10 Terms that Bourbon Beginners Need to Know
How to talk about bourbon like an insider
Bourbon is everywhere these days, y'all. In 20 years, it's gone from the drink you enjoy at Kentucky's racetracks to the quintessential American spirit. Of course, here in Kentucky, we're at the heart of the bourbon boom, which is wonderful for everything from the tourism revenue to the resultant Kentucky culinary renaissance. But, I've noticed a little secret that we don't always want to admit: Not every Kentuckian is a bourbon expert. I've decided to start a series of HerKentucky blog and social media posts to help you decode the secret language of bourbon. Today, we'll start with a little bourbon dictionary. Here's the lowdown on ten whiskey terms that will have you talking like a bourbon insider in no time!
What are you drinking: Whiskey, bourbon, or rye?
Bourbon's mash bill is 51% corn. Jeptha Creed uses an heirloom varietal, Bloody Butcher Corn.
Whiskey: Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash. These grains are, most often, wheat, barley, corn, or rye. The grain recipe (mash bill) that is used to produce the whiskey is responsible for much of the beverage's taste. Whiskey types (Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, etc.) are often determined by the spirit's country of origin. An alternate spelling is "whisky"; this is the traditionally accepted spelling in Scotland and many other countries.
Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon Whiskey is a type of whiskey made in the United States. By law, bourbon must be produced in the United States, comprised of at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak containers, distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume), entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume), and bottled at 80 proof or above. While we all know that the best bourbon comes from Kentucky, federal law does not mandate that the spirit be produced in our Commonwealth. For an excellent history of the legislation surrounding bourbon, see Fred Minnick's Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey.
Rye Whiskey: American Rye Whiskey is a distillate that must include at least 51% rye in its mash bill. (Canadian rye whiskey is a different spirit.) Historically, rye whiskey was produced near Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh was historically considered the major metropolitan hub for rye. Rye wasn't a spirit considered native to Kentucky for centuries, as our climate isn't conducive to growing that grain. Many major bourbon distilleries have recently introduced rye to their whiskey offerings. Rye whiskeys are often characterized as more herbaceous and less sweet than bourbons. I recommend Manhattan cocktails made with Michter's Rye or Woodford Reserve Rye as an entry point for rye whiskey.
How is it made?
Fermentation Tank at Woodford Reserve.
Mash bill: A mash bill is the mix of grains combined to make a whiskey. The grains are cooked and fermented. Three grains are typically found in a bourbon mash bill: corn, wheat or rye, and malted barley. The individual mash bills, or recipes, determine most of a whiskey's flavor. A wheat mash bill, like that of Maker's Mark or Pappy Van Winkle, results in a sweet bourbon. A high rye formula, like that of Bulleit or Basil Hayden's, is often described as spicy.
Sour Mash: The sour mash process of whiskey-making involves using a little spent mash from the previous batch to start the fermentation of the next batch. This process controls the growth of harmful bacteria and regulates the whiskey's pH. This process is used to make almost all bourbon whiskey.
How is it Bottled?
The Bottling Line at Maker's Mark
Straight Whiskey: Take a look at your bourbon label sometime, and you'll likely see the term "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey." This means that, of course, it is produced in Kentucky (the label, by law, must contain the state of distillation) and that it adheres to the regulations for bourbon, as defined above. Straight whiskey has been aged for at least two years; if it is aged for less than 4, the age statement must, by law, be noted on the label. Straight whiskey may be created by blending bourbons that were aged in different batches and even different years to create a consistent product. No additional additives (color, flavor, clear spirits) other than water (which tempers the proof) may be added to straight whiskey.
Bottled-in-Bond: Bottled-in-Bond bourbon was made at a single distillery, by one distiller in one distillation season, aged for at least four years in a federally bonded and supervised warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof. The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 is considered a revolution in bourbon-making, as it ensured both quality for the consumer and standardization of the federal taxes levied on the distillers. Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys are far less common than they once were; you may see this distinction on some bourbons like Old Fitzgerald and Old Bardstown.
Single Barrel: Single bourbons are, as the name suggests, a limited release in which every bottle comes from one barrel. Due to the variations and scarcity, these are often an ultra-premium expression. Blanton's is the first bourbon that was widely marketed as a single barrel.
Small Batch: Small batch bourbons are made from a highly limited number of barrels per batch. Maker's Mark and Willett are considered small-batch bourbons.
These terms should have you talking bourbon like a pro! (Or at least an experienced amateur!) Let me know in the comments if there are bourbon basics topics that you'd like to see posts about!
Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby 144 Tee Shirt Collection
Celebrate Kentucky Derby 144 in preppy style!
Can y'all believe that Derby is just around the corner? The 144th running of the Kentucky Derby is less than six weeks away! While I'm in disbelief that 2018 is rolling by so quickly, I never miss an opportunity to talk about the Derby!
