The Bourbon Smash is the citrusy cousin of the Mint leaves. If that sounds good, wait until you taste it....

Whisk(e)y is a broad distilled beverage category encompassing many different types from a variety of countries. The different types (Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, etc.) are largely defined by raw material selection, regulation, or process variances. The whiskey making process is generally broken into the following operations: grain selection and handling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation...

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel LLC, a full-service used bourbon and whiskey barrel cooperage, will invest $850,000 and create 35 full-time jobs over the next five years as it relocates its Louisville operation, Gov. Matt Bevin and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced today. “We are pleased to announce Kentucky Bourbon Barrel will keep its operation in Louisville with this relocation to a...

First gather all your ingredients for the pastry. Put everything except the butter and egg in a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles yellow cornmeal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter. Add the egg and pulse 1 to 2 times - don't let the dough form into a ball in the machine (if the dough is very dry add up to a ...

Older than Johnnie Walker and with the founding family still involved, Jim Beam certainly has pedigree. Megan Frank, VP of global marketing, pays credit to the brand’s 220­-year history, which stretches from founder Jacob Beam to current master distiller and direct descendent Fred Noe III. “Those family roots and that legacy, and the fact the family is still very much involved, are key...

Toffee bars are packed full of pecans, toffee bits, chopped white chocolate and dried coconut but the sprinkling of bourbon is what really takes them over the edge...

Each year the Eagle Rare bourbon brand tied to Buffalo Trace chooses an individual that’s said to lead a rare life based upon the six brand pillars: courage, character, leadership, heroism, survival and devotion. This person is picked in part by a panel of judges from a group of all extremely qualified people, all of whom each represent one of the previously mentioned pillars – from them the final winner is chosen...

Long Road Distillers, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is said be the first craft distillery in this city. Having only been open two and a half years, they are now getting ready to bring to market their first-ever bourbon. It’s just a little younger than they are. The new Long Road Distillers Straight Bourbon, according to those behind it, is the oldest whiskey the distillery has released to...

In the glass, it presents itself as a muted amber, almost caramel in color. Swirling it around leaves a thin rim that generates thicker legs to drop quickly back into the pool of liquid sunshine. The nose is much more complex than you’d expect in a bottom shelf whiskey. Inhaling through my mouth made the vanilla and orange explode, almost like a Dreamsicle. For me, I couldn’t wait to put it in my mouth...

Maker’s Mark is releasing a new, limited bourbon with only 1,400 bottles available. Called Maker’s Mark Seared Bu 1-3 (really, that’s what’s on the label) it’s the first time the Loretto distillery has released an experimental bourbon. A few years ago, Maker’s launched a private selection program that allows bars, restaurants, really anyone to customize their premium Maker’s 46 bourbon with up to...

Bourbon, America’s “native spirit,” is a natural pairing with other American classics like barbecue and pecan pie. Aged in oak, Bourbon takes on flavors like baking spice, honey, citrus, butterscotch, toast and smoke. Those attributes also make it a surprisingly good match with cheese. According to Charles Duque, managing director at the New York City branch of the French Dairy Board, such...

Not so long ago, bourbon drinkers didn’t know the names of the folks who made their favorite brands. Men like Booker Noe or Bill Samuels, who went into the business because that’s what their daddies did, and their daddies’ daddies before them. Or men like Jimmy Russell, a star athlete who’d tried out for the Cincinnati Reds but needed to get an honest job when his wife got pregnant. These men...

In the heart of bourbon country in Bardstown, Kentucky, is Barton 1792 Distillery, which has been around since its establishment in 1879. Since 2009, it has been owned by the Sazerac Company. Barton produces an extensive line of spirits, including a line of smaller-batch bourbons targeting the higher-end of the market and aficionados. Its 1792 Bourbon has earned a string of awards and accolades...

Bourbon barrel No. 15 million has taken its place in a Jim Beam warehouse in Kentucky. Beam on Monday filled its 15 millionth barrel of bourbon since the end of Prohibition. The company says it's a first for a Kentucky distillery. It was filled and sealed by seventh-generation Master Distiller Fred Noe and his son, Freddie, at Beam's flagship distillery in Clermont. Employees at the company's...

