Margie Samuels Commemorative Maker's Mark Bottle

This weekend, Bob and I made a special trip to Loretto to visit the Maker’s Mark Distillery to pick up a collectible bottle. Now, y’all know that we love bourbon at HerKentucky HQ, but we aren’t big on collector’s bottles. Our attitude has always been that we don’t see the point of a bottle of bourbon that you can’t drink. This bottle, however, was so special that I had to have one to keep in my collection. This bottle commemorates Mrs. Margie Samuels.

Paintings commemorating Maker’s Mark Founders Bill Samuels, Sr., and Margie Samuels, Maker’s Mark Distillery

Mrs. Samuels was, of course, the wife of Maker’s Mark founder Bill Samuels, Sr. and the mother of Maker’s chairman emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr. While Mrs. Samuels never held an official title at the distillery, she came up with the iconic red wax seal, hand-lettered label, and bottle shape that sets Maker’s Mark apart. She also came up with the name “Maker’s Mark”, derived from the term for the markings that identified the creators on her collection of fine English pewter. In helping her husband create the brand for his new bourbon in the 1950s, Mrs. Samuels quietly revolutionized bourbon branding and marketing.

Mrs. Samuels’s ideas about historic preservation and distillery hospitality are the basis of the modern bourbon tourism industry. When Bill Sr. purchased an abandoned, pre-Prohibition distillery in Marion County, KY, Margie, by all accounts, “pestered him” about renovating the Victorian-style buildings on the site. Of course, she persevered. A few years later, we’re told, she decided that the distillery site shouldn’t just be a factory — it should be a welcoming spot where bourbon lovers could visit. With Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries receiving over a million visits in 2019 alone, it’s safe to say Margie was onto something with this idea.

I love that Mrs. Samuels’s legacy has been celebrated so much in recent years. She was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2014, one of the first women to attain that status. Her presence is felt in so many ways at the distillery — there are many photos of her around the Maker’s campus, and her beloved historic buildings still stand. You can even buy t-shirts with her imaged emblazoned on the front. (Of course, I had to have one of these.) Every year, Maker’s Mark celebrates International Women’s Day with tributes to Margie Samuels, recognizing her incredible contributions to the modern bourbon industry.

Mrs. Samuels has been a professional inspiration to me as well. Several years ago, Bob and I toured Maker’s Mark when I found myself particularly drawn to the display of Margie’s photo and notebook. I’d heard parts of her story before, but in that moment I was so taken aback by her impact on the Maker’s Mark brand. It was the first step of realizing that, as a writer, I wanted to help tell Kentucky women’s stories and that I wanted to write about bourbon. It’s one more reason that I’m celebrating Mrs. Margie Samuels today.

The Margie Samuels Founders’ Series Bottle is available only at the Maker’s Mark Distillery. $25 of the purchase price of every Margie Samuels Bottle will be donated to Bellarmine University’s Rubel School of Business to fund scholarships for entrepreneurs who are women of color.

Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls

In my family, it isn't Christmas until somebody makes a batch of bourbon balls. This recipe, passed down from my Great-Aunt Marie, is the most popular recipe on HerKentucky!

Because the bourbon isn't cooked down, the candy retains the taste of the bourbon used. I think it's pretty important to use a rich wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark to retain the sweetness of the dough. Bourbon balls made with a rye blend bourbon (think Early Times or Old Forester) tend to add a bitter note. The paraffin wax is totally optional — it makes a smoother, shinier shell to the candy. Since this is an old family recipe, I include it, but it really goes back to the days when high-quality baking chocolate wasn’t readily available and the wax was needed to help make the chocolate adhere.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Balls

This recipe yields between six and seven dozen bourbon balls.

• 1 to 2 cups good bourbon whisky (I use Maker's Mark)

• 1 cup chopped pecans

• 1/2 to 1 cup whole pecan halves (optional)

• 1 two-pound bag of powdered sugar

• 1 stick butter, softened

• 2 bags Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate chips

• paraffin wax

1. Place 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped pecans in shallow bowl. Pour Maker's Mark over nuts, immersing completely. Cover and let soak 12 hours to overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecan halves in shallow pan and toast lightly for about ten minutes.

