Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, I decided to write a post about irish whiskey (or whisky).
I saw a question posted in bourbon Facebook group and it struck me as strange:
Can a bourbon lover like scotch or Irish whiskey?
I’m not sure that this has ever been a question that crossed my mind. I’m an equal opportunity drinker. I enjoy different types of drinks depending on the situation. I love myself some craft beer and I’ll most likely have some with a yummy pizza from the Heorot today. I’ll have a glass of wine when I’m at a nice restaurant. And I’ll sip on some irish whiskey if there is some around.
But I know that I’m a rare case.
Bourbon lovers are a passionate bunch and they can be very particular about their drink of choice. While some might be willing to try other types of whiskey, others might not be so adventurous.
So, can a bourbon lover like scotch or Irish whiskey?
It really depends on the person.
There are many different types of whiskey out there, and each has its own distinct flavor profile. Some people prefer the sweeter, more robust flavor of bourbon, while others prefer the smoky, peaty flavor of scotch.
While the answer may be yes for some people, it’s probably not going to be a unanimous decision.
Bourbon is made with corn, which gives it a sweeter taste, while scotch is made with barley and often has smoky notes from being distilled over peat fires. Irish whiskey is somewhere in between, usually made with barley but sometimes with other grains like wheat or rye.
So if you’re used to the sweetness of bourbon, scotch and Irish whiskey might seem a bit too intense.
But that’s not to say that you can’t enjoy both bourbon and other types of whiskey. Many people find that they enjoy exploring different types of whiskey and discovering new favorites. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. So if you’re a bourbon lover, don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new – you just might find that you like it!
There are some great Scotch and Irish whiskeys out there, so it’s definitely worth giving them a try. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite spirit!Some bourbon lovers will find that they enjoy scotch or Irish whiskey just as much as their go-to drink, while others may stick to bourbon exclusively. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s all about what you enjoy!
In this post, I walk through my quest to collect 21 bottles of bourbon for my son by his 21st birthday. Readers have given their two cents – Some think this is amazing idea. Some gave me some suggestions on which bourbons to pick up for my son’s 3rd birthday. Some people told me that I was making my son an alcoholic and that I was being selfish for buying my son these bottles. I had to take a laugh when I read that comment:
This is very selfish on the father’s behalf. What if your son doesn’t want to drink? Isn’t there a better way to invest that time and money into something that isn’t booze? Setting the kid up to be an alcoholic.
PETER
Yes. Unopened bottles of bourbon that a dad buys for his child is going to cause him to become an alcoholic. My response was:
If my son doesn’t want to drink it, I’m going to have a great time enjoying it myself. And he will have a very nice college fund covered as well. This is just one of the investments we have for our amazing child.
Chris
Joking aside, it’s been entertaining to read the comments and I figured I would update the blog on what I decided to purchase for my son’s 3rd birthday bottle.
The Motivation
I posted my article in a few different Facebook groups and I had one comment that stood out to me:
When you see the right bottle, you will know.
A Random Guy on Facebook
I have been struggling since my son’s birthday to choose the bourbon I wanted to add to the collection. I wanted something special and meaningful. I wanted something that wasn’t going to break the bank. I want something that wouldn’t be around in 18 years.
And yet, I had no idea what I really wanted.
Finally on last Friday, I walked into my in-laws house and my father-in-law said: Do you want your birthday present?
Since my birthday was multiple months away, I was curious and I said heck yes. And he pulled out a bottle of OCD #5. One of my top 5 bourbons of all time. He had taken a trip down to Kentucky and stopped and picked me up a bottle. He was so excited to give it to me and I was beyond excited to receive it. I cracked it open that night and I look forward to having a put of it tomorrow.
So it got me thinking. If I got that excited receiving a bottle of Glenn’s Creek OCD #5, wouldn’t that be an awesome bottle for my son’s collection?
The Email
And like someone was reading my mind, I received the following email from Glenn’s Creek the next day (I had never received an email from them before in my life that I remember):
A few unique, LIMITED products in the GCD Vault/Premium OCD #5 update
A little update on a few unique products available in the GCD Vault.
Possibly the last barrel of Single Malt Whiskey from GCD, not because it’s not delicious, but fermenting Single Malt is a completely different process than fermenting Bourbons. We currently do not have the space to process both products. So, the third barrel of Millville Malt has a few Hand Filtered and a few regular filtered bottles remaining.
News update on OCD #5 PREMIUM – Looks like Mid to Late Summer 2023 on the next delicious barrel of OCD #5 PREMIUM. It is tasting good but, not yet to PREMIUM standards.
You will be the first to know it is in the bottle.
Thank you for supporting our passion! Thanks for reading.
If you just read that email, you might have seen a few possibilities of items to add to my son’s collection. The Cafe Ole has only 6 bottles ever. The single malt is never coming back. The OCD #5 Premium is coming soon and I could wait and pick him up the high class version of my favorite.
But one thing caught my eye more than the rest.
