Author: Tom Fischer

Today, I welcome back comedian James “Murr” Murray to BourbonBlog.com. A number of years ago, when the show was new, we were fortunate to be one of the first podcasts/blogs to interview Murr during an inaugural season.

This weekend…Murr will be performing in Louisville, Kentucky; Knoxville, TN; and Charleston, WV, with a series of other shows throughout the country. Watch the interview above, on this YouTube link, and check this interview out on our podcast channel on this link .

Get Tickets on MurrLive.com and learn what to expect during the live show on our interview.  One highlight: An audience member at each show actually gets sent into the wild as cameras follow and the audience watches the selected fan play a real prank in each town!

Want to know which celebrities he’d most like to have on the show and whom he’d love to prank? I’ll spill the beans on one: it’s George Clooney! And as we brainstorm, Murr and I are plotting a prank on a certain celebrity, so stay tuned.

Try guessing who it might be. We’ve dropped some hints herein and perhaps on some previous posts.

Throughout our chat, I serve up a few Virginia whiskeys, including Copper Fox Distillery Single Malt Whiskey from Williamsburg and Courage & Conviction from Lovingston, VA.

 

The post James “Murr” Murray of Impratical Jokers Interview over a Bourbon first appeared on BourbonBlog.

The premium cigar world is set to experience another significant breakthrough as Cohiba collaborates with family-owned El Titan de Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami, Florida, with a new cigar size announcement for their exclusive 2023 Cohiba Serie M collection.

Unlike previous Serie M releases, this marks the first time Cohiba has released a Serie M in prominente cigar size for 2023. Serie M is the only Cohiba cigar handcrafted in the U.S.A. being made by top Cuban expatriate cigarmakers of the El Titán de Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami’s Little Havana district.

Only 4,000 boxes made of the Cohiba Serie M Prominente (7” x 50) are available now at $29.99 per cigar or $299.90 for a box of ten cigars.

My full review follows below…

Live Review and Interview with Sean Williams

To highlight this landmark release, Cohiba Cigars Ambassador Sean Williams will join me to host an engaging live review and interview scheduled for this Thursday night, June 15, at 8 pm ET viewable on this link and on YouTube above.

We will talk about Serie M 2023 and other cigar releases as well as suggestions to pair and other cigar updates.

About the Cohiba Serie M 2023 Release

The Cohiba Serie M prominente cigar release presents a unique craftsmanship, courtesy of the Cuban expatriate cigarmakers at El Titán de Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami’s Little Havana district.

They’ve woven together old-world techniques with a double binder, closed foot, and triple cap complete with a signature fan.

The outcome is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar filled with depth and character.

WRAPPER: The cigar holds a majestic Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, the only Cohiba to boast such distinction.

BINDER: Nicaraguan binder

FILLER: filler contains a careful selection of Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan Jalapa and Estelí tobaccos.

My Review of Cohiba Serie M 3.0

The Cohiba Serie M unfurls a unique blend that cigar fans will find deeply satisfying the prominente size.

The tasting experience reminds me of savoring a robust espresso, nuanced with a blend of creamy almond, hazelnut, and a hint of cocoa. This enticing base is enlivened by a subtle note of white pepper, earthy cedar undertones, and a delicate whisper of lemon citrus. It concludes with a caramel sweetness, the perfect encore of the intricate, harmonious melody of flavors.

Why does the Serie M pair so well with bourbons and whiskeys? Think of it as a meal: just as the flavors in a well-composed dish complement each other, the Serie M’s creamy, earthy flavors dovetail nicely with the full-bodied, oak-inspired flavors of Bourbons and whiskeys.

This year’s Serie M, with its novel size, offers an enticing interplay of flavors that captivates the senses. As the cigar burns, each element – the creamy, the earthy, the sweet – blends beautifully, creating a sophisticated-tasting symphony.

This unique orchestration of flavors forms a seamless unity with the robust, oak-infused character of bourbons and whiskeys, stimulating the palate and creating a delightful resonance that is both engaging and exhilarating.

Long-time Serie M fans will undoubtedly enjoy this enhanced flavor journey that makes this year’s release a must-try.

A Final Note

Stepping into its third year, Cohiba Serie M, with its blend of exceptional cigar-making techniques, continues to charm the premium cigar category.

Sean Williams, brand ambassador for Cohiba tells us, “Now entering its third year, Cohiba Serie M continues to captivate the premium cigar category. This brand has all the makings of a connoisseur’s cigar: it harnesses the collective blending expertise of El Titán de Bronze with the mastery of the Cohiba team and encapsulates some of the finest cigar-making techniques in one cigar. Together with Sandy Cobas, we’re proud to release the blend in a new size, giving cigar connoisseurs another opportunity to experience the artistry of Cohiba Serie M.”

