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Read all about it. The here and now of bourbon. Featuring articles covering the lifestyle surrounding bourbon and happenings of the industry. Have a bourbon story to suggest? Contact Us

BOURBON PUT ON ‘LEVEL PLAYING FIELD’ WITH NEW BILL May 5, 2015 by Amy Hopkins

Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul have introduced the Advancing Growth in the Economy through Distilled (Aged) Spirits Act, allowing deduction of interest expense related to Bourbon inventories in the year it is paid. Under current law, Bourbon and whiskey producers in the US cannot deduct interest until the product is sold, which could be as long as 23 years after a lengthy aging process. In the UK, all spirit producers...

Whiskey Elements Ages Your $10 Bottle of Bourbon in Just 24 Hours May 4, 2015 by Christopher Osburn

Have you ever wished there was some way to take your cheap, bottom-shelf whiskey and make it taste more like a finely-aged whiskey overnight? David Jackson and the team at Time and Oak have created a product that claims to do just that. Called Whiskey Elements, the product takes your average $10 bottle of whiskey and accelerates the aging process, in the hopes of turning cheap hooch into something that tastes more refined. “It...

Jim Beam’s New Japanese Owners Remix Bourbon Brand May 4, 2015 by Tripp Michle and Eric Pfanner

A temporary bar popped up in Tokyo’s Roppongi entertainment district last summer. Stacked on a long counter were 700 bottles of Jim Beam bourbon. Young people were the target crowd for the Jim Beam Bar. The 30 cocktails on the menu used Jim Beam in ways likely to strike American bourbon drinkers as heresy. Among the popular ones—the Citrus Beam Highball, made with its namesake Kentucky bourbon, club soda and freshly squeezed...

'Bourbon Empire' Reveals The Smoke And Mirrors Of American Whiskey May 4, 2015 by Stacy Adimando

Craft bourbon, like craft beer, is in the midst of a boom: In the past 15 years, the number of distilleries in the U.S. has surged from just a handful to around 600. Why are Americans buying more bourbon? According to author Reid Mitenbuler, one reason is that we're being seduced by clever bottles and throwback labels. Along with enticing branding, some of these bottles of "craft bourbon" boast hefty price tags. Take Pappy Van...

Kentucky a real mash up: Bourbon part of Bluegrass State's heritage May 3, 2015

Mad Men fans have found it, now so have I. I'm sitting at the retro bar inside the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville, Ky., a place that's part museum, part liquor store and, most importantly, the first distillery to open in the neighbourhood since Prohibition. Namesake Evan Williams was the first commercial bourbon distiller and his recipes from the 1700s are still used today. I've already been schooled...

5 Amazing American Road Trips You've Gotta Take This Summer May 2, 2015 by Kristi Valentini

The open road beckons, people, so follow these routes to see major sites, hidden treasures, and all the other stuff that makes this country great—without any airport angst or sticker shock. The Red Rock Adventure: Arizona & Utah Isolated and rugged, the stunning peaks and canyons were made for cowboy flicks and you outdoorsy types.

Kentucky Derby 2015: 19 bourbon-based recipes to celebrate May 2, 2015 by Noelle Carter

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2. Have you found a flamboyant hat yet? More importantly, do you have enough bourbon? Sure, the mint julep may be the offical drink of the day at Churchill Downs tomorrow, but its not the only way to enjoy Kentucky's most famous liquor. To celebrate the two most exciting minutes in sports, we've compiled 19 of our favorite bourbon-based recipes. Whether you're looking for a simple snack...

BUFFALO TRACE PLANS SINGLE ESTATE BOURBON BRAND May 1, 2015 by Amy Hopkins

The plot is in addition to the 233 acres of land purchased by the group in November last year and will be used to plant corn, rye and barley malt on-site. The distillery plans to use the new acreage, purchased for an undisclosed sum, to create “farm to bottle” single estate Bourbon.

How we all went bonkers for bourbon May 1, 2015 by Leah Hyslop

Mark Twain famously said that if he couldn’t drink it in heaven, he wouldn’t go. Frank Sinatra loved it so much that he was buried with a bottle in his pocket. And now, American whiskey has won the hearts of British consumers, too.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery celebrates major milestone on Derby day April 30, 2015 Stephan Johnson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- While the city of Louisville prepares to celebrate the 141st Run for the Roses, Saturday also marks an anniversary milestone for a local distillery. Stitzel-Weller Distillery is celebrating a major anniversary by barreling its first bourbon in more than 20 years, but the history of the company also includes another well known local bourbon and its creator. It is all pretty exciting for people who are...