A few bottles remain of the FIRST barrel of R.W. Robinson Infinity Whiskey
I clicked on the list and read this description:
R. W. Robinson’s Legacy – Infinity Whiskey
I first met R.W. Robinson (he introduced himself as Bob) in 2014 at the old distillery. When he told me he had been the Superintendent I was excited to be able to ask questions of someone who actually worked here. At the end of our conversation, I thought it was a great experience, and that I would not see Bob again. Thankfully, I was wrong, and Bob comes to visit us on a regular basis.
It has been a privilege to learn from Bob’s 40 years of experience in the world of bourbon. Things in the industry have certainly changed since Bob’s tenure. We owe a debt of gratitude to R. W. Robinson and with every sip his Legacy will continue.
David Meier Owner/Head Distiller Glenns Creek Distilling
R. W. Robinson’s Legacy Infinity Whiskey is created by comingling the various bourbon mash bills in single ONCE in a lifetime combination. Each once used bourbon barrel’s mash bill is unique, never to be duplicated.
750ml bottles available through the GCD Vault.
Distilled, Aged and Bottled by Glenns Creek Distillery.
I was looking for something special to me. I was looking for something that wouldn’t be around 18 years from now. I was looking for something that I could share with my son.
And then it literally landed in my pocket.
I’ve never had the R. W. Robinson’s Legacy – Infinity Whiskey and not many people will ever have the opportunity. And this is exactly what I was looking for to add to my son’s collection.
The Why
When picking the bottles to add to my son’s collection, I want the following:
Something with a story – Just buying a bottle of bourbon isn’t enough. I want to have a story to tell about purchasing the bottle.
Something that isn’t normal – Sure, I could drive down to Buffalo Trace and grab a bottle of the stuff they have on the shelf that day. But that’s what all bourbon hunters want. And I want my son to know that you don’t have to be the typical person. It’s ok to be different and to stand out. And that’s what I want my picks to be. This is different than when I started and I imagine my perspective will change many times, but I don’t want the stuff everyone wants.
Something personal – I want to leave a part of me in the collection. I am planning on being there when my son turns 21, but I can’t predict life. I want the collection to be a gift that is a part of me for my son, so it only makes sense to pick one of my favorite distilleries. And it gives me something amazing to look forward to in 18 years. Worst case, I have a great bottle for me to drink (here’s looking at you PETER).
The whole idea of an infinity bottle really made me think deep (or meta as the kids now say – and I imagine I used that in the wrong context). The barrel never ends, but nothing is ever the same. Just like life. Life is always going and yet nothing is ever the same.
The legacy of R.W. Robinson lives on. I’ve never personally met Bob, but I imagine it would be a great conversation (if the guys from Glenn’s Creek like him, he must be a good time). It’s kinda cool to think that I’m going to introduce my son to R.W. Robinson who had 40 years of experience in the bourbon world. And by the time my son drinks this bottle, it might be 60 years since Bob helped created bourbon for the world, but his legacy remains. And that is something that all of us can hope we can do one day.
Conclusion
It was quite the challenge this year to pick my son’s next bottle, but it’s a challenge I enjoy and look forward to each year. And I think it’s a nice time to reflect on myself and my son each year. And I landed with a bottle that should be a perfect fit into my collection and my story.
Side note: I’m also excited to have an excuse to drive down to Frankfort, Kentucky to pick up this bottle. I’m never mad to travel to Bourbon Country.
If you are following this journey, I hope this was enlightening with my next choice and the rationale behind it.
If you are PETER, I hope this post makes your realize I’m not making my son an alcoholic. I’m building a collection (that I will drink no matter what) that I can share with my son. And you should not be reading a bourbon blog if you are going to be a Debbie Downer.
If you were to walk into my house right now, you would not find much bourbon at all.
I’m not kidding. My liquor shelf has one bottle of bourbon on it at the moment. It’s a bottle of Old Forester 100. And that’s it. There are a few bottles back in my closet for my kid 18 years from now, but I’m down to my last bottle of bourbon at the house.
As the “bourbon master,” you might be wondering why I have such a small collection of bourbon….
It’s simple really. I like to drink it and share it. Having a shelf full of full bottles is just not something I’m interested in having.
Let me explain.
The Reason I Dislike Collecting Bourbon
If you look in my house, the only thing I collect is dust and a drawer full of t-shirts. I’m no crazy Kondo lady, but I just don’t have a strong tie to things (except that junk drawer that all midwest households have).
I could care less about the things in my life. I enjoy the experiences.
I guess this goes back to hearing all of the old people talk over the years. I have never heard a single old man (or woman) talk about the really nice bourbon collection they had when they were younger. I rarely hear anyone talking about the high end shirt or pants they had when they are reminiscing with friends.
What you hear about are the experiences. The crazy, the stupid, and the fun experiences. No one cares about the “things” in the end, what they care about are the people they were able to share them with.
Bourbon is the same way. No one cares if you have a collection of Pappy that has never been open. No one cares if you have the best collection in the world. Because at the end of the day, it’s just that. It’s a collection. And at some point, you will either consume, gift, or sell the collection away.
