Woodford Reserve Bourbon Dinner at Capital Grille
Kicking off Kentucky Derby season with Woodford Reserve Cocktails and a delicious meal at Capital Grille!
I recently attended a media dinner event hosted by The Capital Grille and Woodford Reserve. It was a wonderful way to kick off Derby Season, try the menu and Derby-inspired cocktails at Capital Grille, and hear from one of my very favorite people in the distilling industry, Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris.
We started the evening with a Woodford Spire (the most popular cocktail at the Derby), while Mr. Morris signed 2024 Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve bottles for the attendees. This year’s Woodford bottle, which commemorates the 150th running of the Derby, is absolutely stunning! I’m thrilled to add it to my collection!
We then enjoyed a five course dinner, paired with Woodford Reserve bourbon cocktails. It was my first time dining at the Louisville location of the Capital Grille, and everything was so delicious!
The first course was a prosciutto wrapped scallop, over heirloom tomato salad and a Grand Padamo Tuile, served with a Derby Spire. This was a perfect pairing. The acidity of the tomatoes cut the saltiness of the prosciutto and the briny note of the scallop beautifully. The bright, citrusy notes of cranberry and lemonade in the Spire were a lovely accompaniment!
The second course was a roasted chicken breast accompanied by a risotto stuffed mini bell pepper, paired with a Woodford Reserve mint julep. This was a light, refreshing and lovely course. I especially enjoyed the risotto, which was rich but not overpowering.
The third course was a gorgonzola-crusted double-cut lamb chop with pomp puree and a red wine reduction, paired with a Manhattan, made with equal parts Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Woodford Reserve Rye. This was my favorite meal of the evening. The flavors were rich and complex, and the chop was perfectly prepared. The gorgonzola stood up to the rich flavor of the meat, and the inclusion of both sweet (Double Oaked) and spicy (Rye) whiskies provided a very balanced cocktail that complemented the course.
The fourth course was a sliced filet over roasted Japanese sweet potato, topped with chimichurri and paired with a blackberry bourbon sidecar. Oh my, was this one delicious! The filet was flavorful, and the bright garlic-and-parsley notes of the chimichurri worked with the rich berry notes in the cocktail. If you find yourself at a Capital Grille location this spring, you definitely should try the sidecar. It’s a lovely cocktail.
The final course of the evening was a flourless chocolate espresso cake with mixed berry couli, paired with a fat-washed bourbon espresso martini. This was an absolute treat, with strong notes of chocolate and coffee paired with a complex note of smoky bacon and a bright berry sauce. The cake and cocktail made a lovely ending for the evening!
The Capital Grille was so gracious — the restaurant’s GM and chef talked us through each course, the servers were efficient and friendly, and the meal was terrific. Mr. Morris reminisced about past Derby seasons and Woodford Reserve’s long history with the Kentucky Derby. It was such a wonderful evening of great food, great company, and great bourbon. Thanks so much to Woodford Reserve and the Capital Grille for their hospitality!
Whiskey Wednesday: Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve Whiskey
A new whiskey label that honors Lexington’s bourbon history.
There’s nothing I love more than a deep dive into Kentucky — and whiskey — history, and RD1 Spirits Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve whiskey provides just that.
The original William Tarr was a Kentuckian and entrepreneur who was born in 1824 in Paris, Kentucky. He is said to have begun selling watermelons from his family’s farm while still in high school. After a few business endeavors — including stints in land speculation and at another whiskey venture, Tarr was at one point described as “one of the money kings of the Blue Grass.” He purchased the Ashland Distillery, which had the distinction of receiving the first federal distilling license, RD1, on Manchester Street in Lexington in the 1870s.
I love how the RD1 Spirits company pays homage to an early distiller through this product’s branding. I also love the fact that UK Football Coach Mark Stoops is a minority investor. If you love Lexington history, there are so many “Easter eggs” in the Old Wm. Tarr branding!
Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve is a blended whiskey — 8-year rye and 7-year bourbon — that pays tribute to Tart’s legacy. A 114 proof juice, it provides the spice of a rye and the caramel notes of a bourbon.
RD1 graciously sent me a review bottle of Old Wm. Tarr, along with a stunning Lexington Silver barrel beaker. This cup pays homage to Asa Blanchard, an 18th century Lexington silversmith often called the “Paul Revere of the South.” Blanchard’s original design mimics the lines of a whiskey barrel. It’s a perfect pairing for anyone who loves good whiskey and Kentucky history!
Cheers, y’all!
