Liquor & Spirits

Whisky(ey)

AMERICAN WHISKEY

LABEL TERMS

BLENDED WHISKEY - a blend of which at least 20% is 100 proofstraight whiskey. The rest of the blend
may include other whiskey and/or grain neutral spirits. A small amount ofsherry may be added.
SIRAIGHT WHISKEY- whiskey distilled at no more than 160 proof,aged at least 2 yrs in new charred oak
barrels and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Straight whiskey includesmixtures of straight whiskeys of the
same type produced in the same state.
BONDED BOURBON WHISKEY- bourbon whiskey that has been agedand bottled according to the
Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. It is straight bourbon whiskey, made at onetime and in one location, that has
been aged in govenment-supervised warehouses for at least 4 yrs and bottledat 100 proof.
SMALL BATCH BOURBON WHISKEY- marrying together bourbon whiskeyfrom a small number of
specially selected barrels. Because bourbon ages differently at differentlocations in the rack house, the
marrying together of whiskey from selected barrels assures the consistencyof their unique flavor and
character.
SINCLE BARREL BOURBON - a bottling of bourbon whiskeyfrom a single barrel (unblended and
unmarried with other whiskies).
BARREL PROOF- typically, water is added to whiskey AFTER agingand BEFORE bottling. This is done
to reduce the alcohol to a palatable proof, usually 80-100 proof.With a barrel proof whiskey, the water is
added BEFORE aging, meaning the whiskey is bottled at the proof itwas naturally distilled at. This also
produces a more mellow, less "hot" product.
SOURMASH- a fermentation technique that almost everyone does,where a portion of the previous day's
mash is added to new mash to ensure consistent quality and character.
GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRIT- any grain spirit distilled at 190 proofor higher; should contain no noticeable
aroma, flavor or character.

BOURBON

All bourbon is whiskey, but not, all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbonis the predominant example of a straight or unblended American Whiskey.In order for a product to be labeled bourbon, it must: 1) be made inthe United States 2) contain at least 51% corn & 3) be aged in newAmerican charred oak. Additionally, all bourbon must be distilled at160 degrees or lower, stored between 80 and 125 degrees for a minimum of2 yrs. Most bourbons, however, are aged for at least 4 yrs; some are aged6-12 yrs. To have the name "Kentucky" on its label, a bourbonmust be made and aged atleast one year in Kentucky. Nothing may be addedto bourbon after distillation except pure distilled water to lower its alcoholcontent. Most bourbons are distilled in continuous stills and mostare made by the sour mash process, a method by which the distiller usespart of the previous day's mash, instead of fresh water, to start thenext fermentation process.

In addition to corn, bourbon also contains rye and malted barley. Bourbonswith a higher content of barley have a sweeter, rounder, more mellow taste,those with more rye have a bittersweet, spicy, and drier taste In 1964,congress passed a resolution making bourbon whiskey a distinctive nationalproduct.

Houses/American Wiskey

Jim Beam - a popular mixing bourbon with a lightish body,sweet palate and big finish.

Maker's Mark - a good example of a small batchbourbon. A high quality bourbon, it is rich, fairly smooth and substantial,but not heavy. Mature flavors of tobacco, pine, fruit; sweet smoky aftertaste.

Wild Turkey 101 proof - it combines huge character with maturity.Intense and heavy bodied Biscuity, loathery fruity flavors; charming, manneredaftertaste.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed - a barrel proof bourbon, somewhere around107 proof Aged longer and more mellow than the regular Wild Turkey bottling,Rare Breed is rich, slightly sweet with flavors of citrus, tart apples andspice; long, luxurious finish.

Booker's - distilled and bottled by Booker Noe ( Jim Beam's Grandson)at the Jim Beam Distillery. This is One of the richest and most intensebourbons produced. A single barrel AND barrel proof bourbon, aged 68 yrs.At about 128 proof, this is strong yet fairly smooth with a lingering finish.A very nice sipping bourbon. Wine-like, woody, smoky flavors abound; endless,fruity finish.

Blanton's - a supor-premium single barrel bourbon.Hearty, rich, smoky, and very complex.

Old Rip Van Winkle - a premium small batch bourbon, aged 10 yrs.107 proof, slightly sweet, smoky, rich and smooth. Old Rip is literallya "sleeper", reccomend this one because it is a nice, inexpensive,high quality bourbon.

Old Grand Dad 86 proof- potent, heady, rye bread: roma; generous,fruity, smoky
flavor