Bourbon – Just Get in the Car

Show Your Spirit for Local Distilleries this Memorial Day

Just Get in the Car — Fri, 22 May 2020 14:20:52 +0000

So what are your Memorial Day plans like this year? No need to answer, I already know: sitting in the back yard with your immediate family, grilling some burgers, having a few drinks, and complaining about the goddamned coronavirus. Just like us.

You are probably trying to figure out how to make it a little better. Maybe you have stopped by the local beer distributor or supermarket and gotten a case of your favorite beer. But you may be tired of beer and looking to make something a little more adventurous. So why not try something with a bit of the hard stuff in it?

Believe it or not, there are a bunch of distilleries in the Philadelphia area. Like other local businesses, they can use your help right now. Have you tried looking on the PLCB website for anything? You will probably just find their top sellers, which won’t include any PA distilleries. Well, good news. We have put together a list of some local distilleries that make some awesome stuff. Curbside pickup is available from the PLCB – why not give your local store a call and plan a Memorial Day with some delicious mixed drinks made from local distilleries? Or better yet, stop by or order direct from the distillery. Help them out, try something new, and make everyone’s Memorial Day weekend better!

POP’S MCCANN WHISKEY

Pop’s McCann is one of my new favorite whiskeys. It’s a triple distilled Irish whiskey, finished in American oak barrels, before it is bottled in Michigan. It’s got a smooth taste, and goes great in lemon flavored drinks. But I prefer it straight, over some cold whiskey stones. It may not be made in the Philly area, but it is created, owned and promoted by a Philly guy.

Pop’s can be found at most liquor stores in the Philadelphia area. If your local store doesn’t carry it, reach out to them on Facebook, and they will make sure you get directed to one that does. You can also find a bunch of cocktail recipes there.

For Memorial Day, there may not be a better whiskey to drink. Pop’s McCann is built on a love of heritage and family history, making it the perfect drink to raise up a toast to honor your ancestors, forefathers, and all those veterans who gave us the ultimate sacrifice. If you want to raise a toast in a more formal way, check them out on Facebook: the owner will stop by your place and raise a toast to you and whoever you want to remember.

DAD’S HAT

Over the past few years, I have been getting more and more into whiskey. Most people fluctuate between bourbon, Irish whiskey, and scotch. But have you tried rye whiskey? Its spicier than bourbon, and was the go-to whiskey for Pennsylvania, before Prohibition virtually destroyed it. In 2011, Dad’s Hat emerged out of Bristol as the first PA distiller of rye whiskey in over 30 years.

Today, they make five delicious variations of rye whiskey. My favorite is the Straight Rye, which has been aged for four years and made from Pennsylvania grain. Check it out – or choose one you will enjoy! You can probably find some of their stuff at your local store – or order direct from the Dad’s Hat website.

FIVE SAINTS

Five Saints can be found in the historic Humane Fire House in Norristown. We had plans to visit the distillery for a tour right when COVID hit. We have been delayed, but we still have plans to get there once this is over. In the meantime, you can stop by their bottle shop or your local liquor store to try some of their stuff.

They have award winning small batch vodka that I have not tried, and a white whiskey that I am sipping while I write this. But my favorite thing from them is the Tuscan Style Gin. I am normally not a gin fan, but the herbal flavoring of this is fantastic. Facebook and their site offers a few cocktail recipes that I need to try. I also think it would be fantastic with some Bloody Mary mix or V-8 juice. Their website will direct you to liquor stores that carry their product, or you can try calling up for some curbside pickup.

KIKI VODKA

Kristin is sipping a lemon drop cocktail made with Kiki Vodka right now. The corn is distilled six times to make it one of the smoothest vodkas you can try. If you are looking to get some right now – good luck. They have been struggling to keep up with demand for their vodka, especially while they focus on making hand sanitizer. But you can try getting what you can from their distillery in Hatfield, or their vodka bar in Pottstown.

