Sour Mash to Bourbon to Mint Julep

Backcountry Notes ^ | August 2, 2010 | Jay Henderson

[jay1949]

Kentucky settlers brought with them the craft of making whiskey, substituting corn for other grain ingredients. Raw whiskey distilled from corn mash has a good deal of, shall we say, character, and some distillers decided to take the time to make a mellower product. Early Kentucky distillers used new oak casks which had been charred on the inside, aging the whiskey from two to six years before decanting into jugs for sale. This resulted in a superior product which eventually became the hard liquor of choice for Americans. We know it as "Bourbon."

[KingOfVagabonds]

Thanks for that information. I visited the Heaven Hill distillery, and nice to find out more about Craig.

[woodbutcher1963]

I have always been a Knob Creek man.

[Walkingfeather]

As one who has never even had a beer let alone a drink....( no joke, ) if I was to order Whiskey how should I order it?

[Malone LaVeigh]

My annual Christmas present to myself ...

[ml/nj]

My 5th great granduncle was Elijah Craig

Some very fine whiskey produced in his name.

(I might even sip some this afternoon in his honor.)

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

If you like high proof Bourbon, you might look for Bookers which is uncut so the proof varies. The bottle I have here says 128.

ML/NJ

[JParris]

In a glass.

[Lurker]

Woodford Reserve is at the top of my list as well.

Concur.

[ml/nj]

>I>My annual Christmas present to myself ...

A man of fine tastes!

Pappy of any age only rarely appears on NJ shelves.

ML/NJ

[Lurker]

if I was to order Whiskey how should I order it?

I like my Bourbon in a large rocks glass, 3 fingers of it over 3 good sized ice cubes. Then sip it slowly.

[LongElegantLegs]

Order it on the rocks, with some water in it. It may take awhile to develop your taste for it; it took me several weeks and many different bourbons to get to the point where it tasted like anything other than rubbing alcohol...But man, is it worth it!

[LongElegantLegs]

Shouldn’t you be here? ping!

[Tainan]

Order it 'Neat', means just whisky. Have a glass of cool, still water to dilute it about 50%. Half whisky and half water. Then sip it slowly to enjoy the flavor and aroma.
Same for Scotch whisky.
Its just not possible to taste the flavor range at full strength.

[bcsco]

Elijah Craig is a favorite of mine. It has a distinctly different flavor from other fine Bourbons, almost falling toward the liqueur end, IMO. I love it...

[70times7]

Thanks for the ping. Hope you and yours are well.

Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek are two favorites, but lately I have been sipping and very much enjoying Makers Mark.

Why would anyone want to screw up good Whiskey by polluting it with mint leaves and powdered sugar? I suppose I can understand doing that with Jack Daniels.

For those who do not know yet - when you have your Whiskey "neat" do yourself a favor and add 2 or 3 drops of water per shot - it will open up the flavors. Don't believe me? Try this test: pour your shot and indulge in a sip or two. Then add the water and try it again. You will be surprised by how much the flavor advances.

Now all I need is a Camacho or Macanudo Maduro, or an Ashton...

[70times7]

And for the 1 or 2 people who may be well versed in MST3K, sing with me: “Drivin’ down the road, lookin’ for a Whaffle House, Drinkin’ lots of Wild Turkey!” MST3K - Boggy Creek II

[tx_eggman]

Bourbon makes my teeth hurt.

By the time I get done, nothing hurts .... you must not be drinking enough of it.

[KYGrandma]

At least, they did get the correct recipe for Mint Julep. Now days they use a syrup mixture—not as good. And Maker’s Mark is our choice of Bourbon here in the bluegrass state. But spiced Woodford is my choice for egg nog.

[paddles]

If I'm sippin my bourbon I prefer Woodford Reserve. If I'm in the mood for a Manhattan/Mint Julep/Bourbon and Soda I use Maker's Mark.

Enough of either one will make you throw rocks at your own house.

[blackbart.223]

"And for the 1 or 2 people who may be well versed in MST3K, sing with me: “Drivin’ down the road, lookin’ for a Whaffle House, Drinkin’ lots of Wild Turkey!” MST3K - Boggy Creek II.

I have that one on DVD. I'm a huge MST3K fan. And to keep in the spirit of the post I am partial to Wild Turkey just not too often.