3. Cream butter in stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Combine bourbon-pecan mixture with just enough powdered sugar to form a stiff ball. Refrigerate to let stiffen slightly.

4. Roll dough into small balls.

5. In double-boiler (or a sauce pan placed over a cooker full of boiling water), add a third to a half a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and, if desired, a small shaving of paraffin wax (no more than 1/4 cup). Heat until just smooth. Dip dough balls into the chocolate mixture. The key is to coat them quickly and make small, frequent batches of melted chocolate.

6. Place bourbon balls on wax paper to cool. Top each with a toasted pecan half, if desired. Results are better if you leave them to cool at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator.

Download the recipe card!

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!!

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon

(I was provided with press samples of Old Forester 100 proof and Old Forester 150th Anniversary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.}

It’s no secret that I love Old Forester. I can’t even be objective about it. The 100 proof is one of my favorite everyday bourbons, and I think every home bar should have a bottle of OldFo Rye for cocktails. Now that I’ve fully acknowledged my fangirl status, let’s move on to a more impartial review.

Old Forester has a special place in the history of bourbon. In 1870, Louisville-based pharmaceutical salesman George Garvin Brown created a new, 90 proof whiskey , which he named “Old Forester” after a Dr. William Forrester. The new product batched bourbon from three nearby distilleries, Mattingly, Mellwood, and Atherton. Mr. Brown innovated the bourbon industry by sealing his whiskey exclusively in glass bottles and signs each bottle as his personal guarantee of its quality. Whiskey in individual bottle was pretty big news in 1870. Old Forester has been produced continually by the Brown-Forman Corporation for the past 150 years. (Brown-Forman was one of six distilleries that were allowed to legally distill alcohol for “medicinal purposes” during Prohibition.)

Brown-Forman Building, Dixie Highway, Louisville

This week, I had the fun opportunity to take part in a Zoom press conference with Old Forester President Campbell Brown and Master Taster Jackie Zykan in which they announced the latest OldFo release, which celebrates the 150th Anniversary of their iconic bourbon.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon is a special release that was first planned seven-ish years ago when Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris set aside 150 barrels of Old Forester distillate in the Brown-Forman Shively rackhouse. The barrels were aged around seven years and underwent a heat cycling process that led to a maturation equivalent of about nine years. Several barrels were, of course, lost completely to the angels’ share, with the remainder being sampled and blended to produce three distinct batches. Jackie Zykan noted that three blends were chosen to honor the three original distilleries from which Old Forester was first blended. The 150th Anniversary Bourbon is bottled unfiltered at batch proof in an amber glass bottle, reminiscent of the original Old Forester packaging, with about 25,000 bottles in circulation. This release will retail for around $150.

Jackie noted that, while all of the releases are fantastic, Batch 1, which she describes as a “fruit bomb,” is her favorite. The press samples were mailed randomly, and I received Batch 2, which Jackie and Campbell refer to as “sweet and spry.”

Tasting Notes:

I tasted Old Forester 100 Proof against the 150th Anniversary, Batch 2 as a baseline.

Old Forester 100 Proof

Mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 100

Nose: honey, floral, cherry, brown sugar. Opens up to a strong note of red fruits.

Palate: golden syrup, banana, toasted pecans, cinnamon, toasted oak.

Finish: green apple and caramel.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, Batch 2

This isn’t a bourbon for the occasional bourbon drinker. At 126.4 proof, it’s powerful and syrupy — a sipper for serious whiskey fans. It’s a delightfully rich and layered bourbon that exaggerates and amplifies some of the best notes for which Old Forester is known.

Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 126.4

Nose: deep and woody notes of toasted oak, walnuts, honey, and banana bread, opening up to dark brown sugar.

Palate: maple syrup, French toast, dark cherry, orange, cocoa, date.

Finish: spicy and dry with notes of orange peel.

Cheers, y’all!

King of Kentucky 2020 Release Bourbon Review

(I was provided with press samples of Woodford Reserve Five Wood and King of Kentucky for review purposes. All opinions are my own.}

I set up a tasting flight of Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, Woodford Reserve Five Wood (Summer 2020 Distillery Series) and King of Kentucky 2020 Release. I chose this lineup for a couple of reasons. First, I find that many of Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris’s bourbon releases have distinctive fruit flavors. A preliminary whiff and taste told me that the Five Wood and King of Kentucky releases both had very strong cherry notes that would make for an interesting and complex comparison. I also wanted to try this lineup together because of their very similar mash bills, to compare how differences in aging and finishing contributed to the flavor differences.

