Visiting Alaska on a cruise is a big investment of emotion, money, and time and so it is important that you spend some time planning ahead to make sure you get the most out of the experience. That’s why BourbonBlog.com come together with our blogger friends to prepare some tips.

Also, check us out on social media as we post photos and discussion questions with some of our favorite Alaska tourism destinations and tour operators.

We appreciate you joining us in this effort to highlight and support tourism destinations that we love with a conversation about different aspects of Alaska Tourism featuring some of our favorite blogger/influencer friends. This is purely a work of passion for our team who believes in sharing our talents and resources to help others.

You can join us here on the blog and keep scrolling to the bottom to check out the giveaaway.

Alaska represents different things to different people. It is a land of spiritual wonder filled with exotic animals and indigenous traditions, rituals, and wisdom that can be experienced first hand if you are willing to listen, watch and explore. Whether you have a singular goal – see whales, walk on a glacier, see a grizzly bear, explore art created by First Nations peoples such as jewelry and totem poles, or you just simply want to relax with a cup of coffee and forget about work … THIS is the place to do it!

We’ll be publishing a monthly series of blog and social posts, giveaways, and live stream shows talking about different aspects of visiting Alaska. This series of blog posts with some of our favorite blogger friends reflects our collective passion for the state.

Upcoming Alaska Travel Topics Include:

 

April: What Are Some Great Ways To Explore Alaska’s Indigenous Culture?

May: Let’s Talk About Natural Adventures In Alaska

This month though, we’re going to be talking about how you can get the most out of an Alaska Cruise. Some of us have visited recently, others have only explored the state virtually by watching the adventures of others. Collectively though, we all want to support the state’s tourism efforts to recover from the challenges faced over the past years.

 

Time Of Year Is Critical When Planning Your Alaska Cruise

 

Any visit to Alaska is going to be a memorable experience. Unfortunately not everything on your Alaska cruise bucket list will be available throughout the entire season. For instance, if you want to see more active bears and salmon then later in the season is better than April or May when things are just starting to warm up. Folks hoping to see the Northern Lights might get lucky any time of year but it is very unlikely during the peak summer season because the sun stays up as long as 19 hours at Summer Solstice in Anchorage. As a result, the best time to see the Aurora Borealis would be very early season or very late season on itineraries that go as far north as possible.

There is no “perfect time of year” to visit Alaska because the definition of perfect depends highly on your idea of a perfect Alaska cruise and that is very personal for each and every person.

Submitted by James from ManTripping.com

Booking Excursions

Alaska is a once in a lifetime experience so I want to make sure I am hitting all of my bucket list opportunities. That’s why we chose cruising as the best way to see Alaska. I love the fact that we will have easy access to different ports and the list of excursions that cruise lines offer are top not. Before heading on your cruise it’s best to sit down and make a list of all the things you really want to do. Excursions can be expensive, so I suggest picking out your top 3 bucket list things to do instead of just going for a bunch of smaller ones. When you book an excursion, you are getting a VIP experience. These excursions are led by people who know the ins and outs of the area. They know the best times to spot wildlife, hidden spots to check out and the best times to go according to the weather. This is a trip worth saving up for.

Submitted by Daniel and Melissa from https://www.RoamingMyPlanet.com

 

Make A Foodie Plan To Taste Your Way Through Alaska

Alaska, like most “exotic” destinations offers a wide variety of local food and drink options to explore. While glaciers, whales, dog sledding, and hiking through the forests are all wonderful things to do on your Alaska cruise … so is sipping some local craft beer, toasting a successful salmon fishing trip with some local whiskey, and trying local seafood dishes too.

While you can get most of these things in almost any port – as well as on the ship itself during your cruise, create a plan for where to go in each port to get the maximum experience. For instance, Juneau is the home of Alaska brewing Company, Ketchikan is the salmon capital, Skagway has a bunch of history bars from the gold rush glory days where you can enjoy spirits from Port Chilkoot Distillery. 

If you are stopping at Icy Strait Point you can even take part in some cooking demonstrations to learn how indigineous Alaskans caught and prepared salmon and other seafood.

