This monthly post contains a collection of article links from June that have been grouped by topic. Some highlights include market updates, distillery news, awards, festival ticket sales, and new bottle releases. Highlights encompassed stock fluctuations, new distillery additions, and various festival and product launches. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail was a key focus, with expanded features and anniversary celebrations. Multiple distilleries also unveiled new bourbon releases.
Last weekend, Wayne and I were headed to our annual family reunion at Lynnhurst Family Resort in Murray, KY, and the route took us through Hopkinsville, KY. If you know the Bourbon Trail, that means that Casey Jones Distillery was on the way. We couldn’t resist stopping by for a quick visit.
We didn’t even get to the front door, and we were warmly welcomed and thanked for visiting. We chatted about what might be new, what they were working on, and sought suggestions. We decided that we would do their next scheduled tasting. While waiting for the tasting to begin, we each enjoyed a cocktail in their bar area.
At Casey Jones, the tasting includes 10 small samples for $10. The challenge is that there are usually about 15 items available. The tasting leader describes what is being poured, and you decide if that will be one of your 10 samples. We enjoyed our choices, and the next challenge was determining what to purchase. We settled on a few new options as well as some favorites to replenish.
Selected for this Tasting
We selected the Casey Jones Barrel Cuts. Casey Jones Single Barrel Cut (white label) at 102.6 Proof and Casey Jones Double Barrel Cut (blue label) at 103.9 proof. Each was made using the Casey Jones’ Prohibition-era moonshine recipe of 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar. In addition, they were produced on the Authentic Square Pot Still. They were then finished in new, toasted #4 char wood-fired barrels. The double barrel (blue label) was then finished in their used bourbon barrels.
Casey Jones’ Authentic Square Pot Still
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Casey Jones Single Barrel Cut
Mashbill – 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar Age – NAS, Up to 4 years. Proof – 103.9 Price Paid – $58.29
Appearance – Copper with great legs.
Aroma – Butter, almost butterscotch, brown sugar, a hint of spice, and a bit of that #4 char coming forward. Sweet and inviting.
Tasted Neat – Surprisingly, not as sweet on the palate as it was on the nose. It has a great mouthfeel, very soft and smooth. It starts out as butterscotch then there is a long and warm finish of cinnamon.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cran emphasized the butter and lightened the finish. The cinnamon is now a much lighter baking spice, perhaps more of a nutmeg.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan truly took over and added a very woody note. The finish really lingers with a soft and warm baking spice.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Fascinating! There is usually a creaminess with the dark chocolate but not with this. In fact, the sweetness is gone and it is much spicier with a strong cinnamon finish.
Casey Jones Double Barrel Cut
Mashbill – 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar Age – NAS, Up to 4 years. Proof – 103.9 Price Paid – $58.29
Appearance – Copper with great legs
Aroma – Cocoa and honey with a light nuttiness. Very nice.
Tasted Neat – Very chocolate forward with a hint of cherry. The finish is light and tingling such as a pepper. Quite surprising and wonderful.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This brought the cherry forward but in a spicy way. The nuttiness is gone and so is the chocolate on the front. Instead, it finishes like a chocolate cherry cordial. Very interesting that the cranberry moved the spice more to the front.
Tasted with a pecan – Very pecan forward and with added notes of the barrel. The chocolate and cherry seems to have vanished and it seems like a totally different sip.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This helped bring the chocolate and cherry forward and the finish is very gentle now, it’s warm and lingering not truly spicy.
Discussion and Final Notes
The first one (white label) is so amazing on the nose. That buttery sweetness is so warm and inviting. The second one (blue label) has the fantastic chocolate and cherry nose. They are each terrific but if we could only smell one, we might have to go with the white label.
Similarly, each has a wonderful taste! Again, the white label is like buttered toffee but the blue label has chocolate, cherry and cinnamon. If we had to chose, we would go with the blue label on taste due to its added complexity.
Overall, we would have to make it a truly split decision. Each is terrific and a great addition to a collection. We highly recommend Casey Jones Distillery, which is just outside of Hopkinsville, KY. The Master Distiller is normally there and happy to answer questions, sign bottles, and visit. They often have food trucks on the weekend and cocktails are available in their bar. We have always had great experiences with all of their staff.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
NOTE: The spirits 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.
