Rebecca and I woke up early Monday morning with work to do. I had 2 houses to clean and Rebecca had work for Purdue Global. We both saw that David Meier, the owner of Glenns Creek Distillery, was looking to go to Bloomington with Vicki to watch the eclipse and wanted to see if anyone was willing to have them join their viewing party. We tagged David in a post and messaged him explaining that coming to where we live in Newburgh, Indiana would be an easier drive for the both of them and we would experience totality. He accepted our invite and we were excited to host them.
David and Vicki arrived from Frankfort, KY about 12:30 and we invited them onto the deck of our dock at the lake to taste bourbon and watch the eclipse slowly happen. We started off with the Casey Jones Eclipse Cask and it was outstanding! David commented that “this is really good,” and we agreed that it was outstanding.
David had brought us a thank you gift for inviting them to join us – a bottle of their OCD #5 Premium hand filtered bottle. Obviously, we decided to taste and enjoy that during the eclipse as well. It was a butterscotch bomb and quite honestly one of the best bourbons/whiskeys I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. It was an incredible experience to drink it with the person who made it and David explained the process of how it came about. The story is on the side of the bottle, but to hear David talk about it was so awesome.
Vicki & DavidWayne & Rebecca
Not long after this, the total eclipse took place. For 3 minutes and 10 seconds, everything went dark and got cool. It was a breathtaking experience that I’m blessed to have been there to see with my wife and our friends Dave and Vicki.
4/8/24 at 2:04 PM during the total eclipse
Once the eclipse concluded, we gathered on the patio and Rebecca grilled burgers for us to eat. It was a great time to reflect, laugh, and just have fun.
When I started on this Bourbon Journey with Rebecca, I never thought about the relationship aspects that would come about. We’ve made friends with several distillers on the trail and have developed memories with them. Bourbon is yummy to me, but it’s the time that you share and the bourbon that you share that is special. Before David left, he signed the OCD #5 Premium bottle, wrote “Eclipse Day” and dated it 4/8/2024. It was a special moment, with special people. It’s all about the journey.
Saturday, April 6, 2024 we decided to enjoy the beautiful day and revisit some awesome stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour Western area. Besides loving these distilleries, there were some events and special Total Eclipse bottle releases happening as well that we didn’t want to miss.
MB Roland Distillery in Pembroke, KY
MB Roland Distillery is located on a lovely farm just south of Hopkinsville, which also means that they are just north of the Tennessee state line. Via their Facebook postings, we knew that they were releasing the MB Roland Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon and “Smallest Small Batch” hand selected and blended by Jackie Zykan. Bonus, she was to be there for bottle signings 11-3. In addition, we wanted to acquire a bottle of their total eclipse commemorative Black Sun Bourbon etched bottle.
Jackie Zykan signing bottlesWayne, Rebecca, and Jackie
We were fortunate to arrive early and have an opportunity to talk with Jackie. She is not only incredibly knowledgeable and possesses an amazing palate, but she is super nice as well.
After our chat, we decided to do a small tasting to help us determine what other bottles we wanted to take home with us. They have endless options and you are sure to find one or two that hits the mark for your taste. In addition to the ones that Jackie signed and the Black Sun Bourbon, we also got one finished in brandy and a single barrel named “Butter and Biscuits” as it was very clear how it got its name!
Casey JonesDistillery in Hopkinsville, KY
From MB Roland, it is a mere 22 mile drive north to the Casey Jones Distillery. We had a mission to collect as many eclipse specialty bottles as reasonable and we knew that Casey’s had a few options. We were able to sample several items and that helped us confirm that we would acquire the three eclipse options as well as an amazing single barrel four-grain.
Rebecca, AJ, and Wayne
We had the opportunity to meet with their Master Distiller, AJ, and get a picture with him. He was thrilled that we loved their spirits and encouraged us to stop in their bar for a specialty cocktail before leaving. That was certainly on our agenda just as soon as we grabbed some of the BBQ that we had been smelling on the smoker! Smokin O’s BBQ had burgoo, BBQ nachos, pulled pork, chicken, brisket, and ribs – amazing! We enjoyed our food selections with a cocktail (Bloody Mary for Wayne and the Total Black Out for Rebecca).
Casey Jones Single Barrel Eclipse Cask: Originally barreled for the 2017 Eclipse, it was now bottled for the 2024 Eclipse. The mashbill is 50% corn and 50% cane recipe. It was aged just shy of 7 years in a Kelvin Cooperage #4 char, medium toast cask, offered uncut at cask strength.