BRANDYWINE BRANCH DISTILLERY

Just before COVID shut the world down, I made an emergency stop to one of our local liquor stores and bought a bottle of their Resurgent Young American bourbon. It is distilled in Kentucky, but gets bottled in Elverson, which is just outside Morgantown. It has a nice peppery / vanilla flavor and is worth getting a bottle or two. But if you are like me, you probably want to try one of their other whiskeys or gins, too. When COVID is over, take a visit to their distillery, and check out some food from their bistro as well! In the meantime, visit their website and order a few bottles – free delivery for Philly area residents!

NEW LIBERTY DISTILLERY

A few years ago, I took a tour of New Liberty with some friends of mine. The distillery is in a pretty cool building – an old stable in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. Within their walls, they are distilling some great whiskey. Besides bringing back the Kinsey and Maryland Club brands, they also have some of their own whiskey brands – Pennsylvania Dutch Malt, Bloody Butcher Bourbon, and Millstone Rye. I have enjoyed a few of the Kinsey, Maryland Club and Pennsylvania Dutch Malt whiskeys – and can’t wait to try the Bloody Butcher.

PHILADELPHIA DISTILLING

Philadelphia Distilling was the first distillery to open in the state since the end of Prohibition. They opened in an old factory in Northern Liberties in 2005 and have a pretty nice tasting room and gift shop (I may have stopped in after my tour at New Liberty, which is nearby). Blue Coat gin is their signature spirit. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should. You can order online, or get it delivered through their website.

Despite our love for whiskey and other spirits, there are far too many distilleries in the area for us to have tried everything. Here are some other local distilleries to order from and try out. Let us know what you think…we are going to try and check all of these guys out, too!

Stateside Vodka: https://statesidevodka.com/

Despite the name, they also just released a black label bourbon. You can find them in PA liquor stores, but the distillery also for Delivery & Pick-up at their Philadelphia distillery.

Pollyodd Liquors: https://www.pollyodd.com/?page_id=28

Pollyodd is a South Philly distiller of Italian style lemoncellos. They currently offer 10 different flavors to choose from. Their website includes a list of PA state stores that sell their product, but not all their flavors can be found in the stores. You can call the shop in South Philly directly for an appointment: 215-271-1161 and try something you want.

Pezone Row Home Grown Cello: https://www.pezonecello.com/

11 different cello flavors, some of them seasonal. Usually available at Reading Terminal Market. Their website has a list of state stores that carry their product. Or call them direct at: 215-416-1432

Red Brick Craft Distillery: https://www.redbrickcraftdistillery.com/

Philadelphia distiller of whiskey and rum. Curbside pickup and delivery available through their website.

Palmer Distilling: http://www.palmerdistilling.com/

Liberty Gin and Manayunk Moonshine. List of stores carrying their product is available on their website.

Hewn Spirits: http://hewnspirits.com/

Bucks County distillery for rum and whiskey. Curbside pickup and delivery available.

Bluebird Distilling: https://bluebirddistilling.com/

Make rum, gin and whiskey. Distillery in Phoenixville is open for daily bottle sales, or call your local liquor store.

Pennsylvania Distilling: http://www.penndistilling.com/

Gin, rum, vodka, rye whiskey and bourbon made in Malvern. Online ordering is available; or stop in your tasting room to get a bottle.

Boardroom Spirits: https://www.boardroomspirits.com/

Free hand sanitizer (bring your own container). You can purchase online at their website for pickup from their facility in Lansdale or home delivery. They offer ready made cocktails, as well as a variety of whiskies, rums, and other spirits.

Manatawny Still Works: https://www.manatawnystillworks.com/

Pottstown Distillery. All orders for gin, whiskey, rum and vodka are online only from their website, with curbside pickup at their distillery.

Faber Distilling: https://www.fabereasydrinking.com/

Distillery near Quakertown that makes rum, gin and white whiskey. Right now, they are focusing on hand sanitzer. Support that, buy some liquor when this pandemic is over.