To wrap up National Bourbon Week, Wayne and I enjoyed a quick trip to Louisville, KY. We had two planned activities for the weekend: a dinner at Evan Williams on Friday and a tour at Starlight Distillery on Saturday. Beyond that, we decided to go with flow and enjoy whatever caught our eyes. If you haven’t been to Louisville and explored Whiskey Row, you should likely place that on your travel calendar!
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-Bond Release
When we arrived in Louisville, we drove directly to Angel’s Envy. They were releasing their Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, their first non-finished offering. We were excited to stop in and acquire a bottle. We learned that they were 375ml bottles and got two as well as a distillery only single barrel. This is an historic moment for Angel’s Envy and we were thrilled to stop in for their celebration!
We have been huge fans of Bardstown Bourbon Company since our first weekend on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and love that they now have a tasting room in Louisville. Thus, that was our next stop.
A busy day in Louisville!View from the bar.
We had hoped that we would be able to acquire a bottle of their Amrut Collaboration and were thrilled that it was available. When planning our tasting flights, we also wanted to try the two distillery only offerings. The first was a Small Batch Stave Finish and the other was a Single Barrel Four Grain. When we saw that their Bardstown Collection for 2024 was available, that was an easy choice!
As we sat down for our tasting, I was more than surprised to see my friend and AOII sorority sister, Cindy Visot, who I have not seen in 9 years! She and her husband were in town for a wedding and just happened to stop in to sample some bourbon. What a fun coincidence!
Flight: Small Batch Stave Finish, Single Barrel Four Grain, Bardstown Collection 2024, Amrut CollaborationFinding a friend you haven’t seen in 9+ years!
We bought all that we sampled as each expression was amazing. To say we were surprised and THRILLED to have the opportunity to purchase the 2024 Bardstown Collection is an understatement!
Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience
We then walked a couple blocks to the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience. We really enjoy their products and made a point to stop in as we knew they are having a special event to celebrate the grand opening of their hidden speakeasy. The event included a sample spirit upon arrival, light bites, and a special cocktail menu at their cash bar.
Buzzard’s Roost on Main St in LouisvilleWe got a peek at their still!
Everyone was dressed in Roaring 20’s attire and the place was buzzing! The small bites were welcomed as we had been quite busy already. We were happy to get a seat at the bar and order from the special menu for the event. We each enjoyed our drink selections … Manhattan for me and a Paper Plane for Wayne!
Special Cocktail MenuA Manhattan for Rebecca & a Paper Plane for Wayne
Evan Williams – A Toast to Bourbon Dinner
Following our visit at Buzzard’s Roost, it was time to head to Evan Williams for our “A Toast to Bourbon Dinner” that was scheduled to begin at 7PM. Please read all about that event HERE.
Breakfast at Doc Crow’s
We were up early on Saturday morning and looked forward to breakfast at one of our favorite places – Doc Crow’s! The location and atmosphere is fantastic. We always have amazing service and the food is outstanding.
Wayne enjoyed the “build your own” omelet with hashbrowns, a side of biscuit & gravy and a spicy Bloody Mary made with bourbon. I loved the spinach and feta omelet with hashbrowns … and we shared a side of cheddar grits!
Whiskey Row Car Show
As we walked to Doc Crow’s, we noticed that cars were filing in for a show. By the time we finished breakfast, we were able to stroll along Whiskey Row and enjoy some amazing cars! You just never know what you will find in downtown Louisville.
Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
After checking out of our hotel, we decided to see what Michter’s was offering for the day. We arrived just as the doors were opening and learned that they had a Barrel Strength Rye (109.6 proof) available. It came as a set with their Straight Rye Whiskey. There was also an opportunity to bottle-your-own Barrel Strength Bourbon but the next available time was later than we desired to stay.
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
After leaving Michter’s, we decided to head to Jim Beam, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Louisville. We always love being on their campus and we were hopeful that they would have some bottles on the shelf that we wanted to buy.
We were in luck as they had exactly what we were hoping for: Booker’s 2024-02, “The Beam House Batch” and Little Book Chapter 8, “Path not Taken.” Of course, it would have been incredible to acquire a bottle of their 2024 Bardstown Collection; alas, there were none available. But that is ok, we got what we thought we would have an opportuity to buy!
It was a great, albeit quick, trip to Louisville. We always look forward to visiting!
Farewell Louisville – time to head to Borden, IN and Starlight Distillery!