Don’t get me wrong. There could be some serious money made by bourbon collectors. And I can’t blame people for doing that. As a business professor, I encourage the pursuit of a profit, but I value things a bit differently.
Let’s Go Deeper
There are a few things you need to know about me that will make my stance of collecting bourbon a little clearer:
I don’t go hunting for bourbon. I have stumbled onto a few allocated products by accident, but I don’t go hopping from liquor store to liquor store. Nothing against it, but it’s just not for me. I would rather pick up a few store picks and enjoy a bottle of something I will never have again.
I’m friends with a handful of bourbon drinkers that I see multiple times per week. I’m lucky in the fact that I have people to share my bourbon with, but it does disappear quicker when you have multiple people drinking it. But it’s nice to head to their place and have a great bottle waiting on me at their house as well.
I have a family history of a few close medical calls with strokes – I have taken all of the preventive steps, but I can’t control my health. I believe tomorrow is never promised and I take that to heart. Why keep something that you might never get to drink?
I like to go out and find new places. This leads me to having a few drinks out more frequently than having a bottle at my house. I would rather try something I’ve never had then just buy a full bottle of it. How do I know if I like it or not? I’ll take my chances with one pour instead of one bottle.
I like bourbon. So I love to drink it. Saving it just makes me have to buy something else to drink. I would like to eat my cake instead of have it too.
None of this makes my stance right, but it at least gives you a background on why I am the way I am. In academics, it’s called researching positionally and it’s the process of explaining the person behind the work and their view and influences on the subject on which they are writing. This gives you the perspective in which to view my comments through my lens and understand why I say the things I say.
It doesn’t make me right or wrong. It makes me. And now you understand why I’m me.
A Quote To Leave You With
If you haven’t watched the bourbon puff piece Neat on Netflix, you might want to go and watch it some evening. It’s filled with a lot of marketing shots and pieces, but it does tell a decent story. And there is one scene that has stuck with me more than anything I have watched in a very long time.
Here’s the scene and quote:
Freddie Johnson tells the story of when Julian Van Winkle Jr. gave him a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year old. That night, after pouring his dad and his brother a glass, Freddie went to put the cork back in the bottle and his dad stopped him. His dad said:
“Never save bourbon when sharing with friends and family.” “There will always be more bourbon. We are the fragile part of this equation.” Freddie went on to say, “It’s not about the whiskey, it’s about the lives you touch and the people you meet and the whiskey is a by-product of a good relationship.”
Not soon after that, Freddie Johnson’s father passed away. It was one of the last chances Freddie had to share a drink with his dad.
If that doesn’t make you want to call your friends over and open your best bottle, I’m not sure what would.
So don’t wait. Tomorrow isn’t promised, so enjoy the bourbon now and make memories that will last forever.
If you have hopped into any Bourbon Facebook group or Reddit thread, you might have thought you were reading another language. I felt the same way. There is a series of codes, acronyms, and abbreviations that have been developed to use in these groups to speed up the posting process. If you don’t know what they are, it will look like gibberish. Once you start to figure it out, you can quickly scan posts and understand what is being talked about.
Here is a list of the common abbreviations and shorthand below. It’s not complete by any means, but it’s a good starting place for anyone just getting started in the bourbon communities online.
Bourbon Acronyms and Abbreviations
1B = Single Barrel
4R = Four Roses (sometimes FR)
4RYL = Four Roses Yellow Label
AA = Ancient Age (also AAA, Ancient Ancient Age)
ABV = Alcohol By Volume
AE = Angel’s Envy
AECS = Angel’s Envy Cask Strength
AS = Age Stated
🦌 = Bucks – This is a way to get around Facebook policies and post prices
BF = Brown Forman
BIB = Bottled In Bond
Bones = This is a substitute for dollars – Another way to skirt Facebook rules.
BMH = Black Maple Hill
BP = Barrel Proof
BT = Buffalo Trace
BUMP= This is a Facebook hack where you can put your post back at the top of the group. You put this in the comments and it will “bump” the post back to the top.
CEHT = Colonel E.H. Taylor (also EHT)
CONUS = Shipping included in price inside continental US
CS = Cask Strength
EC = Elijah Craig
ECBP = Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
EHT = E.H. Taylor
ER = Eagle Rare
ET = Early Times
ETL = Elmer T. Lee
EW = Evan Williams
F’Fort = Frankfort
FR = Four Roses
GD = George Dickel
GNS = Grain Neutral Spirits
GTS = George T. Stagg
H21 = Hirsch 21; H22 = Hirsch 22, etc.
Hazmat = Any whiskey over 140 proof (not allowed to go on a plane)
HH = Heaven Hill
HW = High West
JB = Jim Beam
JD = Jack Daniels
KBD = Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (aka Willett)
KO= Kentucky Owl
KOR= Kentucky Owl Rye
L’Burg = Lawrenceburg, KY
LB= Little Book
LDI = Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana, former Seagrams Distillery
LE = Limited Edition
L’Ville = Louisville
Lot B = Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 yr, Lot B
M10, M20 = Michter’s 10, 20 yr single barrel
MGP = MGP of Indiana, former Seagrams Distillery
MM = Maker’s Mark
MWND = Mid Winter Night’s Dram
NAS = Non Age Stated
NCF= Non Chill Filltered
NDP = Non Distilling Producer, i.e. a rectifier like Jefferson’s, Dickel etc.