You gotta plan though because otherwise you might miss out on some great memory making foodie experiences!

 

Submitted by Tom from BourbonBlog.com

Cruising is a Great Deal

Alaska is a large state and a vacation here can get expensive. Taking a cruise can be the least expensive way to see “the best of”  in a short amount of time. Airline tickets from the continental US to Anchorage average $400 round trip during the summer months and the round-trip ferry ticket from Bellingham, WA to Ketchikan is $500 per person and then you need to pay for a rental car, hotels, meals, etc. A cruise gives you a great overview of the state at a great price which includes lodging, onboard activities, meals, and transportation. You can also add on an excursion in each port which gives you a more in-depth look at the area.

Even without the ports of call, an Alaskan cruise is a beautiful journey. The Inside Passage is one of the most scenic waterways in the world with towering mountains, glaciers, and numerous islands. There are cruises with a wide variety of itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights, plus select sailings have “Kids Sail Free” program and onboard credit incentives to save you money.

Submitted by Nicky from LittleFamilyAdventure.com 

 

Splurge On The Best Cabin You Can Afford

While many cruisers go for the cheapest room available (often an inside cabin without a window) since they spend very little time in their rooms, when you’re cruising to Alaska, you might want to rethink that mindset. It’s definitely worth the extra money to book a balcony room, or at the very least a room with a window, as you don’t want to miss all of the wondrous wildlife that you can see on your days at sea and such.

One of the highlights of my last Alaskan cruise was our day at Glacier Bay. This day-long journey gives you great viewing opportunities no matter where you are on the ship. We spent much of the time on our balcony, binoculars in hand, watching giant hunks of ice breaking off of the glacier, scouting for wildlife (bald eagles, whales, sea lions, etc), and other cool stuff.

And since the sun doesn’t set until late in the night, you’re afforded great views well into the evening hours. So maybe skip dinner in the dining room one night and get room service instead, enjoying it on the balcony while you marvel at the majestic views that Alaska has to offer!

 

Submitted by Sujeet from GuysGab.com

 

The Ship Is As Important As Your Alaska Cruise Itinerary Itself

 

For some destinations, the cruise ship is more of a floating hotel where features like bars and specialty restaurants as well as activities such as rock climbing, surfing simulators, and go karts are important. On an Alaska cruise though, you’ll want to select a ship with plenty of space to watch the water and shoreline around the ship as it passes by.

Ships that are designed to keep people active on inside activities can be a lot of fun for an Alaska cruise but those like Holland America Line’s Koningsdam where there’s a huge observation deck or Norwegian Encore where there is plenty of outdoor space on lower decks are perfect big ship experiences for an Alaska cruise since you can relax with a cup of coffee or tea and see whales, orcas, and even bears and eagles on shore.

Smaller ships such as those offered by UnCruise, Regent, Viking, and Silverseas offer not only ultra luxury experiences but also can spend more time at key locations such as glacier viewing and better viewing locations closer to the water so that you won’t miss those million dollar moments when a whale breaches or a pod of orcas swims next to the ship.

 

Submitted by James from CruiseWestCoast.com 

 

Work With A Travel Advisor That Knows Alaska

There are some cruise destinations that are easy to visit but Alaska is a bit different. It is more complicated, higher cost, and more “bucket list” compared to the classic Caribbean cruise. A good travel advisor will be able to help you identify the right ship for your style of cruising, the best time of year, and the best ways to spend your money wisely on the right excursions and on-board experiences.

 

For instance, some travelers might want a Holland America Line cruise where the focus on the experience of learning more about the history of Alaska, natural wonders, and culture with enrichment experiences on the ship such as lectures and cooking demonstrations, while others might want a more theme-park experience with skydiving and wave rider action on Royal Caribbean or Laser Tag and Go Karts on Norwegian.

There are lots of options today for your Alaska cruise vacation but they aren’t all equal and they aren’t all right for every traveler. Make sure to find a Travel Advisor that can find the perfect fit for you and your family so your vacation is as close to perfect as possible!