 

The post Cohiba Serie M 3.0 Cigar Review: 2023 Release in Prominente first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Bourbon and Food Pairings for Super Bowl LVII

The Super Bowl gives us an opportunity to explore the world of Bourbon and food pairings. But we didn’t need an excuse, right?

Whether you’re a fan of Bourbon and BBQ or Rye whiskey, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting a number of themed Bourbon and whiskey tastings leading up to Super Bowl Day – and, of course, throughout the year. I always make whiskey and spirits the star of the show. Talk to me about hosting your next event on this link.

For now, here are a few ideas to celebrate both Philadephia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs using dishes that are famous in each state along with locally made whiskeys.

If you cannot find these whiskeys, try alternatives and suggest your favorite food and Bourbon pairings below under the comments.

I’ve found that pairing it with the right food can truly elevate the experience. From classic Kansas City BBQ to sweet Pennsylvania Dutch desserts, have fun with these and remember to celebrate responsibly.

Philadephia Eagles: Pennsylvania-Made Whiskey and Famous PA Food Pairings

Scrapple

First up ….is Scrapple, a classic Pennsylvania dish made from pork scraps, cornmeal and spices. The filling is then baked into a pie crust, resulting in a savory and hearty dish that’s perfect for breakfast or lunch.

To complement the rich and complex flavors of this dish, try pairing it with Wigle Rye Whiskey – a locally-made whiskey with bold notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper that perfectly complement the spiced flavors of the scrapple filling.

Pennsylvania Dutch Pot Pie

For something a bit more sophisticated, try pairing a bowl of Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie with a glass of Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey.

The spicy, floral notes of the whiskey perfectly complement the rich, savory flavors of the pot pie, making for a satisfying and indulgent meal.

Pennsylvania Dutch Ham and Bean Soup

While I have heard that bit of humor that “Whiskey is the Soup of the Day,” they can often work well together.

For a hearty appetizer, try making some Pennsylvania Dutch Ham and Bean Soup. This savory soup pairs perfectly with a glass of Wigle Whiskey Organic Straight Rye, which features spicy notes of black pepper and delicate cinnamon.

Shoofly Pie

For something a little more indulgent, try pairing a slice of shoofly pie with a glass of Lancaster County Distillery’s Dutch Malt Whiskey. The sweet, molasses flavors of the pie are perfectly complemented by the rich, smoky flavors of the whiskey, creating a deliciously indulgent dessert.

Philly Cheesesteak

And finally, we have the classic Philly cheesesteak, paired with a glass of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey. The spicy, bold flavors of the rye whiskey and the touch of citrus and leather perfectly complement the rich, savory flavors of the cheesesteak, making for a satisfying and indulgent meal.

Kansas City Chiefs: Whiskeys from Missouri Paired up with Classic Missouri Dishes

 

Toasted Ravioli 

First up is the classic Toasted Ravioli, one of my very favorites from St. Louis. It is a crunchy, savory appetizer that pairs perfectly with a glass of Wood Hat’s Missouri Bourbon. The sweet notes of the bourbon beautifully balance the salty, savory flavors of the toasted ravioli. Balance is what matters in pairings and this one is just right.

Kansas City-Style Burnt Ends

Kansas City-style burnt ends with Union Horse Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey. The rich, smoky flavors of burnt ends are perfectly complemented by the spicy, smooth notes of Union Horse’s rye whiskey. The two together create a mouthwatering combo. Rye against all types of BBQ can be quite satisfying with oak and smoke coming together.

Ozark-Style Fried Catfish

If you’re a fan of southern-style comfort food, then Ozark-style fried catfish is for you. It is a classic Missouri where the catfish is dredged in a seasoned cornmeal mixture and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown, resulting in a flavorful and indulgent meal.

To truly elevate the flavors of this dish, I recommend pairing it with the locally-made whiskey Tom’s Town Double Oaked Bourbon.

This bourbon’s sweet, caramel notes complement the savory, crispy flavors of the catfish perfectly, while its long finish provides a satisfying contrast to the crunchy texture of the fried fish.

Two Missouri Desserts in One: Gooey Butter cake with a Scoop of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

For a truly delicious Missouri-style treat, try pairing gooey butter cake with a scoop of Ted Drewes frozen custard, and wash it down with a glass of J. Rieger & Co.’s Kansas City Whiskey. This whiskey has notes of vanilla and butterscotch that complement the rich, buttery flavors of the cake.

