Cherry flavored bourbon?!?!? My god I didn't know such awful things existed....probably for the better.
[Reply]

My pleasure brother and agreed, Stagg is some tasty, toasty stuff :-)

________________________________________


Someone mentioned above that all bourbon is from Kentucky. this is not entirely true. Taken from Wiki:

Bourbon is an American whiskey, a type of distilled spirit, made primarily from corn (maize) and named for Bourbon County, Kentucky. It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States." The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5.22) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

* Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.[1]
* Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
* Neither coloring nor flavoring may be added.
* Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. [1]
* Bourbon must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
* Bourbon, like other whiskeys, may be bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume.)
* Bourbon that meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.[2]
* Straight Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
* If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
* Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.[3]
[Reply]

Yep. Stagg is great, although I definitely like the Weller of the BTAC much better. That stuff is amazing. Straight (neat), smooth, no heat at first, amazing flavor, then warming of the torso. Awesome stuff.

People also say bourbon has to come from bourbon county...

Virginia Gentleman is a bourbon.

But of course all the good bourbon comes from Kentucky :-)


Just finished some Four Roses Limited 2010 Barrel Strength. Good stuff as well. Very nice.
[Reply]

I haven't seen ANY bourbon that wasn't from Kentucky, I'm still 99.9% sure no matter what Wikipedia says (really it's not a reliable source, anyone can post in that $hit) that all bourbon MUST have spent at least 2 years in Kentucky. It may say made in "somewhere else" but it must spend at least a few years in the state of Kentucky. Then and again that's just what I've read and learned.

-Bill
[Reply]

I thought that burbons were made in Kentucky and whiskey in Tennessee but the smokin hot chic in the Jack Daniels trailer told me I was wrong. I think it has something to do with charring the inside of the barrel. It was a few years ago and I was drunk but I think that was it.
[Reply]

I cannot find anything that supports this 100%, but I have to agree that if it's call a Bourbon, it had to be produce in Bourbon, County KY. Everything else, in that category, is either a Rye, Whiskey or Mash. :-)
[Reply]

From my understanding, if it's made in Kentucky and is at least 51% corn, it can be called bourbon. Anything else is just whiskey.
[Reply]

That's my understanding as well. But there are some very good bourbons/whiskeys from other places as well. A.H. Hirsh Special Selection 20yr is distilled and aged in Illinois. Michters used to be distilled in Pennsylvania (not sure where it is now) and Stranahans is a really good micro distillery out of Colorado. While yes, location means alot for aging and water source (like they say about Daniels and Kentucky) nothing can overcome the passion and care that the guys in Kentucky put into their bourbons. The pride they have shows in every sip i.e. Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill etc...
[Reply]

And has to be aged for at least 2 (maybe 3, can't remember) years in new, charred white oak barrels.
[Reply]

Been looking for the Stranahans, but not available in Bama (but, we have really moronic people running our ABC board). I have it listed on my iPhone lists of "things to look for", and plan on checking for it in Ft. Lauderdale this week!

Oh, just for clarity, Jack Daniels is Lynchburg, Tennessee. May be the only distillery in a dry county inthe USA!!!
[Reply]

The Wiki does have good references sometimes.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...T=5&SECTION=22

Jack Daniels charcoal filters their whiskey, and they don't want to be classified as bourbon anyway, so that is why theirs is called TN Whiskey. I believe (although don't have any references) they use a "bourbon" mash, as in over 51% corn. Whiskey can be made anywhere.

Probably because it is not true. There are no distilleries in Bourbon County :-)

http://www.straightbourbon.com/articles/ccname.html


See first link:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...T=5&SECTION=22


These are the cliffs from the StraighBourbon page about the origin:

"When American pioneers pushed west of the Allegheny Mountains following the Revolution, the first counties they founded covered vast regions. One of these original, huge counties was Bourbon, established in 1785 and named after the French royal family. While this vast county was being carved into many smaller ones, early in the 19th century, many people continued to call the region 'Old Bourbon.'

"Located within 'Old Bourbon' was the principal Ohio River port from which whiskey and other products were shipped to market. 'Old Bourbon' was stenciled on the barrels to indicate their port of origin. 'Old Bourbon' whiskey was different because it was the first corn whiskey most people had ever tasted, and they liked it. In time, 'bourbon' became the name for any corn-based whiskey."



Hope that helps :-)
[Reply]

Yeah, reading what I wrote sounds weird, it should read "like Jack Daniels in Tennessee and Kentucky distillers."

I can get Stranahans in Ga but it is pricey, for the cost I'd rather buy BT or Bookers. That being said, it is worth a try, a good (if maybe a bit sharp) bourbon.
[Reply]

Yea I've been wanting to try Stranahans as well, but it's like $45+ here and I can get some fine bourbon for that price like Jefferson's Reserve Very Old.
[Reply]

Well this time the you should have gone with the .1% The article that Wiki referenced was straight from the Government website that had the law listed. Bourbon is defined by law not by opinion.

Whiskey can be made anywhere but bourbon can only come from the US (not just Kentucky). Jim Beam is located in Bullitt County, KY and I don't think we have to argue that Beam, Bookers, Knob Creek etc. are bourbons.



Stanahan's Colorado Whiskey was very tasty. Reminded me more of a Scotch than a bourbon but it was good. But I do agree that for the price I am going to choice something else almost every time. The head dude there is the guy who started Flying Dog Brewery as well.
[Reply]

Yea I heard FD Brewery did the mash and pumped it over, but didn't know the same guy started both. That's my dream. Trying to start a brewpub in a few years, and it would be awesome to start up a distillery at some point.
[Reply]

Bourbon does NOT have to come from Kentucky. If it is labeled "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" then it is from Kentucky. If it is from some other state (there are several others that produce bourbon) then it will say "Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey" or "Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey", etc. Kentucky prides itself and markets itself as being "the" producer of bourbon, but they do not have a 100% monopoly on bourbon.
[Reply]

I wrote my post above before I saw your response. :-)
[Reply]

I like this thread, Bourbon (whiskey) is good....:-)
[Reply]

I read here, but never post. but feel this is worth sharing. I got to visit the woodford reserve distillery this past weekend. If you never hve been there make the trip. It was awesome. Fantastic tour. Beautiful area. Very very knowledgeable staff, could talk with them for hours. Also picked up the new masters blend. Its a maple barrel finish in a toasted (not baked) barrel. Its great. hints of maple syrup all over it, but not thick a all. IDK if it justifies the 90 dollar price tag, but its nice to try as a LE type of thing. Pictures will be posted when my gf downloads them from the camera.

i also visited 4 roses while in the area. Wish i could have done all 6 major distillerys. Its amazing the difference in small batch vs mass production. I knew going in the 4 roses wasn't as good (per reviews) but i had never had it. I was deff not for me. they only age their barrels 2 years. its very raw and very fresh. It had a ton of spice to it. Didnt like it. couldn't name the flavor. but not for me.

cant wait to go back and see the rest of the distilleries. luckily the girl is just as excited as I am to go back. Just wish i could bottles the smell of angles share to smell every once in a while.
[Reply]

Oh yeah the woodford masters collections are great! I agree the price tag is a bit high. I wish they were like $30 cheaper.
[Reply]