The Bourbon Starter Kit Vol. 2

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. During the 1960s, bourbon enjoyed a glamorous association with Sinatra's Rat Pack. However, its popularity waned until the 1980s, when the influence of Scotch Single Malts sparked a creative revival.

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:

Templeton, Iowa, is stepping up its game with Templeton FORTITUDE Bourbon, showing the journey from bottler to full-fledged distiller. At 92-proof and non-chill filtered, this bourbon brings a bold yet approachable taste, thanks to its high rye mash bill and locally sourced corn from nearby farms. Packed with rich, complex flavors, it’s crafted with a whole lot of determination and FORTITUDE.

Penelope Bourbon Toasted Barrel Finish is all about celebrating the art of serendipity. Made at MGP's Lawrenceburg distillery, Indiana, it starts off aging in charred new American oak barrels, then gets an extra boost of flavor in freshly toasted barrels from the famous Speyside Cooperage—hello, rich vanilla notes! Bottled at Castle & Key, the Toasted Series highlights the fun unpredictability of each barrel’s unique char and toast.

Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon comes from a family-owned Kentucky distillery that is a leader in Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys. This Bourbon is a real nod to historic whiskey-making traditions, meeting (and even exceeding) the stringent standards set by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Aged for seven years—well past the required four—it’s made from the finest barrels, giving you a flavor and quality that truly stands out.

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.