Forget About Horses: A Bourbon Picking Guide for Derby Day, and Every Day

The Kentucky Derby signifies three things to me. First, that Kentuckians and horse racing enthusiasts will soon commence another year of getting ready for an event that's over in about two minutes. Second, ladies wearing funny hats. And third, bourbon -- Kentucky's gift to the world.

I don't know much about horses or funny hats, but my liver and I do know a thing or two about bourbon. For those who don't know or who never thought to ask, here's a quick primer.

Bourbon is a whiskey that's distilled primarily from corn -- to be called bourbon, it must use at least 51% corn in its mash. The un-aged corn whiskey is made using methods that you don't really need to read about here (if you're curious, go here for all the details). It then has to be aged in white oak barrels for at least two years. Almost all bourbons are made in Kentucky, but contrary to what some may think, there's no legal requirement that it be made there. It just kind of worked out that way. The finished product, if made right, is proof -- along with baseball, jazz and Kathy Kohner -- that America is the greatest country on the planet.

There are hundreds of bourbons out there, each with a distinctive flavor profile, so what follows is by no means a comprehensive list of all your options. If it were, I'd probably be writing this from a hospital bed. Rather, it's merely a sampler of bourbons that have made it onto my radar, and why (or whether) they're worth trying. If you have any favorites that I've missed, don't be shy. That's what the "Participate" button above is for -- if you want to add your pick to the slideshow.

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Four Roses

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The most popular bourbons in America have been, for what seems like forever, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. But for two decades after Prohibition was repealed in 1933, when you said "bourbon," odds are you meant Four Roses. The brand was purchased by Seagram's in the '40s, and in the '50s they stopped selling it in the USA. But it remained among the top sellers in Japan and elsewhere, and in the 21st century it's re-emerged Stateside. To woo high-end bourbon connoisseurs, they've developed a lot of newfangled variations (Single Barrel, Small Batch, etc.). But the standard Four Roses Yellow label is the closest thing to what your gran'pappy might have drunk decades ago. Sipped neat, it's got lovely vanilla and honey notes; drop in an ice cube or two and woody, oaky flavors begin to predominate. It's neither overpowering nor too delicate, which makes it nice for sipping or for mixing in cocktails.

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The most popular bourbons in America have been, for what seems like forever, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. But for two decades after Prohibition was repealed in 1933, when you said "bourbon," odds are you meant Four Roses. The brand was purchased by Seagram's in the '40s, and in the '50s they stopped selling it in the USA. But it remained among the top sellers in Japan and elsewhere, and in the 21st century it's re-emerged Stateside. To woo high-end bourbon connoisseurs, they've developed a lot of newfangled variations (Single Barrel, Small Batch, etc.). But the standard Four Roses Yellow label is the closest thing to what your gran'pappy might have drunk decades ago. Sipped neat, it's got lovely vanilla and honey notes; drop in an ice cube or two and woody, oaky flavors begin to predominate. It's neither overpowering nor too delicate, which makes it nice for sipping or for mixing in cocktails.

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This Bourbon

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Not a fan. Love it.

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As the late great comedian Joe E. Lewis would say -- not to mention the track announcer at Churchill Downs -- "It is now post time." It's time to get in the saddle and watch one of Kentucky's great traditions... while drinking another.

 

Follow Tony Sachs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RetroManNYC

Comments

[Javagold]

02:58 PM on 06/08/2010

1. Makers Mark
2. Woodford Reserve
3. Jefferson

[mellene]

09:40 PM on 05/20/2010

I think Jefferson Reserve should make good marks for anyone who loves a good bourbon.

[truth67]

03:51 PM on 05/20/2010

k & b canadian

[GonzoFactor]

11:07 PM on 05/17/2010

Jack Daniel's and George Dickel (my personal favorite) are Tennessee whiskies, not bourbon. There's are differences in required ingredients and their handling. Personally, I think Jack and Maker's Mark are both badly overrated.

My favorite bourbon is Booker, but it's just too expensive. I think the best cheap bourbon is Evan Williams black label, and it beats a lot of others that are twice the price.