Total Eclipse Bourbon: This is a 4 grain mashbill with 75% corn, 10% wheat, 10% rye, and 5% malted barley.
Total Eclipse Moonshine: Distilled from a century-old family recipe of 50% corn and 50% cane sugar, this particular moonshine was first created during the 2017 eclipse.
The Bard Distillery in Graham, KY
It was somewhat a “given” that we would stop by The Bard Distillery as we would literally drive by the exit on our way home. From Casey’s, it is less than 40 miles to the north – and again – on our way home to Southern Indiana. We had our fingers crossed that we might catch a lull on a Saturday so we could chat for a bit. That’s exactly what happened – we arrived just after two large groups had departed!
We always enjoy visiting with the team, seeing what might be new in the gift shop, and getting a bottle or two to replenish our shelves. We were in need of their Cinder & Smoke Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey finished in Spanish Oloroso casks. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones with that great idea as they were temporarily sold out. Just another reason to make a visit in the near future!
That said, we were able to catch up with Kim Carter Bard and Amy Bryant while enjoying that day’s specialty cocktails. In addition, we were blessed to receive a special behind-the-scene’s peek at things to come for the distillery. All I will share is that you will want to see it unfold! Just brilliant. We are very excited for Kim, Tom, and the entire team!
Kim invited us to follow her to Greenville, KY to check out a great spot there. And we were off to do just that!
Sip&Spin Coffee & Records in Greenville, KY
Greenville, KY is a picturesque town in Muhlenberg County with a traditional town feel and many historic buildings. The Sip & Spin Coffee & Records is no different. Located in the historic Roark building, the location has served several purposes including an undertaking business, antiques, and the printer for a local paper, “The Record.” Many historical items are on display today and it is fascinating to walk through. If that isn’t enough, they have fabulous coffee and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
We truly enjoyed relaxing there and chatting with Kim as well as Ben Duvall, the owner of the establishment. We look forward to returning on a Saturday in the near future to enjoy the music and people of Greenville.
The Bourbon Trail is so much more than collecting stamps and bottles of spirits. Whether you are just starting the Trail or are well into it, always remember to savor each moment and take it all in. It is a culture. It is making new friends. It is supporting up and coming businesses. It is a way of life and we love it!
Pro Tip: Add Old Glory Distilling Co in Clarksville, TN. That plus MB Roland and Casey Jones will complete the Stateline Whiskey Tour. You will receive a souvenir shot glass at each stop and a finisher’s stave at the last one.
Wayne and I regularly enjoy Elijah Craig Barrel Proof offerings and the Toasted Barrel stands out as a classic toasted offering. Last year at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, we were able to acquire a bottle of their 18-year-old and had not had an opportunity to open and taste it. Thus, we decided to taste and compare a trio of Elijah Craig for this tasting.
Selected for this Tasting
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Single Barrel #6334 18 year old, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #A122 – all produced by Heaven Hill Distillery. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye Age – at least 4 years but typically 8-12 years Proof – 94 Other – Toasted Barrel Price Paid – $64.99
Color – Golden amber.
Aroma – Caramel, baking, spices, and classic toasted aromas of marshmallow.
Taste – A lovely sweetness of marshmallow and graham crackers with chocolate and caramel. Nutmeg and white pepper linger on the finish with a nice hint of smokiness.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Muted many of the flavors, only a light sweetness after the cranberry and even the spicy notes are limited.
Tasted with a pecan – Spicy notes really returned but more of a white pepper. The barrel and toasted oak is prevalent but the sweetness and toasted marshmallow is gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Much more balanced with a nice flavor profile, including a hint of pepper on the finish.
Elijah Craig Single Barrel #6334 18-Year-Old
Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye Age – 18 years Proof – 90 Other – Single Barrel Price Paid – $199.99
Color – Golden amber.
Aroma – Caramel and oak, then honey and brown sugar, followed by apple and cinnamon.
Taste – Very delicate but 18 years of oak come forward. Not as sweet as on the nose but vanilla cream and spiced apples are present. It finishes with rye spices, a touch of vanilla, and aged oak. A little higher proof might create more complexity and a more viscous mouth feel.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Not a huge difference with the cranberry but more tannins, less sweetness and spice, and somewhat of a tea flavor, perhaps cardamon.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan made it quite bitter and it stripped away all of the delicate flavors.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The chocolate comes through and provides an elevated mouth feel.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #A122
Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye Age – 12 years Proof – 120.8 Other – Barrel Proof Price Paid – $89.99
Color – Medium amber.