Thirsty Thursday Tasting Notes: Cisco Brewers Lady of the Woods April 30, 2015 by Amber DeGrace

isco Brewers of Nantucket, Massachusetts, forms one-third of a cooperative venture with Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyard. Having the distinction of being the only brewery on the island, Cisco Brewers started as a humble nano-brewery, but now distributes beer to 12 states. For me, the name Lady of the Woods conjures up images of Galadriel, the regal and statuesque she-elf who ruled and protected the woods of...

Top-Scoring Derby Day Bourbons April 30, 2015 by Kara Newman

In celebration of the 137th Kentucky Derby on Saturday (NBC, 4pm EDT; post time is 6:24pm), we offer five top-scoring Kentucky Bourbons you can sip neat or serve as a julep. The best part? They’re all $50 or less. Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (USA; 35 Maple Street, Crestwood, KY); $55, 90 points. This six-year-old bottling has a mild aroma that hints at caramel, plus a rich, complex flavor that wraps up toffee...

Buffalo Trace seeks British twist on American classics April 29, 2015 by Bar Team

Bartenders are being challenged to put a British twist on American classic cocktails, such as a Julep, Manhattan or Old Fashioned, in a new competition for Buffalo Trace bourbon. Run by UK distributor Hi-Spirits, there will be regional heats where six bartenders will be chosen to compete in a grand final at the Buffalo Trace distillery (pictured) in Kentucky later this year.

COOKING WITH CHEF JESS: Three perfect recipes for Kentucky Derby Day April 29, 2015 by Jessica Karley Rerick

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The Kentucky Derby is almost here, and whether you intend on watching the race alone or hosting a Derby Day gathering, these recipes are sure to make your Saturday afternoon or evening a tasty one. The first recipe is a spin on a Kentucky classic. My Mini Kentucky Hot Browns are perfect bite-sized pieces of the traditional open faced sandwich, which make it a lot less of a hassle at gatherings.

History of the Mint Julep and the Old Forester Mint Julep April 29, 2015 by Tom Fischer

Over the past 20 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has been the official sponsored drink at Kentucky Derby and also enjoyed at Derby parties nationwide. Watch the interview above as BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer tastes the new Old Forester Mint Julep at Taste of Derby with Ron Jones of Brown-Forman (filmed at Kentucky Derby Festival’s Taste of Derby).

Crouch Distilling Aims for Small-Batch Greatness April 29, 2015 by Tug Barker

At some point as Phil Crouch gives me a tour of Crouch Distilling, soon to become the second post-Prohibition distillery in Columbia, I stop taking notes. Somewhere between learning about cutting the heads and tails (various volatile substances that you want to eliminate when distilling) of the whiskey while leaving the heart (the good stuff), and my inability to even begin to spell yeast’s fungi class, Ascomycetaceae (at least...

Kentucky Derby sweets | Bourbon creme brulee April 28, 2015 by Jere Downs

Churchill Downs chef David Danielson will rely on 100 culinary students in the kitchens to feeds tens of thousands of Kentucky Derby attendees. Among specialty skills, culinary students can be relied on to create hundreds of these bourbon creme brulee desserts, Danielson said. On the pastry side, students working at the track include a contingent of 40 aspiring chefs from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport...

Are you in on the bourbon boom? April 28, 2015 by Robin Shreeves

Whether you're drinking it on the rocks, mixing cocktails with it, cooking with it (or pinching it from your employer), chances are you're dabbling in the brown liquor. Have you noticed that all around you people are drinking a brown drink in a rocks glass with one really large ice cube in it? Most likely, it's bourbon in their glasses. Bourbon is having a renaissance, and the hip often don’t call it by name. They just say, “I...

Pappy Heist: 5 Insights for Bourbon Fans April 28 by Fred Minnick

I covered the so-called Pappy Heist for Whisky Advocate and came away with five insights. 5. Big Brother is Watching Bourbon. During the press conference, Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said his staff tracked social media for clues. Given that this is an ongoing investigation, he didn’t share where or how his team canvased the CyberWebs. But given bourbon’s popularity, it should be assumed alcohol cops are always watching...