 

Submitted by Heather from FlowVoyages.com

 

Enter For A Chance To Win A $100 Amazon Gift Card

 

Flow Voyages, our Travel Advisor partner has generously provided a $100 gift card code for one lucky winner so they can start shopping for gear to make their Alaska vacation even more amazing. She is even offering a $50 bonus onboard credit to anyone that has entered this giveaway and books an Alaskan cruise with her for the 2022 or 2023 season. 

Heather is a cruise specialist and can usually offer the same or better fares than what is published on cruise line websites, plus her services are free to you! She can be reached at: 630-779-9301 or email: heather@flowvoyages.com

 

Now It’s Your Turn! Let’s Help Others Get Excited About Taking An Alaska Cruise.

 

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The post How To Get The Most Out Of An Alaskan Cruise first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Conecuh Brands, LLC tells BourbonBlog.com they have broken ground on their new distillery Conecuh Ridge Distillery in Troy, Alabama. It all happened on the anniversary of Clyde May’s death in 1990. (Clyde May pictured below)

The distillery will produce Clyde May’s Alabama Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye.

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer interviewed L.C. Mays not long ago, that interview is featured below from our YouTube.com/BourbonBlog Channel and can also be watched here.

Tasting and Interview with L.C. Mays

 

This new distillery has been years in the making and will catapult the city of Troy, AL into the national spotlight. Named for an Alabama moonshining folk hero, the brand has won awards from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Wine Enthusiast, New York Wine & Spirits Competition, and most recently the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  “We distribute the Clyde May’s brand in all 50 states and internationally as well.   However, this groundbreaking, permanently establishes the brand’s home in Troy, AL.

Clyde May, the man, a WW II war hero, a family man, and an expert whiskey maker got his start in this part of the country.  Our distillery preserves his legacy for generations to come”, said Danis.

The ceremony was attended by Roy Danis, President, and CEO, Conecuh Brands. LLC and Lewis Clyde May II (LC), Brand Ambassador, Clyde May’s and grandson of the late Clyde May; Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Troy, AL Mayor Jason A. Reeves.

“It’s great to welcome Conecuh Ridge Distillery, the maker of Alabama’s official state spirit, back to Troy, Alabama,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “This project is going to be a great addition to the City of Troy and the Pike County community as a whole, and I’m incredibly excited to see the distillery upon completion.”

The distillery will be built on 76 acres and was designed by Luckett & Farley of Louisville, KY. Initially a 24 -inch column still will be in operation with room for additional stills. The current plan includes a rickhouse with a 10,000 barrel capacity, gift shop, restaurant and tasting room.

“The City of Troy is excited to begin the next phase of the Clyde May Distillery project as we celebrate the beginning of construction. This addition to our community will provide economic impact and tourist opportunities very unique for our State. This will be the start of a development that will provide an experience and a product Troy, Alabama will be proud to share with people from across our Country, said Mayor Reeves

“I am so proud that my grandfather’s legacy will go on. Clyde May’s is the official spirit of the state of Alabama and the first official state spirit. The fact that Clyde May’s is coming home is exciting for me and my family,” says LC May, Clyde May’s Ambassador and grandson of Clyde May.

The schematic for the distillery will include a road named after Clyde, Clyde May Way, as a permanent honor to the man who created the brand. The architecture was inspired by the legacy of Clyde May. One of the features of the distillery is an immersive experience that will capture the local tradition and Clyde’s trailblazing ingenuity. The tenets of ‘an authentic experience’ guided the design process with guests in mind. The distillery grounds will include a mill, still house, rick houses, and bottling factory with a restaurant, museum, gift shop, apple orchard, and amphitheater.

“This is an extraordinary project to be a part of,” said Architect of Record Dana Zausch , “It’s a rare opportunity to design a distillery from scratch, especially for a brand with such an established reputation and storied history. Capturing Clyde’s spirit meant creating a familiar yet modern aesthetic that respond to the rural Alabama vernacular,” she continued.

