Kinda sad it's over....

Well... after 2 months of contemplation and pre-sampling... Last night finally arrived. And seems like in a flash it was over. So what was it like?

A grand evening, in a grand gallery.   Beautiful spot with great ambience set the tone for the third installment of spirits education for the Straightup KW Beverage Academy. I was surrounded by a fantastic, albeit eclectic group, who took to my words as warmly as the whiskey took to them.  A lively crowd with questions, who appreciated a new take on whiskey, and how to use it in cooking, or just a glass.

We tasted four great bourbons. Jefferson’s, Elijah Craig 12 yr., Corner Creek, and Woodford Reserve.  There was a mixed reaction about which one was people’s favourite, but all took to it very well.

Rather than get too deeply into each whiskey, as I find it very subjective, here are a précis of the tasting notes from last night’s tasting:

Jefferson’s Reserve

COLOUR:  Amber, Caramel

NOSE:   Peaches, vanilla, raisins, butterscotch

TASTE:  An elegant combination of flavors, a very thick body, almost syrupy sweetness, suggesting vanilla and caramel, yet very fruity with hints of dates, blackberry and orange.

FINISH:  The finish is long, warm and smooth like a fine cognac.

Comment: Slight coating sensation on the palate, similar to, but richer than Maker’s Mark

Elijah Craig 12 yr.

 COLOUR:  Melted sugar, Butterscotch, hay.

NOSE:   Thick and warming, vanilla, caramel, oak, very ripe fruit. Honeyed ginger, clove.

TASTE:  Earthy, malty, hint of smoke and oak, caramel, vanilla

FINISH:  Lingering, slightly sweet honey, vanilla

Comment: Rich, rounded on the mellow palate. Possible hint of mint or anise-seed can be found.

Corner Creek

 COLOUR:  Golden, brown sugar, syrup

NOSE:   Caramel, vanilla, honey, and a little spice

TASTE:  Caramel, much more rye spice than in the nose, moderate oak, vanilla.

FINISH:  Spice elements exit fairly early, leaving mostly wood and caramel

Comment: Any wheat flavours are rather indistinct and muddled in the ensemble. This is rather sweet and rather light in body.

Woodford Reserve

COLOUR:  Deep rich golden colour, old Sauturnes.

NOSE:   Loaded with vanilla and toffee as well as some sweet oak. Burnt sugar and some lovely light fruitiness.

TASTE:  Subtle spices warm the palate only for the honey to calm things down again. Sweet corn, and brilliant, toasty brown-sugared depth. Vanilla, maple.

FINISH:  Some deft rye; the oak adds dryness.

Comment: A bourbon of stunning complexity that really has improved in the last year or so as the depth has intensified. It is easily among the best on the market in the UK.

There was another treat as well.  I took a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon, and infused it with bacon. I took what is typically a sweeter based spirit and made it quite savoury.  While all of the bourbon notes remained, there was that smoky sweet bacony taste that made it just a little richer. To be enjoyed in smaller doses, much like an icewine, or dessert wine.  That along with wee nips of moonshine, Mad Dog, White Lightning, call it what you will capped off the evening.  What made it really special to me was that the Gentleman who introduced me to bourbon was there. Thanks for coming, Dad. :) And thanks for the gift.  All in all Bourbon on the Grand.... was a Grand event!

For other comments and reviews, check out: http://straightupkw.com shortly!

To all who came out, I thank you, and if you ever have questions about bourbon, or where to use it in cooking, please get in touch with me! Slainte!