Current Category
Spirits,Brandy,Bourbon, Cognacs & Liqueurs > Bourbon Whiskey
 Bourbon is a purely American liquor and the pride of Kentucky, it is derived from corn, but other grains are involved. Bourbon must be at least 51 percent corn, at more than 80 percent , by Federal USA law it is denominated corn whiskey. We still think of bourbon in the genteel context of lush grass, horses, antebellum mansions, and branch water. The basis of the mint julep. On the other hand, we think of corn whiskey as the product made by the light of the moon by that quintessential American folk character, the hillbilly. The drink was celebrated in the cartoon strip L'il Abner as "Kickapoo Joy Juice". A more modern, urban image of bourbon has a hard bitten edge to it; it is the hard boiled private eye's preferred eye - opener and the preprandial of choice in yesterday's steak-and-chop houses pungent with the smoke of burning cigarettes and beef fat. Bourbon is still the foundation of a perfect Manhattan, and mint juleps are delightful before viewing the Kentucky Derby on TV, and no doubt there are still those who enjoy a bourbon and ginger ale - a" highball"
For bourbon production the nature of the barrel and aging process is especially important. All bourbon must be aged in new, charred, white oak for at least two years. White oak from cold forests, such as those in Northern Minnesota, is preferred. The wood grain is denser because the trees grow more slowly in the harsher climate. The wood is dried in a temperature controlled warehouse for thirty days. It is said that Maker's Mark, a premium bourbon, incurs the higher cost of leaving the wood in the open air for up to three years because this reduces the bitterness in the wood. After the drying, the wood is heated to reduce the moisture in it. The barrels are then assembled. they will have a fifty three gallon capacity, and when full of bourbon, weigh about five hundred pounds. After the barrels are constructed they are charred or "toasted" over a controlled but intense fire for one or two minutes. There are four levels of char, from light char to deep char. The deeper the char, the deeper the colour, aroma, and flavour of the bourbon. During the charring process, the starches in the wood are converted into sugars. By char level three, the sap is caramelised by the heat, creating a vanilla - like flavour and forming the "red layer" that will contribute to the character of a premium bourbon. After being filled with bourbon, the barrels are stored in warehouses on racks or ricks designed to allow air to flow around the barrels.
After - dinner bourbons are usually one of three types of ultra premium whiskeys: single barrel, small batch, and pot-still bourbon. Single barrel bourbons come from only one barrel, and the details of its manufacture are often handwritten on the bottle's label. These bourbons have received special treatment by being singled out by the master distiller as exemplary of a particular style.The 'Best of the Best".. Fine Single - Barrel Bourbons: to look for are Blanton's Rock Hill Farms, Elmer T. Lee, Benchmark, Hancock's Reserve, and Wild turkey's Kentucky Spirit. If it's a small batch bourbon you want, try Jim Beam (Booker's), Knob Creek, Barker's, Basil Hayden, and Woodford Reserve. however, if you want to seek out the best of the best, here are an expert's recommendations. For a ...Pot Still Straight Bourbon: made interestingly in Pennsylvania. Paul Pacult gives it the highest recommendation, and finds flavours of mint, banana, brown sugar, maple, and red fruit, to name several. For ... Small Batch Bourbon: he gives his recommendation to Barker's "7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon/Small Batch", noting that Baker's is the most cognac like American whiskey out there. Single Barrel Bourbon: he highly recommends Blanton's Single - Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon; Barrel No. 444, Rick No 9, Warehouse H - Bottled in Oct 1993." the highest rank is to Maker's Mark "Limited Edition" Kentucky Straight Bourbon, calling it "truly one of the great whiskeys.
 |
Baker Beam 750ml
Baker’s Bourbon is seven-years-old and hand-bottled at 107 proof. Embracing over six generations of distilling experience, Baker's Bourbon utilizes a special strain of jug yeast that has been in the family for over 60 years. This time tested yeast provides Baker's with a silky smooth texture and consistent taste from batch to batch. Baker’s is a remarkably smooth bourbon. Intensely flavorful, full-bodied and ideally balanced, it is preferred by Cognac aficionados, making for an excellent after dinner drink.
