October 30th, 2009
The Bourbonblog.com guys were at the unveiling this past Saturday night and shot a great video. They really did a nice job capturing the evening. (I’m also interviewed in the video.) Have a look:
And just for fun, here’s their entire uncut interview with me, discussing drinking alone vs. drinking with other people, among other things (after I had a drink or two, as I recall). Enjoy!:
October 24th, 2009
Here are a few pictures I took from last night’s party here in Bardstown, KY, celebrating Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller Parker Beam’s 50 years in the business. Plenty of fellow distillery managers, press, etc. And LOTS of bourbon!
The pics are from my Blackberry while was tweeting, so I apologize for the poor quality.
The Program
The Beam Family
Parker Beam
Jim Rutledge (Four Roses)
Greg Davis & wife (Tom Moore)
A very blurry Elmer T. Lee (Buffalo Trace)
Kevin Smith (Maker’s Mark)
Fellow writers Paul Pacult & Jim Murray
August 11th, 2009
Kentucky got a lot of rain last Tuesday. I remember seeing pictures of Churchill Downs on the news. Well, bourbon distilleries were hit hard too, including Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery.
I received this note from Larry Kass at Heaven Hill yesterday afternoon:
John, I thought you would get a kick out of these shots of Bernheim from the unbelievable flood of last Tuesday. Despite 7 inches of rain in 90 minutes, despite no power from 9 am until 3 pm, despite flooded grain trenches, they worked all night after power was restored and the next day and we didn’t miss any production goals! The video was taken from the steps of the office building across 17th street from the distillery.
Watch the video here. Bourbon and water, anyone?
July 21st, 2009
Parker’s Heritage Collection, “Golden Anniversary”, 50%, $150
This bottling celebrates Master Distiller Parker Beam’s 50 years of service by containing whiskey from each of the past five decades. This is a fabulous whiskey: seamless, incredibly complex, with an impeccable marriage of youth and maturity. It’s also very even-keeled throughout—quite different than last year’s equally impressive PHC, a 27 year old, whose personality was more like an exhilarating old wooden rollercoaster ride (and also brandished more oak). Look for candied citrus, nectarine, blueberry, and sultana anchored by a nougat center and laced with honeyed vanilla and orange creamsickle. There’s a dusting of cocoa powder, brittle mint and cinnamon too! Tobacco leaves, polished leather and teasing bourbon barrel char round out the palate, emerging more prominently towards its warming finish. A classic!
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 97
(Note: This whiskey will be released in late September. )
July 16th, 2009
Today I received a review bottle and press release on the newest (and third edition of) Parker’s Heritage Collection by Heaven Hill. It’s called Golden Anniversary, celebrating Master Distiller Parker Beam’s 50 years of service to Heaven Hill Distilleries.
The bottling, which will begin shipping in September, marries bourbon from each of Parker’s five decades of work: 1960’s through to 2000’s. How cool is that? The oldest whiskey is from 1968.
It’s bottled at 100 proof, and 1,500 bottles will be produced, with a price tag of around $150.
Last year’s edition, a 27 year old bourbon, was Malt Advocate magazine’s “American Whiskey of the Year,” so the bar has been set pretty high here. I WILL be opening up this bottle before the night is over. (The temptation is just too great!) I’ll be providing a formal review in the very near future here on WDJK, so check back regularly.
Congratulations Parker!
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