FrankfortKY

3-Ingredient Rye Cocktail for a Cause: The “Old Cranky Dave”

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It’s Thirsty Thursday! 🍹 And this week’s Episode 14 of our bourbon cocktail series has a meaningful twist! 🎉 We’re making the “Old Cranky Dave” – a simple and refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail featuring rye whiskey 🥃, root beer 🍺, and lime juice 🍋‍🟩 (think elevated Root Beer Rickey!). We’ll show you exactly how to make it step-by-step and explain why this unique combination works so well.

The name “Old Cranky Dave” is a loving nod to David Meier, the Owner & Distiller at the fantastic Glenns Creek Distilling. 👍 However, our reason for highlighting Dave and his distillery is serious. Glenns Creek Distilling in Frankfort, Kentucky, has been tragically impacted by the recent, historic Kentucky floods 💔🌊. The rising waters of the Kentucky River in early April 2025 have caused significant damage to their distillery, including the historic 1835 Old Crow buildings 🏛️ – a place where so much heart and soul goes into crafting their bourbon 🥃.

So, grab your rye whiskey, root beer, and lime 🛒, learn to make the “Old Cranky Dave,” and most importantly, hear the story of Glenns Creek Distilling and how you can support their recovery 🙏. Let’s raise a glass 🥂 to community and resilience! 💪 

You have the power to make a real difference in the lives of the Glenns Creek Distilling family. 💪 Please consider contributing to their flood relief efforts through one of the following ways:

Donate Directly: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/product/2025-flood-donation/ – Every dollar counts towards their rebuilding. 💰

Give the Gift of Future Bourbon: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/the-gcd-vault-2/ – A thoughtful way to support them now and enjoy their spirits later. 🎁

Find Unique Treasures: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/shop/ – Support them while getting something special. ✨

Secure a Future Pour: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/the-gcd-vault-2/ – Invest in their future by purchasing a bottle to be held for you. 🔒

Help us amplify their voice! 📣 Please SHARE this video with your friends, family, and fellow bourbon enthusiasts. 🤝 Let’s show the strength of the bourbon community in times of need. ❤️

Share your act of kindness in the comments below! 👇 We are committed to matching donations up to at least $250 to further support Glenns Creek Distilling. Your compassion means the world. 🙏 Thank you for watching and for standing with Glenns Creek Distilling.


✴️ Glenns Creek Distilling Flood Relief Video


🚨YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL🚨

🚨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.

Glenns Creek Needs You: Bourbon Community Flood Relief Effort

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A Bourbon Family Needs Your Help! 💔 Glenns Creek Distilling Devastated by Kentucky Floods 🌊

Imagine the heart and soul poured into crafting fine bourbon 🥃, now submerged under floodwaters. 😥 That’s the reality facing Glenns Creek Distilling in Frankfort, Kentucky. 📍 The unprecedented flooding of the Kentucky River in early April 2025, reaching levels not seen in decades, has brought immense challenges to this cherished distillery and its historic 1835 Old Crow buildings. 🏛️

Join us as we explore the unique character of Glenns Creek Distilling through a tasting of four of their exceptional bourbons. 🌟 But this video is more than just a review – it’s a plea for help 🙏. We want to share their story and the urgent need for support as they navigate the long and difficult road to recovery. 🚧

You have the power to make a real difference in the lives of the Glenns Creek Distilling family. 💪 Please consider contributing to their flood relief efforts through one of the following ways:

Donate Directly: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/product/2025-flood-donation/ – Every dollar counts towards their rebuilding. 💰

Give the Gift of Future Bourbon: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/the-gcd-vault-2/ – A thoughtful way to support them now and enjoy their spirits later. 🎁

Find Unique Treasures: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/shop/ – Support them while getting something special. ✨

Secure a Future Pour: ➡️ https://glennscreekdistillery.com/the-gcd-vault-2/ – Invest in their future by purchasing a bottle to be held for you. 🔒

Help us amplify their voice! 📣 Please SHARE this video with your friends, family, and fellow bourbon enthusiasts. 🤝 Let’s show the strength of the bourbon community in times of need. ❤️

Share your act of kindness in the comments below! 👇 We are committed to matching donations up to at least $250 to further support Glenns Creek Distilling. Your compassion means the world. 🙏 Thank you for watching and for standing with Glenns Creek Distilling.

🚨YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL🚨

🔥GLENNS CREEK DISTILLING SELLS SPIRITS TO BE HELD IN THEIR VAULT FOR PICK UP🔥 

🔥GLENNS CREEK DISTILLING DOES NOT SHIP SPIRITS🔥 

✅ THESE ARE THE SPIRITS TASTED IN THE VIDEO ✅ 

✴️ SWHEAT Wheated Bourbon: 

Swheat Bourbon WE DON’T SHIP THIS PRODUCT!

✴️ Stave & Barrel Bourbon: 

Stave + Barrel Bourbon WE DON’T SHIP THIS PRODUCT!

