As our Whisky Series continues, we don’t have to travel far from where we were last time. We head from East Kentucky to the Western portion of the state, where there are even more whisky distillers creating excellent product. Here are five selections from West Kentucky that you will find at Anduzzi’s.
We begin in Louisville, Kentucky, home of greats like Muhammed Ali, Louisville Slugger, and Angels Envy Bourbon. These greats are all renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship, and their attention to detail that makes them the best in their respective fields. For Angels Envy in particular, this can be seen through their aging process. Not only is the bourbon aged to taste, but it is also aged using a double maturation technique that involves specific barrels from Portugal. What is left is a rich bourbon with notes of vanilla, fruit, and maple.
Price: $10
In addition to Angel’s Envy, Louisville is also home to Michter’s Straight Rye. Made from select American rye grain, Michter’s process ensures that its grain is sheared to maximize the extraction of flavor from the grain. Ideal neat or in cocktails, every bottle comes from a single barrel to ensure optimal consistency. This whisky is fire-charred in white oak barrels, and features a taste spice with peppery notes, citrus, butterscotch, and oak.
Price: $9
For over 220 years, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon has been refining their recipe, created originally in Clermont, Kentucky during George Washington’s presidency! According to legend, Basil Hayden made his first batch of bourbon with the ingredients he happened to have on hand, rather than sticking with the ingredients of a traditional mash. Featuring a light body and a gentle bite, the bourbon features notes of spice, tea and peppermint.
Price: $9
Also out of Clermont comes Knob Creek and their single barrel reserve bourbon. Aged for at least nine years, Knob Creek uses a combination of white oak barrels, the uneven Clermont, Kentucky climate, and level four charring to create a dark, rich bourbon with notes of caramel and vanilla.
Price: $10
Jim Beam also calls Clermont home, and their process is quite similar to their bourbon neighbor, Knob Creek. Also charred to a level four char in white oak barrels, Jim Beam sets itself apart by their use of corn in their recipe, as well as their double distilling process, which is used to higher the proof of the bourbon.
Price: $9
Next week we expand our list to the other Whiskys from the United States!