Recap of Last Night's Private Bourbon Tasting in Milwaukee

 

Last night, I hosted a private whiskey tasting in Milwaukee. It was a rooftop party with 25 people in attendance. It was such a fun night, and the whiskeys groups of people preferred were interesting, to say the least.

My client had the following request:

•     10 Bourbons with a theme
•     Keep things under $100.00 per bottle
•     Give us three bottles that are challenging to find but can be found
•     Nothing barrel-proof/cask-strength

 

My theme was that each Bourbon had to be unique and show a different way to do things, yet not lose its identity. I managed to keep every request except the last: I had a cask-strength Bourbon, but I assured my client that it would drink way under its stated proof. He agreed and approved the list.

 Here’s what I poured (and why):

 

Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Cask

• This was to show off how wine could influence Bourbon

 

Woodinville Straight Bourbon

• This demonstrated that good Bourbon is available from outside of Kentucky

 

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon

• This highlighted how critical the outside environment impacts the whiskey inside the barrel

 

Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

• This showcased what a high-rye mashbill Bourbon offers

 

Col EH Taylor Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

• This gives everyone a taste of a hugely hyped Bourbon you likely won’t find on the shelf at a reasonable price (and no one had ever tried it before).

  

Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky

• This exhibits what happens when a Bourbon goes through a double-oak aging process.

 

Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon

• This illustrates what happens when wheat is the second major ingredient instead of rye.

 

Dancing Goat: A Humble & Quirky Blend

• This displays what effect Columbian oak has on an otherwise fruity Bourbon

 

Lucky 7 The Holiday Toast Kentucky Straight Bourbon

• What if a Bourbon could have all the great tastes of a Christmas celebration?

 

Barrell Craft Spirits Straight Bourbon Finished in Amburana Casks

• This proves that high-proof Bourbon doesn’t have to be “hot,” and, oh yeah, who here likes Cinnabon?

 

The group was about a 50/50 split between men and women. Some were very experienced, and some were pretty new to Bourbon. This is how things turned out:

 

• Most of the women cited Jefferson’s Ocean as their favorite. They liked the salty, ocean-air taste.
• Most of the men preferred the Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond. They enjoyed its spiciness.
• Everyone loved Barrell’s Amburana finish.

 

There were a lot of other callouts – nearly every Bourbon was at least one person’s favorite of the night. Most found Dancing Goat delicious but by far the most unusual pour of the night.

 

This was a success – the guests drank good Bourbons and learned quite a bit simultaneously.

 

I must thank Cask & Ale for partnering with me to furnish the whiskeys and my friend Brad Anderson for stepping in at the last minute to be my assistant.

 

Let me know if you’re interested in having me host a whiskey event of your own. Cheers!

#DrinkCurious