Derby Bourbon

Dang, y'all - this response is overwhelming! But who am I kidding? I mentioned the two most Louisville-centric magic words, so I should expect as much. The Town Branch and The Pearse Lyons Reserve both sound interesting, as I've recently discovered I'm more of a fan of scotch, but I'm worried that my company wouldn't appreciate it as much as I would - although I just might not give a damn about that. Some of my house guests are Lexington boys in the beverage industry, so Woodford and Makers would be a little too pedestrian for them. I'd love to spring for some Talisker but it's a bit pricey and too sacrilegious. I'll be mulling this over for a few days so thanks for all the thought fodder, friends! Happy Derby Season!

Rowan's Creek, and the previously mentioned Johnny Drum.

I'd like to echo Ken's suggestion of Town Branch Bourbon, but also clarify his description a bit.

Sorry about the misinformation. If I could remember the price point of every bourbon on our shelves, I'd be lucky. . .

This discussion has inspired me to organize a small bourbon tasting for my Derby guests to sample some of those mentioned here. After all, everyone loves to discover a new bourbon at a good price point. So do you bourbon enthusiasts have any suggestions for how to conduct a proper bourbon tasting?

This discussion has inspired me to organize a small bourbon tasting for my Derby guests to sample some of those mentioned here. After all, everyone loves to discover a new bourbon at a good price point. So do you bourbon enthusiasts have any suggestions for how to conduct a proper bourbon tasting?

Hire Stephen D!

Jackie,

You need to go to this and try them yourself :

Hunter Chavonne, from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, will be visiting our Danville and Springhurst Liquor Barn stores this week to teach you all about the history of Bourbon and the history of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. For only $5 you will get to sample Willet Pot Still, Rowans Creek, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum Private Stock, and Old Bardstown Estate. This event will go from 6pm-7:30pm this Thursday the 26th at Springhurst. If you are interested in attending this event at either locations please email the corresponding store to let them know how many seats you wish to reserve:

Springhurst@liquorbarn.com

In the subject please write “Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Event.”

I think I'm going - let me know if you're able to and we'll "hook-up".

Deb

Jackie,

You need to go to this and try them yourself :

Hunter Chavonne, from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, will be visiting our Danville and Springhurst Liquor Barn stores this week to teach you all about the history of Bourbon and the history of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. For only $5 you will get to sample Willet Pot Still, Rowans Creek, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum Private Stock, and Old Bardstown Estate. This event will go from 6pm-7:30pm this Thursday the 26th at Springhurst. If you are interested in attending this event at either locations please email the corresponding store to let them know how many seats you wish to reserve:

Springhurst@liquorbarn.com

In the subject please write “Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Event.”

I think I'm going - let me know if you're able to and we'll "hook-up".

Deb

Wow Deb this sounds great! I've just sent them an e-mail to reserve seats for Chris and myself. I know you were talking to Jax but thanks for the heads up. I imagine this will be well attended.
Shane

Shane,

I really meant it for all, so glad you jumped on it. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Deb

Shane,

I really meant it for all, so glad you jumped on it. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Deb

You will if you're there. I got seats for Chris and I. Did Jax except your invitation for a hookup?

Shane,

I really meant it for all, so glad you jumped on it. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Deb

You will if you're there. I got seats for Chris and I. Did Jax except your invitation for a hookup?

Sorry! I meant to reply to this last night - can't do it tonight, but thank for the suggestion, Deb. Hope you all have fun!

Dern I have a prior commitment tomorrow night doing a demo with Chef Dallas for a Family Fitness Night at one of the elementary schools. Besides, I don't think I really need another night of bourbon "tasting" after Taste of KDF......

Thanks to Deb, Chris and I got to experience an excellent bourbon tasting tonight. The rep, Hunter Chavane guided us through six of the Willet family bourbons at the Springhurst Liquor Barn. Hunter was very knowledgable and entertaining.