Vineyard Vines has, once again, rolled out an awesome line of Derby-themed accessories to help get you in the mood for race day. Here are a few of my favorites!
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Men's Tees
Go Big Blueberry-Lemon Brie En Croute!
An elegant and easy game-day appetizer
Brie en Croute with Fond Originals Blueberry Lemon Jam. Stoneware & Co Hot Brown Plate, Pomegranate Inc UK Collage napkins.
If y'all are like me, you're counting the minutes until tonight's UK basketball game. It's the best time of the year and the 'Cats have been playing so well. You need a snack that's a little more sophisticated than hot wings or chips and dip. Well, here's the perfect treat -- it's quick and easy and so, so delicious!
You only need three ingredients: a wheel of brie, a sheet of puff pastry, and a jar of Fond Originals Blueberry Lemon Jam. Y'all, this stuff is so, so good. When Chef Madeline Dee, owner and executive chef at Fond, offered to send me a jar to try, I was so excited! Chef Madeline's tiny Frankfort Avenue bistro is already booked until after Derby! She must be doing something right! Just cover the brie in the jam, add to a defrosted sheet of puff pastry, and bake at 425 until golden brown. It's the perfect accompaniment to your March Madness enjoyment!
Ways to Help Dress for Success!
Help other women while shopping Talbots new collection!
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When was your last job interview? Remember how stressful it was?
Imagine if you didn't have the tools to prepare. I don't mean that you can't splurge for a manicure and highlights or to have an SEO professional shine up your LinkedIn profile. I mean "imagine if you desperately needed employment and you had neither the clothing nor the interview skills to undertake the interview."
I'm sure you've heard of Dress for Success. But did you know that Dress for Success does more than just provide economically disadvantaged women with interview-appropriate clothing? They also help women work on job search skills, interview prep, and the confidence necessary to transform their lives.
One of my goals for 2018 is to get involved with more charities that help people help themselves. I plan to start volunteering at the Louisville Dress for Success affiliate. I was so excited to learn that there are so many ways to help Dress for Success. You can help with resume skills, public speaking, interview prep, or even act as a personal shopper for the applicants! Here in Kentucky, we have affiliates in Lexington and Louisville where you can volunteer, donate funds, or donate work clothing!
Another great and fun way to help Dress for Success is to shop the Talbots and O, The Oprah Magazine collection that benefits Dress for Success -- with each purchase from this collection, Talbots will donate 30% of your purchase price to Dress for Success! I love that the theme of this year's collection is the ladybug, which is a traditional symbol of luck and good fortune. What a perfect reminder that you're helping other women change their fortune and achieve economic empowerment!
I adore the gingham popover and the ladybug scarf! I feel like these will be in heavy rotation for my spring wardrobe!
Our local Talbots stores are also hosting awesome in-store events this week to launch the Dress for Success Collection. Join the Louisville Forum Center store (194 North Hurstbourne Lane) for styling tips and light refreshments on Thursday March 1st, and the Lexington Fayette Mall (3625 Nicholasville Rd #532) location on Saturday, March 3rd for special shopping parties with light refreshments, clothing donation opportunities, and 25% off your purchase (please note that the Dress for Success collection is not included on this discount!)
The Louisville Talbots stores have partnered with the Louisville Dress for Success affiliate to request daily themes for your donations this week. Please consider the following donations to Dress for Success and keep in mind that all donations given locally to Talbots will be directly given to the local Dress for Success affiliates.
Donations needed at Louisville Talbots stores for Louisville Dress for Success:
- Thursday March 1st: White shirts, black dress pants
- Friday March 2nd: Accessories and handbags
- Saturday March 3rd: New cosmetics
Shop the Talbots Dress for Success Collection below:
L.L. Bean Warranty Changes
The End of the Preppy World as we Know It?
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It's no secret that I love L.L. Bean. In fact, if y'all have followed along with this blog over the years, you've probably heard me sing the praises of L.L. Bean's famous Boat & Tote Bags and Bean Boots. I also really love their pajamas and house shoes. And their sweaters last forever... Well, you get the idea.
When your BFF is super-glam and your style is more low-key, this is how presents are mailed....
L.L. Bean products do seem to last forever. In fact, the company's eponymous founder is known for saying in the first L.L. Bean circular that "No sale is really complete until the product is worn out, and the customer is satisfied. We will thank anyone to return goods that are not perfectly satisfactory...Above all things we wish to avoid having a dissatisfied customer." That was in 1912. Those of us who love L.L. Bean have, over the past 106 years, grown accustomed to the company's lifetime replacement policy. Then, Friday morning, this email arrived.
There's always one or two jerks who have to ruin everything, right? I mean, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE BUYING STUFF AT YARD SALES AND CLAIMING A WARRANTY RETURN? I've bought some vintage Bean sweaters on eBay, but I buy them to wear. Because, again, Bean sweaters last forever. And, because their quality doesn't end because the original owners were tired of them. And, because the original marketing statement made by Mr. Bean was built on the idea that customers were honest and not jerks.
eBay L.L. Bean finds.
