Fall is just around the corner and this year is a special one. Every four years the summer olympics and the elections force americans start to really reinvestigating our sense of national pride. All of the sudden you are completely involved in politics and are cheering emphatically for sports like swimming and gymnastics? Its fun to regain that passion for comradorie that is lost in a long and isolated winter. Simutaneously we are contemplating change, yet revisiting our roots. One root, that is with no doubt as American as Apple Pie, is a sour mash hailing from the Bluegrass state; Bourbon!
Bourbon has been a part of United States tradition since before we were fighting each other. It practically made Kentucky famous; that and the Kentucky Derby of course! (Bourbon plays a big role in the derby as well: Mint Julips!) For over 100 years
Kentucky Bourban has been an American Standard and still to this day has a huge National and International following. It is such a versatile liquor. It is great on its own or can be mixed in a myriad of ways. A lot of people ask; what is the difference between Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey? Bourbon has a distinct difference from its rival. Regardless of what some may think both whiskeys are what you could call "Sour Mash." The actual difference between the two has to do with charcoal. Most all American Whiskey goes through some sort of carbon filtration process, the difference is Tennessee Whiskey usually goes through a longer filtering in which it passes through sugar-maple charcoal filled leaching vats. This distinction gave Tennessee whiskey its own label under U.S. law in 1941. Another misconception is that Bourbon is made only in Kentucky, which of course is not true. It's only requirements are that it be made in the United States, contain at least 51% corn and stay a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels.
So to me, Bourbon is a much more approachable whiskey than its charcoal infused neighbor. The oak aging and gives it lovely notes of vanilla and caramel, making this whiskey a sweeter alternative. If you have ever had whiskey and just couldn't stomach the burn, resulting in you being turned off from whiskey all together; give Bourbon a try. You might be pleasantly surprised! Here at the West Vail Liquor Mart we carry a large selection of Bourbons including: Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Jim Beam, Blantons, Bakers, Bookers and many more.
So if you are feeling extra American this fall, give Bourbon a whirl. Come November my allegience lies with a sour mash born and bred in Kentucky, and thats a party i am proud to belong to.
Nick Agnew
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