He has dealt with me for years and hasn’t lost his shit yet, so he is pretty close to sainthood.
He might fall into potholes in Green Bay (see the picture below), but I’d take him anywhere he wanted to go. Except the waterfront in Sheboygan, but that is a story for another day.
I will forever hold this picture against my dad because he passed on “medical advice” and we missed the Packers game. Sure the medical advice was to take two pain pills and drink some beers, but it seems like the very Wisconsin thing to do (note: follow all medical advice – I’m not a doctor).
I can only hope my son will think of me the same way. Sure. I give my dad some shit, but he is a major part of who I am today. And I will be forever thankful. I would go to the ends of the earth (or miss an overtime Packers game for you).
That being said. He doesn’t like bourbon.
And that’s ok.
Let me explain why and give you a few reasons you shouldn’t care what people decide to drink. Partly because it’s my job to write about things like this and partly because why the heck do you care in the first place.
That being said, let me explain what I’m doing to explain bourbon to my dad.
I was going to write an article about explaining bourbon to my dad, but I think I could provide some more insight on a few different lessons. I think bourbon and life is more than just an article online, so I hope this hits a few different areas while still providing some value.
Lesson 1 – Bourbon Is Good and So Is Everything Else
Well duh.
My dad doesn’t like bourbon and that’s ok. He’s more of an Irish Whiskey guy (because he’s Irish).
But I have learned that it doesn’t matter.
My experiences in bourbon have taught me you can take a non-bourbon drinker and enjoy an evening with them. Regardless of if they enjoy it at all. I have sat by my dad and tried some amazing bourbons and scotch. And we have different opinions. And it’s great to disagree on something that doesn’t matter. He has learned about single barrel bourbons and has been to a few tastings. He still not a fan, but he is trying. And I appreciate it. The Evan Williams bottle at is great when I don’t have a beer in the fridge to drink (plus it was a nice tasting). And we go to bourbon tasting together. we don’t agree on most, but we enjoy trying it together.
And I’ll try it all again. And I hope we don’t agree. Because it’s great discussion when we don’t.
That’s the magic of bourbon. You don’t need the same tastes to enjoy a great evening.
Lesson 2 – Bourbon Isn’t What It Used To Be
From my experiences, I have learned that bourbon wasn’t great a few years ago.
Actually, it sucked.
I can remember a tasting at Four Roses where the nice ladies explained the history of Four Roses and their rise from ashes. And it sold me on the idea of better bourbon.
And I had to realize that some people had the idea that bourbon sucked.
And that’s ok.
Bourbon has evolved over the last 5 years and it continues to evolve. And those who haven’t enjoyed it might be surprised with the evolution over the years. And if they aren’t, that’s ok too. I just hope people give it a chance.
Lesson 3 – The Story Makes The Bourbon and So Does The Experience
When you really look at bourbon, it’s all about the story.
I’m one with a really good memory. I can remember what you ordered at a resturant if we only have met once. I remember what my students are interested in and how I can help them in the future.
And I remember the stories.
When it comes to drinking bourbon (or anything for that matter), I remember the experience. And 99% of the time, I remember the great time we’ve had. I remember the burning of a couch and I remember the riding in the back of a Jeep. I remember our trip to Green Bay and I remember our trip to DC. I remember the experience and I could care less on everything else.
And that’s the point. As I “teach” you about bourbon, I think the main point is that it’s the time spent with others enjoying something together. It’s the shared experience that I remember. I don’t need a crazy awesome bottle of bourbon, because who cares!? I want an evening tasting scotch (that I’m not sold on) that we can talk about forever. And that’s why. I enjoy the time spent and I enjoy remembering it.
Conclusion
When I look at all of this, I can say I’m blessed.
I have an amazing dad who might not get the credit he deserves. I know the sacrifices you have made over the years and I appreciate it. I’m a guy of a lot of words, but sometimes I don’t have the words for everything.
I hope my son realizes how much his dad loves him and I hope it’s as much as you love me. It’s sappy, but I have a great dad who worked his ass off to make my life awesome. And he should probably stop being such a cheap ass.
If you are reading this far, I hope you learn that bourbon is more than a spirit. It’s an experience that should be shared with everyone you love. And it’s ok to overshare.
In the lovely city of Muncie, Indiana, there is a dark craft beer bar named the Heorot. Owned by the guys over at the Guardian Brewery, the Heorot has been a staple in the craft beer community for decades. With a ton of beers on tap and in their coolers, you can literally drink hundreds of beers and never duplicate the same beer.
Actually – That’s exactly what I did. It’s their 100 beer club and once you complete it, you get a plaque on the bar that will stay forever. I will forever be enshrined at the mecca for craft beer in Indiana. And it’s something I can tell my kid about when he gets older (not that he will care, but oh well).
