Tag: Brown-Forman Corporation Page 6 of 8

The Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, it manufactures several well known brands throughout the world, including:
Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey
BenRiach single malt whisky
GlenDronach single malt whisky
Glenglassaugh single malt whisky
Canadian Mist whisky

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/12/2020

In Cocktails

Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve
Old Fashioned Week is celebrated around the globe during the beginning of November. Despite Covid, this year was no exception. More home-based than previous years perhaps, but with just as much enthusiasm. Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned cocktail enthusiasts took the opportunity to celebrate this delicious cocktail in a variety of shapes.

I love watching the mixologists put their own twists on the theme. The creativity in cocktails that I have seen over the last couple of years shows how mature the industry is becoming. I spend some time to create a few variations on the theme to highlight specific elements of the Woodford Reserve bourbon.

What is an Old Fashioned Cocktail?

It is a blend of bourbon, bitters, water and sugar that date back to the 1800s. According to research, it was founded at The Pendennis Club, a gentlemen’s club in Louisville, Kentucky. The recipe is said to have been invented by a local bartender, in honour of a prominent bourbon distiller who brought the recipe to the internationally acclaimed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

An outstanding bourbon when you are in the mood for something sweet and bold. One of my favourite bourbon whiskey releases. It has notes of honey sweetness with apricots and dark chocolate. Hints of oak balanced with a few cherries and cinnamon spice. A bold and smooth bourbon whiskey.

Also Read: Mint Julep Cocktail

The Classic Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Recipe

Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve Bourbon Ingredients

50 ml Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
1 tsp brown sugar
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
lemon peel (for garnish)

Method

Put brown sugar and bitters into a rock glass.
Add the ice and stir.
Add the Woodford Reserve bourbon and stir again.
Serve with a twist of lemon peel.

Variations on the Theme

Black Forrest Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail

Chocolate cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Switch the Angostura bitters for chocolate bitters. Garnish with maraschino cherries. This variation complements and enhances the chocolate and cherry notes of the Woodford Reserve bourbon and gives it a Black Forest cake feel.

Spicy Simple Syrup Old Fashioned Recipe

Spicy Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Replace the brown sugar with a teaspoon of spice-infused simple syrup. Make a simple syrup using 1 unit of sugar and 1 unit of boiling water. Add a cinnamon stick and star anise to the hot syrup and let infuse until cool. The spices balance out the sweetness and add a depth of flavour.

Smoky Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

< Smoky Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve bourbon
Add a drop or 2 of liquid smoke to the water used to make the ice before freezing.

This version as my favourite. The husband frowned at me when I started dropping liquid smoke in the ice trays, but the result was worth it. The slight smokiness from the ice slowly impacts on the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned cocktail and highlights the oak notes while adding a new dimension to the drink.

Recently the Woodford Reserve Rye whiskey reached South African shores and I need to try an Old Fashioned with this spicier whiskey as well.

Disclaimer: Header photo supplied by the PR company. I received a bottle of Woodford Reserve and bitters as part of the Old Fashioned Week promotion.

ALWAYS ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Also Read: Ciroc Mango Mimosa Cocktail Recipe

Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/02/2020

In Whisky Comparison

Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Tennessee Whiskey side by side comparison
A few weeks ago, I had the fantastic opportunity to chat to Bradley Watson, the South African Brand Ambassador for Jack Daniels about all things Jack and especially the Jack Daniels Rye whiskey. Even though this release has been around since 2017, it is only now available in SA. As part of our chat, we also did a side-by-side comparison between the Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Tennessee whiskey.

These two releases are both produced according to the Lincoln County Process that makes Tennessee whiskey unique. However, the mash bill for the Rye release is different. Jack Daniel’s whiskey isn’t bourbon, despite bearing most of the same characteristics, in production methods at least.

There is, however, one key difference. Jack Daniel’s filtrates their whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before maturation. This process is of key importance to the finished whiskey’s character, bottled as Tennessee whiskey.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack Whiskey

Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel’s started the Jack Daniel’s distillery around 1866. It is one of the oldest registered distilleries in the United States of America. The distillery remained family-owned until 1956 when it was sold to Brown Forman, a Kentucky distilling company.

Moore County, where the Jack Daniel’s distillery is located, is one of Tennessee’s dry counties. While it is legal to distil the product within the county, it is illegal to buy it there. An exception is made where a distillery can sell one commemorative product.

Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Old No 7 with glass b
Jack Daniels Old No 7 Tennessee whiskey is the entry-level whiskey from the distillery. The mash bill for this release is 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. It is a NAS release, but maturation is estimated to be around 4 years.

