Do you know that in 1964 Lyndon B. Johnson gave bourbon his presidential stamp when he signed an Act of Congress that designated bourbon as “The Official Spirit of America”? We honor this distinctive distilled liquor throughout Nationwide Bourbon Day on June 14th, 2022.
Right this moment, we elevate a glass to the scrumptious, caramel-noted spirit that’s liable for your unbelievable karaoke performances. Or goes nice within the good Outdated Long-established.
To have fun the style of American historical past, we’ve hand-selected probably the most distinctive bourbons that needs to be in your radar subsequent time you’re thirsty for a stiff drink.
Sip on a number of of our favourite bourbons under.
What’s The Distinction Between Whiskey and Bourbon?
You could have heard the saying that each one bourbons are whiskey, however not all whiskeys are bourbon. For a whiskey to be categorized as bourbon, it should be made within the U.S. Most recipes use about seventy % corn, which provides it the nickname “corn whiskey.”
Identified to be the house of bourbon, Kentucky’s limestone spring water lends a particular taste to the spirit.
Bourbon is a whiskey distilled from corn and aged in new, charred American White Oak barrels. Distillers should age bourbon for no less than two years, however many hold bourbon within the barrel for 4 years or longer.
Talking of bourbon barrels, do you know they’ll solely be used as soon as? Many get recycled into furnishings or firewood. Or re-used by breweries to make these scrumptious bourbon barrel-aged stouts.
The Historical past Behind Bourbon
Bourbon’s roots are tied to the migration of settlers from the unique colonies who moved within the 18th and nineteenth centuries. They included Scots-Irish descendants of the boys who invented Scotch and Irish whiskies, together with different English, Welsh, German, and French settlers.
The bourbon identify comes from Bourbon County, a big Kentucky district based after the American Revolution ripe for crops, particularly corn.
Historical past exhibits that by 1785, Bourbon County had dozens of small farmer-distillers making whiskey all through the area.
Right this moment, ten main whiskey makers produce lots of of manufacturers, together with lots of the top-priced single-barrel, small-batch, and cask-strength variations.
Hop Tradition’s 6 Distinctive Bourbons to Have fun Nationwide Bourbon Day
Blade and Bow – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Louisville, KY
Proof: 45.5
The Story: The Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon pays tribute to custom and is infused with the essence of American hospitality.
A mix of candy corn, sturdy rye, and spicy grains carry this bourbon’s distinct taste to life.
The distinctive bourbon attracts inspiration from its namesake image that may be discovered all through the Stitzel-Weller distillery—representing the three steps of crafting bourbon: grain fermentation, distillation and growing old.
Tasting Notes: Apricot, vanilla, and baking spices.
Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. – Barterhouse Bourbon
Tullahoma, TN
Proof: 45.1
The Story: The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Co. began to share barrels of scrumptious and uncommon whiskey, hidden away and practically forgotten at the back of rickhouses and distilleries.
Orphan Barrel meticulously bottles every of its bourbons to make sure further care as a result of lots of their distinctive bottles will solely be out there as soon as.
Aged for twenty years, the Barterhouse Bourbon, doesn’t present up on cabinets typically. Accumulate this uncommon, unique bottle to retailer in your collector’s bar. Or bust it out to take pleasure in on Nationwide Bourbon Day.
Tasting Notes: Heat biscuits and buttercream with spice and brown sugar.
9 Banded Straight Bourbon
Austin, TX
Proof: 90
The Story: A nod to the nine-banded armadillo and the previous Armadillo World Headquarters, the place Texans banded collectively within the ‘70s within the identify of nice music and good instances, 9 Banded stays true to its identify.
A really perfect cocktail base for classics like a Manhattan or Outdated Long-established, 9 Banded Straight Bourbon even gained silver and double gold awards on the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors in 2020 and 2021.
Tasting Notes: Buttered popcorn, toasted marshmallow, and a salted caramel end.
Outdated Elk – Wheated Bourbon
Fort Collins, CO
Proof: 88
The Story: As a substitute of taking a number of days to proof, Outdated Elk makes use of a course of known as “Sluggish Minimize,” which proofs the spirit slowly between barrel and bottle for weeks to make the whiskey further mellow and clean.
Outdated Elk makes use of 4 instances extra malted barley than standard recipes. Plus, a sluggish discount proofing course of creates a wealthy, clean taste. All harmoniously mix with caramel cues evoked by charred barrels and spicy notes of rye.
Oh and for these bourbon barrel-aged beer lovers, you could bear in mind when WeldWerks partnered with Outdated Elk final 12 months, deploying Outdated Elk bourbon barrels to craft Outdated Elk Medianoche.
Tasting Notes: Brown sugar, cocoa, and maple syrup.
Milam & Greene – Triple Cask Straight Bourbon
Blanco, TX
Proof: 94
The Story: Milam & Greene created this award-winning bourbon by amassing substances from throughout America: corn from Texas and Oregon, barley from Wyoming, in addition to Milam & Greene’s proprietary yeast recipe from Kentucky.
Milam & Greene overtly embraces a standard and modern distilling method, utilizing a 300-gallon copper pot nonetheless within the coronary heart of Texas Hill Nation and traditional column stills in Bardstown, KY. Every produces completely different our bodies and flavors.
As an independently owned and operated firm, Milam & Greene’s Triple Cask Straight Bourbon makes for an ideal one to sip on Nationwide Bourbon Day.
Tasting Notes: Charred Oak, creamy vanilla, and clover honey.
Booker’s – Bardstown Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Clermont, KY
Proof: 125.5
The Story: In the event you’re a purest, look no additional than Booker’s, the primary bourbon to be bottled straight from the barrel.
A sixth-generation grasp distiller, Booker Noe grew up in Kentucky on a distillery. He didn’t consider in creating massive batches of his bourbon. As a substitute, he produced small batches that he didn’t tamper with, minimize, or water down. The consequence? An impeccable bourbon with a balanced burn.
Count on a uncooked, smoky, highly effective expertise with a bottle of Booker.
Tasting Notes: Contemporary-cracked peanuts, cinnamon fried apples, and combined berry jam.
Identical to you most likely wish to share a bottle of bourbon with good buddies, go forward and ship this listing to a fellow fanatic!
