Banter

11 Problems Every Bourbon Lover Understands

There’s only a few days left in Bourbon Heritage month which undoubtedly will be causing many of you to shed a tear in sorrow this week. In an attempt to cheer you up I’ve compiled a list of 11 problems every bourbon lover understands.

Events

The Bourbon Social – Enjoy A Discount

The end of Bourbon Heritage Month doesn’t mean the bourbon good times need to come to end. October 1st – 11th there will be an epic celebration of bourbon and all things Kentucky.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon Review

I have to admit that I’m very wary of the “craft” spirits movement, especially when that really just involves companies slapping overpriced label art on a bottle of 4-6 year old MGP juice and calling it their own.

Cocktails

The Southern Gentleman Cocktail Featuring Willett

It’s not everyday that you find a cocktail recipe that uses Willett Family Estate Rye so we thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate the end of another long week. This recipe was created by Peter Bodenheimer over at BarNotes.com and was provided to use by our friends at Willett.

Flavored Whiskey Reviews

Jim Beam Apple Review

As your resident garbage whiskey reviewer, I have taken on the arduous task of sampling products many would label unfit for a finer palate. This is not a job I take lightly. Which is why, dear reader, when given a full bottle of Jim Beam Apple to review, I drink the whole damn bottle.

Events

The Bourbon Mixer: Philanthropy and Alcohol All in One

I had the pleasure of attending the Bourbon Mixer in Louisville on August 15th, and I have to say, the Whisky Chicks and Bourbon Brotherhood know how to throw a fantastic event! Annually, these two groups combine to host a bourbon-fueled shindig benefitting different charities each year.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Review

Welcome to a review of what may be the most handsomely packaged bottle of bourbon in 2015 – Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon. True, design is only skin deep but I’m not going to hide my love for the packaging of Limestone Branch Distillery’s latest release.

Book Reviews

A Wet Drunk Midwestern Summer (a tale of Tiki Cocktails)

We might be at the unofficial end of summer, but we’re still in the thick of it. The wet, hot, hair-glued-to-your-forehead, soggy crotch thick of it. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s a classic Midwestern Summer.

Drinking Accessory Reviews

Zircle Ice Ball Mold Review

Our house took a hit this holiday weekend with our AC going on the fritz. To help stay cool I switched over to bourbon on ice and found these Zircle ice ball molds more useful than ever.

Banter

Angel’s Envy Toasts The Trees

Angel’s Envy recently sent us what has to be the most unusual item we’ve ever received from a bourbon brand – a mini-bottle of their bourbon along with a small sack filled with acorns.

Banter

Bourbon Schwag Pack Winner #1

Congratulations to Bonnie Woolford for winning the first Bourbon Schwag Pack of our 2015 Bourbon Heritage Month giveaway. Connie will receive a package stuffed full of great bourbon schwag items from Bourbon & Banter and our sponsors at the end of September.

Cocktails

The Anytimer Cocktail featuring Bulleit Bourbon

Happy Friday everyone! Being that it’s the first Friday of National Bourbon Heritage Month we thought we’d share a cocktail recipe for those who want to celebrate but don’t necessarily drink their bourbon neat or straight on the rocks.

Banter

Bourbon Home Delivery According to Drizly.com

Raise your hand if you’ve ever wished that someone would deliver bourbon to your house on demand.  Don’t be shy. It’s perfectly normal to have these types of thoughts running through your head. In fact, it’s so normal that Drizly.com has built a business around delivering booze to American’ homes.

Distilleries

A User’s Guide to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Anyone who has traveled the Kentucky Bourbon Trail knows that most of the distilleries on the Trail are located far outside of city centers like Lexington and Louisville.

Banter

Kicking Off National Bourbon Heritage Month

For the past few years, Bourbon & Banter has celebrated Bourbon Heritage Month (BHM) with a month-long party featuring lots of great blog posts, special promotions, and great giveaways featuring lots of bourbon-related swag.

Gear News

Free Shipping – Helping Spread the Bourbon Gospel

Next month is National Bourbon Heritage Month. Or as we like to call it – The Best Month Ever. Once again this year we’ll be celebrating in style with lots of giveaways, special content and special offers on all things bourbon related. More details will be shared on September 1st.

Banter

Summer Maintenance FYI

A quick note to let everyone know that we’re going to be doing some upgrades to our hosting environment over the next few days. Faster server, optimized hosting, etc.

Book Reviews

Bourbon Curious Book Review

A great new book from Fred Minnick, "Bourbon Curious, A Tasting Guide for the Savy Drinker". I love this book.

New Brand Releases

New Limited Edition High Rye Bourbon from A. Smith Bowman Distillery

For those of you that enjoy whiskey from the A. Smith Bowman Distillery you’ll be pleased to hear about this year’s release. Here’s some information straight from the brand. I’d love to get my hands on a bottle but they’ve made it pretty clear that unless you’re near to Virginia you’re SOL.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

It’s been a while since Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon was released into the rapidly growing bourbon market. We didn’t go out of our way to avoid trying it but it was not on our list of things to acquire and review for the blog.

Food Stuff Reviews

Think Jerky Review

Some things just go together like peanut butter and jelly, beer with brats and bourbon and beef jerky. The latter of these amazing pairings that were on my mind when the folks at Think Jerky contacted me about their new Kickstarter campaign.

Distilleries

An Accidental Afternoon at Smooth Ambler Spirits

Smooth Ambler is a beautiful enigma in the world of craft bourbon distilling, because they offer not only amazing palates in choosing and blending sourced bourbon but also the drive and ambition to craft whiskey from grain to glass in the heart of West Virginia.

Bottled Cocktails

Jefferson’s: The Manhattan Barrel Finished Cocktail Review

When I’m in the mood for a bourbon cocktail a Manhattan is always my first choice. A classic drink with only four ingredients, it’s easily customized to fit your mood. Want something extra spicy? Swap out bourbon with rye whiskey.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Raise your hand if you like rye whiskey? Now raise your other hand if you love rye whiskey? Shake them if you’re excited about Heaven Hill’s (“HH”) latest release – Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey. Good. Now that I’ve gotten your full attention, and those around you, let’s focus on the whiskey.

Banter

Safe Ride Home: Thanks Campari!

This press release came across my desk last week courtesy of the folks at Campari. I thought it was a pretty cool use of emerging technology to connect with alcohol consumers.