I’ve been thinking about this newsletter all wrong.
I haven’t put out one since October for several reasons, including the pandemic was still wreaking havoc with distillery tours and tastings, then I frankly started to dread researching and writing 2,000 words.
But we are now back to normal (fingers crossed) and I’m re-energized. Thanks for everyone for being patient.
You’ll notice this and subsequent newsletters will be shorter and more concise and that’s by design. The only thing harder than writing and researching 2,500 words is asking people to take the time to read it. So I’ll hit the high points of news, reviews, cocktails, and more. So let’s get started:
THE BIG BOURBON NEWS
BOURBON AND BEYOND will be in Louisville September 15 through 18 and it looks incredible. Music from Pearl Jam, Brandi Carlisle, Alanis Morrissette, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and more. Think of bourbon within reason --- no Pappy, for example --- and you’ll be able to consume it.
Tickets start at $99, can run much higher, and are selling out fast. I thought about going --- it’s a two-hour drive from my house --- but hanging out for four days with 100,000 other people drinking bourbon I have in my bar doesn’t do it for me. But if it does for you, by all means, hustle up and get a ticket before they’re all gone.
THREE BITS OF BOURBON NEWS, JUST LESS BIG
Heaven Hill will build a $135 million distillery to replace one lost in a fire, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. And, Heaven Hill has quietly purchased Widow Jane. I’m in regular contact with the good folks from WJ and hope to have more soon.
Ah, the government. Virginia has changed its rules to discourage customers from camping out in front of the store for hard-to-get bourbons. Now, the state will announce the location of the stores with the sought-after product only when it’s available for sale. Bummer. Some people like to camp out for days in front of a store for a bottle they won’t get. Let ‘em if they want.
A bourbon that boldly goes …. Okay forget that. But NoCo Distillery Bourbon II is all of a sudden a hit item because it happened to be on the shelf of a bar during a scene in Star Trek: Picard. Now people are seeking out the Colorado product. All hail product placement.
The weirdest whiskey I’ve ever had
On April 26, a group of us headed to Starlight Distillery in Indiana to do our third barrel pick. We selected a half-barrel (107 bottles) double oak rye with hints of maple and sweetness that finishes with a warm (not over hot) pepper and spice finish. It is beautiful. It is also sold out, as if, all of the bottles are already pre-sold.
While there, our host noted that Starlight had a bunch of smoked malt whiskey that a buyer decided not to take. Smoked whiskey? We were intrigued and had an opportunity to taste it.
It is the most unique, weird, strange, different whiskey I’ve ever had. Where does the smoke come from? Starlight burned off a bunch of applewood and added it to the oak barrels.
The bourbon pours out of the bottle thick with a deep, rich amber color, far darker than you’ll see on most bourbons. It’s kind of Lux Row deep. It has a very sweet nose, with lots of orange and cane sugar that’s overtaken by alcohol --- surprising since this is a 94.4 proof aged 5 ½ years.
But as I raise the glass to take a sip that smoke hits me like a Joe Frazier left hook. The sweetness remains on the tongue but when you swallow, it’s as if you’ve stood in front of the smoker too long. It’s like I took some burned wood, ground it up, and mixed it in bourbon.
That’s not to say it’s wretched. It’s not. It’s interesting and a nice conversation piece to have.
While at Starlight they were kind enough to bring the group Old Fashions made with the smoked whiskey. Now we’re talking. The natural orange of the whiskey blends well with the orange of the Old Fashion and the smokiness mellows out.
At a minimum, this whiskey will make a hell of a mixed drink.
BOURBON COCKTAIL
Ingredients
1/2 ounce star anise and black tea-infused simple syrup*
1 slice fresh ginger
1 strip lemon peel
2 ounces Basil Hayden’s bourbon
1/2 ounce Creme Yvette
1 dash Angostura bitters
· Add the syrup and ginger to a mixing glass.
· Twist the lemon peel over the glass to express the oils.
· Drop the peel into the glass and muddle with the syrup and ginger.
· Add the bourbon, Creme Yvette and bitters with ice and stir until well-chilled.
· Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Other excellent newsletters, pods
Jon Macri’s Knicks Film School includes a daily newsletter and his YouTube channel, where he interviews the biggest names in hoops, like Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Mike Breen. You don’t have to be a Knicks fan to appreciate this.
The Invention of Dreams website and its Final Review podcast have quickly become my go-to, along with ScreenRant and SlashFilm
My boy Rob Parker has been busy. The co-host of the Odd Couple with Chris Broussard on Fox Sports has launched a podcast --- Inside the (Rob)Parker.
Former newspaper editor and now author Jeff Bruce’s Sharpen Up newsletter is a mix of irreverent, whimsical, and fun.
The Starlight Smoked Malt Whiskey makes a great Manhattan especially for the price. They made us a great deal on it for some reason. :-).