And while it’s a complementary pairing, the whiskey’s subtle spice also provides a satisfying contrast to the sweetness of the frozen custard.

 

The post Bourbon Whiskey and Food Pairings For Super Bowl: Classic Dishes and Missouri and Pennsylvania Whiskey Paired first appeared on BourbonBlog.

The Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery tells BourbonBlog.com guests to its “Bourbon Block Party” this Friday, January 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Shively, Kentucky distillery. I couldn’t be more thrilled for a number of reasons…

First off, the event is free to attend (21+ of course – the music and cover are free. Otherwise, cash bar and food).

Second, one of my favorite bars from Texas – and one of the finest houses of cocktails and whiskey in the county – The Roosevelt Room of Austin, Texas will be mixing up cocktails.

Additionally, it celebrates the launch of the first-ever Texas issue of Garden & Gun magazine. I have seriously followed this magazine for years, especially since I was first interviewed by the magazine about cocktails and Bourbon in this article.

Then, to top it off, live Americana-Bluegrass music from The Crabgrass Conspiracy.

Texas-based mixologist Matthew Korzelius, co-owner of The Roosevelt Room, will feature Blade & Bow Bourbon Whiskey cocktails inspired by the Lone Star State

“We’ll be rocking a couple originals called the Buck to the Future and the Take a “Bow”, both utilizing Blade & Bow Bourbon Whiskey,” Korzelius (pictured below) tells me. “The former shaken, the latter stirred. Both contain the soul of a classic but the spirit of something entirely new.”

Explore what might be one of Louisville’s best-kept secrets and enjoy the inviting and intimate, Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively, Kentucky, while taking a trip to the Lone Star State.

This premier cocktail bar and lounge bring the defining Southern lifestyle brand to life with a curated menu of elevated cocktails and a modern take on some of our favorite classic Southern dishes.

Authentic bites from the I Love Tacos food truck will also be available for sale in addition to artisan goods from some of Texas’s finest small businesses and local makers.

Article by Bourbon expert Tom Fischer, and founder of BourbonBlog.com
Photo of Matthew Korzeliu: credit Alexander Miller

The post Garden & Gun’s First Ever Texas Issue Celebrated at Stitzel-Weller Distillery Party This Friday, January 27 first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Nearly 10 years ago, I was the first journalist to write about and review Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon Whiskey inaugural release in this story. on BourbonBlog.com.

While the whiskey fans were immediately impressed, I don’t think anyone realized just what a legend the Bourbon expression and later voyages would become.

Enter Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 26. This is the first-ever rye whiskey in the Jefferson’s Ocean collection. It will be on a bar shelf or liquor store near you in the U.S.A. this month in April 2022 at 96 proof.

How Jefferson’s Ocean Rye Whiskey Voyage #26  is unique. In addition to being a rye voyage…

This particular journey for Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye was no ordinary one. The liquid is a fully mature rye whiskey that was double-barreled (75% in char 3 barrels and 25% in toasted barrels). It was then placed on ships and traveled through ports around the world as part of the unique finishing technique for which the Ocean series is known.

“I’ve always had the desire to create a Rye within the Jefferson’s Ocean portfolio, but wanted to make one that you could sip – so I did just that,” Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s founder and whiskey innovator tells BourbonBlog.com.

“The unpredictability of the ocean – and the way it affects our products – has always been intriguing to me, but this, combined with our double barreling process, made for a more robust profile, while the increased interactions with barrels and fluctuating air temperatures balanced the spice of rye. This aging process churns and treats our whiskey like no rickhouse could.”

And the result?

While our review will be coming soon, Jefferson tells us that the magic that only the sea can deliver combined with the new char 3 barrels and new toasted barrels bring forth a depth of marshmallow, toffee,  leather, tobacco, salt, and more.

Retail price: $79.99

Check back soon for our review and subscribe to our whiskey newsletter on this link to be the first to learn about new releases like this one.

The post Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Rye Whiskey: Ocean Voyage 26 first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Are you a Bourbon fan looking for an Irish whiskey OR  an Irish whiskey fan looking for a new Bourbon whiskey?

Kentucky Owl may have an answer for you as they have released St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey for 2022.

Yes, it’s a Bourbon whiskey, but it has had its own “Irish eyes” smiling on it. Here is what they did…

How they Selected the Bourbon

The Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey (100 proof/50% ABV, $135 MSRP/750mL). Kentucky Owl’s Master Blender John Rhea partnered with Louise McGuane, Ireland’s first modern whiskey bonder and founder of J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey, to select these barrels.

