Tag: whiskey

Liquid Reese's
Dec 13

Liquid Reese’s: The Exciting Cocktail That Tastes Like Childhood

Howdy Junior’s Bourbon Hall.  We are going to talk about Reese’s candy but, this is not your childhood candy.  This is the adult version with plenty of bourbon to make your mouth water with anticipation.  This is an old-fashioned variant that will be a go to for those days you are craving a chocolate sensation. When you take a sip of this old-fashioned you will get that great peanut butter flavor of the whiskey and then the added sweetness of the bourbon and brown sugar comes through.  If you close your eyes, you will believe you have candy in your mouth.  As you swallow the sip you get that warm Kentucky hug, and your brain goes WAIT this ain’t no candy and begs for more.  Take your time and sip and enjoy this flavor bomb of an old-fashioned Liquid Reese’s Ingredients: Instructions: It is an easy cocktail to make at home with relatively inexpensive ingredients.  No need to use an expensive bourbon in this one but, make sure it is flavorful.  I used Benchmark 8 but the Evan Williams BiB would also be another fantastic choice.  Add more or less brown sugar and chocolate bitters to taste.  This calls for three dashes but, five seemed to be better. I could easily drink this with a big old bowl of chocolate ice cream. If you want or need a cocktail to bring back childhood memories and make it adult this, is it.  Can’t beat a four-ingredient cocktail.  This one is flavorful and enjoyable any time of year.  Grab your glass and let’s get mixing. Junior

Wenzel Whiskey and brick wall
Nov 25

Bourbon Hunting in Kentucky

Howdy Junior’s Bourbon Hall. Today I started the annual pilgrimage to Kentucky for Thanksgiving week. A lot of people head to the woods to hunt deer I head south to hunt bourbon and hit Churchill Downs for Thanksgiving with the family. The next few posts will be about this trip so come along and enjoy. Today left bright and early to get to a tasting and a blending at Wenzel Whiskey. Thought for sure I left in plenty of time for the 6 ish hour trip. First time in many of my trips ended up hitting severe slowdowns three different times that added an hour to the trip. Instead of getting to Wenzel’s plenty early to grab lunch arrived with 10 minutes to spare. Arriving at Wenzel’s it is in a back ally and in a 175 year old building. You walk through a double glass door to a nice lobby with a bar. Off to your left you will see a large room with tables and that is where you do the tasting and blending experience. Greeted warmly by the person working and working with us on the experience. Sat down to start the experience to 4 snifters of whiskey sitting in front of you a graduated cylinder, (back to high school chemistry), and 3 tasting glasses. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Ku6ejDv6z4 The experience starts with a history of the building and the owner Henry Wenzel. A German who landed in Covington built the building the experience is located a bar and a home. The building was a bottling building that Henry used to bottle everything he needed for his bar. Go to the tasting to find out more but, Henry died an early death and his wife ended selling everything to support herself and five kids. So now Wenzel is a place for buying barrels and you come in and perform a blending to bottle your own. This is a great one off bottle for you to take home and enjoy. After the history lesson they give you the proof, age, and state the whiskey that is in front of you came from. You don’t learn anything else. You then take sips and taste each of the four whiskey’s in front of you. We were also told they were all standard bourbon mash bills. Previous Next Since they buy barrels what we had today probably won’t be what you get when you go. That is the best part once you are done it is yours and nobody will copy it. Now you are done tasting they come back in and teach you how to blend to create your best bottle of bourbon. Some of the tips are start with your favorite and pair it with each of the others on a 1:1 basis. Taste and see how you go. Good whiskey mixed with good whiskey doesn’t always make a good whiskey. Also bad whiskey with bad whiskey doesn’t always make a bad whiskey. They give you plenty of bourbon to mix and match many different blends so blend away and pour our the bad and drink the good. This does take patience as you are blending in small graduated cylinder and really start with 1 ml at a time. You get plenty of time and bourbon to blend many times. Key note is to write down what you are doing so you can recreate. Once you have all of your blends done and you find your perfect bottle you need to get the blends to add to 10 or 100. So you might blend three bourbons and you will need them to add to 10 ml. From there you write this down and you can use one, two, three, or all four of the bourbons in front of you. I ended up using three of the bourbons to create my bottle. Take your bourbons with the number of milliliters adding up to 10 and write that on the card. You then give that to the person running the experience and they have a formulas to get the blend to either the 750ml or 375ml bottles. You get a label so you can add your name of the bourbon and then you write down the proof and ABV. This process took me about 35 to 40 min of mixing cleaning and tasting. You really do want to clean the dropper each time so you are not getting mixes of bourbon. Also clean the graduated cylinder to ensure you are starting from scratch. Along the way you are sipping and tasting and having fun with who ever is with you. While they fill the bottle of blend you just created you can sit at the table and enjoy the bourbons you have not fully used or you can go and watch the blending process and the filling. They have a contraption to measure the ABV so they tell you that and you multiply by two to get the proof.   Overall it is a great experience as you get your hands dirty in creating a great blend. If I knew this chemistry stuff would have lead to being a blender or distiller maybe I would have paid more attention in chemistry glass in high school. I did have to look up some of the terms as I forgot must be that GenX brain working. I would do this again as you get to taste a nice batch of bourbon that will change each time. I ended up getting a 375ml to taste and share and a 750ml to display on my bourbon shelves. Leave a comment or ask a question that I will answer Junior

