Despite the fact that bourbon whiskey has been common right here within the UK for many years, it’s honest to say that it has by no means reached the dizzying heights of single-malt Scotch, or blended Irish whiskey, when it comes to reputation.
Now, don’t get us flawed, we’re not saying there isn’t a bourbon whiskey market right here within the UK as a result of that might be an entire lie. So far as bourbon goes nonetheless, aside from Jim Beam, the one different possibility in most bars, pubs, and eating places is Jack Daniel’s (sure, we all know that JD is technically a Tennessee whiskey, however that’s a posh matter in itself).
Recently, nonetheless, we’ve seen indicators of bourbon whiskey climbing the ranks and exhibiting indicators of doubtless changing into THE breakthrough alcoholic beverage of 2024. With bourbon whiskey gross sales rising, social media advertising campaigns proving extra clever than ever, and with extra wonderful bourbons hitting the UK market, it’s a good time to be a bourbon drinker.
One bourbon that has been turning a whole lot of heads and getting rave critiques as of late, is Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond 7 Years Previous. However what do we expect right here at Nice Drams? Let’s discover out, we could?
What’s Bourbon Whiskey?
You’re possible acquainted with among the greatest names in Bourbon whiskey manufacturing, however have you learnt precisely what it’s that units bourbon aside from different American whiskies corresponding to, say, rye?
Bourbon is a highly regarded sort of whiskey within the USA, and over right here within the UK it’s regularly gaining popularity, particularly as youthful drinkers are discovering it for the primary time.
Bourbon is an American whiskey that’s comprised of yeast, water, and grain. The mash that’s used to create the whiskey nonetheless, should be product of at the very least 51% corn whether it is to be classed as a bourbon. The remaining share of grain may be comprised of another grain corresponding to malted barley, rye, wheat, or a mixture.
Bourbon whiskey is called after the place of its inception within the 1700s, Bourbon County, Kentucky. It will be shipped down the Mississippi River to Bourbon Avenue, New Orleans. It was, and is, produced in Kentucky due to the standard of the water, and the corn.
Bourbon CAN be produced wherever within the USA, not like Tennessee Whiskey, which MUST be produced in Tennessee. It’s nonetheless, primarily produced in Kentucky due to custom, as a result of that’s the place a whole lot of distilleries are situated, and due to the water and corn high quality.
It should nonetheless, be made within the USA and aged in new charred American oak barrels. When it enters these charred American oak barrels it should even be not more than 62.5% ABV.
Lastly, when bottled, it should be at the very least 40% ABV to ensure that it to be labelled and offered as a bourbon.
Based in 1935, Heaven Hill Distilleries is without doubt one of the newer whiskey distilleries in Kentucky.
Situated in Bardstown, Kentucky, this family-owned distillery has the identical core values and mottos that it did practically a century in the past once they put their very first batch of bourbon into barrels in 1935.
In 1939, they launched their Previous Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Daring Bourbon. These days, 4 years growing older doesn’t sound like a lot, however for a bourbon it’s a decent quantity, and again then, it was like an eternity. Their persistence and persistence paid off as Previous Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Daring grew to become the best-selling bourbon in all of Kentucky.
This grew to become a lesson and Previous Heaven Hill positioned an emphasis on growing older their bourbons. Proper now, practically 9 a long time later, these ideas nonetheless apply.
The ‘Bottled-In-Bond’ Story
In the event you’re of an inquisitive nature, you’ll possible have seen how we haven’t but spoken concerning the Bottled-In-Bond title, I.E the place it comes from and what it means.
Many a long time in the past, whiskey distilling, particularly in America, was rife with corruption and criminal activity. To assist “improve” the style, make the booze stronger, and make it stretch additional, unscrupulous retailers would add all types of nastiness to their whiskey, and we don’t imply nastiness like alcopops, both.
These retailers would add issues like prune juice, apple juice, tea, tobacco-steeped water, and even kerosene. Sure, you learn that proper, we did say kerosene. Figuring out one thing needed to be executed, Congress handed the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897. This was principally a assure of a whisky’s high quality and purity.
Despite the fact that whiskey distillation was illicit throughout prohibition, as soon as whiskey distillation grew to become authorized as soon as once more, the Bottled-In-Bond seal of approval proved to be the easiest way of guaranteeing the bourbon you have been shopping for was of the best high quality and contained nothing that shouldn’t be in there.
Heaven Hill proudly produces extra Bottled-In-Bond spirits than another distillery.
