Bourbon Buzz

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Posts Tagged whisky

Summer Bourbon Cocktails with Maker’s Mark & 46

Aug 14

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Recipes

Summer Breeze


1 part Maker’s Mark

1 part Ginger Ale

A splash of Cointreau

1 orange slice

Directions: Muddle an orange slice in an old-fashioned glass with a splash of Cointreau. Add in equal parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon and ginger ale. Stir gently. Top off with ice.

Char No. 46

Recipe courtesy of Ward III (New York, NY)

2 parts Maker’s 46

Muddled fresh peaches

1 part Averna Amaro

Dash of fresh orange juice

1 egg white

Bitters

Directions: Muddle peach in shaker and add all ingredients except the bitters. Shake vigorously for at least one minute. Strain into a chilled rocks glass. Drizzle bitters on the foam and garnish with fresh peach.

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Maker’s 46 Debut And Online Media Event

Jun 25

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Events, News

Bourbon is helping grow Kentucky’s economy and the Maker’s Mark brand is growing right along with it. For the first time in the history of the company, Maker’s Mark is introducing a new bourbon. Maker’s 46 is still a Kentucky straight bourbon whisky, handcrafted like the original at the distillery in Loretto, Kentucky.   In fact, the recipe starts with original Maker’s Mark bourbon, and its unique flavor comes from aging the bourbon for an additional two to three months in barrels with seared French oaks staves. You can think of Maker’s 46 as a “cousin” to the recipe Bill Samuels Sr. more than 50 years ago.

As you probably know by now, Maker’s 46 is the brainchild of Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Kevin Smith and Brad Boswell, President and CEO of Independent Stave. It’s a 94 proof product, created by the addition of toasted French oak staves to the finished Maker’s Mark product.

Join Maker’s Mark as they celebrate this momentous occasion by visiting http://makersmark.com/makers46 on June 29 at 11 a.m. EST to watch Bill, Kevin, and Brad dip bottles two through five out of the first case. As for bottle number one, Governor Steve Beshear will do the honors at 4 p.m. EST. Governor Steve Beshear will speak about how the Bluegrass is benefiting from the bourbon industry’s impact on the state’s economy and will dip his own bottle of the new Maker’s 46 in the brand’s distinctive red wax. 

Don’t forget to keep a close eye on BourbonBuzz.com for more news about where you’ll find the new Maker’s 46. Also, Kevin Smith gave our friends at Bourbonblog.com a sampling of what’s to come at http://brbn.bz/w.

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Early Times Mint Julep KY Derby Commemorative Bottle

Apr 23

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz

For the past 23 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has proudly served as the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby®.” In celebration of this, Early Times Kentucky Whisky continues its tradition with the release of the 2010 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle.

The 2010 Early Times Mint Julep commemorative bottle holds special significance as the 11th and final in a series of paintings by the inimitable Celeste Susany, whose creations have graced the bottle every year since Kentucky Derby 126. In this year’s masterwork, entitled “A Golden Moment,” Susany adopts a more impressionistic style to capture the essence of this grand race. The scene spotlights the field of contenders galloping along the back stretch while the twin spires stand majestically in the background.

“Celeste’s work captures the true essence and emotion of Derby day and we’ve been so very fortunate to have her as our artist for the past 11 years,” said Joe Murray, Brand Manager for Early Times Kentucky Whisky. “The Early Times Mint Julep bottle has truly become a collectible among art, horse racing and whisky fans and is a must-have for Derby parties as the perfect way to serve a delicious mint julep in less than ten seconds.”

With 2010 marking Susany’s final year of doing the artwork for the commemorative bottle, Early Times is giving consumers the opportunity to submit their artwork for the chance to be featured on the 2011 Kentucky Derby bottle. Beginning April 20, consumers can log onto www.earlytimes.com/etmjartistsearch to submit their “What Derby Means to Me” artwork, as well as to see official rules and contest details.  The winner will win a VIP trip for two to the 2011 Kentucky Derby, $5000 in cash, along with having their artwork featured on the 2011 Early Times Mint Julep bottle.

“It has been an honor to have the opportunity to do the artwork for the Early Times Mint Julep bottle for the past 11 years,” added Susany. “It’s time to give another artist the chance to have their work displayed for horse racing fans to collect and enjoy.”