June 7, 2024, Wayne and I ventured to Owensboro, KY to partake in Green River Distillery’s launch of their full proof bourbon. We had secured a VIP Tour and arrived early to take in the festivities.
While awaiting the start of our tour, we had a pour of the full proof. The perfect way to set the stage for the remainder of the event.
VIP History and Distillery Tour
We a VIP tour with none other than the amazing National Brand Ambassador, Caryn Wells. We started in the room that holds so much of the history of Green River Distilling. Each time the story is told, we learn and/or remember a new detail. I decided to get pictures of the timeline barrels to help me remember. The artifacts that they have collected and displayed are top notch.
History notes from the barrel heads –
1885: Green River Distillery is founded by JW McCulloch. DSP-KY-10 is the 10th oldest Licensed distillery in the state and becomes home to McCulloch’s famous whiskey.
1886-1889: Green River Whiskey is known far and wide, thanks to its quality and JW McCulloch’s innovative marketing approach. Advertising for the brand includes the slogan “The Whiskey without a Headache,” later becoming “The Whiskey Without Regrets.” Known as the “most expensive spirit ever sold,” 20 barrels were once traded for interest in a Colorado gold mine. Green River becomes the official whiskey of the US Marine Hospital in 1910.
1900-1906: Green River wins many awards, including a gold medal and “best of show” at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Leigh Exposition in Belgium. It also wins awards at expositions in St. Louis MO in 1904, Portland OR in 1905, and Milan Italy in 1906.
1906-1917: The city of Owensboro is an epicenter of bourbon production with more than 20 distilleries. Daviess County is home to several of the state’s largest and best distilleries.
1918: At the height of Green River’s popularity, a fire broke out on the distillery grounds. In just three hours, most of the buildings and whiskey barrels were reduced to rubble.
History notes from the barrel heads – (continued)
1920-1933: The distillery is rebuilt, but Prohibition is passed, and McCulloch wouldn’t live to restore Green River to its former glory. Almost all of Daviess County’s distilleries, including Green River, shut their doors, as Owensboro’s whiskey industry evaporates overnight.
1939-2007: A group of Medley family members band together to purchase and revive the distillery as the Medley Distilling Company. For the next 70 years, the Medley Family continues to carry on the tradition of distilling spirits at the location and maintains the registration of the distillery as DSP-KY-10.
Today – A Legacy Revived: In 2014, the Green River team finds the distillery with such a storied history in ruins. Brick by brick, building the building, they restore the 10th oldest distillery in the state. In 2016, they began distilling. History comes full circle in 2020 as Green River Distilling Co. is officially revived in its original home. With the support of John W. McCulloch’s great-grandson, the Green River flag is raised high on the distillery campus for the first time since Prohibition.
2022: Green River returns to its former glory. The revival marks the return of Owensboro’s rich bourbon legacy. The distillery remains registered as DSP-KY-10 and is a heritage member of the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, welcoming visitors from near and far.
We headed outdoors for a discussion about grain. Green River uses only non-GMO grain and receives more bushels a week than one can wrap their head around. Next we were off to the stillhouse. Caryn shared history as well as distilling facts with us along the way. We got to drink the “high wine” off the still and it was fantastic.
Time for the Tasting in Rickhouse B
Rickhouse B
We then went to Rickhouse B where all the single barrels are selected. It was great that we were able to taste and compare their various offerings. We started with the Wheated, then their flagship Bourbon, followed by the Rye, and we finished with the Full Proof. We learned that the full proof is a blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels. In addition to the prepared pours of their line, we received samples of a bourbon single barrel thieved straight from the barrel. It was incredible!
We have been on many tours and experiences. Two of the most important factors of a GREAT one are the guide and your fellow enthusiasts. For this event, we hit the jackpot with Caryn as our guide and an amazing group of bourbon/Green River enthusiasts. It was like family and we had so much fun!
Commemorative Gift Bag for the Green River Full ProofRelease
We each received a gift back with a bottle of Green River Full Proof and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.
See our Green River Full Proof tasting notes HERE!
Distillery Trail Statistics
Green River Distilling, in Owensboro, KY, is the closest distillery to us and one of our favorite places to visit. This was our 9th visit and our 127th distillery experience. Our first visit was November 13, 2021 where Caryn Wells led us through a guided tasting and discussion about this history of the distillery.