My 100 Beers
During my quest to 100 beers, I learned a few things. Surprisingly, I learned a lot about myself, craft beer, and even bourbon.
You read that right. Drinking 100 different craft beers taught me something about bourbon.
It might seem silly, but let me explain. I’m keen on the idea of reflecting and learning from my experiences. And this journey taught me a few things.
Lesson 1 – The Classics Are Classics For A Reason
The first 20 beers I drank on my journey were ones that I wanted to try and ones in my favorite style. It just makes sense to start with what you know and explore in that area. I drank a lot of hazy IPAs and then a lot of dark German lagers. If you met me for a beer tonight, my guess is I would default to one of these styles right away.
After I got through that part of the list, I was faced with a dilemma. What do I drink next?
I decided that I was going to just start at the top of the menu and order down the list. This led me to a few of the OGs in the craft beer space. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Bell’s Two Hearted, Arrogant Bastard, etc. As I drank these beers, I realized a few things:
I still like them. A lot.
I don’t order these any more. Not because I don’t like them, but because I moved on to the other shiny objects.
These are the beers that made me enjoy craft beer.
The same can be said about bourbon. If you poured me a finger of Woodford Reserve, I would enjoy the pour. If I had a glass of Old Forester, I wouldn’t be mad. I still like these classic pours and I should make sure to remember this when ordering my drinks.
These bourbons are the reason I enjoy bourbon. And you should remember why you enjoy bourbon as well. Go back to these and see why they are a classic and why they deserve that title.
Lesson 2 – Your Tastes Will Change Over Time
If I did this challenge at 21 years old, my card would look way different than the card I just completed. And I imagine that my card 10 years from now will look at a lot different as well. When I started drinking craft beer, I was a milk stout and Belgian wheat beer kind of guy. Now I love almost any craft beer, but have a leaning towards IPAs and dark lagers.
My tastes have changed tremendously over the last 10 years. And they will continue to change.
The same could be said about bourbon or spirits in general. I’m not afraid to admit my first liquor of choice would have been Southern Comfort (which led to some very stupid choices). From there, I went into the rum side of things. And now I love bourbon. I partly credit this to becoming an old man professor, but I also would like to think my palate has evolved over time. As I have tried more and more things, I have started to find where my tastebuds like to hang out.
What I like today, won’t be what I like a year from now. And that’s ok.
Lesson 3 – Drink The Specials
When you drink 100 beers, the cost starts to add up. And you start looking for deals.
Most bars will have a weekly specials that help you choose your pour of the day. If you aren’t picky, these are great opportunities to save little money and try something you don’t usually drink.
During my time trying the different craft beers, I ordered a lot of different specials. On Tuesdays, I could drink any beer on tap for $4, so I ordered a lot of high priced beers I wouldn’t typically try. On Wednesdays, it was seasonal specials for $3 a pour, so I ordered the seasonal each week to help them clear out kegs. It might have been cheaper, but I was drinking for the good of the bar.
It’s something to remember when you visit your local establishment. A regular is a the best asset to a restaurant and bar and if you help the bar out, they’ll help you out.
Lesson 4 – Respect The Craft
If I learned anything from my beer drinking journey, it is that the craft of alcohol making is just that. A craft.
I’ve tried beers from the biggest breweries in the world. I’ve tried beers from monks. I’ve tried beers from a greenhouse on the southside of Muncie (shoutout to Northern Tropics – Love you Ted). All of the beers have something in common.
It’s someone’s masterpiece.
If you do anything as you drink beer (or bourbon), you need to understand that brewing and distilling is craft. And you need to respect that.
You might not love a bourbon, but others might flock to a distillery for it. You can’t be the judge of beauty (thanks Jason Powell for that humanities lesson from college) and beauty is rooted in your own perception.
When you judge your tastes, realize they are yours and yours alone. I could love something you hate and that’s ok. The beauty of all of it is in the journey. So enjoy each time you try something (rather you like it or not).
Lesson 5 – Tracking Your Experiences Is Key
I was sitting on a plane in Atlanta talking to a guy about bourbon and he pulled out a notebook. It was filled an alphabetical list of the different bourbons he had at his home bar. I spent about 30 minutes flipping through it and had a great conversation with the gentlemen (also referred him to Wiseguys Lounge). And I sat there before takeoff and realized, the journey is worth sharing.
This guy shared his bourbon journey with me because he tracked it. I did the same with my beer journey. I can look back at my list of beers and remember the day, my mood, etc about trying that beer. It’s a historical moment that can be relived if I read it in the future. I wish I would have done that with my bourbon journey.
And it all comes down to the story. Drinking bourbon for me is about making memories with my friends and family. And each time I do it, I have a story I can tell. And it makes the memory of the day last forever.
My beer card made me track my drinks and I think this should be a standard in the world of a bourbon drinker. Remember the day. Remember the people. Remember the occasion. Remember the memories.
You can’t recreate these moments. And these are the things you will talk about the rest of your life.
Lesson 6 – Understanding Tastes Take Time
As I taste more bourbon (or craft beer), I realize building your palate takes time and practice. And it is a form of art.