1675 Spirits: https://www.1675spirits.com/

Small batch distillery of vodka and whiskey in Bucks County. Order direct online, or pickup from their distillery in Bensalem.

So enjoy your Memorial Day this weekend. Cookout with your family, enjoy the summer, and support some local businesses that have been hit hard by COVID by purchasing some locally owned and produced spirits.

Let us know what drinks and cocktails you like, and we can compare notes when we finish trying everything, too!

- Shawn

Getting to know Tim Hagan and The Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Just Get in the Car — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:11:46 +0000

It’s no surprise that Shawn has come to appreciate his bourbon, and he and his college buddies recently enjoyed a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to imbibe. While there, they had a great time experiencing the history, knowledge, and bourbon included in their tour with The Kentucky Bourbon Boys. You’ve read about that before – but we’ve decided to get to know the Chief Operating Officer, Tim Hagan, a little bit better. Here are some of his answers to our questions!

How did you get started with the bourbon tours and Kentucky Bourbon Boys?

The Kentucky Bourbon Boys started as a Hagan family outing with a group of nine men and one female driver in 2011.

The group was made up of novice bourbon drinkers and at that time, the passport for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was smaller, with only six distilleries on the official trail. The group needed a driver for the day, so they recruited their daughter/niece/cousin/sister-in-law for the task. Seeing it as an opportunity for some good social media and blog content, she agreed.

The first bourbon tour was a prototype for all we’ve done for our guests since. We had a 15-passenger van, a steady driver, and memorable stories along the way. We learned about bourbon, the history, process, and stories of each distillery, and sampled some we hadn’t tried previously. Even better, we genuinely enjoyed the day together. On that day, our driver tagged us as the “Kentucky Bourbon Boys.”

A month later we toured a second round of distilleries, and an idea was born. What if we could do this for other people? How exciting would it be to take others on tours to these amazing locations, share our knowledge of what we knew along the way about bourbon, Kentucky, our history, culture, and more?

In 2015 the idea came to life and we officially formed the business – Kentucky Bourbon Boys, and since then, the rest, as they say, is history.

We’ve met new friends at the distilleries and along the way, and thousands of visitors from across the U.S.A. and around the world on our customized tours throughout the state. We strive to provide a unique and truly Kentucky experience – as evident in our motto – “Bourbon country done right!”

Can you tell us a little about Kentucky Bourbon Boys and what they offer?

The Kentucky Bourbon Boys focus on private, custom bourbon tours. Each tour is unique to the group, with three distilleries chosen by the guests (sometimes with advice from us) for tours and tastings, and lunch at a local restaurant. At times, a horse farm tour can be substituted in place of a distillery. Tours are organized by region to minimize drive times and maximize time at the distilleries. As a family business, we treat guests like family.

Groups can choose to visit the Bardstown area, in our SOUTH region, which is the “Bourbon Capital of the World!” The town also has been named the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America.” Distilleries in the area include Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Barton’s, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Willett, Lux Row, Limestone Branch, and Preservation.

Another option is to head to our EAST region, home of horse farms and the following distilleries – Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Castle & Key, Wilderness Trail, James Pepper, Bulleit Distilling Company, Jeptha Creed, Barrel House, Bluegrass Distilling, Hartfield & Company, Alltech, and Three Boys Farm.

In the Louisville area region, guests can choose between Bulleit Stitzel-Weller, Kentucky Artisan, Rabbit Hole, Evan Williams, Peerless, Michter’s, Old Forester, and Angel’s Envy.

Lunch is included in the cost of the tour day, along with all admissions, transportation, snacks and waters. We pre-order lunches, sending guests a menu and order form to complete and return prior to the trip. The restaurants are ready for us when we arrive, making the day flow smoothly and maximizing our time.

