Bourbon Time Warp! Tasting a 51-Year-Old Jim Beam Derby Edition

May 2, 2025August 8, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Imagine tasting liquid history… 🥃 To celebrate the 151st Kentucky Derby, we’re tasting a time capsule: the ultra-rare Jim Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Anniversary Decanter, filled with bourbon distilled in 1974! Ever dream of experiencing an 8-year-old Jim Beam from nearly half a century ago? 🤔

Join us for an EXCLUSIVE TASTING as we journey back in time with this incredible vintage whiskey. We’ll be meticulously exploring its:

Fascinating backstory and the legacy of this commemorative decanter
Visual allure: the color and appearance after all these years
Aromatic whispers from the past
Palate-awakening flavors and the evolution of its taste
Lingering finish – how does history fade?

But that’s not all! We’ll also put this legendary bourbon head-to-head against a modern masterpiece: Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old. How does a taste of 1974 compare to today’s craftsmanship? 🤔

Prepare for a deep dive into whiskey history you won’t find anywhere else. Click play to uncork the past with us! ▶️ Cheers to history in a glass! 🥂

Note: From “A Guide To Jim Beam Bottles” by Cembura & Avery: The 100th anniversary of the famed Kentucky Derby Classic is honored with a bottle bearing cameos of the first winner Aristides in 1875 and Cannonade in 1974. Red roses fill the numerals. The back list the names and dates of previous winners. Height 7.5 inches.

#bourbon #vintagebourbon #JimBeam

Originally Opened & Reviewed 05/05/24: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2024/05/05/may-2024-kentucky-derby-tasting/

Be sure to visit Revival Vintage Spirits, Covington, KY https://revivalky.com/

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ 1974 James B. Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Decanter

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: James B. Beam
Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malt (estimated based on today’s Jim Beam white label)
Age: 100 months (8.33 years) when bottled in 1974
Proof: 86
Price Paid – Gifted from Family Collection

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Unlock the Secrets to a Perfect Mint Julep | Thirsty Thursday

May 1, 2025April 30, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Get ready to saddle up for Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Episode 16! 🐎💨 With the thunder of hooves echoing in the distance, we’re gearing up for the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday by diving headfirst into the legendary Mint Julep! 🎉

Forget those watered-down imitations! We’re unlocking the secrets to crafting a truly electrifying Mint Julep, the quintessential Derby Day sipper. We’ll round up the champions of flavor: vibrant, fragrant fresh mint leaves, the perfect touch of sweetness with sugar or silky simple syrup, a mountain of frosty crushed ice, and of course, the heart and soul – authentic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey! 🥃

Then, prepare to witness the magic as we take these stellar ingredients and transform them into liquid gold! 🔄 We’ll guide you step-by-step through the time-honored techniques, ensuring your Mint Julep isn’t just a drink, but an experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur with a taste for the finer things or a curious newcomer eager to explore the world of bourbon, this episode is your ticket to Mint Julep mastery. Get ready to impress your Derby Day crew or simply treat yourself to a taste of Southern tradition. Let’s stir up some excitement! ✨

Background of The Mint Julep:

U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky is credited with introducing the bourbon-based mint julep to Washington, D.C., around 1850, popularizing it beyond the South.

The mint julep’s association with horse racing, particularly in Kentucky, grew in the 19th century. By the 1820s, silver cups were awarded to winning jockeys, possibly contributing to the tradition of serving juleps in silver cups, which also frost nicely due to the crushed ice.

The Kentucky Derby, established in 1875, further solidified this connection. In 1938, the mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs began serving it in souvenir glasses in 1939, which became highly collectible. Today, around 120,000 mint juleps are estimated to be consumed during the Kentucky Derby weekend.

#bourboncocktails #MintJulep #woodfordreserve

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

Bourbon & Whiskey News: April 2025

May 1, 2025April 29, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

05/01/25
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from April 2025 >> 41 Stories!

In April 2025, the bourbon and whiskey industry experienced notable activity, including rising craft distilleries, demand challenges, and significant lawsuits affecting major distilleries. New product releases and tourism records highlight the sector’s dynamism, while festivals and events contribute to ongoing consumer interest and engagement within the whiskey community.

Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 5 Stories

04/03: Bourbon: The Rise of Craft Distilleries

04/06: Bourbon demand fueling barrel business: “The magic comes from the barrel”

04/17: California Distillery Takes On New York Over Shipping Restrictions

04/21: The American Whiskey Industry Is Getting A Much-Needed Boost

04/24: Spirits Capital’s Distilled Barrels Financial Exchange DBFEX(TM) Partners with Lofted Spirits to Offer Barrel Inventory

Distillery News >> 12 Stories

04/02: Employees at Garrard County Distilling have been furloughed, Lancaster mayor confirms

04/04: Large, new Kentucky distillery closes amid $2.2 million lawsuit, liens

04/07: ‘Homecoming for Heaven Hill’: Distillery returns to Bardstown, will double capacity

04/07: Kentucky flood forces Buffalo Trace Distillery to temporarily close

04/09: Heaven Hill fills first barrel at new distillery