Aroma – Vanilla, caramel, light toffee, and light baking spice. A very pleasant nose.
Taste – Cherry, caramel, and baking spices with a hint of leather. The finish includes cinnamon, pepper, and lingering oak.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Heavy spices with a lot of cinnamon and pepper.
Tasted with a pecan – It is cinnamon on the front and pepper on the back.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Cherry came back and then cherry cinnamon pie with a buttery piecrust.
Discussion and Final Notes
We enjoyed each one. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is a pretty classic toasted barrel profile and exceptional for its price point. This particular Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is good but perhaps not as flavorful as other seasonal releases. The Elijah Craig 18-year-old is good but quite delicate and lacks the viscosity and complexity that we enjoy. Based on its availability and price point, it would be lower on our recommendation.
Our personal favorite of this specific trio leans toward the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. It has a great flavor profile and terrific price point with good availability.
Cheers, Rebecca
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof.
Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.
For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.
NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
As discussed in Bourbon Whiskey, there are some common tastes that are noted when tasting bourbon. For this Sunday Spirit Note, the focus is on contribution of the grains, the foundation of the spirit, to the taste of bourbon.
Corn
As part of the requirements, bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn. Corn imparts a sweet flavor profile to bourbon and contributes to bourbon’s rich body and creamy texture. Some of the tasting notes derived from corn could include:
Rye is a common grain used by many distillers. In general, it assists in adding a spicy flavor profile to the spirit. The percentage of rye used in the mash will influence the flavor produced. Rye bourbons are also described as aggressive and have a savory balance to the typically sweeter, corn-based elements of the bourbon. Some of the tasting notes derived from rye might include:
– Black pepper – White pepper – Rye bread – Mint – Herbal – Anise
Wheat
In general, using wheat in the primary mashbill is not common. Some distillers create a wheated bourbon and omit the use of rye. Others include wheat and rye to make a four-grain bourbon. The combinations are endless. In general, wheat doesn’t have a lot of flavors but can mellow the spirit and add a bread-like taste to it. Some of the tasting notes influenced from wheat use might include:
Nearly all bourbon has some percentage of malted barley because it assists with the fermentation process. Malting is a drying process that causes barley to produce enzymes that convert long-chain carbohydrates into simpler sugars that can be fermented by yeast into alcohol. In addition to that critical contribution, malted barley can give bourbon a warm, nutty, and smoky profile with hints of:
– Toast – Toffee – Cereal – Cocoa
Conclusion
When you next taste bourbon and pick up various flavors, connect to its source and consider the contributions made by the various grains used in the mashbill.
There are many more sources of bourbon flavors. Most often, this includes, yeast selection, fermentation process, barrel selection and preparation (level of toast and char), entry proof into the barrel, the storage environment, and even decisions made for bottling. With so many variables, it is no wonder that there is such a wide range of bourbon flavors and why five people tasting from the same bottle may pick up different notes.
August 19, 2023, Wayne and I were in Tennessee for a family wedding. Of course, we decided that this was a great opportunity to visit a few Tennessee distilleries. This led us to Cascade Hollow Distilling – home of George Dickel Whisky – in Tullahoma, TN.
Tour of the Cascade Hollow Distillery
Our guide was very knowledgeable and energetic and that made the tour great. She started out by letting us know that we should keep our eyes open for wildlife, including copperhead snakes and minks. OK!
The tour was woven with stories of the history of George Dickel. It started initially in Nashville, TN but really took off when the Cascade Hollow Distillery opened in 1878 and George purchased a large share.
At Cascade Hollow, they have a specialized charcoal mellowing process. They cold chill the distillate to 40 degrees before starting the slow steep through the charcoal. Also interesting, their mellowing vats are layered with virgin wool blankets to achieve a slow, uniform flow. To learn more about the Tennessee Whiskey classification, please review this post.
At the conclusion of the distillery tour, we returned to the “Post Office” and entered a somewhat hidden back room for our tasting.
Fun Facts
Dickel is one of the few American Whisky’s that doesn’t use the “e” in whiskey. George Dickel was a big fan of Scotch, and it does not use the “e” so George wanted to emulate that tradition. In addition to using the Lincoln County Method of maple charcoal filtration, Dickel also uses wool blankets as a secondary filtration.