Guests that want something unique can choose one of our premium tour experiences, from shooting clays, enjoying pit barbecue, and a bourbon tour (Bullets, BBQ, and Bourbon) to tours at E.H. Taylor distilleries (Historic Bourbon Tour) or the Bourbon Behind the Scenes tour (specialty tours at Maker’s Mark and more). There are several new offerings coming soon!

[Note from Just Get in the Car: due to age restrictions that must be met, we were unable to link to any of the above distilleries! Good thing we know you know how to use google!]

What is it that makes Kentucky Bourbon the best whiskey in the country (maybe the world)?

There are more bourbon barrels aging in Kentucky than there are people (actually the ratio is 2:1 now). There are multiple factors that led to Kentucky becoming the epicenter of bourbon production.

First of all, it is a common misunderstanding that bourbon has to come from Kentucky. Although 95% or more is produced here, bourbon is the only American spirit. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, and there are new bourbon distilleries opening across the country.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that “All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.” Rye whiskey and scotch are good examples.

So what makes the difference? A few basic rules to know include:

* The mash must be 51% corn or more (and most are much more)

* The spirit cannot come off the still at higher than 160 proof

* The white dog (spirit) cannot enter the barrel higher than 125 proof

* Bourbon cannot enter the bottle lower than 80 proof

* The spirit must age in a new, charred, white oak barrel

* Nothing can be added to the liquid other than water

Kentucky had all the factors needed for bourbon to come into being. Settlers brought distilling skills with them from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Although other grains were used in those areas, corn was abundant here. Farms and small towns had little in the way of industry or jobs, and whiskey was cash. Just imagine the difference a barrel of whiskey could bring versus a wagon load of corn?

Water is a key to the quality of bourbon. Kentucky sits on a limestone shelf (hello, Mammoth Cave!) which filters water, removing iron and adding calcium and magnesium. This makes water clear, clean, and tasty – perfect for making good bourbon.

The last feature is the weather. Kentucky has a wide range of temperatures, with lows around zero and highs near 100 degrees. The temperature fluctuation cause expansion and contraction of the barrels, pulling the liquid into the wood and drawing flavor into the bourbon. Rickhouses (the barns that hold the barrels) are low tech, typically without electricity. The barrels age for at least four years with nature working its magic.

Once the barrel is emptied, it cannot be reused for bourbon. When you travel to Ireland and Scotland (and many other parts of the world) you will see bourbon barrels from various distilleries. Breweries, furniture makers, and food producers utilize used barrels as well.

For someone getting started with bourbon, what advice would you give them? And are there particular brands that would provide them with a good introduction?

Without getting into naming specific brands, the best way for someone to learn more about bourbon is to read blog posts, listen to podcasts, read online materials, and visit local bourbon events.

Prices are becoming exorbitant for some well known, high profile bourbons. A newcomer doesn’t have to be misled by this, and can find plenty of good options at very reasonable costs.

It doesn’t matter what other people like – everyone has a different palate and some bourbons will appeal to one person, while another might not like them at all.

The best way to get started is to try a bourbon cocktail, such as an old-fashioned. Be sure though to ask what bourbon is being used, because every old-fashioned will taste different depending on the bourbon used. A bottom shelf $10 bourbon will be very different from a medium priced bourbon.

Once you’ve tried some bourbon cocktails, try a mid-priced bourbon with an ice cube or two. The ice slowly melts and opens up the drink, taking a little edge off the bite of the alcohol and making more flavors noticeable. You can skip the ice and add a small amount of water to do the same thing. A pour should only be about an ounce or two at most, and should be SIPPED. There’s just no such thing as shooting a bourbon (only in cowboy movies).

Finally, take a tour. Each distillery provides anywhere from two to five glasses on a tasting, and the guide will teach guests how to drink bourbon.

Do you have a favorite distiller or bourbon brand?

They’re all good! Depending on the day and mood, a different bourbon fits the bill. Some are higher in proof than others, and some are sweeter or spicier. It all depends on what you like.

When is the best time to come to Kentucky and Louisville for some Bourbon tasting?

