LET ' S TALK ABOUT WHISKY
W L
LET ' S TALK ABOUT WHISKY
by David Beaufort-Dysart
Hello , fellow Whisk ( e ) y lovers . So having left the shores of the Emerald Isle , we and now heading over the larger pond , that is the Atlantic Ocean . As the crow fly ' s its just under 2,000 miles till we hit land . Welcome to the United States and American Whiskey !
Whiskey firmly arrived on the continent with the Irish and Scottish immigrants bringing their knowledge of Whiskey distillation to their new home .
Made in the northern states of Pennsylvania , Virginia and Maryland using familiar grain , pioneers then headed south to Kentucky and Tennessee which had an abundance of limestone water . Kentucky limestone filters out iron from water , which is unpleasant in bourbon , also the native corn grew better here than European grains . By the 1850 ' s American whiskey sales where booming as trade points opened up along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers . Famous names where pioneering their craft including a certain 16 year old ' Jasper Newton Daniel ' ( Jack )
In the1870 ' s the women ' s temperance movement was established and sought to influence government ' s stance on liquor sales . They famously declared " lips that touch liquor will not touch ours ". In 1920 prohibition was introduced and that continued for 13 years of sobriety . Even though , in 1933 whiskey sales in the US became legal it was not until after World War II that sales began to take off again . It was around this time that the old fashioned cocktail became popular ' fashioned ' by the numerous entrepreneurs of Manhattan and other large cities ! The Old Fashioned cocktail , was famed for using either a rye or bourbon whiskey . So lets start our tour of America with a classic bourbon , if I mentioned it had a bright red , dripping wax seal ? Many of you would know what bourbon we are talking about .
Maker ' s Mark - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Firstly notice there is no ' E ' in Whiskey , this was a nod to founder Taylor William Samuel ' s , Scottish ancestors . This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon , straight , referring to Bourbon being two years aged with no added colours of flavours .
So what ' s the difference between bourbon and Tennesse whiskey , well I ' m glad you asked , Tennessee whiskey goes through a similar process as bourbon however prior to ageing there is an additional step called the lincoln process whereby its filtered through charcoal , made form the sugar maple . Technically bourbon can be made anywhere in the country ( as long as they use a minimum of 51 % corn in the mash ) Tennessee whiskey however , has to be made in the state of Tennessee ! OK back to our bourbon . Maker ' s Mark is made at Star Hill Farm , in Loretto , Kentucky , on the banks of Hardin ' s Creek , which is home to more than 275 different Tree species . The mash , or recipe is 70 % corn , 16 % Red Winter Wheat , used instead of Rye to give a sweeter , smoother taste , and 14 % Malted Barley . The whisky is matured in brand new white oak Barrels , the signature red wax seal along with the label was designed by Margie Samuels , wife of Bill Samuels Sr , Margie collected old Cognac bottles that had wax seals .
In 2013 Maker ' s Mark had a small wobble , the bourbon being so popular and sought after looked at reducing the proof , this was met with uproar from consumers , especially bartenders that thought a weaker spirit would lesson the complexity of their cocktails . Other distillers in this situation would have just used third parties to increase production . Makers Mark , however took a different approach and decided to maintain the 45 % abv , they then decided to invest a further $ 70 million into a new distillery , well done chaps .
Lets taste : Makers Mark is one of the lighter , sweeter bourbons .
Colour : Amber Nose : Caramel , brown sugar , dried fruit , vanilla . Taste : Butterscotch , toasted nuts cinnamon spice Finish : Sweet spice that builds .
Try neat to start , then add a few drops of water . For a long drink add coke or for a lovely surprising marriage add some coconut water .
“ tell me the brand of whiskey that Grant drinks ? I would like to send a barrel of it to each of my Generals ” Abraham Lincoln
Special thanks to ' Neil ' @ Bespoke Barrels & Bars , Woolton Village , for the great backdrop !
Until next time ... Slàinté
26 wirrallife . com