During this year’s Derby week, more than 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are expected to be served at Churchill Downs®. Over the past 23 years, more than 2.5 million Early Times Mint Juleps have been served between Kentucky Oaks® and Derby Days at Churchill Downs. This year’s Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday, May 1, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Launching in April 2010, the newly labeled one-liter pre-mix bottle will be available in limited quantities throughout the United States for a suggested retail price of $14.99.

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Early Times 150th Anniversary Release Revisits Old Times

Apr 8

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

Early Times Kentucky Whisky, first distilled in 1860 in Early Times Station, Kentucky, is a whisky known for its rich heritage and mild taste profile. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the brand, Early Times Kentucky Whisky will release a one-time, limited release expression in a 375ml commemorative bottle.

Although the year 1860 congers up images of “early times” today, at the time, the brand’s original distillers believed the industry was turning too modern, too quickly, and wanted a brand that captured the “good old days.” Thus, the brand name Early Times was selected to remind consumers of the old-fashioned methods of making whisky – mashing grain in small tubs and boiling the beer and whisky in copper stills over open fires.

Closed by Prohibition, the distillery, brand and barrel inventory was acquired by medicinal whiskey permit holder Brown-Forman Distillers in 1923. Brown-Forman moved the production of Early Times to Louisville, Kentucky in 1935 where it has thrived to this day. Every drop is distilled under the late 1800’s permit number DSP – 354.

“This commemorative bottle celebrates the rich history of Early Times’ role as the second oldest continually produced whisky brand in America,” said Joe Murray, brand manager for Early Times. “While Early Times is now made with modern methods, its name still invokes images of the good old days and still provides a welcome reward at the end of a hard day’s work. As one of America’s top selling Kentucky Whiskies for the last 60 years it still lives up to its reputation as ‘The Whisky that made Kentucky Whiskies Famous.’

The Early Times 150th anniversary edition will come in a unique 375ml bottle and carry an Early Times retro 1920’s label. The distillery will produce only 3000 cases which will be available in 20 US states at a suggested retail price of $11.99.

“Early Times 150 is crafted to emulate the flavor profile the brand would have possessed in 1923 when it was acquired by Brown-Forman,” said Chris Morris, Brown-Forman Master Distiller. “Most whisky aficionados who have been treated to a prohibition-era medicinal whisky taste a late bottling. These contain whisky that was aged up to three times longer than the distiller planned. In 1923 Brown-Forman began bottling 5-6 year old Early Times as medicine. This bottling, with its light honey color, mellow oak, brown sugar, vanilla aroma and simple sweet corn, vanilla and faint butterscotch taste bring back the best of a by-gone time – an Early Times to remember.”

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Exclusive Empty Calipari Marker’s Bottles Up For Grabs

Apr 3

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

Yesterday’s release of the 2010 Keeneland Maker’s Mark bottle featuring UK basketball coach John Calipari was a slam dunk. Reports are that 24,000 bottles  sold out everywhere in under 2 hours. There simply were not enough to meet the demand. Coach Cal and Maker’s Mark have decided to make 8,000 more of the bottles available. The catch is, they will be empty! They will feature the same design as the full bottles which sold out on Day One of sales. The only difference is that instead of the Surgeon General’s warning on the back label, there’s a message from the CFFC. The proceeds from these bottles will benefit The Calipari Family Foundation for Children to help better the lives of underprivileged children in Kentucky. The limited edition bottles are on sale now for $49.99 with free shipping anywhere in the continental United States. You can get order this bottle online directly from caliparifoundation.org

Why empty bottles? Maker’s Mark President/CEO Bill Samuels, Jr. said:  “Cal’s foundation can now sell and ship them anywhere. With nothing inside there are no legal restrictions. Fans everywhere can get one and make a donation to his cause for kids. When Cal agreed to do our charitable bottle only available in Kentucky, he warned me about the nearly 1 million fans outside Kentucky that are not going to be happy. He was right.”

“Ellen and I would like to thank Bill Samuels, Maker’s Mark and Keeneland for making this special edition empty bottle to help support our Foundation. By not including alcohol in the bottles, we are able to ship these keepsakes all across the world and allow the Big Blue Nation to share in the commemoration of our first fabulous year in the Bluegrass,” Coach Calipari said.

The collaboration between Maker’s Mark and Keeneland, Kentucky’s world famous bourbon and its historic thoroughbred racetrack and sales company, respectively, could result in nearly $250,000 for the CFFC.

Watch the video below for more info about the Maker’s Calipari bottle.