Once you start tasting bourbon, you will never look at bourbon the same. The same could be said about craft beer. Every time I taste a new beer, I file it back in my brain and take that taste with me moving forward. And I’ve built up my repository of tastes over the years. And it takes some serious time.
Your tastes will take time to develop and that is a ok. You need to develop your tastes and building your tasting profile. When I was younger, I liked one thing. When I started drinking bourbon, I liked another. Now I like something in a different ballpark. And tomorrow I’ll love something else.
Your tastes take time to build and they’ll continue to grow. This has happened to me in the craft beer world and it’s true in the bourbon world as well. Continue to taste. Continue to grow. And continue to explore.
Conclusion
If you would have told me that I would learn about drinking bourbon during my quest to 100 beers, I would have told you that you’re crazy. Through reflecting, I think that I actually did learn a few things. I learned the bourbon is an art, tastes are grown, the classics are classics for a reason, and a few other things you have read above. And I’m willing to stand by my comments because I know most of your experiences are the same. You have learned and grown from drinking and trying new things. You have learned to respect the craft and be a good steward of the profession. You have learned to drink the specials and understand your tastes will continue to change.
You have learned and you need to educated others.
That’s my charge. Examine yourself and spend your time promoting bourbon and the experience to others. As you grow, the field grows and we can all enjoy the end result.
I am lucky guy. After two miscarriages, my wife and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful little man who keeps me on my toes. Literally.
When he was born, I decided to start him a collection. A collection of bourbon that is. It all started a when I read an article about how a guy sold his collection of scotch to buy his first house and each bottle was a gift for his dad for each year he was alive. It sounded like a pretty good idea, but I wanted to do it with a little bit different twist.
Instead of a bottle of scotch for each birthday, I decided to buy my son a bottle of bourbon for each of his birthdays and saving them until he turned 21 years old. Once he turned 21, I will turn over the collection to him with the following recommendation:
Each year on your birthday, I would like to buy you a new bottle and we drink the oldest bottle you have. So we always have something to look forward to for your birthday.
Since his birthday is coming up soon, I figured I would put together an update of the collection thus far and use this as a running journal that I can share with my son once he turns 21 years old.
So here it goes. The start of the 21 year bourbon collection:
Year 1 – Henry McKenna Single Barrel – Bottled-In-Bond
This was an interesting pick because I haven’t tried this bourbon. I wouldn’t have done this, but the story is just too good. I made sure to tell it in the card I taped to the back of the bottle.
Here’s what happened:
I walked into a local liquor store on a Monday afternoon and I was staring at the bourbon aisle trying to decide how in the world to start this collection. I was bouncing back and forth between a few selections when the guy behind the counter asked me if he could help. I said:
Yes. I need to buy a bottle of bourbon for my 1 year old.
Me
After a strange look, I explained what I was doing and he got a big smile on his face. He walked back into the back room and said:
I shouldn’t do this, but that story is too amazing. Here you go.
Nice Liquor Store Guy
I have no idea if this will be good, but I think it has a fighting chance. A bottled-in-bond barrel pick can’t be bad. Right!?! At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself.
So that’s pick #1 – A blind pick of Henry McKenna Single Barrel – Bottled-In-Bond from a nice man at the liquor store.
Year 2 – West Fork Old Hamer Spiced Cherry Cobbler Barrel Pick (Indiana Liquor Group)
When it came to year #2, I had to try to top year #1’s story if possible. And I realized the only way to do that was to share a story of my own.
If you have read my story about the origin of the Bourbon Master, you know that my love for bourbon really drills down to the story. I want to be able to know the people, the distillery, etc and that helps me understand the craft I’m about to drink in a glass.
When I think back to the first barrel pick that really made me go “whoa,” I think back to the Spiced Cherry Cobbler pick of Old Hamer from Indiana Liquor Group. I tasted a few barrel picks before, but I never fell in love with one like I did with this one. I drank two bottles of this (with friends) and I would have drank this one if I didn’t put it on his shelf.
So when thinking about what bottle to get my son, I decided to get him a bottle of this pick. It was the last one on the shelf and I couldn’t pass it up.
My Next Pick – Year 3
As his birthday rolls around this year, I am stumped once again on which bourbon to select to add to my son’s collection.
If you were given the option, what would be your selection to add to my son’s collection? Would you go with a barrel select? Would you go with an allocated bottle? Would you go with something 100% off the wall?
If you are a distillery, why should I pick your bottle? What would make your bourbon special enough to be consumed 21 years from now with the best thing that has ever happened to me?
To start: I’m not a doctor nor would I ever claim to be. The advice below is not medical advice and should not be taken as such.
I’ve been fighting a cold this week and I just can’t seem to shake it. I’ve had the headache, stuffy nose, cough, etc. It’s not fun and it’s even less fun because I don’t have the energy to do my normal activities.
Last night before bed, my wife asked me if she could make me hot toddy to see if that helped. Being at the point of complete miserableness, I said “sure – it might help.” She went off into the kitchen and bring me a hot toddy in a lovely Aristocats mug (only the best for me).