10 Derby-Worthy Mint Julep Variations to Try Before Race Day April 28, 2015 by Nicole Westin

Spping an ice-cold mint julep is a Kentucky Derby tradition. The cocktail has been the official drink of the Derby for nearly a century – and the refreshing drink only gets more popular every year. The classic mint julep recipe is made with just mint, sugar and bourbon, and served with plenty of crushed ice. Maple Mint Julep - This recipe switches out the regular sugar for all natural maple syrup, adding a whole new layer of...

Trekking the Bourbon Trail should include distillery tours, sampling April 28, 2015

Kentucky's Bluegrass Country, a scenic expanse of rural agriculture communities between Lexington and Louisville, is most famous for its horse farms with white picket fences surrounding lush green pastureland — and rightly so, with a postcard photo stop around almost every bend in the country road.

Sazerac Plans 'Farm-to-Table' Experience at Buffalo Trace April 27, 2015 by Chuck Chowdery

Last fall, following the lead of several craft distilleries, Sazerac announced plans to farm corn, rye, and barley on land adjacent to its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. At that time, Sazerac announced the acquisition of 233 acres for that purpose. Yesterday, it announced that another 49 acres have been purchased.

Beam bus tour looks to Whiskey Rebellion’s impact on distilling April 28, 2015 by Michael Bradwell

Monday’s history lesson on wheels was twofold: the tracing of America’s first uprising and how it eventually distilled the American distilling industry. Whiskey maker Jim Beam Brands sponsored a bus tour Monday of famous Whiskey Rebellion sites in Southwestern Pennsylvania for some of its Pittsburgh area employees, along with officials of the 2015 Washington County Whiskey Rebellion Festival and Washington County Historical...

'Louisville's bourbon' takes Derby stage April 28, 2015 by Gregory A. Hall

If the Kentucky Derby is America's race, Old Forester may be Louisville's bourbon, and this year the two come together as Old Forester debuts as the bourbon for the official mint juleps served in the thousands of Derby glasses at Churchill Downs, the latest stage in a resurgence for Brown-Forman Corp.'s first brand. The new, pre-mixed Old Forester Mint Julep is part of an effort to put the brand — five years older than the...

Fund set up for burned distillery workers April 27, 2015 by Janet Patton

A fund has been created to help two workers injured Friday in an explosion and fire at Silver Trail Distillery in Marshall County. Silver Trail experienced a massive equipment failure, resulting in a fire that destroyed the distillery. The cause has not been determined. Jay Rogers and his assistant and cousin, Kyle Rogers, remained in critical but stable condition Monday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville....

Tom Dick & Harry Advertising Chicago on board to help launch Illinois' first estate distillery April 27, 2015 by Lewis Lazare

Billed as Illinois' first estate distillery, Whiskey Acres Distilling in DeKalb County is up and running, which has led the Distillery to select Tom Dick & Harry Advertising Chicago to handle marketing for the Distillery and its portfolio of whiskies and spirits.

An American drink is making its mark April 27, 2015 by Joseph Cranney

It was a Tuesday around 10 p.m. when Mike Reed got the idea. He sat at a plywood bar in the basement of the ice hockey house at Indiana University's Bloomington campus. He wasn't drunk, but his friend was pouring shots of whiskey. It was "buzzing time," as Reed calls it, before he and his teammates went to a local bar for cheap drinks on a weeknight.

Ticket to Write: Distillery in Denver a dram come true April 26, 2015 by Steve Stephens

Since Colorado legalized a certain odoriferous intoxicant in 2012, the state has become a destination for tourists seeking to indulge. During a brief stop in Denver last month, I was interested in a more traditional product. Like marijuana, whiskey was once illegal throughout the United States (as were other alcoholic beverages).

Frankfort distillery aims to present a bit of Kentucky charm April 25, 2015 by Sean Leary

FRANKFORT – With the sound of frantic hooves pounding the ground and the sweet scent of mint juleps spicing cordial conversations, Frankfort Spirits’ Derby Day aims to bring a bit of Kentucky charm north of the Mason/Dixon line.

From farm to flask: Local distillery owner hopes to begin production next month April 25, 2015 by Angie Wieck

FARGO—Joel Kath of Proof Artisan Distillery has reason to be in good spirits lately. After more than a year of waiting, his copper still has finally arrived from Germany, putting Kath and investors one giant step closer to producing artisanal vodka, gin and whiskey here. "It took them, I think start to finish, better than three months to fabricate," Kath said. "It truly is a piece of art, almost like a musical instrument."

