May 29, 2019
Since first writing about bourbon in 2006, Fred Minnick has become the foremost author, critic, editor (of Bourbon + Magazine), and, with the founding of the Bourbon & Beyond festival, impresario of the bourbon world. He has also written about rum, mead, and his military tour in Iraq, but his three books on bourbon have set a high mark: Whiskey Women, Bourbon Curious, and Bourbon: The Rise, Fall & Rebirth of An American Whiskey.
Lucky for us, he had some free time for a chat.
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April 29, 2019
Every bourbon is special — but then there’s Blood Oath, the ultra-premium bourbon released by Lux Row Distillers once a year, in limited quantities and at a premium price.
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March 28, 2019
By regulation, all bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Why? Because unlike other whiskies, no additives (other than water) are allowed in bourbon. No added color. No added flavors. So, other than the distillate itself, bourbon picks up a lot of its character from the barrels. And the character of the barrels depends in large part on the level of char.
To learn more about the process, we chatted with Jeff LaHue, head of strategic partnerships at Independent Stave Company (ISC), which supplies and chars barrels for Lux Row Distillers.
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March 28, 2019
Making great bourbon involves many ingredients, each essential in its own right, whether it’s the corn and grains or the cool, clear Kentucky water. But one of the most crucial elements in shaping bourbon into the drink we love: the charred American oak barrels in which it’s aged.
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