It can be intimidating to walk into an unfamiliar restaurant and not see a single bottle that you recognize behind the apron-clad barkeeps. As bartenders, these moments are some of our favourite because they allow us to get to know the guest beyond the initial formalities of welcoming them, and allowing them to get situated. Explaining the unknown is a fun way to subtly guide the guest on a...

Bourbon & Espresso Marinated Filet of Beef Clean and trim all fat and silver skin of filet loin. Heat up 1 cup of bourbon to about 120 degree and add 3 cups of espresso. You don’t want the bourbon any hotter because it will release the bitterness from the espresso. Rehydrating the espresso takes about 2 hours. Once the espresso is done hydrating mix with room temperature butter...

Our choice of drink says a lot about us. Even with that in mind, it’s easy to fall back on the old reliables: beer, margaritas, maybe wine if you’re feeling fancy. But with the weekend fast approaching, you’ve got the chance to mix things up and make a strong statement. The drink we have in mind? Bourbon whiskey. While beer is too basic, margaritas too flirty, and wine too snooty, Bourbon is...

For Chicken Brine: In a medium bowl, whisk together the iced tea, honey, salt, bay leaves, and lemon slices. Transfer brine and chicken to a large zip-top bag or large bowl to submerge chicken and refrigerate overnight. For Siracha Honey: The next day, in a medium bowl, whisk together Sriracha and honey, and set aside until serving. For Roasted Chicken: Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Remove chicken...

Pearse Lyons, the founder and president of global biotech company Alltech, died today at the age of 73. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Lyons died from complications following heart surgery. “We are all deeply saddened by my father’s passing,” Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and Alltech chairman and president, said via a press release. “He saw farther into the horizon than anyone in the...

Nowadays there are lots of travel guides in the world, but few have a more credible and distinguished history than Lonely Planet. Transforming local knowhow from a global canvas into digestible, attainable and original destination guides is no easy thing, so when they offer their top ten places to visit in the US for 2018, as a travel lover I’m always keen to hear what they have to say...

Coffee + Tripel + bourbon barrels = James Bean. James Bean – Allagash Brewing Company’s Belgian-style golden ale that’s aged in bourbon barrels and blended with cold-brewed coffee from local roaster, Speckled Ax – is now shipping. It features a balance of caramel, oak, bourbon, and coffee notes. For its 2018 release, the beer will reach Allagash’s full distribution footprint in 750 mL bottles...

Just when you think we've surely reached peak bourbon, someone else ups the ante. No longer is it enough to have the oldest, the rarest, or the most expensive whiskey, or even to pick a personal barrel from a distillery. Now you can literally make your very own bourbon — guided by experts — from start to finish. And by start to finish, I mean you literally develop your mash bill (grain recipe)...

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Lux Row Distillers has joined its legendary ranks as a “Heritage” member, the highest level in the non-profit trade group that unites and leads the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Lux Row, which began production in January, is the KDA’s ninth Heritage member and 37th overall member. To qualify as a Heritage...

Master bourbon taster and brand strategist Peggy Noe Stevens is participating in two panels at the second annual New Orleans Bourbon Festival (www.neworleansbourbonfestival.com), which takes place March 8-10. Stevens grew up in Kentucky and is the cousin of Jim Beam distillers Booker Noe and Fred Noe. She launched her career in the hotel world and developed a passion for the food and beverage...

At McLaughlin Distillery in Sewickley Hills, owner and distiller Kim McLaughlin offers an unusual baby gift: bourbon. On the day a child is born, he’ll fill a small barrel with, say, 10 gallons of bourbon and mark it with the baby’s name, date of birth and contact information. Customers don’t have to have to pay anything to have a barrel laid in. They simply get first dibs at buying bottles of...

As reported by WhiskyCast, Dave Pickerell, former master distiller of Maker’s Mark and currently at the helm of WhistlePig, is to partner with the band on the project.According to Pickerell, Metallica is considering three locations as a base for the venture: San Francisco, Louisville and Nashville, the home of the band, Bourbon and music respectively. “I”m voting for San Fransisco and the...