LeClaire distillery serves up local whiskey and history April 25, 2015 by Dennis Moran

The Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire trades in local flavors, in more ways than one. There are the local grains the micro-distillery uses to produce its spirits. Customers even can learn the names of the local farmers who grow the corn, rye, barley and wheat as they sip the distilled essence of those crops grown in rich Midwest soil. For a more figurative, but just as important local flavor, the company also...

American Queen Announces Nine-Day, Bourbon-Themed Journey April 24, 2015 by Donald Wood

One of the best parts of a vacation for many travelers is engulfing themselves in the local cultures and traditions, and one option that continues to grow in popularity are longer voyages on paddlewheel steamboats. According to the American Queen Steamboat Company, tourists who are looking for a wild adventure this summer can book a trip during the American Queen's July 4 voyage, which includes a Bourbon itinerary that takes...

I.W. Harper™ Brand Returns Stateside After Two Decades Abroad April 23, 2015

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The I.W. Harper brand is coming home to the United States after nearly 20 years abroad with the release of two new Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys inspired by the brand's historic past. This spring, a new generation of whiskey adorers will experience the exemplary I.W. Harper approach –Anywhere, Anytime, It's Always A Pleasure™. In 1867, German immigrant Isaac Wolfe (I.W.)...

BEAM INTRODUCES SMALL-BATCH BOURBON COLLECTION TO UK April 24, 2015 by Becky Paskin

The three expressions have been given a slight makeover for their UK debut, and all three now come presented in a unified bottle shape that “ensures the collection is easily identifiable on shelf and in bar”. Janice McIntosh, marketing controller for imported whiskey at Maxxium UK, said: “Jim Beam’s small batch Bourbons will appeal to Bourbon connoisseurs and consumers interested in exploring premium dark spirits. “The....

Frazier History Museum announces new bourbon exhibit April 23, 2015 by JJ Dixon

The Frazier History Museum has announced a new bourbon exhibit. The exhibit will be part of a new expansion into two buildings next to the museum. There is no date yet for its opening and the new exhibit hasn't been designed yet. Officials say there will be interactive exhibits and bourbon-themed learning programs. It will also become the starting point for the Kentucky bourbon trail. "This is a place to tell the story of...

Blogger to Beshear: "Pardon My Pappy" April 23, 2015 by Janet Patton

When the law breaks a case, usually it's the crook that pays the price. But this time, it's the bourbon that could be going down. Down the drain, that is. When Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton announced on Tuesday that his deputies had recovered 18 barrels of Wild Turkey and Eagle Rare and at least 25 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle vintages, there was a collective gasp in the bourbon world when he delivered the death sentence...

Bon Jovi checks out Cedar Ridge April 23, 2015 by Diana Nollen

Jon Bon Jovi wasn’t singing about “bitter wine” when the rock star stopped by Cedar Ridge Vineyards, Winery & Distillery in Swisher for lunch, a tasting and tour April 15. He was actually was more interested in the facility’s vodka, Cedar Ridge General Manager Jamie Siefken said.

HEAVEN HILL DROPS ONE AGE STATEMENT, MOVES ANOTHER TO THE BACK April 22, 2015 by Fred Minnick

Heaven Hill Brands is dropping the 6-year-old age statement for Fighting Cock. Company officials cited “supply challenges” for the label change. A Heaven Hill spokesperson said the age statement was removed to accommodate a tight future supply of aging Heaven Hill bourbon, particularly of Evan Williams and other premium products that are annually growing at double digit rates. Fighting Cock remains at 103 proof, the company....

Kentucky Bourbon Trail will start in Louisville April 23, 2015 by Gregory Hall

Louisville will be the official starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail after a new project announced Thursday is built on Main Street. The multimillion-dollar project involves the Kentucky Distillers' Association taking buildings next to the Frazier History Museum and turning them into a gateway for the association's famous bourbon tourism venture that involves visiting many Kentucky distilleries. The project's origins...

HEAVEN HILL UNVEILS EVAN WILLIAMS DERBY BOURBON April 23, 2015 by Annie Hayes

The 2006 Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon is blended from two barrels of Bourbon and bottled at the 43.3% abv. Evan Williams is an official partner of this year’s historic event, and to reflect this the bottle – which has been dipped in a teal wax – features the Kentucky Derby Festival logo on the label, and is presented with a tag detailing the festival’s history. Each individual bottle also displays the exact day...

