The Kentucky Derby is known for two things – mint juleps and big hats. There’s also a horse race, but that’s secondary to the cocktails and hats. Regardless, millions of people will be watching, so that’s cause for some celebratory drinks. The race itself only lasts two minutes, so like most drinking events, it’s best to start early and stay late. These Kentucky Derby cocktails should do the trick. Mint Julep The Mint Julep is the most famous Kentucky Derby cocktail and the preferred drink on race day. 2 1/2 ounces bourbon 8-10 mint leaves 1/2 ounce simple syrup Crushed ice Lightly muddle mint and simple syrup in...

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is, as the name implies, aged in a single barrel and then bottled, rather than blended with other barrels before  bottling. Blanton’s is the first bourbon ever marketed as a single barrel offering, hitting the market in 1984. Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is reddish amber with aromas of maple, vanilla and burnt sugar. There’s a bit of citrus and spice in the background. At 93 proof, it’s warm but fairly tame on the palate. There’s some peppery spice, but no discernible burn, and it has flavors of vanilla, orange peels and caramel. It finishes long, dry and...

Last week Brown-Forman announced that its Early Times brand is adding the new 354 Bourbon to its whiskey lineup. It’s a big change for Early Times, which hasn’t produced a true bourbon since 1983. From the company -- Brown-Forman announces the Early Times brand is returning to its bourbon roots with Early Times 354 Bourbon. Crafted with pure water, select grains, proprietary yeast and carefully distilled and matured in select oak barrels, it’s the newest (and in a way, the oldest) member of the Early Times family. After an absence as a bourbon in the...

Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon is the newest entrant in Beam’s small batch brand portfolio. Both the standard Knob Creek bourbon and the new Single Barrel are aged to nine years, but while the original is 100 proof, the new expression clocks in at 120. Knob Creek’s Single Barrel Bourbon is – as the name implies – bottled directly from a single bourbon barrel. Since no two barrels are exactly alike, my bottle of Single Barrel could vary slightly from yours, depending on a particular barrel’s composition, position in the rickhouse, etc. On the nose, the Single Barrel...

Maker’s Mark President, Bill Samuels, Jr., will retire in April and transition into the new role of Chairman Emeritus for the brand. Rob Samuels, who was appointed Chief Operating Officer in October 2010, will lead the Maker’s Mark organization going forward. Bill Samuels, Jr., the son of the Maker’s Mark Founder, is the seventh generation to continue the family’s tradition of making bourbon, which dates back to 1784. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Samuels at the 2009 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and later speaking with him about the introduction of Maker’s 46. He’s been quite a pioneer in the bourbon industry...

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon is a 10 year old bourbon distilled by Jimmy Russell, the master distiller of Wild Turkey. Russell’s Reserve used to reflect its limited edition bottling under the Wild Turkey label, but the small batch bourbon now sports its own label, as seen here. Russell’s Reserve Bourbon is a deep amber color and has aromas of spicy cinnamon, vanilla and oak. It’s very warming on the palate, with lots of baking spices, nuttiness, white pepper and rich caramel.  It’s full and round, staying fairly tame despite the spicy start, and it finishes long and dry. At 10 years old, Russell’s...

On November 1st Woodford Reserve announced the newest addition to its Master’s Collection – a bourbon finished in sugar maple wood barrels. With a sample in hand, it’s time to taste the new offering. Woodford Reserve Maple Wood Finish Bourbon is a rich golden brown. On the nose it’s intensely woody, with sweet maple characteristics, baked fruit and raisins. Sugar maple wood has long been considered too sweet to be used for aging bourbon. Woodford’s expression tempers that sweetness with a higher proof, 94.4, and lots of oak.  The flavor is sweet maple, cinnamon and more of that oak – too...

Woodford Reserve has expanded its Master’s Collection to include the newly released Maple Wood Finish Bourbon, which marks the fifth limited release installment in the lineup.  This whiskey is the first bourbon to be finished in barrels made from sugar maple wood, a material that adds hints of maple, honey and cinnamon to the spirit. Available beginning November 1st, each bottle is hand-numbered and clocks in at 94.4 proof. Only 1,676 cases are available, and the bourbon has a suggested retail price of $89.99. Until a review is posted, check out the following tasting notes provided by Woodford Reserve. Color: Golden brown. Aroma:...

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is back for another year. The latest edition of Birthday Bourbon, which commemorates the birth of Brown-Forman’s founder, George Brown, is aged 12 years and just may be the best of the bunch. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is quite old for a bourbon.  As expected, those 12 years in wood play a prominent role in shaping this whiskey.  On the nose, there is a noticeable hit of alcohol, but let it open up for a couple minutes, and the bourbon reveals plenty of oak, spice and some sweet vanilla.  Underneath it all is some honeyed fruit. Take a...

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is part of Four Roses’ core lineup of whiskeys that also includes the Small Batch and Yellow Label bourbons.  The “single barrel” designation means that the bourbon is pulled from single casks and bottled, rather than being a blended product from several barrels. Each bottle is hand-marked by the distiller to indicate the specific warehouse, cask and shelf where the bourbon was aged. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is golden amber with a nose of peppery spice, fruit, citrus and oaky vanilla.  On the palate, the citrus notes are more prominent, with some orange coming...