for a nice story and I am happy to have the memento.
Interestingly, the bottles that you buy for the dipping are half the size of the normal 750ml bottles, and you can't buy any other Makers Mark bottles at the distillery. The reason given was that they did not want to compete with the local retailers.
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