Jack Daniel’s Rye Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Rye whiskey with glass
Brown Forman released the Rye whiskey in September 2017 as a new addition to the standard Jack Daniel’s lineup. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Straight Ryewhiskey is produced using a mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley.

It follows the same Lincoln County Process that makes Tennessee whiskey unique. It is a NAS release, and it also has an excellent ABV.

Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 comparison

	Jack Daniel's Old no 7	Jack Daniel's Rye
Type	Tennessee Whiskey	Tennessee Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill	80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye	70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley
ABV	43%	45%
Colour	Light amber	Light amber
Nose	Sweet with caramel, vanilla and dry oak and a hint of smoke. Some dried fruit and marzipan.	Tropical banana, hints of dark chocolate and toasted oak. Cinnamon and sweetness
Palate	Toasted oak and butterscotch sweetness. Hints of vanilla, overripe cherries and nuts. Something like sour cherries and cereal on the palate. It is quite an oily whiskey. Mellow and smooth.	Freshly baked banana bread, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Drying cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of chocolate sweetness. Bits of oily wood and vanilla. Medium body.
Finish	Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice.	Medium length with lack pepper and spicy cinnamon and oak spices
My Rating	Very Good	Excellent
Comments	Not very complex. However, it is easy-drinking and great to use in marinades or basting sauce when cooking.	Tropical notes with an oily mouthfeel. Smooth and warming
Price	$27	$28
Pairs well with	Smoky chicken, KFC	Aged steak, dark chocolate

Putting these two releases side by side shows the difference in the mash bill very nicely while keeping to the smooth Jack Daniel’s distillery character.

The standard Jack Daniel’s has notes of caramel, vanilla, and dry oak, with cherries and cereal. The Jack Rye release has a tropical tone, with banana, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The standard release showcases cherry and vanilla notes with toasted oak. The Rye release is spicier than the standard release and more complex than the Old No. 7.

Both releases are readily available in SA and affordable, and if you enjoy Jack Daniel’s, I would recommend that you try this comparison.

I prefer the Rye release. It is better balanced, more versatile and just delicious. It reminds me of freshly baked banana bread and chocolate. The Rye suits my sweet palate but with enough bits of rye spice to make it distinguishable.

I got this nice breakdown from the friendly folks at Jack Daniel’s. A quick way to see the differences.

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Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/28/2020

In Whisky Comparison

Today I look at another side by side bourbon comparison; this week between one of my favourite bourbons against one of John’s favourite bourbons. I look at the Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon.

Both very well known and readily available in South Africa. I wonder which of these two will be the favourite after our side by side afternoon experiments.
For these side by side comparisons, we usually move out onto the patio (it is summer in SA right now and pleasantly warm) and then pour two glasses of each and then sit back and taste.

When you have two bourbons next to each other, you can better understand the different spices and sweet notes that each bourbon has.

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

Review and tasting notes Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey with glass Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit
Bulleit Bourbon whiskey was inspired by a 150-year-old family recipe created by founder, Tom Bulleit’s, great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky. The younger Bulleit first served in the US Marine Corps and then went to law school.

But he always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he created a small batch bourbon, bearing the family name. To make sure it is qualified as bourbon, he’s adjusted the mash bill to 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley.

The Bulleit bourbon bottle shape is modelled on the medicine bottles of old, with raised lettering and a skew label. Just like it might have looked in the 1860s. Today it is owned by Diageo and is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA.
Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

Review and tastingnotes Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon with glass Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit

Woodford Reserve is a brand of small-batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. A distiller named Elijah Pepper began producing small amounts of whiskey in 1797 and soon afterwards built a distillery.

Following Elijah’s death in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper inherited the distillery. The distillery became known as The Oscar Pepper Distillery. He hired a Scotsman, Dr James Crow as the head distiller.

Crow was a qualified physician and a chemist. He championed the sour mash fermentation process that is key in the production of bourbon. After changing hands a few times and falling in disrepair, Brown-Forman purchased the property in 1993 and refurbished it to bring it back into operation. They renamed it The Woodford Reserve Distillery in 2003.

The mash bill for Woodford Reserve features a high percentage of rye. It has a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt ratio. Unusual also for being triple distilled and having the lowest proof upon entering the barrel where it matures for at least 6 years.

Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey

Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit bourbon whiskey comparison

	Bulleit Bourbon	Woodford Reserve Bourbon
ABV	45%	43.2%
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley	72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt
Colour	Light amber	Clear honey amber
Nose	Quite spicy, lacking the more traditional bourbon sweetness. Some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla bean. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through.	Honey sweetness with apricots and oranges. There are bits of condensed milk richness mixed with vanilla and hints of spices.
Palate	Loads of spice, but is not overwhelmingly spicy. After the initial spice, there are notes of toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange floating about. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. Water brings sweetness forward.	Oak and sweetness perfectly balanced with a bit of apricot and cinnamon spiciness. Notes of tangy winter fruits and vanilla mixed with toffee. Creamy and smooth with a full body and a satisfying mouthfeel
Finish	Long and lingering, it stays with you long after finishing the glass. Notes of mild spice and hints of oak.	Long and lingering and ends in notes of sweet spices
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	It's a rich, chewy mouthful of bourbon. Bold character	Smooth with a great balance between sweet and spicy.
Price	$33	$40
Pairs well with	Bacon, spicy BBQ chicken wings	Aged Parmesan cheese, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, Hawaiian Pizza

The Woodford Reserve bourbon is softer, sweeter with notes of fruity apricot, vanilla and oak. The balance between sweetness and oak spice is inviting, and this bottle leaves a smile on my face. In comparison, the Bulleit is bolder, spicier with notes of orange and vanilla.

Both of these releases have a strong finish, and the traditional oak and vanilla note that, for me, characterises a bourbon. The Bulleit bourbon has a unique character that makes it more memorable, and John loves it. He does not need any help in finishing the Bulleit bourbon.

If you like a softer, sweeter bourbon, the Woodford Reserve is perfect. If you are looking for something bolder and spicier, then grab the Bulleit. Both of these releases are worth space on your whiskey shelf. I am rather happy that John prefers to Bulleit, now I don’t have to share my bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon with him.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Woodford Rye and the Bulleit Rye as well as with the Buffalo Trace to see how they stack up against each other.

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Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve

Gentleman Jack vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/30/2020

In Whisky Comparison

Welcome to another instalment of my side-by-side comparison series, where today, I’ll be delving into the world of fine whiskey as I pit Gentleman Jack vs Woodford Reserve bourbon.

Exploring the nuances between these two exceptional spirits has been an absolute delight, as it’s amazing how much more you can appreciate a drink when you have something to measure it against.

In the past year, I’ve ventured into the realm of American whiskey, comparing Woodford Reserve to Jack Daniels Single Barrel and pitting Gentleman Jack against Jack Daniels Old No 7.

But today, it’s all about the showdown between Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve – a Tennessee whiskey versus a classic bourbon, both hailing from the esteemed Brown-Forman stable.

The question on my mind: which one will emerge as my favourite after this side-by-side tasting?

Gentleman Jack Whiskey

Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack whiskey with glass

Let’s begin with Gentleman Jack. Introduced in 1988, this Tennessee whiskey was crafted to cater to those seeking a more refined, premium brand experience. Its unique 3- 5 day double filtration process through sugar maple charcoal (Lincoln County process) sets it apart.

The mash bill for Gentleman Jack comprises 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley. First, it undergoes charcoal mellowing before ageing in the barrel. Then, it receives a second sugar maple charcoal mellowing after maturation, just before bottling.

This process has made Gentleman Jack a globally recognized Tennessee whiskey.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon with glass
Now, onto Woodford Reserve, a brand synonymous with small-batch Kentucky bourbon whiskey. Its lineage traces back to 1797 when distiller Elijah Pepper began crafting small quantities of whiskey, eventually establishing a distillery.

Over the years, the distillery passed through various hands and saw periods of neglect. However, the legacy of Woodford Reserve lives on. Its mashbill features a notably higher percentage of rye, with a composition of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt.

While it doesn’t carry an age statement, Woodford Reserve typically matures for around 6 years.