Distilleries are open year round, but are closed on most major holidays. During the summer, usually July or August, production may be on hold while deep cleaning is completed.

April – May and September – October are the prime times to visit, but one should expect big crowds. Many offer special tours on weekdays, and those with a bottling line only run on weekdays.

When you are not on the Bourbon Trail, what do you like to do in the Louisville area? Are there any sights, landmarks or restaurants you would recommend to out of towners?

Louisville has become a food destination, with multiple recognitions for the variety of great restaurants. On top of that, they all have a bourbon selection that can be overwhelming! There are too many to list here, but we can offer some ideas specific to the interests of a group.

Whiskey Row, or Main Street, is the gateway to bourbon country. There are five distilleries on this historic street (Angel’s Envy, Old Forester, Michter’s, Evan Williams, and Peerless) with Rabbit Hole just two blocks south. Nearby one can visit Bulleit Stitzel-Weller and Kentucky Artisan Distillery.

Churchill Downs is the historic home of the Kentucky Derby. Racing runs from late April through June, and again in October through Thanksgiving weekend.

The Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum is a must-see – on weekdays you’ll see your favorite player bats being made! Nearby, the Muhammad Ali Center is a gem.

Louisville’s Waterfront Park is an award-winning site, with several miles of walking paths, sculptures, swings, food, splash parks, and more. A walking bridge crossed the Ohio River, with outstanding views of the city. On the Indiana side guests can visit multiple restaurants and a bourbon and cigar bar.

What are some of the hidden gems in the Louisville or along the Bourbon Trail that most tourists don’t know about?

The Parklands are a string of new beautiful parks connecting around the outer edge of Louisville. Eventually, the plan is for the parks to link up over 100 miles around the perimeter of the city.

Historic home tours in the center of the city offer a look into America’s past – the duPont’s had a home in the district, and the St. James Art Fair every October brings thousands of visitors to the city.

Amish farms and stores, bicycle routes that pass through horse country, Mammoth Cave (two hours south), and water sports are all worthwhile options.

NCAA Basketball – Kentucky Wildcats or Louisville Cardinals?

These are fighting words! Actually, when people move into the area, one of the first questions they get is “Are you red or blue?” Blue is for Kentucky Wildcats, red is for Louisville Cardinals. Some of the Kentucky Bourbon Boys are staunch fans of one team or the other, but support the other team until they play one another. Then, LOOK OUT! If we lose in chess to the other team, it makes for a long year!

-Shawn

Exploring Louisville with The Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Just Get in the Car — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:54:06 +0000

Ah, bourbon. Besides jazz and anything from the Kardashians, it may be America’s greatest artistic output. And bourbon making is truly an art form. There are some simple rules to follow: it has to be made in the US, be at least 51% corn, aged in a new, charred oak barrel, and be between 80 and 160 proof. Distillers can add other grains, such as rye, wheat and malted barley, but nothing else to create flavor. So no sugar, honey, fruit etc. Within these limitations, distillers are able to create some amazingly varied spirits, and some of the best whiskey in the world. Though bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, a true aficionado knows that the best bourbon is made in Kentucky.

My college friends and I are all turning 40 this year. We somehow convinced the wives to stay home with the kids and let us “celebrate” out of town. However, I think that they were either just happy to see us go, or were planning on holding this over our heads for the next 40 years. Despite still having the maturity of 16 year olds, we are no longer satisfied with shots of Goldschläger and 30 packs of Red Dog. Our palates are slightly more sophisticated now, and we are all people that appreciate art. Since one of us had recently been to New Orleans, and LA was too far for a KUWTK tour, we decided that bourbon was the way to go. So we made a trip to the heart of Bourbon Country: Louisville, Kentucky.

