The generally accepted optimal age for bourbon is anywhere between 5-12 years. Address: 105 W. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202. Kentucky is world-famous for its bourbon, producing nearly 95% of the world's supply of this spicy, sultry spirit. The spirit inside is super impressive complex yet smooth, with a creamy mouthfeel and plenty of spice. Quick Description: The distillery produces handcrafted spirits using local grains. It doesnt have to be made in Kentucky to qualify as bourbon, but with two centuries of whiskey-making experience, its safe to say the Bluegrass State knows what its doing when it comes to Americas favorite whiskey. If you see a mistake or a missing item please reach out to let us know. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. The Bourbon Trail beckons bourbon lovers worldwide to visit this area of the Kentucky countryside that is home to a current number of 41 distilleries and spans approximately 250 miles. You just have to know how to read it. 1792s full proof label comes from its unique filtering process it passes through a plate and frame filter instead of chill filtering. Some of the top distilleries in Kentucky are not on the trail. One of Heaven Hill Distillerys most-awarded whiskeys, this reasonably-priced single barrel is big, balanced, spicy and sweet, and enjoys a backbone of honey and citrus.Its straightforward, flavorful, not heavy-handed, and terrific neat, says Jeff Moses, a Charleston-based spirits entrepreneur. When it comes to bourbon whiskey, youll always find Jim Beam among the worlds best-selling bourbon brands. I like it best when I have it with a meal like a barbecue or a rotisserie chicken., ABV: 50% |Tasting Notes:Cinnamon, Toffee, Vanilla, Dried fruit. There are eight in total, each of a racehorse with a jockey on its back. Buy It, 110-115 Proof Semi-Limited Loretto, KY, For Makers 46 they added 10 seared French oak staves to a mature barrel of Makers. A high-corn mash will taste sweet and creamy, much like how sweet corn does, while a high-rye mash will tend to have a spicy rye bite with a hint of cinnamon. For 23 years EC23 hangs out in the lowest floors of the storehouses where environmental swings are milder. Meanwhile, your economy-priced bourbons will often beg to be mixed into a cocktail: you can go classy and whip up a full-bodied Old Fashioned or Manhattan, but let's not forget the simple pleasure of a bourbon-and-cola enjoyed while watching the sunset on a humid summer's evening. The smell of the angel's share. Known today as Wild Turkey Hill, this Lawrenceburg site has been home to a distillery since 1850 (via The Whiskey Jug ). Quick Description: The distillery produces a great selection of bourbons and whiskeys from Kentucky and beyond. Still, a $30 bottle of Wild Turkey 101 would leave us satisfied. The blend is made with four different mash bills ranging from 6 to 15 years old. Take a distillery tour or learn about America's native spirit with a Bourbon 101 class. 1792 Bourbon is steeped in history: the brand name pays homage to the first year Kentucky was recognized as the 15th state, [1] and the Barton 1792 Distillery is the oldest distillery in the state still fully operational. While Kentucky offers up no shortage of excellent bourbons for the novice and expert consumer alike, it's hard to find fault with the Noah's Mill Small Batch from Willett Distillery (view on Caskers), a classically-inclined bourbon with a bold take on the traditional flavor profile and some extra body from the elevated proof. We think every one of these bottles deserves a space on your liquor cabinet, but none more so than Bulleit Barrel Strength, which lands a spot as our number one. After aging for at least six weeks, the beer has grown to become the flagship beer of the premier . Sound off below! Knob Creek is a quality, well-executed bourbon with a nutty aroma and a rich, almost fruity taste that goes great in a glass (or if you must, an old fashioned). Quick Description: The distillery makes small-batch, rare Kentucky whiskeys with distinct character. Visitors can drive scenic roads with the smell of bourbon in the air between stops to tour the production site of their favorite brands or to discover new ones. Buy It, If youre not sure where to start in your bourbon adventures, Eagle Rare is a good jumping off point. Our List of the 15 Best Bourbons Under $100. It is bottled at 116.6 proof without going through chill filtration. This is the industrys first Single Barrel bourbon, released by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1984. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. Custom Tours. It is intensely fruity, with tasting notes of citrus, dried fruits, and some vanilla, with a long, elegant finish. Go ahead, pour yourself a, As the name suggests, a high rye bourbon contains plenty of rye, and a, https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/kentucky, https://www.forbes.com/sites/samlemonick/2017/08/18/yes-you-should-put-water-in-your-whiskey/, Knob Creek is one of the high-end releases, Pappy Van Winkle is the fabled unicorn of Kentucky bourbons, How To Drink Alcohol Without Tasting It: 7 Ways (2022), Villon Cognac Bottle Prices, Sizes & Guide (2022 Updated), Can You Become A Bartender At 18? T he Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a coveted distillery crawl in America that's on the bucket list of every bourbon lover. Consequently, each barrel will taste different, although there's usually some consistency that allows the discerning imbiber to identify the brand. Address: 31 E Broadway St, Winchester, KY 40391. Jesse has worked as a sommelier, a bartender, and a spirits rep.Hes available to have a drink with you next week or the week after, but this week is a little crazy. ABV: 54.5%|Tasting Notes:Orange peel, Cherry, Tobacco, Roasted corn. This unique bourbon is based on a wheat recipe and is aged for 8 years on the top of a warehouse floor. This roundup was updated by Jesse Porter, who finds that keeping a bottle of bourbon on his desk next to his computer helps