Mar 12

Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon

St. Patrick’s Day is a great time do try a new cocktail, and the Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon is a refreshing choice that combines the sweetness of Midori with the rich flavor of bourbon. This is not your standard Irish whiskey St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail here. We use bourbon for a twist. Here’s how to make this delightful drink that’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Ingredients: Instructions: Tasting Notes: The Melon Splash: Refreshing Twist on Bourbon is a delightful blend of flavors. The Midori provides a sweet melon base, while the bourbon adds a smoky complexity that elevates the cocktail. The lemon-lime soda introduces a bubbly brightness, and the lime garnish gives a zesty kick that ties everything together beautifully. Conclusion: Whether you’re at a St. Patrick’s Day Party, lounging by the pool or hosting a summer gathering, the Melon Splash is a cocktail that offers a unique twist on traditional bourbon drinks. It’s easy preparation and delicious taste make it an ideal choice for both cocktail aficionados and newcomers alike. So, pour yourself a Melon Splash, kick back, and enjoy the sweet taste of the Melon Splash: Refreshing twins on Bourbon! 🍈🍀

Feb 23

Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned

Introduction: Howdy and welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall and we are going to discuss the Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned. On Old Fashioned Friday’s love to have a great old-fashioned with a wonderful fish fry. This cocktail matches a Dark Rye / Double Rye with sassafras syrup and angostura bitters.  Basically, this cocktail could be named a Root Beer Old Fashioned as well.  Let’s dive in. What is sassafras syrup you ask?  Well, it is made from the root bark of the sassafras tree.  The syrup itself gives off a great earthy flavor and what I like to call the Christmas spice of cardamom, molasses, and start anis.  Great flavors that go with Rye whiskey and give you a bit of spice.  And gives you a great root beer flavor. The sassafras syrup gives this old-fashioned sweetness that a good old-fashioned need to become a great cocktail. It also gives off the aroma of the molasses and cardamom or a good root beer flavor. Here is the Recipe for the Sassafras Old-Fashioned: Ingredients: Instructions: Video on how to make the Sassafras Old-Fashioned. Conclusion: The Old-Fashioned Friday – Sassafras Old-Fashioned is a sweet and spicy cocktail that tastes like a root beer soda.  You can control the sweetness by using a higher proof rye or a bit less syrup.  This would be a great after dinner cocktail or a way to end your night.

