JoDo Chasing Rainbows
Exploring the US and Canada from our RV
Bourbon Tour, Part 2 – Marker’s Mark
I would recommend visiting a few distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. Each place has its own way to presenting the tour. You also why they do what they do. Heaven Hill was a small, intimate tour (8 people total). Maker’s Mark was a who different story. The tours started about every 15 minutes. The groups are large. There were 35 people in our tour group.
Marker’s Mark is made on the Stargill Farms. The property is way out in the county on rolling hills. It was quite beautiful. Marker’s Mark has only a few whiskey’s – Marker’s Mark, Mark 46 and Private Select. They are known for their consistent taste from batch to batch. They are the only distillery that we visited that still rotates it barrels from floor to floor during the aging process.
My favorite pour at Maker’s Mark was the Maker 46.
Bourbon Tour, Part 1 – Heaven Hill
So you think I could live in the bourbon capital and not partake? Actually, I have enjoyed going to different distilleries and tasting different types of bourbon. We started Heaven Hill located in Bardstown, KY. We started at this location because they have a museum attached. I wanted to spend time learning about the history of bourbon before I started tasting.
What is bourbon?
- Made in the United States (it can be made outside of Kentucky)
- Must be minimum 51% corn
- Must be aged in white oak; used only ONCE
- Must be at least 80 proof
- No additives or colors added
Bourbon gets is color from the char from the wood. There is a 1-4 char level. Each distillery chooses how much char is added to each barrel. Bourbon is aged. Depending on the bourbon it can be anywhere from two to twenty plus years. Most bourbon is in the four to six year of aging before it is bottled and sold.
This was my first time drinking bourbon straight. I found that I like it mixed with a little water. My favorite bourbon at Heaven Hill was Elijah Craig.