The recent resurgence in rye whiskies is a good sign. For those tired of bourbon, rye is a nice change.

[thundermummy]

03:44 PM on 05/16/2010

Tennessee sour mash is good in its own regard but is out of place in a bourbon review. Moreover, Jack Daniels is p!ss poor sour mash.

[HidingintheDeepSouth]

10:15 AM on 05/11/2010

I will drink Bourbon on occasion, but I don't eat GMO corn. I have wondered for a while is bourbon is made with GMO corn. I haven't bought any in a while due to this concern.
Does anyone know the answer to this?

[procopios]

10:18 PM on 05/11/2010

Well there's Glug. It's just all-natural pine cone party liquor.

[Sean Morgan]

04:04 PM on 05/19/2010

When in doubt, develop a taste for scotch! You might try sherry or port cask whiskies (Macallan, Balvenie, etc.) if you're opposed to the corn issue.

[Badger84]

01:06 AM on 05/11/2010

Woodford Reserve, a good friend.

[Sean Morgan]

04:05 PM on 05/19/2010

My favorite Manhattan - Woodford Reserve and extra cherries. Probably the sissiest Manhattan out there, but still my favorite.

[Mosura1]

10:12 PM on 05/07/2010

Was a good article until JD popped up!

[AKAGoldfish]

02:29 AM on 05/07/2010

Why is Jack Daniels on here? Jack is not a bourbon, it says right on the label it's from Tennessee.

[mariusvinchi]

09:47 AM on 05/04/2010

I discovered a latent allergy to Bourbon...I drink Bourbon, I break out..In felonies!!
Tequila..I break out...of my clothes!
Therefore, I shall never mix Bourbon and Tequila, lest I end up naked in a cell with Bubba....

[HidingintheDeepSouth]

10:16 AM on 05/11/2010

Thanks for making me LOL in this here library. I'm slightly embarrassed, although not as much as you might be with Bourbon and Tequila!

[SirenForSanity]

03:47 PM on 05/22/2010

You can't hide in the Deep South. Everybody knows what everybody is doing all of the time...at least in the part of the deep south I'm in... :-/

[ChiGuy]

10:28 PM on 05/03/2010

My Bourbon of choice has been Knob Creek for many years.

[granderson904]

05:04 PM on 05/03/2010

I can't believe two things: Jack Daniels is a Tennessee sour mash whiskey, not a Kentucky bourbon. The taste revolts me. Evan Williams is the absolute best buy in Bourbon and you did not even list it. It is as good as Makers Mark at half the price! And where is Wild Turkey on your list? Are you price snobs? Obviously this was NOT a taste taste but an opinion poll worth little except to sell somebody.

[RandyRW]

12:16 PM on 05/03/2010

Of the bourbons on the list I prefer Elmer T, Lee. I am mystified as to why Wild Turkey is missing and as many others have pointed out Jack Daniels is not a bourbon. I also like Maker's Mark very much.

[Tony Sachs]

06:20 AM on 05/06/2010

I didn't review Wild Turkey or Jim Beam because they're the most popular bourbons in America, so I figure most people who care about bourbon would have tried them already.

I'll definitely be doing a follow-up piece that will include a lot of the brands that you good folks have mentioned here. As I mentioned in the article, I didn't intend this to be a comprehensive review of every bourbon out there, so don't be offended if I didn't mention your favorite brand!

[Cultiver83]

10:33 AM on 05/03/2010

Evan Williams is more than drinkable and it won't break the bank. And I have to respectfully disagree with the writer on the topic of Maker's Mark; that's a great bourbon.

[Zillacabra]

02:52 PM on 05/03/2010

Evan Williams Single Barrel is an incredible value and an excellent sipper.

[VoteThemAllOut]

04:08 PM on 05/03/2010

'Buck for Buck' E Williams is hard to beat.

[Grant Hughes]

10:29 AM on 05/03/2010

Jack Daniels is not a bourbon.
It is a whiskey but not a bourbon.