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Cocktails & Spirits > Spirits - Bourbon > Flashcards

Spirits - Bourbon Flashcards

1
Q

When did Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon begin? What is the timeline from there.

A

Julian Van Winkle Snr. Aka Pappy, started selling whiskey for WL Weller in 1893.

In 1903 Pappy and another salesman bought a controlling interest in the Weller company, and then bought controlling interesting in the Stitzle distillery. Businesses were operated independently until prohibition in 1919, when Weller was dissolved as a wholesaler.

The newly named Stitzel-Well distillery was constructed and opened in 1935. Pappy ran that distillery until 1965, when he died. The Family sold the company in 1972, with the exception of one pre-prohibition brand “Old Rip Van Winkle”

The Van Winkle family nursed their Rip Van Winkle whiskeys along for the next 20 years, with Julian the 3rd continuing the brand by using Stitzel-Weller stocks and also sourcing from other distilleries.

The real hype for pappy started in the 90s, a bottle of 20 years (Made from whiskey sourced from Wild Turkey, who also sourced it from elsewhere) earned a 99 point score.

Buffalo Trace partnership started in 2002, they now handle everything from grain to bottle. It is unclear as to when the actual Stitzel-Weller stocks ran completely dry and stop being blended in.

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2
Q

How many whiskey distilleries in Kentucky survived Prohibition?

A

6, which were given special licenses to produce “medicinal whiskey.”

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3
Q

When did Prohibition end?

A

1933

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4
Q

What is the mash bill for Pappy Van Winkle? When did it really take off as a brand?

A

No Rye, very high wheat content, along with malted barley. Took off in the mid 00’s and later.

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5
Q

How does the Pappy family prefer their Pappy?

A

Rocks, touch of water, lemon twist.

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6
Q

How does the water in KY affect bourbon production?

A

Historically, KY has perfect disillting water due to a limestone shelf, which removes Iron (potential to oxidize) and makes for soft water.

Today distilleries use reverse osmosis h20 from the city.

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7
Q

How did Bourbon production emerge in Kentucky?

A

European immigrants that were familiar with distillation were tempted by the state of Virginia to move to Kentucky with the “Corn Patch & Cabin Rights” Law of 1776 - build a cabin and plant a patch of corn and you get 400 acres of land.

Corn is also very heavy so distillation makes sense.

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8
Q

What other product helped revive Bourbon consumption in the 1990s?

A

The ‘Big Flavor’ moment in California Wine.

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9
Q

What was James Crow’s contribution to Bourbon?

A

Crow, a Scot, is credited with bringing scientific rigor and consistency to bourbon production starting in 1825.

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10
Q

What is the definition of Bourbon?

A

Made in the USA

At least 51% Corn

Distilled to no higher than 160 Proof

Into Barrel at no higher than 125 Proof

Barrel must be Charred

Bottled no lower than 80 Proof

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11
Q

What is the definition of straight bourbon?

A

Must be aged at least two years

Cannot contain coloring or flavorings

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12
Q

True or False - any bourbon less than 4 years old must list an age statement?

A

True

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13
Q

True or False - there is a minimum aging requirement for bourbon?

A

False, that is only the case with ‘Straight Bourbon’

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14
Q

Name some leading wheated styles of Bourbon?

A

Pappy, Weller, Maker’s Mark (Influenced by Pappy).

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15
Q

What is the format for bourbon barrels?

A

200L is the norm, but there are no legal requirements for barrel size.

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16
Q

What is sour mashing and how does it affect flavor?

A

Sourmashing is adding the spent ‘beer’ from the still back into the unfermented/fermenting mash. This raises the PH and creates for healthier & more consistent fermentation.

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17
Q

Which two main distilleries are located in Louisville?

A

Heaven Hill’s Early Times & Brown Forman’s Bernheim

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18
Q

Explain the production structure of Buffalo Trace

A

15 Different labels produced, based on just 4 Mash Bills (3 Bourbon 1 Rye) and various aging regimens.

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19
Q

What is LDI Rye?

A

LDI Rye is a product made by MGP, 95% rye mash bill, 50 different ryes produced.

20
Q

What is MGP?

A

Midwest Grain Products, massive industrial distillery/food company in Indiana.

21
Q

Why is the Beam family such a powerhouse?

A

There isn’t a dynasty in Scotland that rivals the Beam family in KY. Beam family started making whiskey in 1795, to this day, despite Jim Beam now being owned by Suntory, the family is still involved.

The Beam family has also had a dynasty of being the master distillers for Heaven Hill since

22
Q

What does Bottled in Bond mean?

A

The Bottled in Bond act was put into place in 1897, after an era of adulterated whiskey making it’s way to market.

To qualify, the spirit must be from one distilling season, one distiller and bottled on site. It is then aged in a government supervised warehouse for at least 4 years.

23
Q

What is Straight Corn Whiskey? What is the leading example?

A

80% corn mash bill aged in a once used bourbon barrel. Leading example is Mellow Corn, made at Heaven Hill.

24
Q

Describe Jim Beam

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Mash: Standard
Age: 4 Years
Conclusion: Approachable Oak, entry level expression
25
Q

What is the “Standard” Mash Bill for most big name bourbons?

A

75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley

26
Q

Describe Kentucky Owl

A 
Corporate Owner: Stoli Group
Distillery: Sourced
Mash: N/A
Age: NAS
Conclusion: Round, Graham Cracker, Tobacco. Nuanced boutique blend.

Original Kentucky Owl was founded in 1879, but was revived by a bourbon enthusiast in 2014.