They looked at rare aged Kentucky bourbons and then blended them to create unique limited-run batches. This is the latest addition to the Kentucky Ow portfolio, following the release of The Wiseman in 2021.

Kentucky Owl tells us that Rhea and McGuane blind-tasted individual cask samples, then again through multiple blending variations. The result features Kentucky straight bourbons aged 4 to 11 years, with some rich caramel notes and vanilla from rare older bourbons; spice and fruit from higher rye bourbons; and sweetness and citrus from wheated bourbons.

What We Taste:

Aroma: Pâtisserie along with whispers of cinnamon. Even a dash of strudel icing.

Taste: Sweet on the entry. An “older” more elegant sweetness than usual.  Midplate has chocolate, citrus. Vanilla against mint seems to take over at the end against more bakery notes.

Overall: While lighter Bourbon whiskeys don’t seem as common when the price tag for limited edition, this one is nuanced and interesting.

It is somewhat reminiscent of Wiseman Bourbon and, even midpalate, has some notes from Kentucky Owl’ Confiscated.

If you like both of those, it has some highlights from each.

I hope to see more collaborations in styles like this in the whiskey community…This “Irishy” Bourbon may lead to a “Scotchy” Bourbon collab soon.

 

 

 

 

The post Kentucky Owl’s St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey Review first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye, the first whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled on Hard Truth’s 325-acre campus in Brown County, Indiana.

With only a handful of whiskeys being made in the U.S.A. under the “Sweet Mash” category, Master Distiller Bryan Smith will join us Thursday evening, January 6th at 8 pm ET for a live tasting in this above and on this link to tell us more.

This release will only be available in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida will be available for purchase on the Hard Truth campus and in select retailers with a suggested retail price of $69.95 plus tax.

Batch #001 is a small batch of 30, two- to three-year-old barrels, uncut, unfiltered, and bottled at barrel strength. in 750 mL bottles, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye whiskey Batch #001 is bottled at barrel strength — 115.2 proof with a 57.6 percent ABV. Bottles

My Review Tasting Notes:

Hard Truth Distilling continues to be a pioneer in the world of whiskey with this rye that drinks with the elegance of a French Cognac combined with a new “bold standard” of Indiana Rye.

With this balance of orchard fruit against spice and barrel notes, they’ve given birth to a new breed of rye that steps into a spirit all its own.

Richard orchard fruit reminds me of refined Calvados backed by clove, cinnamon, and other baking spices against of crème brûlée and barrel.

Indiana Rye Whiskey : Its Own Category

This past summer, BourbobBliog.com attended the signing of the bill into law for the category of Indiana Rye Whiskey.

It was an event attended by a number of politicians, distillers, and others including Indiana’s governor.

Over the next few years, Hard Truth says introduce whiskeys from four unique rye mash bills and four unique bourbon mash bills, bringing a variety of flavor profiles to market.

“We’re on the forefront of a new era of whiskey-making as sweet mash pioneers here in the state of Indiana, ” said Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith.

“There’s a small, but mighty group of distillers making sweet mash whiskey and celebrating this innovative way of making whiskey. I feel honored and proud to be in such great company,” Smith added, nodding to the quality whiskeys they are creating.

Sweet Mash vs. Sour Mash Explained

Most whiskeys are produced using a sour mash method — a process that uses leftover mash from previous distillations in each new batch of whiskey. Historically, this was done out of necessity because the high acidity of the leftover mash helps ensure no bacterial contamination or other infection in the new batches.

Advances in distilling systems and sanitization processes, however, have made sweet mash — a process where each new batch starts entirely fresh — not only a possibility but an exciting way to create whiskeys with characteristics unique to the method.

“The standard sour mash process can mute some amazingly complex and pleasant grain flavors that the sweet mash process tends to highlight. It’s a more expensive and labor-intensive process to make whiskey this way, but the final product speaks for itself,” explained Smith. “Our sweet mash rye whiskey has a layered and complex flavor profile and the sweetness of the grain features more prominently on the palate. Most people expect savory and spicy only from a rye whiskey, but with our sweet mash, expect bright fruit, complex brown sugar, and mocha with baking spice in the finish.”

 

The post Indiana’s Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey Batch #001 Review first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Cohiba releases the Cohiba C8 Cigar; an exceptional and stylishly-presented expression. They tell BourbonBlog.com this release will be just in time for
this holiday season and be available for a suggested retail price of $2,499.9 for 10 cigars.