We had a truly wonderful evening and it was difficult to say goodbye. Wayne and I look forward to our next visit at Green River Distilling.
“The Barons of Whiskey” was a group of men that helped make Kentucky bourbon legendary, ushering in bourbon’s golden age more than 100 years ago. Wayne and I recently enjoyed a tasting of two of the three: Bond & Lillard and W.B. Saffell. Unfortunately, we have been unable to locate Old Ripy.
These are two of the three Barons of Whiskey line: Bond & Lillard anad WB Saffell.
Bond & Lillard was a trusted name in the pre-Prohibition whiskey industry. It was first distilled by John Bond in what was then called, Cedar Run, KY now known as Anderson County, in 1820. A veteran of the American Revolutionary War, Bond moved his distilling operation closer to Lawrenceburg, KY after the war. The brand gained international attention in 1904 when it won the Grand Prize at the St. Louis World’s Fair for its flavor, strength, and appearance.
W.B. Saffell pays tribute to William Butler Saffell, who began distilling as a teenager and built his first distillery in 1889. This bourbon is inspired by the delicate spirit he produced at the time and is the first in the collection to have legendary Master Distiller Eddie Russell working on the spirit.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Bond & Lillard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mashbill – 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Age – Non-age-stated; reportedly aged at least 7 years Proof – 100 Other – 375 ml bottle Price Paid – $59.94
Tasted Neat – Lemon zest, green apple, honey, cardamom with a cinnamon finish.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Toasted oak, citrus gone, white pepper finish.
Tasted with a pecan – Citrus returned, honey forward, and quite oaky.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Green apple returned, sweetness is more of a caramel, slight oak.
WB Saffell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mashbill – 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Age – Non-age-stated; reportedly blends of 6, 8, 10, and 12 years Proof – 107 Other – 375 ml bottle Price Paid – $58.85
Color – Light Amber and Copper
Aroma – Sweet and rich. Dark caramel, molasses, nutmeg, and apricot.
Tasted Neat – Caramel, vanilla, maple syrup, dark chocolate, baking spices. The finish is long and warm with caramel, bits of citrus, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Butterscotch with pepper on the back.
Tasted with a pecan – Creamy, smooth, pepper is gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Sweet butterscotch, very creamy.
Discussion and Final Notes
Bond & Lillard smells and tastes like summertime. With the lemon zest and honeysuckle on the nose, and even its golden hue, it invites you to enjoy it in the sunshine. As you dive into it, your senses really linger on the citrus, green apple, honey, and floral notes while surprising you with a nice cinnamon finish.
W.B. Saffell is rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful. When thinking of seasons, this screams Fall Festival. The aromas of dark caramel, molasses, nutmeg, and apricot urge you to give it a try. One taste and you are not disappointed as the caramel opens up to include vanilla, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Its long and warm finish is amazing with pops of caramel, citrus, and then cinnamon and black pepper.
Each expression is unique and worthwhile. We certainly enjoyed them and recommend each as a nice addition to your collection.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Spirit Requirements
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.
Wayne and I decided to revisit a couple selections from Penelope to further explore their interesting taste profiles. These selections are part of the Penelope Bourbon Cooper Series where they seek the perfect marriage of various cask finishes with their signature four grain straight bourbon whiskey.
Selected for this tasting: PenelopeRosé Cask Finish and PenelopeValencia.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
PenelopeRosé Cask Finish
Mashbill – 76% Corn, 14% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley Finished – Rosé Cask is finished in hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region Age – 4-5 years Proof – 94 Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads Price Paid – $59.94
Color – Golden Amber
Aroma – The rose wine is prevalent on the nose. There is also a light fruitiness, vanilla cream, and floral notes.
Tasted Neat – Rose wine is on the front of the palate followed by strawberry shortcake and vanilla cream with a finish of lingering nutmeg.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Fruit forward with floral notes as well as an herbal presence; very creamy.
Tasted with a pecan – Fruitiness is gone, heavier in white pepper, but still creamy.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Similar to the neat pour, but finishes with white pepper.
PenelopeValencia
Mashbill – 75% Corn, 15% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley Finished – Valencia is finished in Vino de Naranja casks Age – 4-5 years Proof – 95 Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads Price Paid – $108.99
Color – Medium Amber.