Stillhouse Black Bourbon has been matured in new American oak barrels before being filtered through charcoal, then rested and mellowed in small-batch coffee beans. The whiskey is described as having aromas of caramel and coffee, a balanced body on the palate and a smooth finish. Bottled at 40% abv, Stillhouse Black Bourbon is packaged in a matte black can with a heavy duty steel cap. It will be...

The Scottish glass manufacturer has joined forces with family-owned gift company A Taste of Kentucky for the decorative product. Following a trip to the American Midwest, organised by Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise, Angels’ Share wanted to create a ‘unique’ product for the American market. Angels’ Share Glass managing director Karen Somerville said: “It was a fantastic...

As a longtime bourbon drinker, I can recall the first time I saw a bottle of American whiskey going for more than $30. I was appalled, and skeptical. How could they charge that much? In the 1990s, almost every bourbon on liquor store shelves was priced well under $20. As Scotch prices steadily rose, I regularly congratulated my fellow whiskey drinkers on the bargain that was bourbon. Now, however...

When Marianne Barnes first saw the abandoned Old Taylor bourbon distillery the day after her birthday in December 2014, she was stunned by its beauty. The 113-acre property in Millville, Kentucky, was covered with snow, the trees encased in ice. The two owners, Wes Murry and Will Arvin had already done some work on the exterior, clearing away brush and replanting the sunken gardens, but after...

People are lining up outside the Frazier History Museum in hopes of purchasing an $1,800 bottle of 45-year-old bourbon, which goes on sale Thursday, March 1, at 9 a.m. Less than 150 bottles of Final Reserve: James Thompson & Brother Bourbon will be for sale. The Frazier is hosting a sold-out event Thursday night as part of this week’s Bourbon Classic, where attendees get to sample one of...

Regional trends have started to emerge as the number of craft whiskey distilleries in the country continues to swell. Certain areas have broken through as more prominent distilling hubs due to a number of factors including favorable legislation, while other areas are starting to become known for particular styles of whiskey. And the debut of the Empire Rye designation in the state of New York...

One of the latest collaborations in the spirit world followed a pretty surreptitious path. Two Kentucky-based distillers—Bardstown Bourbon Company and Copper and Kings—got together back in 2015, looking to marry the former’s knowledge of brown spirits with Copper and Kings’ successes with brandy. But rather than working off Bardstown’s own arsenal of brown spirits, they took bourbon distilled...

March is my favorite month, and St. Patrick's Day is absolutely my favorite holiday: corned beef, Irish whiskey and wearin' o' the green. Plus, Friday is National Moscow Mule Day! Mules are a refreshing drink made with vodka, ginger beer and lime, served in a frosty copper mug. The back story is unique, and yes, the Russians were involved. It was in the early 1940s when two men met in a bar...

For years, I’ve unofficially tracked bourbon sales in Kentucky liquor stores. Anecdotally, store managers and owners have told me their top three volume brands were Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Buffalo Trace. Jim Beam, Evan Williams, Henry McKenna, Four Roses, Bulleit, and few others have cracked the top five from time to time, but the one and two position have been a steady stream of...

I recently turned 21 and have become interested in what goes into my drinks and how I can make them myself without breaking the bank. Last week, I wrote an article about gin cocktails that can be easily made at home. This week, I will be exploring whiskey, specifically bourbon and rye. Check out this column every week to learn about different spirits and drinks, and some of my favorite...

It’s no secret that the proper libation can elevate an elegant meal. But have you ever considered incorporating liquor into something other than a cocktail glass? Properly used, alcohol works wonders in food as well. Maybe you’ve added wine to a sauce or braise, or added beer to a batch of chili or barbecue sauce, but incorporating distilled liquor such as gin or bourbon might be a little...

In her new role, McCall will work under the direction of master distiller Chris Morris on the innovation and development of new products. McCall, 33, has been a member of Brown-Forman’s research and development department since 2009. She is the second generation of her family to work in the Bourbon industry, following in her mother’s footsteps. She joined Brown-Forman after gaining a Masters...