Bourbon T-Shirt Quilt by Campus Quilt
Y’all know I absolutely love t-shirt quilts from Campus Quilt, and I’m so excited to pair with them to display the bourbon t-shirts I’ve collected over years of visiting distilleries. This one is so special to me; it tells the story of so many bourbon brands I love! I also love that Campus Quilt is a woman-owned business right here in Louisville!
I chose a 16-Square Stadium Quilt with sashing and flannel backing. I love the extra depth that sashing adds, and the flannel backing is so warm and cozy. A Campus Quilt would be such a special and personal holiday present for anyone on your shopping list!
The Campus Quilt ordering process is so easy. You choose the quilt size and colors, ship in your shirts, and let the Campus Quilt team do the rest! If you’re ordering a holiday present, be sure to place your order by November 15th, ensure that the shirts are delivered to Campus Quilt by November 24th, and that you request Christmas delivery on your order form. For more details, check out the terms and conditions. Another great gift idea is a gift card so you can work with the recipient to plan the exact quilt they want!
Thanks so much to Campus Quilt for helping me choose the perfect way to display my favorite bourbon shirts! I hope y’all will consider giving a Campus Quilt this holiday season!
Family-Friendly Kentucky Derby Party
Tips for a family-friendly Kentucky Derby gathering.
The other day, I had a FaceTime call with my 6 year-old niece. “Saturday is May 1st,” she said, “that means it’s also Derby Day!” She then invited me to her Kentucky Derby party, which she’s holding with her sister and my parents. I’m still strongly considering her invitation, even if it is three hours away.
This isn’t a Derby when I’m up for going to the track. I’m so glad the race is on for people who want to attend, but my Covid experience has left me both still wary of crowds and not fully able to wear a mask for long periods of time. I’m skipping the track this year, but a fun, family-friendly Kentucky Derby party sounds fabulous. I’ve put together some ideas for a fun outdoorsy party — I love that there’s nothing fancy or overwhelming about it, it’s full of Kentucky traditions, and it’s as much fun for a 6 year-old as it is for the rest of us!
I kept the decorations simple, using things that could withstand a spill or a drop. I love this inexpensive pin display banner for the bourbon/mint julep and Derby Festival pins I’ve acquired over the years. It tells a fun story of past events we’ve loved and adds a cute little vintage touch to a tree!
I used an old quilt as a tablecloth and grabbed a few kids’ jockey hats in the Derby Party section at Kroger to use as party favors. I also found a vintage Louisville Stoneware Derby-themed flower pot that was perfect for the occasion!
I kept the menu simple as well — mini Derby Pies from Kern’s Kitchen, pimiento cheese and Benedictine sandwiches, crudités with Hall’s Beer Cheese, and Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls. All of these dishes are traditional Kentucky favorites, and all I had to do was assemble the sandwiches and cut up the vegetables. I used my Stoneware & Co Bachelor Button dishes to continue the theme of a traditional Kentucky event!
Of course, I had to have mint julep ingredients on hand — including bottles of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester for those who choose to imbibe and Ale-8-one for those who don’t. I love freezing some Ale-8 until it’s a slushy consistency then serving over crushed ice with a mint sprig for a julep mocktail that everyone can enjoy!
If you’re looking for recipes, or if you want to take a sure-to-be-appreciated hostess gift, Chef Ouita Michel’s new cookbook, Just a Few Miles South, is the absolute best! Ouita is one of my very favorite people, and her first-ever cookbook is filled with the Kentucky Comfort Food we all love at her restaurants! It would also be a great prize if your party does a Derby Horse Pool or other games!
Cheers to Derby, however you choose to celebrate this year!
Old Forester Old Fashioned
Today is National Cocktail Day, y’all. Now, I’m not usually one for these made-up internet holidays, and these days I’d rather sip my bourbon neat rather than mix up a cocktail. But, it was such a lovely afternoon to sit on the porch and enjoy an Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned claims its roots in the late 19th century, at Louisville’s famed Pendennis Club. I’ve heard it called Louisville’s official cocktail, and the official drink of Thurby. Whatever you call it, the sweet syrup, tart bitters, strong bourbon and hint of orange make for a lovely cocktail. You can sweeten it with a wheated bourbon or you can add a high-proof pour to even out the edges. It’s usually a great sipper, unless your bartender goes overboard with the bitters.
The best Old Fashioned I ever drank was during an interview and tasting experience. Jackie Zykan, the Master Taster at Old Forester, made the perfect OldFo Old Fashioned as we talked and tasted at the Brown-Forman Shively Warehouse. While this was kind of a once-in-a lifetime experience — trust me when I say that Jackie is one of the coolest, most knowledgeable, and all-around awesome people you’ll ever meet and I can only dream of being a badass like she is— we can all try her recipe at home.
The Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe, via Old Forester
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. Old Forester 100 Proof
0.5 oz. Demerara Syrup (2:1)
2 dashes Angostura™ Bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain over ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon and orange peel.
Cheers, y’all!
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Review
A must-taste limited edition expression from Maker’s Mark
When Bob and I visited the Maker’s Mark distillery a few weeks ago, we picked up a bottle of the latest limited release in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, FAE-01. We’ve tasted it a couple of times now, and we’ve really found it to be the most complex, fruit-forward, interesting bourbon expression we’d tried in a while. I absolutely love this one, y’all.
The Wood Finishing Series was launched in 2019 as an extension of the Maker’s 46 and Private Selection expressions. which finish fully mature Maker’s Mark bourbon in barrels made of a combination of specially-selected charred and toasted oak staves to produce more intense and pronounced flavors. The 2019 (RC6) and 2020 (SE4xPR5) were each made using distinct wood profiles. The first release of 2021, FAE-01, uses virgin American oak staves that have been toasted on one side and left raw on the other, coaxing out both strong earthy flavors and bright, fruity notes.
The release’s name comes from the fatty acid esters which are formed throughout the distilling and fermentation process. Here, the non-chill filtering process favored by Maker’s Mark is crucial. “Non-chill-filtering allows long-chain fatty acid esters (FAEs) to remain in the liquid, which contributes to the creamier mouthfeel and helps preserve and elevate the fruit notes,” a distillery press release explains. The result is really something special.
Maker’s Mark Director of Innovation Jane Bowie noted in the same press release that this expression “tastes just like a barrel warehouse smells.” This is a stunningly succinct and accurate description of FAE-01. All the delightful notes that hit your nose on a warehouse tour are captured in the flavor of this bourbon. It’s a definite must-sample for bourbon lovers. If you run across a bottle of this one, you should definitely pick it up!
FAE-01 retails at $60. A companion expression, FAE-02, will be released in the fall.
We obviously had to taste this one a couple of times to get it all right.
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Tasting Notes
Mash Bill: 70% corn; 16% red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
Finishing Wood: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves
Proof: 110.6 (cask strength)
Nose: fruit-forward notes of blackberries, bing cherries, and figs; opens to molasses and a strong note of rickhouse wood.
Palate: bing cherries and lemon zest, demamara sugar, toasted oak, and plums.
Finish: creamy with a lingering balance of earthiness and sweetness.
The Best Bourbons for Beginners
A friend recently texted me with one of my very favorite questions to answer: “If I wanted to try (and like) bourbon straight up, what should I try?”
Now, of course, my first thought was “how awesome is it to first experience bourbon as an adult who isn’t starting off by over-indulging in something cheap or by mixing it with Coke?”, then I started thinking of a few tips.
1. Start with a lower-proof spirit
Proof is, of course, the measure of alcohol by volume. The proof statement on a bottle of alcohol is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. So, for example, a 90 proof bourbon is 45% alcohol. If you’re starting to taste bourbon straight, it’s probably easier to start with something that doesn’t have an overwhelming alcohol burn. This will help you experience more of the flavor of the bourbon and give you a better appreciation of your preferences. I’d suggest something in the 80 to 90 proof range.
My top picks for low-proof bourbons that provide a complex and delicious flavor profile are Basil Hayden’s (80 proof) or Old Forester 86 Proof. Entry-level Four Roses (formerly known as Yellow Label) is a good sipper at 80 proof, and Cooper’s Craft, at 82.2 proof, provides a good introduction to the fruity and floral notes of its older siblings in the Brown-Forman lineup, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve.
2. Look to something that works with your flavor profile.
It always astonishes me when someone tells me that they “don’t like bourbon”, because there’s such a huge spectrum of flavors available in various bourbon expressions.
If you like sweet flavors, a bourbon with a high wheat content like Maker’s Mark or Larceny will be a good starting place. The strong vanilla and brown sugar notes of Woodford Reserve are also always great for those of us who have a sweet tooth!
If you tend to choose more savory flavors, a higher rye content is good. Buffalo Trace and its big brother Eagle Rare are a great starting point, as is Michter’s US*1. Knob Creek is another great bourbon that provides a full, spicy flavor.
3. Don’t be afraid of water.
A drop or two of water is an easy way to lightly dilute your bourbon and open up its flavor. Make sure you use a pure, clean water (nothing messes up a nice drink like a weird-flavored water or ice cube!). You’ll be able to really taste and appreciate your drink while making it a little easier to drink.
Cheers, y’all!!