Aroma – Toffee, orange cream, orange zest, and baking spices.
Tasted Neat – Floral notes and French vanilla on the front with burnt orange zest, moves to a rich fruit with pops of black and white pepper and a lovely creamy and savory finish where the orange peel reappears.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry negated the orange notes but brought in a hint of chocolate and remained creamy.
Tasted with a pecan – With pecan it is very woody up front and then the orange returns on the back end, but the creaminess was gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The dark chocolate enhanced the fruitiness and increased the boldness of the spices on the finish.
Discussion and Final Notes
Both are outstanding! While they are different from most bourbons, they remind you on the journey that they are indeed bourbons. Sometimes finishes such as these are too wine-forward or you lose the taste of the original spirit. That is not the case with these Penelope selections.
We are often asked what we drink in the summer. Well, we still drink bourbon! However, for those who want something a bit lighter and with tastes of summer in their bourbon, the Rose and Valencia could be great choices. Their aromas and tastes make you think of summertime vibes.
We highly recommend PenelopeRosé Cask Finish and PenelopeValencia as a great addition to any bourbon collection.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Spirit Requirements
Whiskey (generic) must be made from cereal grains, distilled below 190 proof, placed into an oak container, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.
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).
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.
This monthly post contains a collection of article links from May that have been grouped by topic. Some highlights include Kentucky tourism on a record-setting pace, 2024 Annual Master Exams by the Council of Whiskey Masters, 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Results, Bourbon Festival Tickets on sale, and numerous bottle releases.
We started the weekend on Friday night with the kick-off dinner, Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner at Green River Distillery. However, Saturday, May 11, was the big day – and BIG it was. The 2024 BBQ & Barrels event was amazing. There was competition BBQ in the streets, a great line-up of live music all day, a very interesting auto show, education sessions in the afternoon, followed by the bourbon festival. Of course, that doesn’t mean the day is complete until gathering with friends and an opportunity to view the Northern Lights. What a day! Something for everyone!
BBQ Competition and Street Fair
Cooking teams, BBQ competition, Food Trucks – this Street Fair lined 2nd Street in downtown Owensboro, KY. It was fun to walk and smell the amazing aromas coming off of those smoker. Wow – if only cameras had smell-a-vision!
On Friday we sampled one item and enjoyed a cocktail from Castle & Key.
Saturday we had the opportunity to sample from the various competition teams. So many yummy bites of smoked chicken, pork, bologna, ham, sausage, venison, etc. It is amazing how full you can get sampling with a toothpick!
Rob, Wayne, & April
Champions Motorcar Invitational
The car show was new this year. I’m not sure I would have been aware of it if I hadn’t known someone who was showing his 57 Chevy. While there weren’t as many cars in the field as one might expect, they were all incredibly different and quite stunning. Ultimately, 12 barrel head trophies were awarded.
Education Session with Evan Williams
We enrolled in the Master Class with Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (EWBE) Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau. The BBQ & Barrels classes are a terrific value. Held one hour prior to the VIP entry for the bourbon tasting, the last two years there have been three options available and only $25 a ticket for a 45 minute session.
Jodie introduced himself and provide some background on his 42 years of experience, working his way up, of being a part of the Heaven Hill family-owned operation.
He then led us on a detailed tasting of two award-winning Evan Williams Bourbons made in distinctly different styles. The small cups, in the photo above, contained various elements, such as cherry, cinnamon, walnuts, etc. that might be on the nose or the palate of the two expressions. We were also provided a water dropper and were encouraged to try each a second time with a drop of water to see how it might open up differently.
First up was the Evan Williams Single Barrel made in column stills at the historic DSP-KY-1 Bernheim plant. This expression is 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The notes provided were accurate for our palate as well – nose of dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood; taste of oak with honey, fruit notes of apple and orange, and a very nice spice.
Next was the Square 6 wheated bourbon made in the EWBE Artisanal Distillery using Vendome pot stills. We have tried and purchased the Square 6 previously and the wheated expression is one of our favorites. It is a blend of two mashbills. The first is 74% corn, 16% wheat, and 10% malted barley. The second is 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. This is bottled at 105 proof. All aspects of this is wonderful. The nose starts with caramel, vanilla, figs, cherries, and oak. The nose continues on the palate and adds confectioners’ sugar and walnuts. The walnuts continue on the finish as well as oak and cinnamon. It is a yummy flavor bomb.