Deb herself waltzed in a few minutes late. She was the only female in attendance within sight of barrel age and provided a much needed respite from the balding, paunchy, appearance of the majority of the bourbon aficionados in my sight lines. Thanks for that Deb.

Our first two offerings were the Willet Pot Still Reserve and the Rowan's Creek. These were poured by Hunter himself and we were given very generous pours. Unfortunately, I found both of these bourbons to be so pedestrian that would never drink them on purpose and I feared the evening might be wasted. I looked out across the parking lot and wondered if there was a good movie playing at Tinsel Town.

Fortunately our second pours, although smaller, were more to my liking. The Old Bardstown was the cheapest of the bunch at $21.99 and to me it tasted so refined and smooth I was reminded of Scotch. The Johnny Drum at $24.99 was also smooth but had a bit of minty heat and provided that lingering finish that I know as a characteristic of the best bourbons. I would happily drink either of these bourbons if better options weren't available.

The clear winner of the featured bourbons for me was the Noah's Mill. As someone who requires that "in your face" scald and long lasting finish, this was the only featured bourbon that I would consider for my own collection. I purchased it for $43.99 and at that it is the least expensive bourbon I've ever purchased.

The surprise tasting though was the most frustrating aspect of the evening. The Willet Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon was our final pour. It was not advertised or even available at the store for us to purchase. I'm a single barrel kind a guy and this bourbon was fabulous. My search for it will begin tomorrow. It is an allocated bourbon though so I won't get my hopes up.

[Robin Garr]

Rowan's Creek ... pedestrian

I'm surprised to hear this. As I mentioned up the thread, this Bourbon, and Noah's Mill, rated very high several years ago in a blind tasting by an exceptionally skilled panel that wasn't overly wowed by either Makers or Woodford.

Rowan's Creek ... pedestrian

I'm surprised to hear this. As I mentioned up the thread, this Bourbon, and Noah's Mill, rated very high several years ago in a blind tasting by an exceptionally skilled panel that wasn't overly wowed by either Makers or Woodford.

I was a bit surprised about this as well, but while a fantastic bourbon, its not as bold as Noah's. I'd say Shane prefers a bourbon with a bit more punch to it than Rowan's has. That being said, I personally find it much better than pedestrian. But, that is why they make so many different styles just within the bourbon category alone.

Rowan's Creek ... pedestrian

I'm surprised to hear this. As I mentioned up the thread, this Bourbon, and Noah's Mill, rated very high several years ago in a blind tasting by an exceptionally skilled panel that wasn't overly wowed by either Makers or Woodford.

I was a bit surprised about this as well, but while a fantastic bourbon, its not as bold as Noah's. I'd say Shane prefers a bourbon with a bit more punch to it than Rowan's has. That being said, I personally find it much better than pedestrian. But, that is why they make so many different styles just within the bourbon category alone.

I'm not qualified to be a part of a skilled judging panel and I often get myself in trouble when expressing my opinion. Oh well. My opinion obviously does not invalidate anyone else's. I just didn't find the first two bourbons to have the characteristics that I prefer. When I say pedestrian, I mean they reminded me of the young, inexpensive, bourbons that made up my first bourbon drinking experiences. I'm sure some people actually prefer this flavor profile. I was surprised myself.

Todd is most certainly correct about my preferences. Just to give you a frame of reference for my preferred bourbons/whiskies, these are what I own and order out.

Blantons (own)
Elijah Craig 18yr (own)
Angels Envy (own)
Devils Cut (order out)
Pappy 12yr/15yr/20/yr/23yr (I own the 12yr. Chris has the others - too expensive to order out)
Bulleit Rye (not bourbon) (own)
Bernheim (not bourbon) (own)
Elmer T Lee (order out)
Wild Turkey 81 (order out)
Bookers (drink at Chris's when I'm really in need of a jolt)

StephenD gave me some double oaked bourbon recently that I need to follow-up on. Can't remember which one. Cheers!