27
Q

Describe Knob Creek

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Mash: Standard
Age: 9 Years
Conclusion: Upscale Jim Beam, more complexity and polish.
28
Q

Describe Larceny ‘Barrel Proof’

A 
Corporate Owner: Heaven Hill
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mash: Wheated
Age: 8 Years
Conclusion: Punchy wheated expression from HH
29
Q

Describe Legent

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Mash: Standard
Age: NAS
Conclusion: Corny 'Bring East & West' Together Collab. Master Distiller of Beam & Suntory.  Finished in Sherry/Red Wine Casks
30
Q

Describe Maker’s Mark

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Maker's Mark
Mash: Wheated
Age: 4 Years
Conclusion: Founded in 1780, shifted to Wheated style at the advice of Pappy Van Winkle.  Super light char, focused flavors.

Cask Strength private select is finished with custom mixed stave barrels.

31
Q

Describe Mckenzie Bourbon

A 
Corporate Owner: Independant
Distillery: Independent 
Mash: 70 Corn / 30 Rye
Age: 18 Months -> Finished in Chard Casks
Conclusion: Oily, robust local bourbon.
32
Q

Describe Michter’s

A 
Corporate Owner: Independant
Distillery: Michter's
Mash: Standard
Age:  N/A
Conclusion: Approachable, aromatic cocktail bourbon

Michters has roots dating back to late 18th century. but went bankrupt in 1990. Trademark was restarted in the late 90s.

33
Q

Describe Noah’s Mill

A

Corporate Owner: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Distillery: Willet (Bottler/Distiller)
Mash: Mixed Mash Bills
Age: 4-20 Years
Conclusion: Sourced & bottled by Willet. High octane, deep bourbon, baking spice forward. Formerly carried a 15 year age statement

34
Q

Describe Old Fitzgerald

A 
Corporate Owner: Heaven Hill
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mash: Wheated
Age: 13 or 15 year on list
Conclusion: Amazing sipping bourbon in the wheated style, complex & assertive at 100 proof.  Bottled in Bond?

Historically interesting -

Old Fitz was actually a brand bought by Pappy Van Winkle himself during Prohibition, it aligned with Pappy’s focus on wheat and delicate aging. Heaven Hill bought the brand in 1999.

35
Q

When did Willet resume distillation?

A

2012

36
Q

Describe Old Forester

A 
Corporate Owner: Brown-Forman
Distillery: BF Shivley
Mash: Standard
Age: N/A
Conclusion: Reference point bourbon with impact.

Old Forester is the longest running bourbon brand on the market. 1920 is their highest proof expression, 1910 is finished in a fresh barrel with an intense char on it. Birthday Bourbon is their most premium release, started in 2000.

37
Q

Describe Old Grand Dad

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Mash: High Rye (27%)
Age: 4 Years
Conclusion: Entry level high rye from Jim Beam.  Fruity and Spicy.
38
Q

Describe Basil Haydens

A 
Corporate Owner: Beam-Suntory 
Distillery: Jim Beam
Mash: High Rye (27%)
Age: Around 6-8 years (NAS as of 2014)
Conclusion: More premium high Rye from Jim Beam, exact same mash bill as Old Grand Dad.  GREAT gateway high-rye, easy drinking at 80 proof.

Basil Hayden Sr. was a Maryland catholic who led 25 catholic families to Kentucky in 1785. The high rye mash bill of Old Grand Dad & Basil Hayden is a good reference point for the original bourbon mash bills.

39
Q

Describe Old Rip Van Winkle

A 
Corporate Owner: Sazerac
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Mash: Wheated 
Age: 10 Year
Conclusion: Entry Level Van Winkle, Not part of the 'Pappy' Range
40
Q

Describe Rowan’s Creek 23 - IS THIS REAL?

A 
Corporate Owner: Willet
Distillery: Willett
Mash: Unknown, likely high-rye
Age: 23
Conclusion: Rowan's Creek is the best selling bourbon from Willet.
41
Q

Describe Russel’s Reserve

A 
Corporate Owner: Campari
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Mash: Standard
Age: NAS
Conclusion: Aligator Char (Deepest char for a barrel) un chill filtered.  Textbook bourbon flavors. Higher proof than 10 year statement
42
Q

What is the only Tennessee whiskey that does not undergo the Lincoln County Process?

A

Pritchard’s. Was grandfathered in.

43
Q

What is the Willett Distillery?

A

AKA Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD)

Founded in 1936, operates mostly as a large independent bottler

Did not distill at all between the 1980s and 2012

44
Q

Describe Weller Antique 107

A 
Corporate Owner: Sazerac
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Mash: BT Wheated
Age: NAS
Conclusion: Basically High Proof Weller Special Reserve, lots of dark fruits w/ rich heavy mouthfeel.
45
Q

Describe WB Saffel

A 
Corporate Owner: Campari
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Mash: Unknown
Age: Blend 6/8/10/12
Conclusion: Part of Whiskey Baron's collection, an attempt to recreate pre-prohibition flavor profiles based on tasting notes and recipes.  Unchill filtered, high proof.
46
Q

Describe Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit & Rare Breed

A 
Corporate Owner: Campari
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Mash: Standard
Age: KS: 7-9, Rare Breed 6&12
Conclusion: Kentucky Spirit is the single barrel expression of Wild Turkey, it was the 2nd single barrel bourbon to hit the market. Rare Breed is
47
Q

Describe Woodford Reserve range

A 
Corporate Owner: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Woodford Reserve
Mash: Standard
Age: NAS
Conclusion: Historic brand that was revived in 1996, early player in the boutique bourbon craze.

Cocktails & Spirits (6 decks)

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