The distillery is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2023; production will begin immediately and the first product produced from this facility is projected for release in 2027

The post Clyde May’s Whiskey Distillery Groundbreaking in Troy, Alabama first appeared on BourbonBlog.

NFL Legend Ike Taylor, formerly of Pittsburgh Steelers and two-time Super Bowl Champion, will be joining us on BourbonBlog.com‘s Cigar Saturday in the link above (or here to set a reminder) on Saturday, March 12th, 2022.

Ike recently launched his new cigar line – 1OFAHKINE All Pro Series. He’ll talk about them with Bourbon expert Tom Fischer and Matty Rock.

1OFAHKINE is a cigar that was made exclusively for Ike, he never intended to sell the line.

Ike tells BourgbonBlog.com that he sent a few cigars to his friends & former teammates, they convinced him to share the line with the world. This 6 1/4 x 54 stick is made with 80% Nicaraguan Premium Tobacco and 20% Premium Pennsylvania Tobacco. Ike partnered with Howard Cigars on this new line.

NFL Legend & two-time Super Bowl Champion, Ike Taylor played 12 years in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ike created a name for himself as one of the most dynamic and consistent defensive players in NFL history through hard work, and sheer determination. As an incredible father, role model, and media favorite, Ike Taylor has won him the affection of former teammates, fans, coaches, media and audiences around the world.

We’ll be proud to welcome Uke to Cigar Saturday.

The post NFL Legend Ike Taylor to Appear on our Cigar Saturday with 1OFAHKINE Cigars first appeared on BourbonBlog.

 

Live Broadcast from Scotland Tonight 2-21-22:  Watch on YouTube.com/Bourbonblog or on the link below as whiskey expert Tom Fischer reviews the Ardbeg 13-year-old Fermutation Scotch Whisky with Ardbeg Ambassador David Blackmore who is joining us from the distillery in Scotland.

The story of how Fermutation was created shows Ardbeg’s ingenious approach and also tells the story of a “happy accident” as explained below.

This is a committee-only limited edition Ardbeg Fermutation is  $199.99 3 Years Old ABV: 49.4% and very limited. How do you join that committee? Keep reading…

Watch Live from Scotland on 2-21-22 here:

 

The “Happy Accident”of “Fermutation”

In November 2007, The Ardbeg Distillery says they were about to face one of its greatest challenges. A broken boiler threatened the very existence of six washbacks full of the precious liquid.

The team tried everything they could to get the boiler going but to no avail. Ever the optimist, Dr Bill (Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation) saw this conundrum as an opportunity to experiment.

He quickly instructed the Distillery folk to throw open the washback lids and expose the contents to the Islay air. Thus began an epic three-week-long fermentation – the longest in Ardbeg’s history – which eventually gave rise to a wild, zingy and vibrant spirit.

Dr. Bill Lumsden tells BourbonBlog.com :

“I’ve always wanted to experiment with longer fermentations, so I think an unintentional boiler breakdown was the best thing that could have happened! For context, most Ardbeg is only fermented for 72 hours, making three weeks unchartered territory for us.”

The Outcome: “Fermutation”

Ardbeg say the outcome tastes like “pure science fiction.”

Peat and smoke meld beautifully with fresh, floral flavors, while sharp, more malty notes give Ardbeg Fermutation a uniquely zingy profile.”

We’ll bring you our tasting notes tonight.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, tells us:

“Blind luck is sometimes just part of the way we do things here at Ardbeg. But the creation of Fermutation wasn’t simply good fortune. Quick thinking, ingenuity, and a little assistance from tiny beings in the atmosphere helped us get here. At 13 years old, this is of course an aged Ardbeg – something I’m sure our fans will be delighted to get their hands on.”

The Ardbeg Committee

Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to members of The Ardbeg Committee.

Joining the committee is free and can be done Ardbeg.com/committee .

