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| Bourbon is as American as apple pie, bald
eagles and cowboys. Early settlers found an ample
supply of corn, rye and barley from which they
made their "water of life", the
translation of the Gaelic word uisgebaugh
[WOOZE-ga-bach] which was later anglicized to
"whiskey." Frontiersmen pushing into
Bourbon County, Kentucky discovered sparkling
limestone-filtered springs, abundant oak trees
for barrel-making, and arable land on which to
raise corn for food and drink.These hardy
pioneers of the Bluegrass State developed and
perfected the distilling of what we now call
bourbon. As the country expanded westward,
whiskey could be found in any respectable saloon,
and some not-so-respectable ones as well.
Trail-weary cowboys could wash down the trail
dust with a touch of "red eye."
Although the old westerns portray "red
eye" as cheap whiskey it is actually the
good stuff. Bourbon does not get its
characteristic red tint until it has been
properly aged.
Today's premium whiskeys are distilled in
small batches in the tradition of those early
pioneers. With its rich mahogony color and smoky,
woody flavors with hints of vanilla and caramel,
bourbon is the only whiskey in the world that can
truly be called American.To qualify as straight
bourbon whiskey Federal law requires that it:
- Must contain at least 51percent corn in
the fermented grain mash. Most bourbons
contain a considerably higher percentage
of corn than 51 percent.
- Must be distilled at no more than 160
proof (80 percent alcohol).
- Must be aged for a minimum of two years,
at no more than 125 proof, in new
American white oak barrels that have been
charred on the inside. Most bourbons are
aged for at least four years.
- Must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.
- No coloring or flavoring may be added.
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Bourbon Cowboy's Favorite Whiskeys
"At certain times, you
can actually hear a few Sinatra-like notes from a
glass of bourbon, and occasionally, you just
might catch the strains of both Joplins (Scott
and Janis) or feel the rich, reverberating voice
of Casal's cello playing a Beethoven
sonota."
--from The Book of Bourbon
Gary & Mardee Haidin Regan
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Baker's
Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
One of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon
Collection
(You can't go wrong with any of them in my
opinion). Named for retired Master Distiller
Baker Beam of the famous bourbon-making family
I like mine over ice.
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Booker's
Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
Another of the Jim Beam Small Batch bourbons.
Named for Jim's grandson, Master Distiller
Emeritus Booker Noe, this whiskey is aged 6-8
years and bottled unfiltered at barrel proof to
retain its full flavor.
Thank you Mr. Noe!
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Old Ezra Brooks Rare
Old Sippin' Whiskey
David Sherman Company, St. Louis,
Missouri
A fine whiskey, aged 7 years and bottled at 101
proof.Hints of chocolate, vanilla and
butterscotch. Goes well in cocktails or try it
over ice.
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I.W. Harper Gold
Medal Bourbon
Bernheim Distillery, Louisville,
Kentucky
Aged 15 years and bottled at 80 proof. As the
bottle states: "It's always a
pleasure." I'll take mine on the rocks,
please.
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Basil Hayden's
Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
From the Beam Small Batch Collection, this tasty
bourbon is named for one of the Bluegrass State's
earliest distillers. The high rye content gives
this whiskey an unusual flavor. It is great on
the rocks, or with a splash of ginger ale. A
likeness of Basil Hayden, by the way, adorns the
label on every bottle of another Beam-owned
whiskey. You might know him as
Old Grand-Dad!
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Knob Creek Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
Yet another of Beam's Small Batch bourbons
"Hand bottled in limited quantities for
superior taste and smoothness."
Nice caramel flavor. Excellent over ice!
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Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto,
Kentucky
Bottled at 90 proof, this wheated whiskey will
serve you well over ice or in cocktails.
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Old Crow Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
This whiskey claims this to be "The Original
Sour Mash." It is named for Dr.James Crow,
hailed as the inventor of the sour mash method,
and you can practically taste the history of
bourbon-making in every sip.
I'll take mine straight up, on the rocks, or with
a splash of ginger ale.
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Old Fitzgerald Very
Special Bourbon
Bernheim Distillery, Louisville,
Kentucky
Distinctive for using wheat rather than rye in
it's mashbill. It is aged for 12 years and
bottled at 90 proof. Serve chilled or over ice.
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Old Grand-Dad 114
Barrel Proof Bourbon
Jim Beam Distilleries, Clermont and
Boston, Kentucky
A bust of early whiskey-making pioneer Basil
Hayden graces the label of this exquisite,
fiery-red and spicy bourbon.
Drink it on ice, or try it with just a splash of
ginger ale.
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Wild Turkey Rare
Breed Bourbon
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg,
Kentucky
Hand-crafted bourbon bottled at barrel proof
under the supervision of Master Distiller Jimmy
Russell. Sip it straight or on the rocks.
A bonus for lovers of this whiskey is the Rare
Breed Society which you may join for free.
Members receive letters from Jimmy Russell,
filled with Bluegrass charm and wit, along with
announcements and occasional special offers. It
is marketing with a "down home" touch,
and much more personality than a plain old
company newsletter.
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Tennessee Whiskeys
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Jack Daniel's
Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey "Old
No. 7"
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee
Though technically not a bourbon, I do enjoy the
sweetness imparted by the Lincoln County Process
(though the distillery is actually located in
Moore County) and so could not leave this one
out. I like it so much, in fact, that I even
named the best dawg I ever owned after it, Happy
Jack Daniel.
Take it over ice or in a shot glass. Also mixes
well with cola or a splash of ginger ale if
that's your style.
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Gentleman Jack Rare
Tenessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg,
Tennessee
If you enjoy the flavor imparted by the Lincoln
County Process as much as I do then you'll love
this offering. This whiskey is "charcoal
mellowed twice" and then bottled at 80
proof.Perhaps the sweetest whiskey on the market.
Enjoy it straight up or over ice.
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Bourbon Cowboy's
All-Time #1 Favorite Whiskey
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Blanton's Single Barrel
Bourbon
Ancient Age Distillery, Frankfort,
Kentucky
The first single-barrel bourbon on the market
(1984).
Named for Albert B. Blanton, son of Benjamin
Harrison Blanton, who founded the original O.F.C.
Distillery on the present site of the Ancient Age
Distillery.The label states "We believe this
is the finest bottle of whiskey ever produced,
affording you extra flavor, boquet and
character."
I concur! Look for the horse & jockey on the
top of the bottle.
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www.dartmouth.edu/~dam
copyright © 1999 David A. Merrill, RisquÈ
Business Enterprises.
All rights reserved.
bourbon.cowboy@dartmouth.edu |
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