Bourbon! Since 1789, only two years from the time the American constitution was ratified, this American staple exhaled its first breath into history. It was created at the time of the birth of a nation, a nation that was young and energetic, full of life, love, naivety and a taste of a new independence. It can be said that bourbon - this part of our historical tradition - was brought to us by the French, by two brothers, originating from the Cognac region of France to Louisville. The brothers had a desire to bring the French-Louisiana Cognac of Bourbon Street to the Kentucky region of Bourbon County with their local variety of a cognac, by using corn. The real version, which came from the French Cognac region located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in Southeast France, was expensive, and in general it was logistically difficult to obtain, hence the high cost, which we experience even today. The two brothers took advantage of the rich Kentucky water and its high levels of minerals which is still favored in distilling; adding to the char of the oak barrels which would mimic the desired flavors of the cognac that they received from France. Little did they know that they would be creating a slight variation to an American predominant brand. With their recipes in mind and their clear entrepreneurial energy, they took to the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers to transport their new flavors.
Today, Bardstown, Kentucky is considered the bourbon capital of the world. It features an annual bourbon festival, drawing people from all over the world to taste the latest recipes and celebrate its history. There are 68 bourbon distilleries in Kentucky with a few in Tennessee, but Kentucky is still its natural home.
Bourbon Law:
What’s a great drink without a law! After all, the Germans have a beer law why can’t the Americans have a whiskey law? On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized bourbon as a ‘distinctive product of the United States’, and created its law for distinction. The law has its basic principles also known as the A, B, C, D, E, F & G; pretty easy.
1. A – must be made in AMERICA
2. B – must be charred in oak BARRELS
3. C – must have 51% or more of CORN
4. D – must have 80% abv (alcohol by volume) or 160 proof of DISTILLING
5. E – ENTERING the barrel it must have 62.5% abv or 125 proof
6. F – the bottle must be FILLED no less than 40% abv or 80 proof
7. G – no artificial colors or flavoring, must be GENUINE
Straight bourbon must be aged for a minimum of 2 years, any bourbon aged between 2 and 4 years requires a label indicating its youngest age, and anything over 4 years requires no label. So next time you pick up a bottle, look at the age; the older the bottle, the smoother the taste.
Woodford Reserve:
Located in Woodford County, not far from Lexington, Kentucky, in the middle of the Thoroughbred horse breeding capital of the world, Woodford Reserve has made its home since 1996. Yes, Woodford Reserve is relatively new but the site for which the distillery sits today has been distilling bourbon since 1812. The facility was originally founded under Elijah Pepper, and opened under the name Olde Oscar Pepper Distillery. Later, the distillery was purchased by Leopold Labrot and James Graham in 1878 under the name of Labrot and Graham Distillery, whose L&G initials still stand on the smoke stacks today. Battling the era of prohibition, the duo finally came to the end of distilling bourbon and sold the business in 1941 to Brown-Forman Corporation, owners of Old Forester. Brown-Forman closed the L&G Distillery in 1967. In 1993, Brown-Forman repurchased the Woodford County facility and in 1996 introduced the Woodford Reserve brand. Today Brown-Forman Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is the current owner of Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey along with a number of other spirits around the world. What makes Woodford Reserve special? It has won countless reviews by international spirit ratings and is the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Need I say more!
Conclusion:
We had a great time taking the tour and sampling several of their finest bourbons. We learned the proper way of tasting and feeling the various blends in each of the bourbon flavors and strongly recommend that you take an opportunity for a weekend trip to this region. Whether you’re a Bourbon lover or not, if you are a horse lover or not, Woodford County is most certainly a place to see. We strongly recommend and thank you for taking the time to read this review.
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