I thought we’d start off with a bourbon everyone knows, Woodford Reserve, as a baseline.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

• Mash bill: 72% corn; 18% rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 90.4

• Nose: vanilla, honey and butterscotch, opening up to a light oak, cocoa, honeysuckle, and pear.

• Palate: cinnamon, caramel, citrus fruit, vanilla, and baking spices.

• Finish: creamy and warm, with apple pie notes.

Next up is Woodford Reserve Five Wood, a limited release for Summer 2020.

Woodford Reserve Five Wood

Currently available for sale at Woodford Reserve Distillery for $49.99. I received this press sample earlier this summer; it was a June 2020 release. This is standard Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select distillate with a twist — after the traditional oak barrel aging, the bourbon is then finished in four additional woods: an Oloroso Sherry barrel, an Amontillado Sherry barrel, a Ruby Port barrel, and a Tawny Port barrel. This Summer 2020 release is part of the Distillery Series, which experiments with finishing to produce interesting new takes on traditional Woodford Reserve expressions. (It would be interesting to taste this alongside Angel’s Envy’s Tawny Port and Oloroso Sherry Cellar Collection releases, to compare the impact of the barrel finishes.) This is a very nice sipping bourbon. It’s fruity and complex, distinguishing itself from standard Woodford Reserve with rich berry and cherry notes. It would be a fantastic sipper for late summer and early fall!

• Mash bill: 72% corn; 18% rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 90.4

• Nose: Cherry and wood. You’re instantly transported to a rick house — it’s oaky and sunny, with a whiff of wildflower honey. It opens up to familiar notes of Woodford Reserve like caramel and baking spices, along with a sherry note.

• Palate: Cherry, dried cranberry, molasses, baking spice, toffee, blackberry, caramel, and tawny port.

• Finish: sweet and elegant with lingering sherry notes.

The last taste in our flight is King of Kentucky 2020. Oh my, is this a special release, y’all. It’s interesting to taste the progression of a higher corn - lower rye mash bill as well as a far longer aging time (fourteen years to Woodford’s seven). The flight builds in proof, sweetness, and fruit notes, ending in King’s explosion of syrupy cherry goodness. It’s a great exploration of how very similar baselines can be developed in interesting ways.

King of Kentucky

So. let’s just go ahead and say it. This is probably my favorite Brown-Forman product I’ve ever tasted. (I’d definitely put it up there with OF Birthday 2012. It’s that good.) It’s over-the-top in every regard. It’s high proof with a huge aroma and big, jammy notes of fruit. It was aged 14 years, with barrels yielding at average 26%. Every detail reminds you why, in its third year of limited production, King of Kentucky has become a favorite among bourbon lovers. King of Kentucky is available this month at select retailers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. Only 1,900 bottles were produced; it retails at $249.

• Mash bill: 79% corn; 11%rye; 10% malted barley

• Proof: 130.6 (Proof varies depending on barrel, from 125 to 135)

• Nose: Dark cherry, cinnamon, coco, caramel, and tobacco. Opens to a buttery fruit fragrance.

• Palate: Cherry, golden syrup, dried fig, baking spice, and brown sugar.

• Finish: Spicy rye with a lingering warm note of brown butter.

The King of Kentucky label pays homage to an early bourbon brand: King of Kentucky was established in 1881, acquired by Brown-Forman in 1936, and discontinued in 1968. This is the third year that Brown-Forman has released a King of Kentucky expression.

Cheers, y’all!

Angel's Envy Cellar Collection: Tawny Port Cask Finished Bourbon

In February 2020, Angel’s Envy will release the latest bourbon in their Cellar Collection: a 10 year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished for 10 months in tawny port casks. I recently had the opportunity to attend a press tasting for this limited edition release and can’t wait to share my tasting notes with y’all!

