Taste Test!

Day 3: Tasting Tours

Makers Mark via the back roads was a gorgeous trip even thought they were less then one lane roads. The view was awesome, rolling pastures,beautiful barns and lush trees everywhere.  Markers Mark was well off the beaten path, still on the original ground it was started on.  The distillery had been in the Samuels' family off and on since 1790's but was repurchased by the 4th generation in 1953, when Markers Mark was born. The house, and distillery are near a limestone river which is the main water source for bourbon. On our first for we learned that bourbon can ONLY be made in America and there are very specific rules that make it a bourbon and not whiskey.
1. Must be made in America
2. Must be made of 51% corn
3. Barreled at maximum 160 proof
4. Bottled at  least at 80 proof
5. Has to age for at least 2 years
6. Has to be in a brand new oak barrel. You can't reuse them! 
7. Must be pure, no additives.

All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon.

Phew, now that we know the rules, let's get to tasting! 


Marc's Taste Buds on Makers Mark: smooth, slight vanilla and Carmel taste.
                  On 46: much smoother, more vanilla and Carmel flavor, and the lingering taste is nicer.

Abby's Taste Buds on Markers Mark: woah, my lips are tingling, but that's good.
                  On 46: much smoother, and now I can taste the vanilla!


The red signature was dipped bottle is pretty neat, but even cooler when you can dip your own in the gift shop at the end of the tour! 


Heaven Hills: We missed the tour, but got the taste! They were nice and still stamped our bourbon passport; which we got 5/6 stamps during our trip. Heaven Hill distributes and bottles for many different brand names.  

Marks TB on Evan Williams Single Barrel: spicy, burned the lips
Abby's TB on EWSB: spicy, not a beginners bourbon 

While we didn't enjoy the bourbon as much, we sampled their BBQ sauce and chocolate sauce which were amazing! 


Dinner was at Old Talbott Tavern, in Bardstown.  It was a historic B&B and has ties to the Revolutionary War, President Jackson, President Lincoln and Jesse James.  While the house was neat and covered with history, the staff won't go down in history.  They were a little short staffed and therefore left the phone ringing at the reception desk for 26 minutes straight.  The food was traditional southern style accompanied by great bourbon tea! After an afternoon of sampling, it's no wonder I took a nap at 7:30 pm!