Bourbon Central » Whiskey History http://www.bourbon-central.com Kentucky bourbon whiskey, the true American spirit! - reviews, news, cocktails, discussion Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:42:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The Dusty Hunt – Part 3, Decoding the Label http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-basics/the-dusty-hunt-part-3/ http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-basics/the-dusty-hunt-part-3/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:37:11 +0000 Brbnizgud http://www.bourbon-central.com/?p=53 a

]]> In this third article on dusty hunting (part 1, part 2), we’ll discuss the label on the bourbon bottle, which can hold many clues about the heritage of the bourbon in the bottle.

Some distilleries have changed ownership through the years and as such, the bourbon itself may not be the same product from bottle to bottle. The grains or water used, seasonal fluctuations, and maturation process will create variation in any bourbon over the course of many years. In some cases, however, a change in ownership can trigger a dramatic recipe change.

For example, I mentioned in the previous article that I had found an Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond bourbon, distilled in 1965. This particular brand has changed ownership a couple of times and as such, the product has changed over time.

Ownership of Old Fitzgerald has passed from Stitzel Weller, to United Distillers and currently, Heaven Hill. Old Fitzgerald from Stitzel Weller is considered some of the best bourbon ever produced, while the current version from Heaven Hill is drinkable and some consider good for the price, but it’s a far cry from the time when Pappy Van Winkle oversaw the production of Old Fitzgerald. I mention this, because knowing this type of information tells me the quality and time line of this brand of bourbon.

Read more about decoding the label after the jump…


As I remarked, the label will hold some clues as to the heritage of the bourbon. In the case of my 1965 Old Fitzgerald, the lack of UPC tells me that it’s an older bottle that pre-dates the use of the UPC which, on a broad scale, was around the late 70’s to early 80’s. Because there are a number of items on the label, I’m going to break down the various things to look for in future articles.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on the UPC symbol itself. However, using the UPC is not a 100% guarantee — which is why it’s important to use it in conjunction with other visual indicators.

In the case of the Old Fitzgerald, newer bottles I have that date from the 80’s show a UPC of 88508. This tells me that the bourbon is still Stitzel Weller due to the fact that the Stitzel Weller distillery stopped producing around 1992. Newer bottles have a UPC of 88076, a Heaven Hill code, meaning it may not be Stitzel Weller bourbon depending on the bottling date.

If this sounds confusing, you’re not alone! There’s much ambiguity in the distillery world and trying to get a clear picture is sometimes difficult.

Simply put, the UPC symbol should tell you who produced the bourbon. For a listing of UPC’s, you can visit www.upcdatabase.com and search on the product itself. As an example, try searching on Old Fitzgerald and you will see multiple UPCs for the same product (use quotes around the name to filter out things like Ella Fitzgerald…unless you like Ella).

Knowing when a particular UPC was used for a specific bourbon will give you an idea of the heritage.

In the next article, we’ll discuss the remaining indicators on the label that will help you in your quest for out of production bourbons. We’ll be looking at things like proof, DSP number, distillery name and location.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post in the comments below or e-mail me at brbnizgud@yahoo.com

Happy Hunting!

a

]]> http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-basics/the-dusty-hunt-part-3/feed/ 0 The Dusty Hunt – Part 2 http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-2/ http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-2/#comments Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:01:04 +0000 Brbnizgud http://www.bourbon-central.com/?p=51 a

]]> Continued from Part 1…

Ever take a close look at a bottle of bourbon? Probably only close enough to check out the price tag and maybe the proof, but there are a couple of clues that reside on that bottle that tell a story few consumers will ever know.

By loose definition, a dusty bottle is any bottle of bourbon that is out of production and the dusty hunt is the act of rummaging through a liquor store looking for older, out of production bourbons. The sheer volume of information on out of production bourbon’s is too much to articulate in these short articles. What I will attempt is to give you some basic information and guidelines on what to look for and where to look for older bottles of bourbon. Believe it or not, there are many stores that still carry bourbon that are 20, 30 or more years sitting on the shelf just waiting for someone to come along and snatch them up; or, if not on the shelves, sitting in a cardboard box in the back store room.

I’ll digress for a moment and tell a story that happened the summer of 2007. My brother and I were hunting in a major metropolitan city and walked into a downtown liquor store. Instantly my eyes began to scan the shelves looking for bottles that would tell me this store had gems to offer. Within a few moments my eyes locked on a bottle of Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond. Instantly I knew that bottle was a prize so I asked the proprietor if I could see the bottle. Sure enough, this is a major find, a 1965 distilled Stitzel Weller Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond. The bourbon was 6 years old so the bottling was done in 1971. One of the holy grails of dusty bottles and I now held two of them in my hand. The damage? $11.95 each. So, do the math, 2007 minus 1971 would make that bottle 36 years sitting on the shelf. Oh, and by the way, it’s one of the best bourbons I’ve ever had.