✴️ OCD #5 Bourbon: 

OCD #5 Bourbon WE DO NOT SHIP THIS PRODUCT!

✴️ Cafe Ole Bourbon: 

Cafe Ole Bourbon WE DON’T SHIP THIS PRODUCT!



✴️ 3-Ingredient Rye Cocktail for a Cause: The “Old Cranky Dave

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were 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.

Secrets of Bourbon Food Pairing Explained by Experts

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Date & Time: Friday, October 4th, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: The Kentucky History Center, 100 West Broadway St., Frankfort, KY 40601

By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

As part of our Frankfort, KY Bourbon on the Banks weekend, we attended the Secrets to Bourbon Food Pairing with Peggy Noe Stevens & John Medley. We had a big morning of travel from Indiana with our friends, Hap & Judy Aziz, as well as an insightful grounds walk tour at Glenn’s Creek Distilling – home of the historic Old Crow Distillery. We made it to the event just in time and friends had saved us seats right up front – Thank you Lisa & Phil!

Event Description: The Secrets to Bourbon Food Pairing – Bourbon Hall of Fame and Master Taster, Peggy Noe Stevens and John Medley, the Research and Development Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery take you on a sensory journey with food pairings from Limewater Bistro and our favorite expressions from Buffalo Trace Distillery.
-History and Tasting of three premium Bourbons
– Bourbon Benchmarking: Understanding three Different Styles
– Food and Bourbon pairing and palate training

What We Learned About Pairings

Peggy shared her approach and teaching tool for bourbon pairings called The Flavor Trio. She referred to this technique a balance, counterbalance, and explosion.

  • Balance: When the flavors of a bourbon MATCH the flavor of a food.
  • Counterbalance: When a completely OPPOSITE food flavor highlights certain bourbon flavor profiles.
  • Explosion: When a predominant bourbon flavor is matched with a predominant flavor in a food – this causes a flavor explosion.

With this in mind, you should select your bourbon first and get to know its flavor profile. Next, you would select foods to balance, counterbalance, and explode those flavors. This (and much more) is detailed in the book: “WHICH FORK DO I USED WITH MY BOURBON? Setting the Table for Tastings, Food Pairings, Dinners, and Cocktail Parties.” Peggy Noe Stevens & Susan Reigler. Available on Amazon.

Pairing 1: Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace: Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, and honey with notes of summer fruits and hints of leather and oak.

Balance: Paired with Peach Salad with Molasses Vinaigrette, Fresh Tarragon, and Honey Brown Bread Crouton.

The molasses vinaigrette balanced with the brown sugar; the notes of honey were present in the honey brown bread crouton; and the peach highlighted the bourbon flavors of summer fruits. This combination was truly delightful!

Pairing 2: Weller 12-Year-Old

Weller 12: Vanilla, orange peel, creamed corn, honeysuckle, and baking spices.

Counterbalance: Paired with Slow-Cooked Brisket with Crispy Gouda Grit Cake, Spicy BBQ, and Green Onion.

While the grit cake complimented the creamed corn from the Weller, the spicy BBQ sauce was the perfect counterbalance to the overall sweetness profile of the bourbon.

Pairing 3: Stagg Jr.

Stagg Jr.: Pipe tobacco, caramel, vanilla, baking spices, dates, with hints of clove and cocoa.

Explosion: Paired with Date and Chocolate Cake with Fresh Blackberry.

Wow! Explosion is a great description for how this tastes together. Amazing!

About our Hosts

Peggy Noe Stevens: As the world’s first female master bourbon taster and founder of the Bourbon Women Association, Peggy is uniquely qualified to educate the audience about Kentucky’s native spirit. Whether you are new to bourbon, or a seasoned enthusiast, she will present an entertaining overview of Bourbon’s flavor influencers during the production process and how to taste like a pro. A customized food and Bourbon pairing will delight your senses and teach you why the many different “styles” of our amber elixir make Bourbon a signature industry for Kentucky.

Rebecca Herman, Judy Aziz, Hap Aziz, Wayne McBrayer, and Peggy Noe Stevens

John Medley: As the Research & Development Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, John Medley is responsible for providing technical leadership for Sazerac products and implementing improvements in manufacturing processes. Under John’s helm, the new product development team creates successful brands enjoyed by fans all over the world.

Wayne McBrayer, Rebecca Herman, and John Medley

The perfectly prepared food pairings were created by Limewater Bistro.

The pairings were both delightful and educational. This was a fantastic experience. If you have an opportunity to attend a similar event, we highly recommend it. If you are unable to do so, Peggy & Susan’s book is fantastic!

Embracing the Craft!
Rebecca & Wayne

First Visit to Glenns Creek Distilling

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By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

February 23, 2024, Wayne and I had made plans to explore Lawrenceburg and Frankfort, KY. We have been there numerous times; however, mostly for the purpose of completing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or for another event. For this trip, we determined that we would focus our bookings at places that we had not yet experienced. This led us to Glenns Creek Distilling.