 

The post Ardbeg’s Limited Edition “Fermutation” Scotch Whisky first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Breckenridge Distillery will release “Super” Sexy Motor Oil Bourbon Whiskey, a highly anticipated and limited-edition beer-barrel whiskey. There will only be 180 bottles on Valentine’s Day (2-14-2022) at both of their locations in Breckenridge, Colorado

The release will start at 11 a.m. At 107 proof, this Bourbon was produced in collaboration with Breckenridge Brewery is the second series. This time it is called ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil bringing the unique flavors of coffee and coconut.

‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil: How it is Made

Breckenridge Brewery took Breckenridge Distillery’s freshly dumped Bourbon Whiskey barrels and aged their Imperial Oatmeal Stout in them.

This time, adding coffee and coconut to the whiskey itself. After they were done, Breckenridge Distillery took those barrels back and filled them with their award-winning Bourbon Whiskey and aged it for over a year to create ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil.

The ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil is a highly limited release due to its special curing process.

For 10-13 months, the Breckenridge Distillery whiskey sits in the beer barrels mingling with the stout flavors left in the barrel allowing both products to create rare and legendary tasting notes.

Bryan Nolt, Breckenridge Distillery’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, tells BourbonBlog.com, “We’re launching ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil to kick off the new year in a flavorful way. We are excited for consumers to discover the intense caramel notes of our whiskey pairing with the coconut and coffee notes of the ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil.”

Nolt spoke recently with Bourbon expert Tom Fischer about new whiskey releases in the video at the bottom of this story.

Nolt explains “Last year, series one sold out within hours of release. We are thrilled for consumers to try series two of our well-loved collaboration with Breckenridge Brewery and couldn’t be
happier to share our latest blend.”

 

=

Breckenridge Distillery’s Bryan Nolt talks with Bourbon Expert Tom Fischer

The post ‘Super’ Sexy Motor Oil Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey Collaboration with Breckenridge Brewery first appeared on BourbonBlog.

BourbonBlog.com is joining some of our favorite blogger / influencer friends.t to help highlight and support tourism destinations that we love with a conversation about different aspects of Alaska Tourism featuring some of our favorite blogger / influencer friends.

You can join us here on the blog – you’ll need to scroll down to learn about the giveaway!

As well as on social media as we post photos and discussion questions with some of our favorite Alaska tourism destinations and tour operators.

Not long ago, we interviewed our friends from Portchilkoot Distillery in this video.

That started us thinking about Aaska and  the adventurs that we are excited about there.

Alaska represents different things to different people. It is a land of spiritual wonder filled with exotic animals and indigenous traditions, rituals, and wisdom that can be experienced first hand if you are willing to listen, watch and explore. Whether you have a singular goal – see whales, walk on a glacier, see a grizzly bear, explore art created by First Nations peoples such as jewelry and totem poles, or you just simply want to relax with a cup of coffee and forget about work … THIS is the place to do it!

We’re kicking off a series of blog posts with some of our favorite blogger friends who also share my passion for this state and I hope you can join us for the journey. We’ll be doing a monthly series of blog and social posts, giveaways, and live stream shows talking about different aspects of visiting Alaska. 

 

Our upcoming topics include:

 

March: How To Get The Most Out Of An Alaska Cruise

 

April: What Are Some Great Ways To Explore Alaska’s Indigenous Culture?

 

May: Let’s Talk About Natural Adventures In Alaska

 

This month though, we’re going to be talking about what makes us most excited to talk about Alaska. Some of us have visited recently, others have only explored the state virtually by watching the adventures of others. Collectively though, we all want to support the state’s tourism efforts to recover from the challenges faced over the past years

Exploring Cultures And New Experiences In Alaska 

Many people visit Alaska just to see beautiful landscapes and amazing creatures but Alaska also represents an opportunity to go deeper. There are tales of pioneers and indigenous communities that are more than just folklore, they are real people doing real things here. While most parts of the United States have relegated these sorta things to reservations and entertainment reflecting a fantasy of what life might have been like in the past … in Alaska it is authentic.