I promised in the previous article that we would discuss some of the factors to look for when seeking out that dusty bottle. First, we’ll discuss the bottle itself. The glass bottle comes with various markings on the front, back and in particular, the bottom of the bottle. Most, but not all, bottle manufacturers place a 2 digit number on the bottom of their bottles denoting the year the bottle was produced. This is important because this is a key indicator of the year the bourbon was bottled. Distilleries do not store glass bottles and when delivered, those bottles go into the bottling line. So, if you see 78 or 82 or 99 on the bottom of a bottle, you can reasonably assume that the bottle was produced in 1978, 1982 or 1999 respectively. Another indicator of a bottles age is whether the volume is listed in metric or standard. A pint, quart or gallon bottle will indicate pre 1980 before metric took over. A bottle that has both metric and standard will indicate the transition years typically between 1978 and 1980. Metric only will then indicate early 80’s and on.

In part 3 we’ll continue our discussion on visual indicators to look for when dusty hunting.

Happy hunting!

a

]]> http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-2/feed/ 1 The Dusty Hunt – Part 1 http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-1/ http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-1/#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:19:55 +0000 Brbnizgud http://www.bourbon-central.com/?p=50 a

]]> If you’re dusty hunting in your home you’re probably spending an afternoon cleaning the house. If you’re a bourbon enthusiast and dusty hunting, you’re more than likely lurking in some seedy downtown liquor store looking for that special “dusty” bottle of bourbon.

Dusty hunting can be described as looking for that out of production bottle of bourbon that once found elevates the heart and respiration rate as the excitement of finding such a gem is realized. Holding the bottle in your hand, turning it over and looking for those special markings that give tell tale signs of what you now hold is something special. That’s right, an older bottle of bourbon has markings that will give away its heritage, age and many times the goodness that resides on the inside.

While finding that special bottle is terrific, that’s only half of the game. The other half is the actual hunt. Moving from store to store scouring the shelves for bottles that are no longer in production, just sitting there waiting for someone to notice it. The whole process is an exciting one for the true enthusiast.

In the articles that follow, we’ll go through the information you will need to be truly educated in the art of dusty hunting. With this information, you will notice bottles that once eluded your gaze but now jump out and scream “I’m here….buy me!”

In part 2, we’ll discuss the specifics of what to look for on bottles that give away their true value to the enthusiast such as the glass bottle itself; the label; the cap; and sometimes, the lack of information says it all.

Read on to Part 2…

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]]> http://www.bourbon-central.com/bourbon-whiskey-misc/dusty-hunt-part-1/feed/ 1 Mint Juleps, A Springtime Cocktail for the Ponies http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-history/mint-juleps/ http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-history/mint-juleps/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:47:35 +0000 LB http://www.bourbon-central.com/?p=47 a

]]> A Mint Julep
photo courtesy of pbody

Mint Julep Recipes
Mint Julep Cups
Buy an Authentic Julep Cup

Every first Saturday in May since 1875, Kentuckians, horse-racing fans, and countless celebrities have converged on Louisville, KY to mark the commencement of spring by cheering the thoroughbred racehorses at the Kentucky Derby.

And since 1938, the Mint Julep has been a staple as well as the official cocktail for what has been called “the most exciting two minutes in sports”.

The Mint Julep is an original American creation (much like it’s main ingredient, bourbon), and was popularized by Kentucky Senator Henry Clay in the 18th century.

It’s a simple cocktail, made from a combination of bourbon whiskey, mint, sugar, and ice. But the exact method and proportions seem to be up for debate every year. In fact, if you ask 10 Kentuckians how to make a Mint Julep, you will likely get 10 different answers.


A traditional and more bracing recipe variant would be:

  • Place one bruised mint leaf and a dash of sugar in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and muddle
  • Fill with crushed ice
  • Fill to top with a heavy pour of straight Kentucky bourbon

A lot of bars and restaurants will serve Mint Juleps in the spring time, but they often don’t satisfy, by serving the polar opposite of the above recipe. They are light on the bourbon and heavy with sugar syrup to better cater to modern palates.

For most people today, the best Mint Julep can be found somewhere in the middle.