Gentleman Jack vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Gentleman Jack vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon Comparison

	Gentleman Jack whiskey	Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Type	Tennessee whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley	72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt
ABV	43%	43.2%
Colour	Golden dark copper	Clear honey amber
Nose	Spicy oak, caramel and vanilla sweetness and faint hints of wood smoke. It has a sophisticated edge to it.	Honey sweetness with apricots and oranges. There are bits of condensed milk richness mixed with vanilla and hints of spices
Palate	Smoky oak and hints of charcoal. Herbal notes are coming through mixed with chocolate, rich dark roast coffee, hints of pepper and cinnamon intertwined with cherry sweetness and vanilla. The palate is bold and quite a big mouthful.	Oak and sweetness perfectly balanced with a bit of apricot and cinnamon spiciness. Notes of tangy winter fruits and vanilla mixed with toffee. Rich, buttery and smooth with a full body and a satisfying mouth feel
Finish	Medium length with dark Indian spices and faint bits of charcoal and vanilla.	Long and lingering and ends in notes of sweet spices
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	It has a distinctive personality, smooth, complex but it easy drinking and smoother and richer than the regular Jack Daniel's	Rich and buttery with a great balance between sweet and spicy.
Price	$40	$40
Pairs well with	Buttered NY strip steak	Aged Parmesan cheese, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, Hawaiian Pizza

The Gentleman Jack brings notes of smoky oak, vanilla and ripe cherries.It has a green herbal note mingling with cinnamon and cardamom spice. It is smooth and easy to drink with a medium finish.

The Woodford Reserve has notes of oak, apricot and condensed milk. Winter fruits, toffee and faint oak. Rich and buttery with a bold character.

Now, the moment of truth – my verdict. Woodford Reserve bourbon takes the lead in this head-to-head comparison in my book. It boasts a richer and smoother profile when sipped side by side, offering an all-around more pleasant drinking experience.

However, it’s essential to note that Gentleman Jack is by no means a subpar whiskey. It carries its own air of sophistication and complexity. It’s a whiskey that can certainly hold its own, and I wouldn’t turn down a second glass. It’s just that my palate leaned towards the sweeter notes of the Woodford Reserve bourbon.

As for my collection, I’ll be replenishing my bottle of Woodford Reserve without hesitation. So, whether you lean towards the elegance of Gentleman Jack or the bold allure of Woodford Reserve, one thing’s for sure – both these fine spirits are worthy of a spot in any whiskey lover’s collection.

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Also Read: Woodford Reserve Rye vs Bulleit Rye whiskey

Glenglassaugh Revival Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/09/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at the Glenglassaugh Revival single malt Scotchwhisky. What a great name for a whisky release: Revival. I realised that this whisky comes with a unique story. The Glenglassaugh distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in the Highland Region.

It sits on a hillside, not too far from the sea. A local entrepreneur James Moir and his two nephews established the distillery in 1875. Another distillery connected to a grocery store, like so many others.

Moir had an expanding grocery business and wanted to establish a distillery that would produce a whisky for his customers. The site was chosen due to its proximity to a clean water supply, the Glassaugh Springs and easy access to the nearby barley fields.

Highland Distillers bought the company in 1892. In 1960 it was rebuilt and upgraded to double the production capacity and to yield lighter spirit. However, during the economic downturn of 1986, this small remote distillery stopped production. But there was a light at the end of the still.

Also Read: Mackmyra Svensk Rok Whisky

In 2008 an independent investment group bought the distillery from the Edrington Group (where it landed up) and started production again. They released some of the pre-1986 stock as exclusive releases and won various prices with their releases.

The first spirit distilled under the new ownership was bottled and released as Glenglassaugh during 2011. In 2013 the Benriach Distillery Company purchased the distillery.

That is why the name Revival is such a fitting name for this release. This distillery kept on coming back time and time again. The Glenglassaugh Revival single malt is the first single malt Scotch released from this distillery available for retail.

Glenglassaugh Revival Whisky Review

Revival has been matured in a mix of ex-red wine and fresh ex-bourbon casks and then finished for 6 months in ex-Oloroso sherry butts. It is a NAS release. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Amber gold with green hints

NOSE: Green grass, pine needles, caramel sweetness and fresh earth. Dry apricot with bits of butterscotch and vanilla. Quite sweet.

PALATE: Drying oak, citrus and pepper. The sweetness promised by the nose does not carry through to the taste. Bits of sawdust, cocoa powder and bitter lemon. Medium-bodied. Not very complex. Water brings more lemon pepper forward.

FINISH: Medium with bitter lemon and pepper.

RATING: GOOD

This Glenglassaught is a very dry whisky. John described it as licking an oak plank. I found it quite astringent. After a finish in sherry casks, I was expecting more sweetness and red fruits, but neither of us picked up any of these notes.

I am glad that I only have a small bottle because if it were a big bottle, it would still be standing in my whisky room in 10 years. It did not put me off tasting more from this distillery, and I will continue to explore the Glenglassaugh Evolution, and Glenglassaugh Torfa releases over the next couple of months.

Also Read: Maraska ABC Whisky