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Maker’s Mark Trademark Wax Seal Is Affirmed

Apr 3

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

A federal judge Friday agreed with the distiller of Maker’s Mark bourbon that the dripping red-wax seal on its bottles is the company’s exclusive property, the Associated Press reports.

U.S. District Judge John Heyburn in Louisville, Ky., issued an injunction preventing a rival liquor company from using a dripping wax seal on its tequilas sold in the U.S., ending a seven-year legal fight over the distinctive bottle- topper.

Friday’s ruling caps a lawsuit between Maker’s Mark owner Fortune Brands Inc. (FO) and two competitors, Diageo PLC’s (DEO) North American unit and Casa Cuervo, over the trademarked wax seal. Mexico-based Cuervo used a dripping red wax seal on special bottles of its Reserva tequila, which was distributed by U.K.-based Diageo.

Heyburn’s ruling barred the companies from using the seal but didn’t award damages to Maker’s Mark.

Calls and emails to spokesmen for Maker’s Mark, Diageo and Cuervo weren’t immediately returned Friday, the AP says.

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Click here for the full story from the Associated Press.

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Splash of Bourbon Makes Food Taste Better

Mar 27

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News, Recipes

Click the image to purchase the book!

A splash of bourbon whiskey makes food taste better. Kentucky cooks have known this for a long time, and with the increasing popularity of bourbon, a new generation of food lovers have discovered many uses for this versatile spirit in the kitchen. With this in mind, veteran food writer and cookbook author David Dominé has published a collection of original recipes that will help readers enjoy bourbon’s distinctive flavors in dishes from crumpets and cakes, to dressings and dumplings, and pilafs and purées.

Not only does does Dominé entertain his readers with interesting tidbits about this distinctive American spirit, he discusses subtle differences in the bourbons used in this, the first-ever collection of recipes designed to showcase a wide variety of brands while promoting tourism at Kentucky’s distilleries.

In addition to sights along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this “coffee table” style cookbook features stunning color photographs of each of the 70 food dishes. The author also includes brief histories of distilleries, notes from the master distillers and explanations for such terms as single barrel, small batches and bottled-in-bond.

Shrimp and Corn Hushpuppies, Bourbon Butternut Squash Soup, Kentucky Derby Salad, and Trout Gratin are just a few of the recipes included. Dominé also prepares whiskey-laced originals such as Bourbon Battered Fish with Pumpkin Seeds and Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. The decadent Bourbon Ball Torte, a four-layer, chocolate concoction filled with rich butter cream, whiskey and pecans and coated in smooth chocolate ganache, is topped with one of the Bluegrass State’s most famous confections, the bourbon ball! Whether it is simmered in soups, drizzled in dressings or baked into breads, bourbon is sure to become a staple in your pantry after reading Splash of Bourbon, Kentucky’s Spirit.

Dominé will be signing his new book in many Kentucky bookstores throughout April. Check with your local bookstore for more information.

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Whisky Magazine Names Buffalo Trace – Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year

Mar 2

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky., March 2, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — History, hooch and hospitality! Famed whisky publication, Whisky Magazine has named Buffalo Trace Distillery 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” The announcement was made at the annual “Icons of the Industry” dinner held in London, England, Thursday, February 25.

This award comes after Buffalo Trace was named “American Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” last November as part of Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of the Industry” regional finals. After garnering the American title, Buffalo Trace went on to compete with distilleries from around the world before being named “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” for the entire industry.

“This is so exciting and such an honor,” said Elizabeth Hurst, visitor center manager. “We are always trying to improve our tour to draw new visitors, while encouraging old friends to return. This really validates the efforts of everyone at Buffalo Trace in welcoming our guests and giving them a memorable experience.” In recent months Buffalo Trace has added a new cooperage display and the Warehouse D Annex to the tour route. Later this spring new trails along the river will be opened as well as the Firehouse Cafe, giving visitors even more opportunities to explore the historic distillery.

Whisky Magazine has been presenting the “Icons” awards for a decade. The judging process starts with regional competitions in the U.S. and Scotland. Then it is opened to the rest of the world, including Japan, Canada and Ireland. Those honored by making the shortlist then competed for the worldwide title.

To learn more about Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of the Industry” awards visit www.whiskymag.com. For more information on visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery please visit www.buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and has included such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buffalo Trace has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Buffalo Trace has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies.

SOURCE Buffalo Trace Distillery www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0-

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