The Bourbon Starter Kit

This collection celebrates bourbon's storied past and flavorful future, inviting you to savor the depth of this iconic American whiskey. First, let’s get the history lesson out of the way:

The history of bourbon began between 1740 and 1770 when Scots migrated to the U.S., later settling in Kentucky and Northern Tennessee. There, they created bourbon by combining local corn with German brewing techniques.

Prohibition briefly affected its popularity, but post-war efforts and soldiers' introductions helped revive it. The 60s saw bourbon's glamor with Sinatra's Rat Pack, but it lost appeal until the 80s, inspired by Scotch Single Malts, brought a creative resurgence.

Today, Kentucky remains central to bourbon's ongoing success and revival, celebrated by the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and National Bourbon Heritage Month, and bolstered by a thriving craft distilling scene!

There’s a world of bourbon to discover all around the USA, so let's get to our samples:

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted American Oak Bourbon is a double-oaked delight that's been charming taste buds since 2019. This blend of 4 and 5-year-old double-barreled Indiana-sourced straight bourbon brings together two distinct mash bills, delivering aromas of caramel, coconut, and vanilla, with a finish that combines sweet candy notes, a hint of spice, and a splash of butterscotch.

Breckenridge Bourbon hails from The World's Highest Distillery. This high-rye blend is like nature's own cocktail, where mineral-rich Rocky Mountain water turns every sip into a delight. With a focus on flavor, Breckenridge delivers a dram that's both bold and smooth, capturing the spirit of mountain innovation.

Old Soul Bourbon Small Batch is proudly crafted by Mississippi's oldest distillery. This time-bending blend of Indiana and Mississippi whiskeys effortlessly marries tradition with modern flair.  Each barrel is carefully chosen, delivering a rich medley of toffee, dried fruit, leather, and cocoa notes—plus a long, spicy finish that says, "I'm here for the encore!"

So, whether you're a bourbon buff or just dipping your toes into the world of whiskey, this tasting box is your ticket to exploring the rich history and vibrant flavors that have made bourbon an American classic.

Cheers!

SMARTASS CORNER

1. Let’s get this straight off the bat: all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

2. Bourbon rules are all about the process, not the place! Did you know bourbon must age in new, charred American white oak casks for at least 2 years? If there's no age statement on the bottle, it's at least 4 years old. Plus, no coloring or flavoring is allowed, and the mash bill needs to be at least 51% corn.

3. Although bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, a whopping 95% is produced in Kentucky.

4. Did you know that bourbon was declared ‘The Official Spirit of America’ by an Act of Congress signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964?

5. The iconic Kentucky Derby is where bourbon is celebrated in a very special way. Mixed in with mint, sugar, and ice to form Mint Julep, the cocktail has been Derby’s official drink since 1938.  Each year, almost 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the two-day event.

6. American oak barrels give bourbon its distinctive flavors, thanks to their tight cell structure and the toasting and charring process. Toasting gently heats the wood, while charring creates a charred layer, filtering impurities and adding flavor. The "alligator char" reveals a red layer that imparts sweet, spicy notes and rich color to the whiskey.

7. Before the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, bourbon often included unsavory additives like prune juice and turpentine. This act was a game-changer, mandating government oversight of whiskey production. It required aging for at least four years and bottling at 100 proof, ensuring purity and safeguarding the bourbon's reputation.

8. In 2012 Jack Daniel’s released a special tribute to their biggest fan, Frank Sinatra, with the Sinatra Select expression. The juice was designed to reflect the Rat Pack-Era whiskey Sinatra fell in love with. The secret is the use of "Sinatra Barrels”—charred American oak barrels with concentric grooves scored from top to bottom that expose the whiskey to a greater surface area of both charred and virgin wood.