It’s a common question: Why is bourbon mostly made in the State of Kentucky? Well, my first smart-alecky response is that Kentucky is a Commonwealth, not a State. But that’s purely semantics, and also pretty obnoxious. The truth is much simpler. It’s true that nearly all bourbon is made in Kentucky. 95% of it, according to the last numbers I’ve heard. Nearly half of it is made in Clermont, KY at the mammoth Jim Beam Stillhouse. But that doesn’t answer the question. The answer is simpler than you’d think. It’s a function of geography and history.…
Author: Bill
Bill
Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at [email protected].
[amazon_link asins=’B00H143UXW,B06Y1VGMH2′ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89cd9de4-ff80-11e7-ad0b-b3d612b3a656′] Stats: Barrel # 1052 Private Barrel Retailer: Liquor Barn (Barrel 1 #4524353) Aged 10 years (Barreled on Feb 27, 2003) 50% ABV (100 Proof) Bottled-in-Bond Price: $30 Distilled by Heaven Hill Distilleries What it is: Henry McKenna is a Heaven Hill produced bourbon out of the Louisville, KY Bernheim Distillery. This single barrel bourbon is bottled in bond after aging ten years in a federally bonded warehouse near Bardstown, KY. This particular bottle is from a private selection program at a local liquor store in which a retailer selects a barrel from the…
Did you know there is a difference between tasting your bourbon and drinking it? The correct way to drink bourbon is however you like to drink it; mixed or on the rocks on a hot summer day, straight up next to the fire in the dead of winter, or with a twist of lemon with dinner. It’s all good. But that’s very different from tasting bourbon. Tasting bourbon is a careful examination of the bourbon’s nuances and aromas without the hindrance of a mixer, or an abundance of ice or water that will ultimately dull the flavors. Tasting bourbon may…
ModernThirst reviews Willett’s Pot Still Reserve
There are four key ingredients to a successful bourbon society: good organization, good people, good drink, and good content. I was unable to make it to the first meeting of the society due to the impending birth of my daughter, and I was worried that with predicted poor driving conditions, the hour and a half drive from Louisville would be too much to make after a full day of work. But fellow Modern Thirst owner, Matt, assured me that I wouldn’t regret making the trek, so in the car I hopped. Matt was correct. The BSGC had all four ingredients…
On Monday, March 10th, The Bourbon Society of Greater Cincinnati held its first ever meeting, welcoming bourbon author Michael Veatch of the Filson Historical Society. Modern Thirst’s own Matt Gates was in attendance. The event was spectacularly attended and the BSGC is off to a roaring start. Tonight, The BSGC strikes again with another meeting held at Summit Hills Country Club and with another well-known guest. If not for the impending birth of my daughter last month, I’d have made the short drive to Northern Kentucky last month as well. Luckily, both Matt and I will be in attendance tonight. …
[amazon_link asins=’B00H143UXW,B06Y1VGMH2′ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89cd9de4-ff80-11e7-ad0b-b3d612b3a656′] *Note: this review was on a 15 year old age-stated bottle produced prior to 2012. Newer bottles of Noah’s Mill are not labeled as 15 year old straight bourbon, and may differ significantly in flavor profile.* Vital Stats: Age: 15 Years ABV: About 57% (114.3 Proof) Distiller: Rectified (Bottled by KBD/Willett) Availability: Readily Available Price: $60 What it is: Noah’s Mill is a small batch bourbon bottled in Bardstown, KY by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, and is distributed as part of the Willett family of bourbons. Willett has only recently completed production of their own still,…
[amazon_link asins=’B00H143UXW,B06Y1VGMH2′ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’89cd9de4-ff80-11e7-ad0b-b3d612b3a656′] Redirecting to the ModernThirst Scoring Method, please be patient.
With the bitter cold weather of this winter finally receding throughout most of the Midwest and Upper South, our thoughts turn towards Spring. And what better way to ring in the warmer weather than with a traditional summer drink like a good wheat beer? West Sixth Brewing in Lexington, KY has just celebrated their second birthday, and has just released their Lemongrass American Wheat Beer. Brewed with lemongrass and Sorachi Ace Hops, is 5.7% ABV and is available in 6 packs of cans and on tap. It’s light and refreshing with crisp hops and a satisfying citrus finish. So raise…
ModernThirst tastes and reviews barrel 2070 of Willett Family Estate, a 10 year old private barrel bourbon selected by Westport Whiskey & Wine.