improve his overall workflow and thus writes it off monthly as a business expense. Alongside horses, bourbon is warmly embraced as Kentucky's signature industry. This bourbon might be sharp and intimidating at first (you can blame it on the 100 proof), but it quickly mellows down to reveal tasting notes of sweet corn and spicy rye. (Makers of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale) 401 Cross St, Downtown, Lexington, KY, 405082806. A 750ml bottle of this bourbon will cost you around $24 (via Total Wine). If youre looking to mix your bourbon into a cocktail, this is a good thing: higher proof bourbons can stand up to strong flavors and make themselves known in a drink. The Maker's Mark Private Selection program allows retail partners to create their own version of Maker's Mark, but few have gained the popularity or acclaim of this latest release (via Spirited Zine). Weller Antique 107 (via Breaking Bourbon). When lined up, the stoppers display a sequence of the horse running (via VinePair). We embrace what nature has given us and make the best whiskey we can as a celebration of the year's harvest. ABV: 45% Average Price: $40 The Whiskey: While this whiskey is a blend of sourced juice, it really shines as a classic bourbon from a new brand. Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, marshmallow. Quick Description: It is a craft distillery based in Kentucky and offers handcrafted bourbons from grain to glass. Rare bottles of this unique bourbon have been known to go for more than $5,000. What is the best Bourbon? Note: While nearly every major distillery does such private selections, the soaring demand for Bourbon has reduced the amount of private selections allowed. And it's not just because we've been perfecting our craft since the very beginning. Address: 705 Germantown Rd, Maysville, KY 41056. As the name suggests, Old Fitzgerald is a very old brand. Augusta Distillery: Augusta Sweet Water Holdings LLC: Also, make sure to do some tasting of something other than bourbon. Address: 801 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202. 1792's name pays a special tribute to the state where it's made, as 1792 was the year that Kentucky became the 15th state. Quick Description: It was founded by the owner of Equus Run Vineyards and offered tastings and tours. Address: 225 Dee Head Rd, New Haven, KY 40051. The amazing bourbon features notes of vanilla, honey, corn, and nutmeg. The brand also carries more premium labels for bourbon aficionados looking to experiment with more complex flavors. Pinhook takes a winemaker's approach to whiskey, says founder Sean Josephs, who has experience as a sommelier, and also was the former owner of celebrated NYC whiskey bars Char No 4 and Maysville. Luckily for you, it's available just about anywhere that you'll find a bottle of classic Maker's Mark. Go ahead, pour yourself a glass of Buffalo Trace youll thank us later. Like the flagship bottling, its full-bodied and packed with caramel and brown sugar flavors. Address: 1417 Versailles Rd. The low percentage of rye in the mix lowers the spice and focuses on the honey and leather notes. An iconic Kentucky bourbon, it features notes of vanilla and dried orange peel upfront, leading to a dark, spiced finish. On top of that, it adds the mouthfeel and structure that results from being bottled at barrel strength108 to 114 proof, depending on the barrels. Quick Description: Aside from bourbon production, the distillery offers tours and tasting for making rye and bourbon. Address: 119 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States. Quick Description: The distillery is named after the small Kentucky river town on the limestone bank. The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 31 bourbon whiskies with a panel of 16 judges. Noah's Mill is a small batch bourbon that checks all these boxes, boasting a nose replete with allspice, cinnamon, and oaky vanilla. Many of Kentucky's nearly 70 distilleries offer tours and tastings, each one of them a unique experience. The full-bodied bourbon is sweet, woodsy, and fruity, with a long, rich finish. 15. The Birthday Bourbon is ridiculously culty, so while the official MSRP is a bit over $100, youll be hard-pressed to encounter a price like that in the wild (unless you have a really great working relationship with your local state-run liquor store). Prior to 1972, Stitzel-Weller, the original distillery that produced Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon, was sold to none other than Buffalo Trace (via Whiskey ID). In 2021, just one of the 15 top whiskies named by the International Whiskey Competition was a bourbon (via Whiskey Competition). But once it is opened, it will start to evaporate and oxidize, which will affect the flavor after a year or so. Yes. Location: 801 W Main St., Louisville, KY | 502-389-4290. In 2021, Wild Turkey 101 earned 90 points and a gold award from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Visit during National Bourbon Heritage Month (September) to take part in festivals, concerts and . Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey BEST VALUE OUR TOP PICK Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon CHECK LATEST PRICE This first bourbon whiskey is full-bodied, roasted with some of the best vanilla that you can currently get on the market. Address: 1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lebanon, KY 40033. It's really only available in Kentucky and made mainly to give the state's residents a cheap, solid option for their traditional spirit. Every year, Whisky Advocate chooses 20 whiskies to name the best of that year. The brand has also stuck to the same mash bill since the 80s and 90s when wheated bourbons were all the rage! Quick Description: The distillery uses traditional methods of making bourbons from ground to glass. Maker's Mark 46 earned a score of 92 points out of 100 from Tastings, and earned a Gold Medal Exceptional ranking (via Tastings). Originally, there were three releases in the W.L. 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