Rebecca, Wayne, & Jodie
Lisa & Jodie
Jodie loves what he does and it shows in his excitement when talking about these spirits. It was really nice to meet him, hear his story, and taste these spirits again with his enthusiasm as an added bonus. After the session concluded, we were able to get pictures with him for us and our friend, Lisa Stinson.
Barrels Bourbon Festival– VIP
View of the BBQ & music festival from the Convention Center
The VIP ticket included the all-important one-hour early entry (3PM vs 4PM). Everything else aside, this is critical because it is much less crowded and this allows you to sample more easily and spend time talking with the various distillers. Of course, the passed heavy hors d’oeuvres and commemorative VIP BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass is very nice as well.
With 35 distilleries, we approached it somewhat methodically but also ensured we had time with some of our favorite people!
Rebecca, Kim, & Wayne: The Bard DistilleryBarry with RD One DistilleryAaron with Green River DistillingJustin with Spirits of French LickRebecca, Amine, & Wayne: Old Louisville Whiskey CoAJ of Casey Jones Distillery
There were legacy distilleries, craft distilleries, and some who were just getting started. It is wonderful to see everyone together and in a support environment.
Starlight DistilleryMichter’s DistilleryCoal Pick DistilleryWestern KY DistillingBrothers of the Leaf DistilleryEvan Williams Bourbon Experience
The crowds were substantial following the VIP hour but everyone was polite and friendly. People shared tables to visit and take a break. Distillers shared their stories, provided samples & tchotchkes, most were able to sell bottles a well. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why we have enjoyed these folks while meeting new people and tasting new expressions.
We made our bottle purchases (pro tip: wait so you don’t have to carry!) and exited the event a little after 5PM. We enjoyed our time there and two hours was just about perfect for us.
Bourbon Friends & Northern Lights
It was a wonderful day and a beautiful evening; thus, we couldn’t let the fun end at the conclusion of the festival. Many of us gathered at about 8PM for a “bottle share” around the bonfire at one of the hotels on the river. Again, time with old friends and time to get to know new friends. That is what the bourbon journey is all about. Sharing a pour with stories, laughter, and even some cigars. I’ve said it before and will say it again – bourbon has an amazing culture and it is one that we feel immensely blessed to be a part of.
Lisa, Phil, Ann, & JeffSarah & LisaTori, Barry, Lisa, & Phil
This also happened to be a night where viewing the Northern Lights was a possibility. Being on the river, without excessive lights, was a lovely setting to gain a glimpse. We all looked, watched, and hoped for several hours. Ironically, it wasn’t until Wayne and I were walking back to our hotel at about midnight that we were finally able to capture the magical view. Wow – the Northern Lights truly placed a colorful bow on what had already been a perfect weekend.
The Glover Cary Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) connecting Indiana to Owensboro KY always has an amazing light display.
That’s a Wrap for BBQ & Barrels
Wow – what a wonderful weekend! We could not have asked for better weather. The event was well-organized and everyone we met was friendly and fun. It is always difficult to say what was the best part or the best memory. While the events were excellent, it is always the people who create the memories. Seeing folks that we haven’t seen for some time. Making new friends. Spending time with people who come from various locations and walks of like to share a common passion – bourbon.
If you haven’t been to Owensboro, KY or this BBQ & Barrels event, mark your calendar for 2025. The BBQ event has been a staple on the riverfront for decades and in 2023 the “barrels” portion was added. This year was the first time for the car show. With the live music, it is truly a festival atmosphere. There is something for everyone and that is why the attendance continues to grow. Bookmark their site, tickets usually go on sale late February or very early March.
Again, we highly recommend this event. If you haven’t attended a bourbon festival before, this is a terrific chance to do so in a non-overwhelming environment. And if your friends, spouse, or significant other are not “into bourbon” that’s ok because there is so much to do!
This was a great memory for Our Bourbon Journey – be sure to add it to yours!
In honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday May 4, 2024, Wayne and I tasted a THEME of bourbon inspired by this iconic event. In addition to the annual Woodford Reserve release, we also opened and tasted two special bottles.