My favorite Mint Julep recipe:

  • Cook up a batch of mint-infused simple syrup (mint, sugar, and water)
  • Pour one shot of the syrup and 2.5 shots of bourbon into a tall julep cup with crushed ice
  • Rub a bruised mint leaf around the rim of the glass
  • Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint lightly dusted with powdered sugar

I find that having the mint-infused syrup cooked up ahead of time makes serving a large party much easier. Also, it helps diffuse the mint flavor more evenly through the drink, which makes it go down easier for those unfortunate few less accustomed to drinking whiskey without sacrificing the strength of a proper Mint Julep.

Opinions can differ greatly on which bourbon to use for a Mint Julep, and there is no gospel. However, in my opinion, it is best to use a drier & woodier tasting bourbon, like Woodford Reserve. This balances well with the sweetness already present in the drink.

Much like many bourbon cocktails, I find that using a sweeter bourbon with additional sugar in the drink is often overkill. A well-balanced cocktail demands that no single flavor smother the others, and by using a drier bourbon, we can better accomplish that balance.

Often overlooked, the Julep Cup plays an equally important role in the proper enjoyment of a Mint Julep.

The cups in which Mint Juleps are served range from elegant, traditional sterling silver cups to more common but less traditional glassware. There are also silver-plated and nickel-plated cups available that work just as well.

A solid sterling silver Julep Cup is the most traditional and eye-catching of the choices, yet they can retail for as much as $400. They make a fantastic collector’s item or special gift for a horse enthusiast, but it is unlikely you will break out a set of 12 at your next Derby party.

Instead, these works of art are reserved for special occasions only, unless you happen to be sitting on Millionaire’s Row at Churchill Downs.

Silver-plated, nickel-plated, and stainless steel mint julep cups are far more affordable and still capture the old-time essence of the mint julep experience. Many can be found for under $30.

And if you’re more concerned about the drink itself than how it’s served, you can get a serviceable glass julep cup (you can use a Collins or highball glass) for as little as $3 a piece if you buy a set.

In closing, I’ll leave you with a bit of trivia. If you have ever had a “gulab jamun” dessert at an Indian or Persian restaurant, you have tasted a surprising connection to the Julep. “Gulab” is actually the origin of the word julep. While julep usually connotes a sweet and sometimes medicinal drink, gulab means rosewater. And coincidentally, the winning horse of the Kentucky Derby is draped with a blanket of 554 red roses, hence why some also call the Derby the “Race for the Roses”.


Order Mint Juleps Cups


Or find julep cups on eBay:

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]]> http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-history/mint-juleps/feed/ 0 KY Bourbon Distilleries: A Frommer’s Top Destination for 2008 http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-industry/bourbon-trail-top-destination/ http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-industry/bourbon-trail-top-destination/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:06:38 +0000 LB http://www.bourbon-central.com/whiskey-industry/bourbon-trail-top-destination/ a

]]> whiskey barrels
Photo courtesy of Clearly Ambiguous

Frommer’s, the well-known publisher of dog-eared travel guides for every place on earth imaginable, has named the American Whiskey Trail one of thirteen Top Destinations for 2008 in the world.

The American Whiskey Trail is a list of historical whiskey sites suggested to tourists by the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., a trade organization for the liquor industry.

Of the distilleries listed in the AWT, all but three are Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries (I’m not counting the two rum distilleries in the Caribbean – it would be next to impossible to add those to a single travel itinerary).

While the AWT is a great starting point, and I applaud the Distilled Spirits Council for publishing it, there are richer resources for taking a trip through American whiskey history. To really get at the heart of American whiskey, I suggest you turn to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a campaign developed by the Kentucky Board of Tourism in cooperation with a number of well-known bourbon distilleries in the state. Their website provides maps, lists of nearby hotels, a primer on bourbon history & production, and plenty of gorgeous photography of bourbon country to really draw you in.

Each of the participating distilleries (big names and small) offer guided tours of the grounds and have gift shops to pick up souvenirs. Because some counties in Kentucky are still dry, not all are able to provide samplings, but most do. All seven are located in Central Kentucky and can be visited over the course of two days.

While I have not been to all of the distilleries on the Trail (still need to visit Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill), it’s safe to say they are all well worth a visit. Maker’s Mark is probably the best starting point — they clearly have invested the most in their visitor’s center and tour, creating what might be considered a bourbon theme park.

My favorite though, has to be Four Roses, because they take you through every part of the bourbon making process and let you see it close up — from grain selection to distillation, aging, and bottling — ducking under pipes and walking the distillery catwalk along the way. That’s not a knock on the others though, they are all fantastic and highly recommended!

For those of you who have been, which is your favorite distillery tour and why? Leave a comment below to let us know.

a

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