It was my job to set up the distillery tours and tastings for the trip. With over 36 distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail alone, this looked to be quite a task. Some are in dry counties, so you can tour, but not sample. For each, we would need to figure out the tour times and prices, and coordinate driving multiple cars back and forth, which didn’t seem like such a great idea when we were planning on sampling bourbon all day. So I began looking into tour groups to help me figure this out. After looking through several different companies, I found one that seemed just right for our crew: The Kentucky Bourbon Boys.

The Kentucky Bourbon Boys do private and customizable tours for your group, big or small. The price was right: two distillery tours, a tasting at a third, lunch, snacks and transportation all day for about $150 a person. Between that and the dozens of positive reviews, I figured these were my “boys”. After some careful consideration (OK, drinking), I chose a couple distilleries around Louisville and got ready for our trip. The only other thing I needed to do after that was let them know what I wanted for lunch. They sent out a confirmation about our itinerary, and also offered some other suggestions for things to check out during our stay.

The day of our tour came and Roger, our driver / guide for the day, came to pick us up where we were staying. We didn’t have to travel to some central meeting point and get on a bus with a bunch of strangers. The tour was just the six of us and our host. He brought a bag of snacks, some water, Gatorade, as well as a sense of humor and a lot patience, which probably came in handy for dealing with our six dumbasses all day. By coincidence (honest!) four of us went on the tour in red polos and khaki shorts. We looked like a crew of greeters from Target on our lunch break. After we loaded onto the bus, we went to our first stop: Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

Stitzel-Weller is one of the more impressive distilleries I have seen. The grounds have some large buildings that were used to store hundreds of thousands of gallons of whiskey. While the original distillers went out of business, the grounds (as well as the aging whiskey casks in those tall buildings) were sold to Diageo and turned over to another Kentucky bourbon maker: Bulleit. We joined a larger group for this tour, where a bachelorette party assumed our red shirts meant we were the tour guides. One of the women assured us the girls would have followed us “anywhere”…but only after we told them the truth! Damnit!

The tour here was probably the most impressive: our guide walked us through the distilling process in their experimental lab, showed us how some of the barrels were stored for aging, then brought us into a nice big room for the most important part: sampling. We got to try four different whiskeys they make, explained the different processes used for them, and gave us some scoring sheets to help us identify the flavors. I just focused on drinking the whiskey in front of me – the paper and pencil made me feel like I was taking some kind of whiskey SAT.

With our bellies warmed with whiskey and bourbon (yes, there is a difference – all bourbons are whiskies, but not all whiskies are bourbons), it was time for lunch. We made our way back to downtown Louisville for lunch at Against the Grain Brewery. Lunch was preordered, so it was ready for us when we got there. Though it was not included in the cost, we all decided to get a sample of their beer while visiting – also well worth it. If you find yourself in Louisville, make sure you stop by for some of their beer as well as their brisket with a side of their Brussel sprouts. They were delicious.

Next stop was a tasting at a distillery that was new to me – Kentucky Peerless Distilling, also in downtown Louisville. They are a craft distillery that only uses sweet mash – fresh yeast, as opposed to reusing previously fermented yeast from other batches. Our host there was very friendly and knowledgeable – she told us all about their history and processes, while also giving some insight into each of the whiskies we were trying. We also found some nice red shirts for the other two guys in our group to purchase in the gift shop. Sadly, they decided they were too cool for Team Target.

Finally, we made our way east of the city to the one I was most looking forward to: Kentucky Artisan Distillery, makers of Jefferson bourbon. Though the facility was smaller than Bulleit’s, they also gave a pretty impressive tour – they even had some sour mash in open vats so that we can have a taste. And don’t worry – they scooped it out. I didn’t stick my nasty-ass hands in your beloved bourbon. They also told us about one of the most interesting whiskey aging processes I have heard of – they stick a bunch of barrels on a ship that travels around the world for eight months a year, aging and mixing the whiskey as it goes from the Artic to the Equator along the ocean. Jefferson’s Ocean had an interesting flavor as a result. It was not my favorite of their offerings, but I was impressed with the creativity in aging and flavoring it. You should set up a visit and try it for yourself.