Selected for this Tasting
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 150; 1974 James B. Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Decanter; and Evan Williams Kentucky Derby Festival 2023.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 150
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt Age – NAS; KSBW is at least 4 years Proof – 90.4 Other – The whiskey is also triple distilled and has a low proof when it enters the barrel to mature for at least six years. Price Paid – $37.59
Color – Light to Medium Amber
Aroma – Surprised by the amount of ethanol at first as this is pretty low proof. Once we go past that notes of honey, vanilla, light baking spices, hints of oak.
Tasted Neat – Very light and with limited viscosity. Similar to the nose, there is vanilla, honey, orange zest, and a woodiness. The finish is dry with pepper and oak.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brought the orange zest very forward, less sweetness, and the finish is also lighter.
Tasted with a pecan – Tobacco leads the way but there is also strong wood notes and a light hint of cocoa powder.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Very similar to when it was tasted neat except that the chocolate has added a creaminess.
We both liked it best with the cranberry as it had a very nice brightness; however, due to the tobacco notes, we might want to taste it with a cigar as well.
1974 James B. Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Decanter
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 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 Other – 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. Originally sold for $10.00.
Color – Dark Amber
Aroma – Lovely nose … sweet and rich at the same time. There is a nice wood note with caramel, buttered popcorn, and baking spices and perhaps a hint of fruit.
Tasted Neat – Caramel and oak with a vanilla custard and cinnamon. The fruit from the aroma seems to be dried apricot and there is a hint of citrus as well. The finish lingers nicely with cinnamon and oak. It has a lot more character and complexity than we typically see today in an 86 proof bourbon.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This took away the sweetness and brought the baking spices forward with more woodiness.
Tasted with a pecan – Very rich as the caramel turns darker and the wood became quite dominant. The finish is black pepper and oak.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The caramel returned and there is cinnamon more mid-palate. Finishes with a strong woodiness and cinnamon.
Neat would be preferred but with the pecan was very nice.
Evan Williams Kentucky Derby Festival 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye Barreled 10/27/15; Bottled 01/20/23; Barrel #5 Age – 7.24 years Proof – 119 Other – Dipped in iridescent teal wax. The bottle also features a special face label with the Kentucky Derby Festival logo in teal and gold, and each bottle comes with a 2023 Pegasus Pin in an envelope. Only 800 bottles were released. Price Paid – $84.79
Color – Medium Amber
Aroma – Vanilla, cherry, floral, and perhaps tea.
Tasted Neat – Caramel, honey, vanilla custard, and a hint of cherry. The finish has nutmeg and a light mint.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This really brightened it up. Now there is citrus coming forward such as orange or lemon zest, still with a hint of cherry and the finish is very nice and with a pleasant cinnamon.
Tasted with a pecan – Now there is chocolate covered cherries with nutmeg and an additional woodiness. Very nice.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The cherry got really bold in the middle with a hint of chocolate but there wasn’t much of a finish.
This is a great bottle and we liked it neat but some of the other options were also very interesting.
Discussion and Final Notes
For a nose preference, it was clearly Jim Beam, Evan Williams, then Woodford.
From a taste perspective, it is hard to compare something that was distilled and barreled in 1966 to today’s products. Based on the older products that we have been able to taste, they tend to have a bit more character than today’s exact counterpart.
The 1974 bottle of Jim Beam was fantastic. If you can get your hands on an unopened decanter of this vintage, we highly recommend giving it a try. And, if ever in Northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati you will find Covington, KY and the home of Revival Vintage Bottle Shop where each day you might have an opportunity to taste from a dusty bottle! From a current Jim Beam offering, we would recommend the Jim Beam Black 7 Year as a good substitute.
The 2023 Derby Festival bottle by Evan Williams is truly terrific. We have also had several of their single barrels and since finding this specific bottle might be a challenge, give their single barrel a try.
Woodford Reserve, at least for us, is not preferred for drinking neat. However, it is fantastic in cocktails as its taste holds up very even though it is a lower proof. If you love the Kentucky Derby, you will want to collect their beautiful commemorative bottles.
Everyone has a different palate and different taste preferences. We are confident that at least one of these would be great for most people.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
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.
The bourbon and whiskey market continues to perform well and tourism in Texas has seen a significant increase. There is innovation happening with Beam Suntory as they have laid claim to the world’s first hydrogen-powered whisky distilling. There were several interesting distillery happenings including Buffalo Trace in London. In addition, more awards were announced. While there were likely more, over a dozen bottle releases were publicized.
Your Bourbon Journey 