Gift Shop
They have an extensive gift shop and a wonderful area to have a cocktail. However, we were on a tight schedule as we had a wedding later in the evening. So it was a quick shop to gather up our favorites such as pins, ornaments, a glencairn, and of course – some whisky!! Happy to get a couple of bottles that were signed by the Master Distiller, Nicole Austin.
We did a formal tasting of the 15- and 17-year-old whiskys. You can read about that HERE.
Distillery Trail Statistics
While it is not easy to get to, we recommend it as it is worth the effort to visit.
Cascade Hollow Distilling, in Tullahoma, TN, was our 3rd Tennessee Distillery, 52nd distillery, and 84th distillery visit or event.
In addition to this visit and a family wedding, we visited 2 other distilleries over the weekend – Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniels.
Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. With advance planning, it is possible to create a terrific weekend trip with multiple distilleries on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
Wayne and I recently selected two Dickel offerings for a formal tasting. We had the opportunity to visit Cascade Hollow Distilling last August and that is where we acquired these particular bottles. You can read about our visit here.
Selected for this Tasting
George Dickel 15-Year Single Barrel Tennessee Whisky and George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Tennessee Whisky. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
George Dickel 15-Year Single Barrel Tennessee Whisky
Mashbill – 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley Age – at least 15 years Proof – 93.4 Other – Single Barrel Price Paid – $80.00
Color – Dark copper
Aroma – Sweetness of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, and cherry, with a nice oak, nutmeg, and light smokiness.
Taste – Very mellow yet a full body. Sweetness of vanilla, toffee, berry, and cocoa. Finishes with nutmeg, a woodiness, a hint of leather, and a light spice.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brought forward more smokiness but less sweetness. No real finish.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan brought the sweetness back and the toffee and chocolate returned while the smokiness is lessened.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Now there are stronger baking spices and a Heath Bar effect with chocolate covered toffee.
George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Tennessee Whisky
Mashbill – 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley Age – 17 years Proof – 92 Other – Cask Strength Reserve Price Paid – $350.00
Taste – Toffee, vanilla, honey, sweet fruits, nutmeg, and dark chocolate, with smokiness and allspice on the finish.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry took some the sweetness away and muted all the flavors. Now there is basically no finish.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan made it spicier but the toffee notes returned. A hint of white pepper on the finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The chocolate is interesting as it didn’t do much on the taste but the creaminess is very nice.
Discussion and Final Notes
Interestingly, there are many similarities between the two and we enjoyed each of them. ***15-year-old: Loved the sweetness of vanilla, toffee, berry, and cocoa. Finishes with nutmeg, a woodiness, a hint of leather, and a light spice. ***17-year-old: Really enjoyed the toffee, vanilla, honey, sweet fruits, nutmeg, and dark chocolate, with smokiness and allspice on the finish.
About 15 minutes after we concluded our tasting, our empty glasses were still in front of us. As we often like to do, we revisited the aroma of each empty glass. ***15-year-old: The smokiness is more apparent and what you notice first; however, then there is a lovely sweetness that shines through. ***17-year-old: The first note is toffee and chocolate and those aromas are very pronounced. In addition, there is a cherry-toasted-marshmallow aroma that is divine.
Our recommendation: If you have an opportunity to try either of these, please do so. The 15-year-old is easier to find in stores. Considering the tasting experience, availability, AND the price difference ($80 vs $350), we recommend the 15-year-old. It provides an exceptional pour of Tennessee Whiskey at a good value.
Cheers, Rebecca
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Tennessee Whiskey
Tennessee Whiskey starts with the same requirements as Bourbon. It must be made with a mashbill that contains at least 51% corn. It must be distilled at a maximum of 160 proof (80% ABV). It then must be placed into a new, charred oak container at a maximum of 125 proof (62.5% ABV). In addition, it must be free from added substances (except water) and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV).
There are two additional requirements that make it unique. First, it must be made in the state of Tennessee. Second, it must be filtered through maple charcoal prior to aging. The charcoal filtering is often accomplished using the Lincoln County Process.
For additional information, please read this post – Tennessee Whiskey.
NOTE: The whiskeys in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
The bourbon and whiskey market continues to perform well. American whiskey exports hit a record US$1.4bn. Beam Suntory and University of Kentucky deepen partnership. Log Still Distillery to open luxury restaurant in downtown Louisville. Frey Ranch Distillery expands into new markets. Multiple notable bourbon releases and festival announcements. New Orleans Bourbon Festival and Whisky Magazine Awards winners announced.
Your Bourbon Journey 