Oct 09

Top 5 Cocktails

Howdy, and welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall.  Here to help you learn how to make great cocktails at home.  In the last few days, I have been seeing more and more posts about people’s favorite cocktails for the fall or just to make at home.  This got me to thinking about what my list of top 5 cocktails would be I enjoy making at home to enjoy with friends or just sitting around watching the game. Top 5 Cocktails: Whiskey Sour This cocktail is simple and easy to make.  This cocktail calls for three essential ingredients: Bourbon, Sour Mix, and Egg Whites.  You can use whatever sour mix you like, but I will give you the recipe that I use below.  Add your bourbon, sour mix, and egg white to a tin filled with ice.  Now, you will learn how much sour mix to use as you make this drink more and more.  You want enough to mix the drink and fill your old-fashioned glass to the top. Shake the drink for 8 – 10 seconds.  Some people say you should dry shake first, but I have always combined everything, and the drink comes out with a nice froth on top of it when you pour it over fresh ice in an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with a luxardo cherry. This is a refreshing drink with a bit of pucker punch from the sour mix.  I use a good 100-proof bourbon for this drink, but you can use any whiskey that you enjoy. Old Fashioned This is the top of my list of cocktails I enjoy and make for others.  It is a little bit of work to make a really good old-fashioned, but, so worth the work.  This cocktail I am making here is a Wisconsin twist on the classic old-fashioned.  I enjoy the classic old-fashioned with a good steak or fancy dinner, but, the Wisconsin old-fashioned is great on a Friday with your fish fry.  Why I have dubbed it OFF…  Old Fashioned Fridays. You start making this drink in your old-fashioned glass. Place the Luxardo Cherry, Orange Slice, sugar cube, bitters, and a splash of mix in your glass.  Muddle everything together, then add your ice and your bourbon, then top off with a bit more mix. Garnish with two Luxardo cherries, and enjoy. The mix can be sweet (7-up), sour (Sour Mix or Squirt), or Club Soda.  I enjoy sweet the best, and then the second best is the sour with my sour mix.  This way of making the old-fashioned is rarely found outside of Wisconsin.  It does not have a strong alcohol taste; you can have a few of them with your fish fry and be happy. Jalapeno Margarita The Jalapeno Margarita is a great way to enjoy a margarita for those who like a little spicy kick.  To create this cocktail, you will have to do a bit of preparation to make it perfect.  For the preparation, take a mason jar filled with your favorite tequila, cut up one or two jalapenos, and add to the jar for 24-48 hours.  This can be done ahead of time and even in a full bottle of tequila if you would like. Place the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup in a tin with ice.  Shake for a good 10 seconds and then strain over ice in an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with a lime wedge, and throw a couple of jalapeno slices into the drink.  I don’t salt the glass but feel free if you would like to. This drink has plenty of kick depending on the jalapenos and is one of my go-to during a taco Tuesday at home. The Godfather Cocktail This is a super simple cocktail that needs to be shaken, but if you want to, you can also stir this drink in the glass and stir it well.  You may not get as much dilution from the ice as shaking does, but it is quick and easy to stir the cocktail.  This drink became very popular in the 1970s when cocktails were strong and sweet.  It is also believed to be named after the movie The Godfather, which premiered in 1972.  I use a 2:1 ratio of bourbon to amaretto for this cocktail, but you can choose to lessen the amaretto to bring the sweetness down. Like a 2:.5 ratio or even a 3:1 ratio. Place the bourbon and amaretto into a tin filled with your ice.  Shake for about 8 seconds, then strain over a large cube in an old-fashioned glass.  It is a simple two-ingredient drink that is a bit sweet but very enjoyable and lets the spirit take center stage of the cocktail.  Mix this one up and enjoy Kentucky Colonel This last drink everyone may not have the Benedictine, but it is a great simple two-ingredient drink.  I enjoyed this one during the day of The Kentucky Derby.  This cocktail is mainly bourbon, so you will want to be able to enjoy our bourbon, which I do very much. Fill a mixing glass with ice and add your bourbon and Benedictine.  Stir in a glass for about 10 seconds.  Take a cocktail glass that has been chilled and strain the cocktail into the glass. No garnish for this one. Benedictine is an herbal liqueur that brings a sweeter note to the cocktail.  There are a lot of fall-type flavors in the Benedictine. This is a sipper type of drink enjoy. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find my top 5 cocktails worthwhile and tasty and something you may add to your favorite cocktails to make at home. Junior