She smells like maple: Knob Creek’s Smoked Maple Bourbon connects past and present April 21, 2015 by Peter Rockwell

Pouring maple syrup on your flapjacks is one thing. Drinking the stuff is a whole different story. While whisky purists may turn up their noses, the popularity of infused brown spirits is creating more buzz than how old Harrison Ford looks in the latest Star Wars trailer. Granted, Scotch whisky enthusiasts have less to worry about. The pedigree and personality of their tipple of choice doesn’t typically lend itself to...

The 'Ocean's 11' of Bourbon Burglaries: Uncovering the Great Pappy Van Winkle Heist April 22, 2015 by Eric Felten

Call it Pappy’s Revenge. On Tuesday, at a courthouse in Frankfort, Kentucky, nine people were indicted, accused of a long-running scheme to steal and sell bourbon. They had chosen Pappy Van Winkle, the grand cru of bourbons—bad move. Until recently, Pappy brand whiskeys were merely cognoscenti-craved obscurities. But by a couple of years ago the craze for the ever-so-limited-release bourbons was in full frenzy—a fevered...

Tips for stocking your home bar April 22, 2015 By Zak Stambor

There's no one way to stock your home bar. After all, a bar is a reflection of who you are and what you like. And even if you want your guests to be able to craft a wide range of cocktails — basics like a daiquiri, martini or Gibson — you don't need a ton of spirits or mixers, you just need to have the right bottles. If you're looking for the basic setup, start with five bottles: a vodka, a London dry gin, a blanco tequila, a...

FIRST WHISKEY IN WILLIAMSON IN 100 YEARS April 22, 2015 by Melita Kiely

A decade before Prohibition was enforced throughout the US, Senate Bill No. 11 made the production of any alcoholic drinks within Tennessee a crime in 1909 and closed the state’s last-known legal distillery White Maple Distillery in Franklin. The manufacture of alcohol almost anywhere within the state was illegal until 2009 when the legislation was amended by the Tennessee General Assembly thus legalising distillation in...

Readers' Choice Best Bourbon: Russell's Reserve April 21, 2015

Russell's Reserve: Made in Kentucky using a generations-old mash recipe, Russell's Reserve is part of the Wild Turkey family, much beloved for its cinnamon raisin bread, vanilla, and honey aromas that give way to warming, complex finish.

Workers Busted for Allegedly Stealing Barrels of Bourbon April 21, 2015

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Nine people were indicted Tuesday on charges of spiriting away what Kentucky authorities say was more bourbon whiskey than one person could drink in a lifetime. Prosecutors say the scheme led by rogue distillery workers lasted for years and involved tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of whiskey but began to unravel when whiskey barrels were discovered behind a Franklin County shed.

BOURBON TOURISM: IS IT A FACTORY TOUR OR NAPA VALLEY? April 17, 2015 by Fred Minnick

The Kentucky bourbon industry learned non-aficionado consumers think of a bourbon tour as a “factory tour.” In focus groups funded by the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism, consumers from several cities offered new perspective on the Commonwealth’s “Bourbon Tourism” initiatives. The Commonwealth commissioned Illinois-based Rockpile Strategies to study focus groups in Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana. The findings...

Evan Williams Peach launches this May April 20, 2015 by Felicity Murray

Heaven Hill Brands is adding to its portfolio of Evan Williams Flavours with the release of Evan Williams Peach this spring. Evan Williams Peach is described as being true to its tagline: ‘No Fuzz. All Flavour’ – combining the smoothness of Evan Williams bourbon with a fresh peach taste. Bottled at 70 proof, it can be served as a chilled shot, on the rocks or mixed in a cocktail. Flavoured whiskeys continue to be one of the...

All-white Rupp bourbon bottle jars memories April 19, 2015 by William Turner

"He was kinda crusty," I answered to my friend who asked what Adolph Rupp was like, as we walked back from the Kentucky basketball coach's office in early April 1967. University of Kentucky Athletics Director Bernie Shively had arranged for me — in my capacity as president of the Black Students Union — to meet with the venerable coach, who was then two years younger than I am now.

6 Whiskey Drinks Every Millennial Should Know April 19, 2015 by Alli Neal

The whiskey market is doing better than ever, and it’s mostly thanks to the shifting palates of millennial drinkers, according to reports from MarketWatch. Is is the smoky sweetness? The chill and the kick? The smooth, mysterious depth of caramel and vanilla against the warming burn of alcohol?

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