It is Russell’s third stop on an Asian tour with Wild Turkey and no inch on his face would suggest that he’s already exhausted. After his successful Master Classes in Japan and Hong Kong, Eddie toured around Intramuros in Manila and strolled through Manila Biennale, a month-long art exposition. Eddie pointed out that despite being to the Philippines a number of times, he needed to immerse...

Construction of the new distillery will begin in the south of the city in the coming months, with spirit production due to commence next year. Fierce Whiskers will produce Straight Texas Rye Whiskey, which it hopes to release in 2020, and Straight Texas Bourbon Whiskey, slated for release two years later. Founded by Tri Vo and Tim Penney, Fierce Whiskers will be the second whiskey distillery...

Elizabeth McCall was jobless with a master's degree in psychology when an acquaintance suggested she apply for an entry-level opening at Brown-Forman. At the time, McCall knew almost nothing about bourbon, the company's flagship product. But since landing the job in 2009, she's become adept at detecting the distinct flavors and characteristics that make up each of the company's carefully...

Michter’s Distillery LLC is moving forward with a project in Springfield, Ky, Michter's, which produces its whiskey at a distillery in Shively, recently bought 145 acres in Springfield, which is southeast of Bardstown in Washington County. The company plans to invest $17 million there to expand capacity for bourbon barrel storage, according to a filing with the Kentucky Economic Development...

Following in the footsteps of Colorado's exploding beer scene, the state's growing craft distilling industry will make its biggest attempt to become a tourism draw with the launch of the Colorado Spirits Trail. It's a project of the Colorado Distillers Guild, which is funded partially by a $25,000 matching marketing grant from the Colorado Tourism Office. Officially launching Saturday with an...

Bourbon enthusiasts with a tight budget can relax because we bring you the 10 best bourbons under $50. Bourbon is an American spirit that is made exclusively in the USA. But what is bourbon actually, and what is it made of? According to Great Bourbon, Federal Regulations require that the bourbon whiskey is made from a minimum of 51% corn, while rye, barley, and also other grains that may be...

The Bourbon Classic, an annual celebration of bourbon and food, returns to Louisville Feb. 28 through March 3. This year, there are several unique opportunities, including a chance to buy some of the oldest bourbon ever bottled: a bourbon aged in the barrel for 45 years. The Frazier Museum is offering Final Reserve, James Thompson & Brother Bourbon, for $1,800 a bottle and there are only...

For those immersed in the bourbon culture or interested in discovering the storied history of how it became America’s spirit comes the film NEAT: The Story of Bourbon, a documentary that takes viewers into the lives of the characters who made bourbon their passion. It will be released for streaming on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and available on DVD in March. Director David M. Altrogge and producer A.J...

And you probably have everything you need for it already. In these last, endless days of winter, the only thing to do is submit. This is sweatpants and Netflix season, friends, and it calls for filling your finest novelty mug with hot booze. Get cozy; it’s hot toddy time. In its simplest form, the hot toddy is a combination of hot water, booze, lemon, and honey. Add a shot of liquor, probably...

The Willett Family Estate bourbon and rye releases of the past decade have become some of the most sought-after bottles in the American whiskey market. With private store pick releases, export-only offerings, charity bottles, and weekly gift shop releases it is hard to keep track of everything that is out there. Whiskey nerds will sling the bottle names or numbers around like a secret...

As Top Chef Colorado ends, Top Chef’s new season will be in Kentucky. What can fans expect from the bourbon trail Top Chef has been to many culinary destinations. From Miami to Seattle, the culinary competition show has crossed the U.S. Top Chef’s new season was just announced. Season 16 will head to Kentucky. How will the Bourbon Trail influence the chefs? According to the announcement on...

Ask Drew Kulsveen whose bourbon, besides his own, he likes to drink, and he’ll demur. “I don’t want to go on the record,” he says, “or people will start chasing after it.” Kulsveen’s opinion matters that much, because in the world of American whiskey, he’s a bona fide celebrity. Kulsveen grew up playing amid his grandfather’s rickhouses in the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” Bardstown...