Top 10 Reasons to Love Bourbon

THEN & NOW

Since its conception in 1789, Bourbon has been known as the spirit of America and has remained popular over the years. Crafted with 51% of corn mash and aged in a new oak barrel, Bourbon is known worldwide for its mild and sweet flavor profile and the variety of craft cocktails one can enjoy.

Today, Bourbon is by far the most widely exported American spirit, and as we all know, there’s nothing better than a nice glass of Bourbon. And if you’re not a Bourbon drinker yet, you will be soon! Here are the Top Ten Reasons to Love Bourbon. 

1. Bourbon is the Spirit of the United States – Bourbon was born in the heart of America, and in 1964, Congress made Bourbon the official spirit of the United States, or “America's Native Spirit.” The age-old tradition uses ample amounts of corn or grain, filtered water, and time spent in new-age oak barrels. The outcome results in some of the best tasting spirits the world has ever tasted!

2. Honest No Frills – Bourbon has federally mandated purity laws that help combat against forgery booze that have been tainted with additives or have been watered-down. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 helped create the quality of Bourbon we have today. No additives, only high-quality ingredients and time spent in a barrel.

3. Drink it Straight Up – Bourbon is considered one of the smoothest liquors for one to enjoy, making it easy to sip on while on the go! Drinking it straight will give you the purest appreciation for the liquor since no other elements are getting in the way of its rich flavor. With a gentle and soft yet still powerful composition, nothing quite compares to that first sip.

4. Classic Cocktails – Bourbon is a staple piece of many classic cocktails, and with so many to choose from you’ll be sure to find one that fits your favorite flavor profile. Some of our favorites include, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mint Julep, Hot Toddy, and Boulevardier.

5. Angel’s Share – The Angel's take their cut from every barrel of distilled spirits so, when you pour a glass, you’re sharing it with the angels. During the aging process, between 2% and 10% of stored Bourbon evaporates and disappears due to a variety of factors such as the age, barrel size, climate, and air circulation. Many distilleries consider this process a small sacrifice for the angels above.

6. Sophisticated – As you become well-versed in the world of Bourbon, you'll learn that there are more pleasures associated with this craft spirit than meets the eye. Bourbon brings a host of distinctive flavors, aromas, and quality with it and is a bold and confident drink choice that gives off a level of sophistication to those enjoying it. This timeless drink lends a touch of class to your palette and your persona.

7. Savor the Moment – Bourbon is best experienced when you skip the shot glass and savor the pour. Sipping a neat pour from a Glencairn glass (a curved vessel typically reserved for scotch) will enhance the aroma and your overall Bourbon experience. Taking your time to enjoy the flavor will excite and heighten your senses as you finish the drink, which is more than other liquors can say.

8. Culture & Tradition – Bourbon was first crafted back in 1789 by Elijah Craig, The Father of Bourbon. However, around Prohibition, this timeless craft was almost lost to the world before being resurrected in the 1950s. Over the years, Bourbon’s popularity and demand have significantly increased, with more and more people 

9. Complex Flavor Profile – Similar to wine, aroma is a key factor when it comes to the overall flavor profile of your favorite Bourbon. With flavors ranging from fruity and floral to spicy and smoky, half of the fun comes from the distinct flavors that arrive with every sip. For example, a woody flavor profile may include notes of oak, walnut, and almond. While a spicy Bourbon may consist of black pepper, clove, cinnamon, and coffee flavors.

10. Collector’s Item – One of the most exciting aspects of Bourbon is searching for rare bottles and trying all forms that distillers have to offer. Some of the most common themes around collecting Bourbon include wanting a bottle from every distillery, collecting birth-year vintages, collecting bottles from silent distilleries, or chasing after limited-release bottles. Not only does treating Bourbon as a beloved collector’s item allow you to sample Bourbon from all walks of life, but it also invites you to learn more about the world of distilling and the craft that has taken place since the 18th century.

OLD FASHIONED

Perhaps the most popular cocktail among Bourbon drinkers, the story of the Old Fashioned begins in Louisville, Kentucky. A 2005 article in The Courier-Journal gives credit to a private social club called The Pendennis Club to make the first of this craft cocktail. According to the article, James E. Pepper, bartender and Bourbon connoisseur, was said to have invented the drink in Louisville, Kentucky, before he brought the recipe to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel bar in New York City. Thus, the Old Fashioned was born. 

Ingredients:

•   ½ tsp sugar

•  3 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 tsp water

• 2 oz Northside Bourbon

• Garnish: Orange peel

Instructions:

• Add the sugar and bitters to a rocks glass, then add the water, and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.

• Fill the glass with large ice cubes or ice sphere, add the bourbon, and gently stir to combine.

• Express the oil of an orange peel over the glass, then drop in.