Bourbon 101
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Read MoreGin vs Vodka: Main Differences
Gin and vodka can both be made from nearly any fermented food. Possible ingredients include corn, potatoes, rye, wheat, sugar beets, sorghum, barley, carrots, and grapes. Regardless of the base, the resulting ferment must be distilled to produce either gin or vodka
Read MoreToasted And Charred - Bourbon Barrel 101
Toasted bourbon barrels are exposed to less extreme temperatures than barrels charred in a fast burn. Toasted barrels are most commonly used for wine. Bourbon aged in a toasted barrel is a special treat that's more difficult to find
Read MoreHow Vodka Is Made
The next 30% of the product is known as the "heart." This is the best part of the distillation and therefore the only liquid that will go on to the next steps. The last 35% is the "tail." Some vodka makers will keep the tail for further distillation in the next batch to get a little more product from it. The tail is still too impure to use as-is.
Read MoreConnecting Bourbon Street With Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon Street (or Rue Bourbon, as it was called then) sits in the heart of the city's French Quarter district, spanning 13 blocks from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street. It also runs through portions of the Marigny neighborhood. The early Bourbon Street featured homes, stables, and a small brewery, and many of the current structures feature the unique architectural style for which New Orleans is known and revered.
Read MoreWhiskey vs Whisky: What's The Difference?
The differentiation of whiskey versus whisky comes from Irish and Scottish Gaelic dialects of the words, "uisce beatha," which mean the "water of life." During the 18th century, Irish immigration to America was on the rise. Some people believe Irish whiskey producers were looking for a way to differentiate themselves from Scotch distillers at that time
Read MoreThe Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Most distillers stick to the typical three grain mash bill to produce their bourbons. Some very bold distillers are experimenting with four grains to produce very original and very complex straight bourbon whiskeys
Read MoreBourbon vs Rye: Main Differences
When you ask a bartender for a Manhattan, they will ask you a simple question — rye or bourbon? While both dark liquors have a long history in North America, specifically in the American South, their varied ingredients create two very different flavor profiles. Understanding the difference between rye and bourbon can go a long way toward making the perfect cocktail
Read MoreScotch vs Whiskey: Main Differences
The ingredients are what really set apart whiskey and Scotch. Whiskey is a spirit distilled from a combination of grains like barley, wheat, rye, and corn. The types and amount of grains used in the production process will vary depending on the type of whiskey.
Read MoreHow Bourbon Is Made
By definition, the mash bill for bourbon is at least 51% corn. The prominence of this large grain in the mash bill is the reason for bourbon's characteristic sweetness compared to other types of whiskeys, and many distilleries opt to use a much larger proportion of this large grain — 70%, 80%, or even 90%...
Read MoreBourbon vs Whiskey: Key Differences
Bourbon vs Whiskey? Is there a real difference? Though bourbon is a type of whiskey, there are specific criteria it has to meet to qualify as bourbon, and these contribute to the unique characteristics of the drink. Aside from the grain compositions, several other key characteristics separate bourbon from other types of whiskey...
Read MoreExploring Double And Triple Malt Bourbons
What is a double malt bourbon? A single malt whiskey? What about a four-grain triple malt bourbon - a single grain whiskey, or a single malt scotch? These terms can be very confusing, and rightfully so.
Read MoreFour Grain Bourbon
But, what about a four grain bourbon? What might a mash bill for a 4-grain bourbon look like? A four grain bourbon is one which includes four distinct grains or, possibly contains three or more grains with grain processing variations. Here is an example mash bill
Read MoreTop 10 Traits Of A "Best Bourbon"
To state it simply, great bourbon – or what some might call “the best bourbon” simply tastes great. Bourbon drinkers have different preferences when it comes to flavor, but they can usually agree on certain taste characteristics, such as how balanced or complex the flavors of a particular bourbon are.
Read MoreBourbon vs Whiskey vs Scotch
Imagine you enter a liquor store, and hanging signs mark the aisles. You look up and see "whiskey," "bourbon," and "scotch" above one aisle whose shelves hold hundreds of gleaming bottles of straw-colored, amber, or brown spirits. With that much choice, you may wonder which bottle is the one for you or even what distinguishes these types — whiskey, bourbon, and scotch — from one another. If you've ever found yourself in this dilemma, this guide may be helpful to you.
Read MoreHow Whiskey Is Made
Despite many differences, what all whiskeys have in common is the care and mastery involved in their production. The making of whiskey is a long-held tradition that has taken centuries to refine, and we get to enjoy that refinement in a multitude of forms today.
Read MoreP.X. Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon: History and Distilling Process
Pedro Ximénez (sometimes Pedro Ximinez, Ximénès, Jimenez, PX, or P.X.) is a description for naturally highly-sweet dessert wines. These wines are actually created with a grape variety with the same name.
Read MoreHistory Of The Mint Julep
When the weather turns warm, you can expect to see more mint juleps in the hands of home mixologists and bar patrons. The frosty, perspiring cup with its mound of ice and sprig of mint peeking over the brim represents pure refreshment and well-executed simplicity.
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