|
|
 |
Basil Hayden 750ml
Basil Hayden ... The recipe of this remarkable bourbon dates back to 1796, when Basil Hayden himself was a master distiller. Hayden was born and raised in Maryland, where he learned to make whiskey from rye. When he came to Kentucky, Hayden began making whiskey from a base of corn, but added a higher percentage of rye than other distillers, resulting in a smooth, mild bourbon that was distinctly his own. Basil Hayden’s is unique in that it utilizes twice as much rye in it as the other bourbons in the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection. This abundance of rye gives it a slightly peppery taste and aroma, perfect for sipping on the rocks.
|
|
 |
Beams Straight Rye Whisky 700ml
Pale amber color. Wet grain, walnut, rye toast, and caramel aromas have a worty edge and follow through to a supple, dryish medium-to-full body with prominent notes of wet grain and stones. Finishes nicely with a sweet caramel, creamy vanilla, limestone,and white pepper fade. A solid mixing option, especially for a Sazerac.
|
|
 |
Booker's Bourbon 750ml
In 1988, Booker Noe introduced his own signature bourbon, Booker's True Barrel Bourbon. Inspired by a 200-year-old tradition, Booker's is the only bourbon bottled straight-from-the-barrel, uncut and unfiltered. First created as a holiday gift for his special friends, Booker's whiskey was so well-received that he decided to make it available to bourbon lovers worldwide; much to the joy of spirit connoisseurs everywhere. Booker's Bourbon is the only uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel, connoisseur's sipping bourbon available today.
|
|
 |
Bulliet Bourbon 700ml
The Bulleit family has been making frontier Whiskey for generations. Originally produced 150 years ago by Augustus Bulleit, the recipe was rediscovered by his great, great grandson, Thomas E. Bulleit Jnr in 1987. This truly is World Champion Bourbon, taking Gold medals at San Francisco. "A highly recommended distilled spirit whose attributes, in the opinion of the author, are of exemplary quality and character within the established standards of its category. An outstanding product which is worthy of a search!" -The Spirit Journal
|
|
 |
Cougar Bourbon 700ml
American Bourbon is inimitable. It can only be made in the USA, and must be aged for two years in new American oak barrels that have been charred on the inside. There is also a requirement that the distillate be composed of not less than 51%, and not more than 79% corn, to be entitled to the name Bourbon. Distilled using traditional methods and aged for five years in American oak barrels, Cougar's distinctive flavour is enhanced by classic charred oak-toast flavouring giving rise to a sweet, vanilla nose. This contemporary Bourbon appeals most to those who appreciate authenticity and quality
|
|
|
Cougar Bourbon 1125ml
American Bourbon is inimitable. It can only be made in the USA, and must be aged for two years in new American oak barrels that have been charred on the inside. There is also a requirement that the distillate be composed of not less than 51%, and not more than 79% corn, to be entitled to the name Bourbon. Distilled using traditional methods and aged for five years in American oak barrels, Cougar's distinctive flavour is enhanced by classic charred oak-toast flavouring giving rise to a sweet, vanilla nose. This contemporary Bourbon appeals most to those who appreciate authenticity and quality
|
|
 |
Cougar Bourbon XS Premium 700ml
Distilled using traditional methods and aged for five years in American oak barrels, Cougar's distinctive flavour is enhanced by classic charred oak-toast flavouring giving rise to a sweet, vanilla nose. This contemporary Bourbon appeals most to those who appreciate authenticity and quality.
|
|
 |
Jack Daniels Bourbon 700ml
Charcoal-mellowing refers to a process used to make Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. Charcoal Mellowing is what makes Jack Daniel's a smooth sippin' Tennessee Whiskey instead of a bourbon. The process involves slowly dripping the newly made whiskey through giant containers hard-packed with 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. The process takes ten days, and during this time the Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey absorbs the essence of the charcoal, refining the spirit and giving it a unique flavor and aroma.
|
|
|
Jack Daniels Bourbon 1000ml
Charcoal-mellowing refers to a process used to make Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. Charcoal Mellowing is what makes Jack Daniel's a smooth sippin' Tennessee Whiskey instead of a bourbon. The process involves slowly dripping the newly made whiskey through giant containers hard-packed with 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. The process takes ten days, and during this time the Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey absorbs the essence of the charcoal, refining the spirit and giving it a unique flavor and aroma.
|
|
[1] 2 3 4 Next Page
|