For me, the rule of returns is "does the reason for the return constitute my misuse/overuse or a manufacturer flaw?" I've worn my sweater fleece pullover at least twice a week for two years, so it's no wonder that the hem of the cuff is starting to fray. That needs a few stitches, not a replacement. And I live in my slippers -- of course they're looking a little rough on their third winter. Those are on me, not the company. On the other hand, when I didn't care for the way a monogram showed up on a pair of pajamas, I did return them for a monogram in a different thread. I actually felt guilty doing this, as it was custom monogrammed, but it was a pair of new and unworn pajamas. I guess I'm the opposite of this guy.
I love this sweater fleece. After 2 years, the hem is a little frayed; I plan to mend it!
How about y'all? What do you think is an "appropriate reason" to return a product?
Shop my L.L. Bean favorites below. I promise you probably won't have to send them back, anyway!
Draper James Valentine's Day Collection
Swoonworthy Valentine's Day styles from Draper James.
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Y'all. Draper James just dropped their Valentine's Day collection. It is so adorable that I kinda want one of everything, but I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you. (Click here to save $20 at Draper James!)
I *may* have already ordered this striped tee. It's just cute enough without being cloying or "holiday-ish."
This flutter sleeve tee is cute enough to wear year-round.
This "Love You More" tee is so sweet!
And it's legit all I can do to not order EVERY SINGLE THING that has "Bless Your Heart" written on it; anybody who knows me knows that I use that particular phrase daily. DJ has a wallet, a tote, and a cosmetic bag with that saying, and I love them all.
Some of these pieces are still in pre-order, but it looks like they'll all ship in time for Valentine's Day. Happy Shopping, and don't forget to click here to get $20 off your DJ order!
Happy Birthday, Miss Dolly!
Celebrate Dolly Parton's birthday with purchase benefitting Imagination Library!
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Dolly Rebecca Parton was born January 19, 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children born to a subsistence farm family. Dolly's family may have been poor, but she had dreams of doing something great. "I went to bed hungry many nights as a child," she's said. "It was a Dream that dressed me up when I was ragged, and it was a Dream that filled me up when I was hungry. Now it's my Dream to see that no child in this world ever goes hungry." When Dolly began making money as a singer and songwriter, she and her husband Carl Dean provided for her younger siblings. As much as her prolific songwriting career -- she just was awarded two Guinness World Records for her long-lived success -- Dolly is known for her amazing sense of humor, over-the-top style, and her kindness.
Now, y'all know that I'm basically obsessed with Dolly not only because of her amazing songs (Jolene is my favorite!) and her amazing films (9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias both had a huge impact on my early life!) but also because of her graciousness and kindness. I love that she's embraced all her fans and made Dollywood an inclusive, LGBT-friendly workplace. I love that she's providing preschool children around the world with books through the Imagination Library. And I love that she never forgets where she came from. Robert Harling, who wrote Steel Magnolias, recently recalled Dolly's amazing attitude on the film's set in a Garden and Gun article. While the film's other ladies were complaining about wearing heavy Christmas sweaters in the Louisiana heat, Dolly kept her cool, both proverbially and literally:" The women were dressed for Christmas, and Dolly was sitting on the swing. She had on that white cashmere sweater with the marabou around the neck, and she was just swinging, cool as a cucumber. Julia said, 'Dolly, we’re dying and you never say a word. Why don’t you let loose?' Dolly very serenely smiled and said, 'When I was young and had nothing, I wanted to be rich and famous, and now I am. So I’m not going to complain about anything.'" I mean, that's a lesson we could all take to heart: remembering the blessings we actually have.
Draper James Dolly Tee
To celebrate Dolly's birthday, our friends at Draper James are donating all of their online and in-store proceeds for the day to Dolly's Imagination Library. Y'all, this is seriously one of the coolest initiatives ever. Miss Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide books to the children of her hometown Sevierville, Tennessee. Dolly's mission to ensure that children had access to high-quality, age-appropriate books, regardless of household income, was designed to honor her own father, whose circumstances in the Appalachian hills of Tennessee led to his never learning to read or write. Over the past 22 years, the Imagination Library has mailed more than 100 million books to children in Australia, Belize, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. This service is completely free to the recipients, y'all! Over 1600 communities are served, and over 1.1 million children have registered! Here in Kentucky, there are over fifty Imagination Library affiliate programs. You can register your child aged 2-5, regardless of household income, if you live in an area supported by the Imagination Library.
I LOVE my What Would Dolly Do tee from Draper James, and I want the tote bag so badly. Celebrating Dolly's birthday AND helping kids have access to books sounds like a win-win reason to order it, doesn't it?
Do y'all love Dolly as much as I do? Tell me your favorite Dolly song or role in the comments below!