 

Places like Icy Strait Point are more than just fun places to stop on a cruise vacation and eat some crab and salmon while watching whales and going on a hike hoping to see bears. They are cultural embassies too. Not a people who live in history books but, a vibrant and hospitable community eager to share their culture with guests. Even towns like Skagway – though clearly recreating 1890’s boom times for happy tourists – represent the very real and very current spirit of Alaska as a place where you can come and strike it rich if you have a bit of luck, make sacrifices, and work really hard.

So for me taking a trip to Alaska is an opportunity to think about possibilities and try, do, taste, see new things that you just can’t do anywhere else on Earth.

Submitted by James from ManTripping.com

 

Exploring Alaska by Land and Sea

Alaska is one of the top destinations on our bucket list that we haven’t had the chance to visit yet. We had booked an Alaskan Cruise in 2020 for our 25th Wedding Anniversary that was canceled due to covid and we are ready to make that trip happen.We are huge nature lovers so being able to see Alaska by land and sea is something we are most excited about. \

We feel this is the best option to see both Alaskan wildlife as well as beautiful glaciers up close. Orca and whale watching at Glacier Bay, seeing brown bears and moose in their natural habitats, exploring Denali park, kayaking next to glaciers and riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad are all on our must do list for Alaska. We are so ready to visit the “Last Frontier”.

 

Submitted by Daniel and Melissa from https://www.RoamingMyPlanet.com

 

Escaping Our Borders Without Leaving The United States

I’m not sure which is more difficult to believe: That Alaska is part of the United States of America or that only 55 miles separates Alaska and Russia. When I dream of an Alaskan adventure, I feel a certain thrill from the idea of escaping the entire world while still being within the borders of our country. 

Generally, it is exhilarating to think about being in a vast, rugged, and “fresh” environment without freezing to death. Specifically, ice fishing, dog sledding and experiencing the Northern Lights all sound exciting. 

Of course, as the Bourbon expert and spirits journalist, I’m always on the hunt for new whiskeys and spirits. I’ve been impressed with the Rye and Bourbon whiskey I’ve tried from Port Chilkoot Distillery in Haines, Alaska. Thus, I would explore more Alaskan libations against the backdrop of a glacier. Yes, I will take mine neat as I’ll already be on the rocks.

 

Submitted by Tom from BourbonBlog.com

 

 

Up Close And Personal With Alaskan Native Wildlife

Alaska has always been a bucket list destination for me, and in September 2021 I made my first trip there. I road tripped through Anchorage, Palmer, and Seward. The thing that excites me most when talking about this trip or any Alaska vacation is getting outdoors to view Alaskan native wildlife in their natural habitat. Plus the landscapes where these animals roam is simply breathtaking.

Most Alaskan visitors hope to see the Alaskan Big 5 land animals – bears, moose, Dahl sheep, caribou, and wolves. Then there is the sea and marine life.  I can’t express just how thrilling it is to take a Resurrection Bay Cruise and see an orca surface just off the bow, watch a moose and her calf grazing just off a bike path, reel in trout on the Kenai River, or watch brown bears fish for salmon in a stream.

 

Submitted by Nicky from LittleFamilyAdventure.com 

 

A Jaw-Dropping State Like No Other

Back in 2009, I did my first Alaskan cruise, my interest piqued after watching too many episodes of Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers and wanting to see this wondrous land for myself. I figured a cruise would be the best way to see a lot of Alaska at once, and it was a pretty amazing experience. Over the course of a week, I saw tons of amazing wildlife (bears, moose, bald eagles, seals, etc), not to mention breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains and such. 

I’d love to go back and enjoy some legendary Alaska sport fishing and chase after salmon, halibut, cod, and rockfish, then go back to the lodge and tell tales of the one that got away.

 

The natural beauty that Alaska offers is unparalleled and the next time I go up there, I’m going to book a 14-day cruise and land tour, which lets you explore Denali National Park by train after the cruise and see even more amazing sights.I’m sure it’s going to be amazing, and I can’t wait!