Since its founding in 2010, Angel’s Envy has become a cult-favorite craft whiskey label. The brand was founded when former Brown-Forman master distiller Lincoln Henderson came out of retirement to team with his son, Wesley, to distill bourbon which would then be finished in port barrels. Over the past decade, the senior Mr. Henderson has since passed, four of Wes’s sons have joined the Angel’s Envy team, and a stunning distillery and tasting area opened in Downtown Louisville. It’s always a delight to attend a tasting with Wes and his sons Kyle (AE’s Production Manager) and Andrew (Lead Distillery Operator). They are warm, funny, and so very passionate about their whiskey. I’ve had the opportunity to taste with the Hendersons several times now, and I look forward to the Hendersons’ high-energy, hilarious presentations almost as much as I do the whiskey itself. During this tasting event, Wes Henderson laughed that, while many of their ideas produce interesting, high-quality whiskeys, “there are a lot of dumbass ideas, too, that should probably never see the light of day.” While the Hendersons speak of one another with a mixture of good-natured ribbing, respect, and self-deprecation, the mood turns far more serious when speaking of the late family patriarch; Wes always takes a moment during a tasting to reflect on the goal of making bourbon that his dad would make his dad proud.

Andrew, Wes, and Kyle Henderson

As for the whiskey, the Tawny Port Cask finished release in the cellar collection is an interesting and complex offering. The Cellar Collection is an experimental line of limited edition, small batch whiskeys. The first in the series, Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, was released in January 2019; however, these aren’t necessarily an annual release. Rather, says Kyle Henderson, the offerings will be released as they mature and are ready. Says Wes Henderson, “I never want to be on the innovation trail just to be innovating.”

The Tawny Port Cask release features a minor bottle redesign, including new gold lettering. The release of 5400 bottles at just under $250 will be available in KY, CA, FL, IL, NY and TN as well as at the distillery. The release is available for pre-purchase now.

We tasted the release alongside the flagship Angel’s Envy bourbon. It was immediately intriguing to see the color difference between the AE flagship bourbon — finished in ruby port casks — and the Cellar Collection expression. The new product had a far deeper amber color, a great indicator of a richer, more complex bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Proof: 111.6

Nose: {AE provided tasting notes: dry fruit and oak}; my tasting notes: green apple and oak

Palate: {AE provided tasting notes: black pepper, toasted nuts, clove and delicate cinnamon spice}; my tasting notes: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, golden syrup (treacle) or light molasses and dried apricot

Finish: {AE provided tasting notes: light and lingering, reminiscent of dried fruit dipped in dark chocolate); my tasting notes: rich and fruity, dried oranges dipped in wildflower honey

There’s a mellow warmth to this whiskey; it’s surprisingly delicate for such a high proof. I far prefer this one to last year’s Oloroso Sherry release. It’s definitely a great bourbon for fans of Angel’s Envy’s distinctive finishing style.

Thanks so much to Angel’s Envy for the invitation to taste this product. As always, all opinions are my own.

Old Forester 100 Proof

Sometimes, people, especially non-Kentuckians or bourbon newbies, often ask me what my go-to bourbon is. Of course, that’s never an easy question. Everyone in Kentucky knows that a whole lot of factors go into that answer. Is there someone in the room who works at a particular distillery? Then their employer is definitely your favorite. Other factors include where your tastebuds are at the moment, whether you’re sipping or mixing in a cocktail, etc., etc. But, even with all of those disclaimers out of the way, I find that my answer usually is Old Forester 100 Proof.

I straight-up love Forester 100 as a sipper. I’m a huge fan of the warm butterscotch aroma, the apple and spice palate, and the toffee and clove finish. I also love that it’s at an incredible price point, and that it makes a fantastic cocktail. I think that this one belongs on every home bourbon bar.

I’ve had the opportunity to get to know a few of the folks on the brand team at Old Fo, and I can tell y’all that they are incredible. Master Taster Jackie Zykan is the coolest lady ever, and the entire team has an incredible vision for the future of the label. If you love Kentucky history and good whiskey, you should definitely visit the Old Forester Distillery and learn all about the first bottled bourbon! (My t-shirt is available in the distillery gift shop!)

I’ve also had a few people ask about my bourbon barrel bracelets — I always wear these to whiskey-tasting events. These are by Bourbon & Boweties and are available exclusively at Sweet Mash Goods in Lawrenceburg. These are my very favorites, and are a subtle way to reflect my love of bourbon every day!

What’s your go-to bourbon?