Hot Toddy Recipe
The recipe she uses is:
3/4 cup of water
1.5 ounces of whiskey (bourbon or scotch will also do)
2-3 teaspoons of honey (buckwheat is preferred)
2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice
And for some reason she puts a lemon wheel in it
Is this the tastiest thing ever? No. It is a bit tart and sweet. It shouldn’t be surprise because of the lemon and honey, but it always takes me by surprise. And I’m also not use to drinking any type of bourbon warm. It’s just a bit weird.
Does it help my cough? Yes. I swear I feel better if I drink 1 hot toddy before bed than if I took Nyquil (note – don’t drink and take anything with acetaminophen in it – that’s a big liver no no). I am not sure why this is the case, but I think a hot toddy does actually help out a bit.
There is actually some science to this and it has to do with the honey. Again, I’m not a doctor, so I won’t go into science or anything I don’t understand, but the general idea is that honey is a good treatment for a cough (and lemon for a sore throat). So it makes since that a drink with hot water, honey, lemon, and whiskey might be good when you are sick.
I hope you don’t get sick, but if you do, consider making yourself a hot toddy and let me know how you feel. I know it helps me from time to time and I would be interested to hear if it helps you as well.
When it comes to bourbon whiskey, there are a lot of terms out there that can confuse drinkers as they start drinking. A few that come to mind right away are: allocated, bottled-in-bond, barrel proof, and single barrel bourbon. If you don’t know the basic definitions of these terms, you might feel overwhelmed and confused when standing in a bourbon aisle at your local liquor store. So let’s answer the question: What is single barrel bourbon and what makes it different than other bourbons?
What Is Single Barrel Bourbon?
In short, a single barrel bourbon is just how it sounds. It is a bourbon that is taken directly from one barrel and is not blended with other barrels.
Easy right?
If you are new to the world of bourbon, you might need a little more information than that. Let me expand just a bit.
Blended Bourbon
Most bourbon that you see on a store shelf is blended. This means a distillery takes a bunch of barrels and mixes them together to provide a consistent taste. It’s how you know a bottle of Maker’s Mark is going to taste the same if you buy it in Indiana or if you buy a bottle in Florida. The blending of bourbon is essentially an art that is performed by master distillers at each distillery.
If you are wondering why bourbon needs to be blended, think about this. The whole world of distilling is science at its core, but when it enters the real world, there are outside variables that can impact the flavor of a barrel of bourbon.
Let me give you an example:
Say I’m working at Buffalo Trace and I am making hundreds or thousands barrels a day. All of these barrels have the exact same white dog (aka distillate) with the exact same mash bill in a barrel with the exact same specifications. Shouldn’t everything taste the same? In theory, yes, but that’s not actually the case.
Once the barrel enters the warehouse, it is introduced to the most variable of variables out there. Mother nature.
Once you add mother nature into the mix, all bets are off in terms of consistency. If we have a hot summer and a really cold winter, some barrels might taste different than others. And depending on their location in the rick house, the taste can dramatically change. A barrel on the outside of the top floor has a higher average temperature than a barrel on the bottom floor in the middle of the warehouse. Location, time, and mother nature create the differences between each and every barrel.
The guys and gals in the business started to realize there were some barrels that were hands down better than other barrels. And they saw an opportunity to make some additional money by selling these under a different marketing tactic.
Side note: If I was a master distiller and I noticed there were some amazing barrels, I would have said nothing and just kept them for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love to make money, but I wouldn’t give up an amazing barrel. Just my two cents.
Single Barrel Bourbon
With that, I introduce single barrel bourbon. Like I mentioned before, it’s a pretty simple definition. Bourbon taken from a single barrel and sold. It’s a once in a lifetime experience you will get that truly shows you the skill of the distiller (ok – that sounded really marketing lingo-y, but I really wanted to write it).
I have to imagine the process looks something like this:
The master distiller start the day by sampling 4 different barrels of bourbon. The 1st barrel tastes good, but it could use a little more spice. The 2nd barrel is a bit sweet, but close to what the distiller is looking for. The 3rd barrel – oh my. This might be the best barrel I’ve tasted this week. Send this one off to be bottled by itself. The 4th barrel sucks compared to that 3rd barrel.
I’m sure there is a more “official” process than this, but you get the idea.
In general, single barrel bourbons tend to be at a higher price point, but bring a large depth of flavor to each bottle. They are generally hand-selected and have the barrel number located on the bottle. Most people would argue that single barrel bourbons are more rich and robust in flavor. And since the average barrel only holds 180-220 bottles of bourbon, it’s likely that you will be one of just a handful of people to ever get to try that exact bourbon. Ever. In the history of the world.
Single Barrel Select
If you ever see the phrase “single barrel select” or “store pick,” you might want to know the difference between a single barrel and a barrel select bourbon.
As mentioned before, a single barrel bourbon is selected by a distiller and comes from one barrel of bourbon. A single barrel select is essentially the same thing, but someone other than the master distiller ends up picking the exact barrel.