 

Submitted by Sujeet from GuysGab.com

Alaska Cruising Is A Relaxing Way To Explore Nature

While there are natural wonders to explore in the interior of the state too, my favorite thing about visiting Alaska is how easy it is to get close to nature. I love being able to relax on my balcony with a hot drink and relax as we cruise past glaciers and mountains with the occasional sightings of whales, bears, and bald eagles.

 

Just make sure to bring a good pair of binoculars along with a warm jacket! Or if you want, I can help you pick a cruise line with telescopes available on deck or in the observation lounge so you can get the most out of your Alaska cruise experience.

 

Submitted by Heather from FlowVoyages.com

 

Enter For A Chance To Win A $100 Amazon Gift Card

 

Flow Voyages, our Travel Advisor partner has generously provided a $100 gift card code for one lucky winner so they can start shopping for gear to make their Alaska vacation even more amazing. She is even offering a $50 bonus onboard credit to anyone that has entered this giveaway and books an Alaskan cruise with her for the 2022 or 2023 season. 

 

Heather is a cruise specialist and can usually offer the same or better fares than what is published on cruise line websites, plus her services are free to you! She can be reached at: 630-779-9301 or email: heather@flowvoyages.com

ENTER THE CONTEST ON THIS LINK: Why We Are Excited About Alaska

 

Photo Credits: ManTripping and Alaska Tourism

The post Alaska Travels and BourbonBlog Friends first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Chattanooga Whiskey’s  second release of their Barrel Finishing Series is the Islay Scotch Cask Finish crafted exclusively at the Chattanooga Whiskey
Riverfront Distillery.

Aged for over 4 years, including 3 months in 250 liter Islay Scotch hogsheads, Islay Scotch Cask Finish is bottled at 95 proof.  It is available now at a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

This limited-edition Barrel Finishing Series celebrates the union of Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature Tennessee High Malt whiskey with a variety of classic finishing casks.

Crafted from a combination of unique bourbon mash bills, all containing over 25% specialty malt, each batch is made to complement the flavor characteristics of the finishing barrel.

Islay Scotch Cask Finish is crafted from a pair of complementary flavored mash bills, including a Scottish style bourbon recipe containing peated malt, naked oat malt, and honey malt. Each batch is
made from a blend of three finishing casks, sourced from three different distilleries in the southernmost part of Scotland. This region of Islay is renowned for its rich, earthy, and peat-forward scotches which
are made from barley malt that is dried and smoked with peat moss native to the island.

“When we first developed this whiskey back in 2015, it was created as an homage to one of the first whiskey styles that inspired me to become a distiller: Islay Scotch,” Head Distiller, Grant McCracken tells BourbonBlog.com “As we’ve tweaked and scaled the recipe over the years, I’ve grown even fonder of its extremely dynamic, thought-provoking flavor profile. Showing off the recipe again – after all these years – is very gratifying, and I can only hope the inspiration that went into it passes on to someone else!”

 

The post Chattanooga Whiskey Barrel Finishing Series: Islay Scotch Cask Finish first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Baker’s Bourbon tells BourbonBlog.com some of its rarest single barrels are being releaed through its newly launched program, Baker’s Exclusive Selection. This Fall’s release from the collection will be aged for 11 years and 8 months. Baker’s says the extra time in the barrel along with the changing seasons allows for even more distinct notes and layers of flavor.

These single barrels were collected from some of Baker Beam’s favorite warehouses on the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s campus in Clermont, KY.

This first release of the Exlcusive Selection will be available at select retailers nationwide this seeason for for  $99.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

The post Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Exclusive Selection at nearly 12-Years-Old first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Global country music superstar Brad Paisley will launch “American Highway” Bourbon this month, a whiskey aged in barrels stored in a 53-foot semi-trailer that followed his 2019 nation-wide tour for 7,314 miles across 25 states, from coast to coast.

With just 30,000 bottles of the initial release produced, the 96-proof blend has a suggested retail price of $99.99.

In a similar style that was studied and perfected n modern-day by Jefferson’s Oean Aged-at_Sea Bourbon, and the recently released WhistlePig RoadStock (also using traveling rickhouses), agitation through travel and unique backstories therein continue to be popular.

