Going down the Bourbon Trail Part 1

Today was a beautiful day in Kentucky.  We packed up our tent, got the heck out of dodge (aka Beech Bend Campground and/or NASCAR Nation) and took a meandering drive (seriously, I thought we had taken a turn to Bon Temps) down to Loretto to visit the Maker’s Mark Distillery.

Bourbon whiskey (or whisky as they spell it at Maker’s Mark) is the only American spirit.  To be considered true bourbon the alcohol must be made with at least 51% corn, contain no additives, be made from only American supplies and be “pure.”

Our tour started out in the orginal, and restored, Samuels house, the family who created Makers Mark bourbon. 

(That’s Bill Samuels, an heir to Maker’s Mark on the phone with Chip)

Next up we learned how bourbon is actually created.

There are six main steps.  First you grind the corn and grain.  Then you mash in barley, along with water, into the grain.  Next the mash is drained, and all of the leftover liquid goes into the fermentation tanks.   The Maker’s Mark tanks hold 15,000 gallons!  After the fermentation the actual distilling process begins, and then finally the product is poured into barrels that are burned on the inside.  The whiskey ages for at a minimum of three years.  Some of Maker’s Mark whisky ages for up to ten years!

Then came the best part of the tour…tasting.

Don’t you like his eyes?

We learned to actually get the full effect of the bourbon, to swirl, sniff then taste while breathing through your mouth.  Let me tell you, that was potent.

The wanderings continue…