Liquor stores, clubs, restaurants, etc sometimes coordinate with distilleries to purchase an entire barrel of bourbon (that they can choose). They usually send a group of people (or a really good individual) down and they get to sample selected barrels. Once a barrel is picked, it is labeled and bottled specifically for that customer.
These bottles can be some of the best bottles you’ll ever have (if you find a great team that is picking the barrel). I hope to some day do this with my online community (and I’d love for you to be a part of it)!
Is Single Barrel Bourbon Better?
In theory, yes. A single barrel bourbon should be better than a standard bourbon from a company.
I like to think of it this way: If I have an amazing barrel and I can sell it at a premium, why would I mix that with any other barrel?
I said in theory because it all comes down to the person doing the tasting and selecting the barrel. If you have someone with an amazing palate that lines up with yours, you might think the single barrel bourbon is the best thing since sliced bread. If you have someone with a completely different palate, you might think this was a waste of your time and money.
That’s why it’s important to do your research instead of just picking up a bottle and hoping for the best. I always try to look for tasting notes from people I trust, try to understand the barrel selection process from a given distillery, and focus on barrel selects from local liquor stores.
Conclusion
In conclusion, single barrel bourbon is a unique and highly sought-after type of whiskey that is known for its distinct flavor and depth of character. It is made from a single barrel of aged bourbon, which allows each bottle to offer a one-of-a-kind taste experience. While it may be more expensive than other types of bourbon, its unique qualities make it well worth the investment for many whiskey lovers. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a classic cocktail, single barrel bourbon is sure to impress with its rich and complex flavor profile. Plus you might never drink the same bottle again, which adds to the lore of great barrels and great bourbons.
I think the best bourbon bar in Muncie, Indiana is Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse. And let me explain why I think that is the case.
When you think of Muncie, Indiana, you most likely think of David Letterman and the lovely Ball State University (also known as the Harvard of Muncie). Some of you might wonder where the heck is Muncie in the first place. Other might think of the lovely trains and pot holes that make the city feel like home.
When I think of Muncie, Indiana, I think of my favorite places to go for dinner and a drink. Growing up in the New Castle area, Muncie was (and still is) our big town. Having gone to college at Ball State, I have grown to love the city of Muncie and the restaurants and bars that make it feel like home. I’ve been going to Savage’s Ale House since I turned 21 years old. I’m probably the biggest cheerleader for The Guardian Brewing Company (keep it up Bill and Jason). And I’ll soon have my name on the bar of the Heorot, one of the best craft beer bars in the world.
When it comes to bourbon, Muncie isn’t the most exciting city for those who don’t know where to look. As a quasi-local, I have tried about every place in town and I know where you need to go to get some good food and have a pretty awesome bourbon selection.
My all-time favorite place to grab a bourbon was at the Neely House until it closed out of the blue about a year ago. Cam (the mixologist) was curating an amazing bourbon list and always had new things for me to try. Once the Neely House closed, I had to take my bourbon hunting somewhere else. And it led me to my local butcher shop…
You read that right. My hunt for the best bourbon bar in Muncie has its origins in a meat market. Lahody’s Meats to be exact. I’ve been getting my steaks, smoked pork chops, and everything else from Lahody’s since 2011. I’ve masted the art of grilling the perfect medium rare filet and I know you always ask for the dry aged cuts (the ones that look brown) when you get to choose your own steak. The white paper signs with red marker will never leave my mind and my wife still sends me to pick up meat at least once a week.
When Ron Lahody decided he was going to open a steakhouse, I had some mixed feelings. I was excited because it was going to be another place to go to dinner. I was worried because I know exactly where he is getting his steaks and I knew I could buy them myself and grill them at home (and pay half the price).
After a few months of protest (my own personal cheapness coming out), I finally took my wife for dinner. And I was blown away by something I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get me wrong, the steak was tasty and the salad was too large for a family of four to eat, but the real surprise was the bourbon selection.
I guess I didn’t know Ron Lahody was a bourbon guy. I remember reading his emails from the meat market and him talking about martinis and other drinks like that. I don’t remember a lot about a crazy love for bourbon.
Once you walk into Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse, you’ll see that you have landed at a great place to get a pour of bourbon. The list has a ton of different selections and they aren’t priced as high as you would find in Indianapolis (still high for the Muncie area though). If you set the price aside, you’ll find that you are in the best bourbon bar in Muncie. I don’t think there is a lot of competition, but it still makes Muncie no longer a bourbon desert.
Outside of Trust Your Butcher, you might be able to find some bourbon at the Clubhouse @ Accutech, Vera Mae’s, 1925 Pub House, and Elm Street Brewing. I don’t know of many other places with a large bourbon selection. One of my hidden gem picks is the Heorot Bar as they sometimes have some killer deals on bourbon and scotch (check out the menu here).
So the next time you are in Muncie and looking for a pour of bourbon, you might want to check out Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse. It’s the best selection of bourbon that Muncie has to offer. I recommend going on a Thursday and picking up their $5 burger special). Once you are done there, make sure to drive out to the Friendly Package in Yorktown to find a few good barrel picks. And if you want to grab a drink, reach out to me and I’ll make it happen!