“Bourbon is like songwriting, it’s a blend of things coming together to make something incredible,” Paisley tells BourbonBlog.com. “These are really special barrels that saw more of the United States than most people I know.”

BRAD PAISLEY TALKS ABOUT THE BOURBON IN THIS VIDEO

The fluctuating climate of the barrels’ journey expanded and contracted their staves, imparting oak and char that cultivate the characteristics flavors of America’s native spirit. This well-traveled batch was then blended with three-year, 13-year, and 15-year-old Kentucky bourbons to create the final product. The next batch, to be released in 2022, was aged on the Rolling Rickhouse during Paisley’s 2021 tour.

 

Paisley sums up the creative process that derived his bourbon: “It’s so similar to what goes into a great guitar. The right woods, the right craftsmanship, the right alchemy that makes this intangible, magical thing, and that’s what makes this so great to me.”

“American Highway’s” literal path-to-market wasn’t the only unique aspect of its creation: Rather than just sourcing whiskey and lending a celebrity name to it, Paisley worked closely with award-winning bourbon distiller Bardstown Bourbon Company to create the final blend. Located in Bardstown, Kentucky the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” this modern bourbon distiller creates custom whiskey, bourbon, and rye for more than 30 different brand-owners worldwide and has won critical acclaim for its releases.

Paisley collaborated with a team of experts at Bardstown, including VP of New Product Development Dan Callaway. “You don’t get to see many celebrities that have such a technical palate,” shared Callaway. “It was a super collaboration that resulted in a traveled bourbon in an exemplary expression.”

Callaway describes the bourbon as “A blend of four rye-forward bourbons ranging in age from 3 to 15 years. The flavor profile is incredibly unique. Subtle, complex, spicy, well-traveled. As we like to say, it was, ‘born in Kentucky, aged across America’.”

Availablity in the USA and Other Bourbon Details

AL, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, TN, TX, WI, and WV, and exclusively online through www.seelbachs.com.

The stats:
Proof: 96 / ABV 48%
Mashbill: 28% 3YO 71/21/0/9; 25% 3YO 60/36/0/4; 24% 13YO 74/18/0/8; 23% 15YO 78.5/13/0/8.5

The post Brad Paisley to Launch ‘American Highway’ Bourbon Whiskey first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Angel’s Envy will be releasing the 10th annual Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey beginning December 1, 2021. This limited edition of 14,760 bottles will be sold at the suggested retail price for a 750mL bottle of $229.99.

BourbonBlog.com first reported on the Cask Strength Angel’s Envy in 2021 and was the first media outlet to review and report on the Angel’s Envy Bourbon and Rye. We most recently interviewed brand and  Louisville Distilling Company co-founder Wes Henderson about the limited-run Madeira Cask in the video featured below and on this link. 

The Angel’s Envy Cask Strength program now comprises ten unique annual releases and has been carried forward over the past decade by three generations of the Henderson family

This limited-edition, 120.7-proof (60.35% ABV) whiskey is the tenth release in Angel’s Envy’s Cask Strength program, and it is packaged in a commemorative and collectible carved hardwood box (pictured above). 

This Year’s Release

Angel’s Envy says the 2021 release is complex on the nose, with notes of peach and cherry accompanied by hints of brandy, tea, and honey.

Notes of leather, toasted oak, and vanilla carry into the palate, along with flavors of stone fruit and port that give way to creamy Crème brûlée and honey with nutty marzipan. The finish features slight tannins and notes of black tea, apricot, and smoke.

“Putting together our annual Cask Strength release has become something of a tradition for our family. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been doing it for ten years.” Wes Henderson, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Angel’s Envy tells BourbonBlog.com

“Back in 2012, our first Cask Strength release was a run of just 600 bottles available in only two states. So to see fans all over the country chasing down these bottles and sharing them with their friends and family as a special way to toast over the holidays or as a gift – it’s very rewarding and a reflection of how much Angel’s Envy has grown over the past decade.”

The post Angel’s Envy Unveils 10th Annual Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey first appeared on BourbonBlog.