Sep 15

Bourbon Drinks Perfect for Fall

Introduction: Howdy! The warmth and sunshine of summer are coming to an end, and we will discuss bourbon drinks perfect for the fall.  The days and nights are starting to get that chill in the air of fall.  This time of year, you look forward to a cocktail with bold, robust flavors to warm you up while you enjoy the chill of fall.  In the following post, you will find cocktails that do just that. Cocktails: The first cocktail to talk about is the Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider.  This is a perfect fall cocktail as it adds apple cider and cinnamon, which are ingredients you think of when you think of fall.  If you have a local apple cider producer, go with that.  Think of this drink as a warm apple pie. Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 4 oz apple cider 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish Instructions Combine bourbon, apple cider, and cinnamon syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice. The second drink will be the Bourbon Maple Sour.  Fresh Maple syrup is produced in the fall, and try to find 100% maple syrup as Mrs. Butterworths is great on pancakes but not so much in this cocktail.  Always use fresh lime juice, as it makes your cocktail much better. Bourbon Maple Sour Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz pure maple syrup Dash of bitters Lemon twist for garnish Instructions: Combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist. The final drink on the list is Cranberry Bourbon Fizz.  This drink reminds me of the cranberry sauce I make from scratch for Thanksgiving dinner.  I do have bourbon in the cranberry sauce, and if you have never liked canned cranberry sauce, try making yours from scratch, and you will come around to it. Cranberry Bourbon Fizz Ingredients: 2 oz Bourbon 1 oz cranberry juice 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/2 oz fresh lime juice Soda water Fresh cranberries and lime wheel for garnish Instructions: Combine bourbon, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and lime juice with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wheel. Conclusion: The cocktails discussed capture the essence of fall and the changing of the temperature, as well as the leaves changing colors.  Whether sipping a Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider while changing the leaves or enjoying the warmth of a Bourbon Maple Sour by the fireplace, these cocktails will enhance your fall experience.  Enjoy the flavors and Bourbon Drinks Perfect for Fall  cheers to a season of unforgettable memories.

May 31

Drink the Bourbon

Howdy and welcome to Junior’s Bourbon Hall.  Going to talk about how you can order your bourbon and when or why you might like them. How do you like your Bourbon Neat Rocks Mix Drinks Up First you can order your bourbon neat.  This is straight bourbon generally in 1 oz or 2 oz pours.  The drink will come in a snifter or a Glencairn glass.  Don’t worry if you don’t have either of these glasses you can still pour your bourbon into a rocks or cocktail glass.   With a neat bourbon you will get the full flavor of the bourbon.  Max proof and taste of the bourbon.  You will also be able to smell the bourbon which will bring out many of the flavors within the bourbon. The next way you can drink your bourbon is on the rocks.  This is your 1oz or 2oz pour on top of a large sphere or square of Ice.  You can also use 3 or 4 regular cubes if you don’t have the sphere or square of ice.  You will still get the full nose of the bourbon but, the proof will lower, and the flavors can and will be a bit different with the ice.  If you think a straight bourbon is to strong or spicy add an ice cube and try again to see if the flavor and spice change enough for you to enjoy.  The body of the bourbon will also lighten up. You would like to drink a bourbon neat while sitting around a fire with your friends and slowly sipping it.  Another way you would have this is with a nice dinner to bring out the flavor in your food as well as the bourbon.  Of course, just having a bourbon is always a great way to relax. Next you can have your bourbon mixed with a “mixer”.  Soda, Ginger Ale, water, and juices are all “mixers” you can use to change the bourbon into a mix drink.  Some of my favorites are Bourbon Sour made with fresh Sour mix.  A sour soda will work in a pinch.  You can also mix bourbon with lemonade and a splash of cranberry for a nice summer cocktail.  I do like to use a bit higher proof bourbon for the mix drinks to still have the bourbon flavor in the front of the drink.  Many bourbons are good in mixing and chose one that you would like to sip on occasion and mix in drinks so you can have one bottle serve multiple purposes.  For this drink you would take a cocktail glass add ice and 1.5oz of bourbon and top off with the mix of your choice.  Give it a stir and enjoy.  Here you can use almost any type of glass you have and mix to your personally taste. Mixing your bourbon is a goes great with a casual dinner, sitting around a campfire, on a boat ride with good friends or to refreshing yourself after a yard work or a round of golf.  Thanks for stopping by and learning how to order your bourbon for the tastes that you want.  Until next Cheers this is Junior for Juniors Bourbon Hall.