This Double Corona (7.25” x 54) cigar is housed in a sleek, soft-touch red and matte silver box containing 10 cigars.

C8 is presented in a briefcase containing an ST Dupont cutter and lighter, for everything the well-heeled cigar smoker needs in one modern, clean-lined
accoutrement.

Only 50 Cohiba C8 travel sets have been created, for sale at U.S. Duty-Free locations and cigar shops, beginning this week.

About the Cigar

Cohiba C8 is a masterpiece of a cigar. Crafted of a silky, lustrous Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper with nearly imperceptible veins, and a wrapper-quality Connecticut Broadleaf binder, the story
of Cohiba C8 is perhaps best told through its profoundly aged blend.

The narrative begins with tercios made of Royal Palm bark and extends to special finishing in Spanish Sherry casks where the natural characteristics of each leaf of the blend were enhanced
to the point of perfection. Blending experts at General Cigar Dominicana in Santiago, DR, painstakingly identified exceptional vintage years and further selected each bale and each leaf
by hand for inclusion in C8.

The blend is comprised of the following:

Piloto Cubano (1995);

Honduran Olancho San Agustin (2002);

Honduran (La Entrada (2011);

Nicaraguan Estelí (2011) and Nicaraguan Esteli (2014), and Honduran Jamastran (2014).

Cohiba says this is a robust cigar and its refinement is evident at the light and continues as the experience
unfolds. Layers of earth, nuts and wood are balanced with a hint of caramel and whisper of sweetness. The finish cascades to light spice and pepper.

Master artisans crafted Cohiba C8, resulting in meticulous construction.

 

The post Cohiba C8 Cigar: Only 50 Travel Sets Available at U.S. Duty-Free first appeared on BourbonBlog.

As enthusiasts continue to enter the category and become more adventurous, distillers are pushing the boundaries in American whiskey, one trend is the use of peat to give an American whiskey scotch appeal.

Some distillers, like State 38 out of Golden, Colorado, are achieving this effect by using Scottish peat smoke malted barley in the production process, while others like Buzzard’s Roost Sippin’ Rye Whiskeys are getting a peat-smoked flavor from their proprietary secondary barrel.

In scotch, the peaty flavor actually comes from the malting process when the dried barley absorbs smoke from burning peat. Some say peat may have been used in Scotland because there were few alternate sources of fuel. Whatever the origins, it is a distinct flavor associated with scotch.

Brauner has said that he’s created a bourbon lover’s rye but this is the first time he has created a rye  whiskey that appeals to scotch lovers. The nose on this Peated Barrel release is full of vanilla and caramel sweetness with underlying notes of rye and spice, and the palate has a sweetness that fades to subtle hints of fire-roasted peat. The finish has subtle hints of fire-roasted peat that is very reminiscent of a scotch-like finish.

I’ll soon be interviewing Jason Brauner, Master Blender of Buzzard’s Roost again and tasting this Peated whiskey with him. Check out my recent interview with him in the YouTube video link below.

The post Peat Smoked American Whiskey from first appeared on BourbonBlog.

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. of Louisville brings you their newest release of Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey. It will join Kentucky Peerless Rye and Bourbon Whiskeys as a permanent offering and can be initially found in KY, CA, TX, FL and IL.

This Double Oak Bourbon whiskey is aged a minimum of 4 years in the first barrel. Peerless tells BourbonBlog.com that it is then finished in the second barrel and bottled when deemed worthy of the Peerless name.

Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey Review:

For my initial review, I’ll share a few thoughts as I previously tasted the Kentucky Peerless Double Oak Whiskey when it was released as part of their Single Barrel Program.

Unlike some “double barrel” styles of Bourbon whiskey, this expression isn’t simply flavors of Peerless Bourbon “amplified,”  Rather, it transports us in time to what an older Peerless Bourbon could someday taste like at perhaps 10 to 13 years of age.

From the buttery notes to rich tobacco complimented by elegant sugars, this Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey delivers a balanced extraction of barrel without tasting overdone.

I will share more tasting notes as the official release unfolds.

Where to Buy Official Release

Peerless will host a bottle signing event on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 as the release of Peerless Double Oak Bourbon.
10:00 am to 2:00 pm EST.

The Bottles #2 – 250 of the release will be specially labeled and signed.

Bottle #1 will be auctioned as part of the Kentucky Southern Social event being held at Louisville Omni Hotel.

The post Kentucky Peerless Releases Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey first appeared on BourbonBlog.