Connection to the Old Crow Distillery

For anyone who is not aware, Jim Beam acquired Old Crow in 1987 from National Distillers. Following the acquisition, Jim Beam stopped production at the Old Crow distillery and now uses a portion of the property to age bourbon. The Old Crow label is owned and produced by Jim Beam, but it is now based on the Jim Beam mashbill.

In 2013, Glenns Creek Distillery began operations in part of the former Old Crow Distillery. The 30-year abandonment of historic distillery buildings evoked a mix of sadness and curiosity. Intrigued by their past, a group led by David Meier has delved into the history of the Old Crow Distillery, seeking to understand its role in bourbon production. They have created a new bourbon in the style of the distillery’s founder, honoring his legacy. The team is committed to restoring and preserving these architectural treasures, ensuring their appreciation for generations to come.

Private Experience with the Distiller

When looking for distillery experiences, I often seek those that seem different or above and beyond the normal distillery tours. While the basic tours are great, when you have completed over 100 distillery experiences, it is important see a different side and learn from someone new to us.

This approach led me to book the Private Experience with the Distiller at Glenns Creek. Friday evening was available and that seemed to be a perfect way to conclude our day. Being a private experience, we knew that we could really spend quality time learning. The description was intriguing …
—Because this is a private experience, we can modify it to meet your interests.
—In this experience, we will dive deeper into the process of distilling bourbon and other spirits.
—This is the experience for the true bourbon aficionado.
—This private experience makes a great gift. (and it was part of Wayne’s birthday gift!)

We first watched a video about the Old Crow Distillery. It was very informative. Next, we entered the distillery and joined owner/distiller, David Meier, at the tasting table. He led us in conversation about many of their bourbons, labeling, and an overall love of what they do and the historic facility in which they operate. We tasted, chatted, asked questions, and had a wonderful time.

He walked us through their production area, the mash, the stills, aging, etc. Throughout, David was a breath of fresh air, openly sharing his knowledge, personal opinions, and passion for what they are doing at Glenns Creek. There was time to be serious and time for pure laughter.

Very few pictures were taken as we were totally engaged in conversation. What a wonderful two hours. We are so happy that David purchased the former Old Crow distillery and has brought it to life by making spirits and sharing their story. If you haven’t visited there, put it on your list.

Gift Shop



The choices were abundant for items to take home. For this trip, we decided on the challenge coin ornament, a lovely pictorial book on the Old Crow Distillery, and their in-house roasted coffee (now one of Wayne’s favorites!).



Bottle Purchases

We decided to purchase Glenns Creek OCD #5, SWHEAT, and Cafe Ole. Each is a Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Please refer to our post regarding the Glenns Creek Tasting Notes for additional information.

Other Options for Glenns Creek Experiences

They currently offer four experiences. In addition to the one we booked, the ones below are also available. We look forward to joining them on a Ground Walk in the near future.

The Visitor Experience is a one-hour tasting while seated inside the distillery. This experience is offered frequently. Website Description: This is an experience unlike any other distillery. What we lack in shine and polish we make up for with humor and wit mixed in with a good bit of information you will not hear at other distilleries. It is NOT a tour. You will be sitting inside the distillery, and you will have an opportunity to sample 5 of our distilled spirits and sit with one of our distillers (everyone here is a distiller). We do not have a set script and prefer to have a dialog with guests and answer any questions they may have regarding the process of cooking, fermenting, distilling, and aging of our spirits. We build and operate the stills and other equipment and we can explain the still operation. We will review the history of this legacy distillery and the famous brand that was distilled here for over 100 years.

The Unoaked Experience is currently available on Friday and Saturday at noon. Website Description: During the Unoaked Experience you will have an opportunity to sample some unaged distilled spirits (they have never been in a barrel) and their aged counterparts while sitting with one of our distillers in the distillery. After this tasting, you will have an understanding of what the barrel does to a distilled spirit. We build and operate the stills and other equipment and we can explain the still operation. We will review the history of this legacy distillery and the famous brand that was distilled here for over 100 years.

The Grounds Walk and Tasting is available as scheduled. Always check the calendar. Website Description: This is a limited opportunity to walk the grounds of this iconic distillery that was built in the 1870s. On this walking tour, you will learn the history of The Old Crow Distillery and an explanation of how the top-selling bourbon was made here. The grounds walk is approximately 1 hour and will be rain or shine so please be prepared for the weather conditions. You will be walking on rough terrain. The grounds walk is followed by a visitor experience where you will be able to sample 5 of our distilled spirits.

Distillery Trail Statistics



Glenns Creek Distilling, in Frankfort, KY, was our 57th distillery visit. On Friday and Saturday, in addition to Glenns Creek, we visited 5 of the 7 distilleries listed below.

Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. With advance planning, it is possible to create a terrific 3-4-day weekend trip with the distilleries in the Frankfort and Lawrenceburg areas.



Frankfort, KY
Castle & Key Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery
Whiskey Thief Distilling




Lawrenceburg, KY Area
Wild Turkey Distillery
Four Roses Distillery
Woodford Reserve Distillery

Happy Trails!
Rebecca