Which Bourbon? Please assist…?
Hello! I’m planning a Kentucky Derby party for next year. (Yes, I’m planning WAY in advanced, but I’m just doing some initial research) Anyway, I’m planning on making mint juleps because, really, what Kentucky Derby party is complete without mint juleps? And I don’t know what kind of bourbon I should get for them….
I have in narrowed down between Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Knob Creek. Now, I’m trying to keep this party at a pretty low budget, but if need be I can probably splurge for the alcohol, if it’ll make a difference.
Which do you like best? Which would you recommend? Why? What’s the differences in them? Because I know absolutely nothing about whiskey or bourbons…
Thanks!
PS: Please no answers saying "Mint Juleps are gross". Haha, my friends and I are rather fond of them!
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July 8th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Actually, you sound extremely knowledgeable about bourbon; and any of the ones you’ve picked would be just fine.
The "official" Mint Julep at the Derby doesn’t even use real bourbon - it’s made with Early Times Whiskey (It’s aged artificially at an accelerated rate using climate controlled warehouses, true bourbon has strict aging requirements). Crazy.
Anyway, I’m a huge fan of bourbon - not a big fan of juleps - but that won’t stop me from having an opinion on this topic.
You’re mixing the bourbon into a julep - the mint and sugar are going to cover a lot of sins. In my humble opinion there is no need whatsoever to use premium bourbon in a julep. There are 2 bourbons that come to mind that are fabulous for the task; Old Forrester and Evan Williams. They’re both very similar in cost and taste; very easy drinking but not at all snooty.
Of the 3 you had mentioned, I like Woodford the least, and could go either way on Maker’s or KC.
Maker’s is a "wheated" bourbon, meaning that there’s wheat instead of rye in the mashbill. This gives it a very gentle flavor. "smooth." The more I’ve gotten into bourbon though, I really like my bourbon spicier.
Actually - what about Wild Turkey? Now there’s a big, bold flavored, spicy, rye-heavy whiskey.
Sorry - I didn’t mean to complicate things; it just happened!
July 8th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Jim Beam. You wouldn’t make a wine cooler out of Lafitte Rothschild or a Champagne Cocktail from Dom Perignon . Leave the top shelf Bourbon for sipping.