Banter

Is Alcohol A Recession Proof Industry?

We’ve all heard that alcohol is a recession proof industry but is it really true? As I was doing my part to keep the industry alive I stumbled across this infographic that does a pretty good job of laying it out for us in a way that’s pretty easy to understand.

Vintage Advertising

Kentucky Tavern Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1949

Let me take you back to 1949 for this Kentucky Tavern bourbon advertisement.  I think we need to explore bringing back the concept of coordinated drinking sets. Things like glasses that match the pitcher that match the serving tray and, in this case – match the ashtray and lighter.

Banter

Who’s Leading The Bourbon Conversation On Twitter Infographic – August 2012

It’s time to check in and see who’s leading the bourbon conversation on Twitter. It looks like the use of bourbon is down since our last report by about 78 appearances.

Vintage Advertising

Bellows Club Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1959

I wanna be “hep.” Do you wanna be “hep”? All we need is to serve Bellows Club Bourbon, and we’ll not only be "hep" but also a BOURBONITE. Cool.

Gear

The Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker

I don’t personally find myself in need of a cocktail shaker very often but next time I do I’d like to have the Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker on hand. I came across this the other day on Kickstarter I knew I had to share with everyone on Bourbon & Banter.

Banter

Todd Weiss – Bourbon & Banter Member Spotlight

I’m pleased to introduce everyone to this month’s Member Spotlight – Todd Weiss, CEO of Striped Pig Distillery in Charleston, SC. I met Todd online several months ago when I first launched the Bourbon & Banter website.

Vintage Advertising

Old Forester Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1957

I’m a sucker for an advertisement that sells to my sense of entitlement. This Old Forester bourbon advertisement from 1957 does a great job of doing just that. “You’ve earned it…LIVED A LITTLE!” Why yes, I don’t mind if I do.

Banter

Get To Know: Chuck Cowdery

When it comes to bourbon, you don’t get better headlines than those written by Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Cowdery.

Banter

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged Bourbon Release Update

For those of you who’ve been waiting to see where the limited release of Jefferson’s Ocean Aged bourbon would hit, I’m pleased to be able to share with you the official list from Jefferson’s.

Vintage Advertising

Medley Bros. Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1951

Another Friday is here at last! Today’s ad is from Medley Bros. Bourbon, a brand that I’ve never come across before.  Here’s a link to their current operations website.  It appears that they just started producing bourbon again in mid-2009 with plans to age their bourbon for at least four years.

Banter

Learning to respect whiskey

As I cruise through the middle of my 40th year, I find it hard to believe that at one point in my life, I was not only young but also very dumb. Especially when it came to whiskey.

Food

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin With Bourbon Glaze

It’s a big day over at Bourbon & Banter. I’m excited and proud to share with you all a guest blog post by my wife…the Redhead.

Vintage Advertising

Old Taylor Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1966

I discovered this Old Taylor Bourbon advertisement in a 1966 copy of Ebony magazine. It’s the first in a series featuring “Ingenious Americans”.  I haven’t seen any other ads in the series, but I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for them to see if it was continued for any period of time.

Banter

How do you get your bourbon news?

The other night I walked into my living room to find my 6-year-old browsing through my copy of the Bourbon Review.  He’s beginning to get into reading, so he’s always picking up magazines to see what he can read and understand.

Banter

Bourbon Tooth Paste

The 1950s are often remembered as a magical and idyllic time in our nation’s history. And who am I to argue now that I’ve learned that bourbon toothpaste (with actual alcohol) was created and marketed in the 50s?

Events

The Dark Knight, Wild Turkey & Jimmy Russell

About a week or so ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a Wild Turkey tasting dinner at Blood and Sand, a St. Louis dining club. The dinner was terrific. Each course was paired with a cocktail featuring one of Wild Turkey’s bourbons or ryes.

Vintage Advertising

Old Crow Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1971

Today’s featured advertisement is from Old Crow Bourbon, circa 1971. Since they featured furniture upholstering and appeared in Popular Mechanics, I’m sure this was one of the activities they knew Old Crow bourbon drinkers had as a hobby.

Gear

A Visual Guide to the Common Drink Glasses

Building from yesterday’s post, I thought everyone would enjoy this visual guide to common drink glasses I found a few months ago. As many of you probably do, I drink my bourbon from glasses that are variations of the traditional Old Fashioned glass.

Gear

Roller Rocks Glass

Just a quick product discovery to share with you all today. The Roller Rocks Glass comes with its silicone mold for making the perfect 2″ ice ball and has a protrusion in the bottle that allows you to swirl the ice ball around the glass.

Gear

Kentucky Bourbon Poster

Think you know your Kentucky Bourbons well enough to identify them by bottle shape alone? Then this Kentucky Bourbon poster belongs on your wall.

Constitutions of Classic Cocktails

I hear that many people cannot live on bourbon alone. As foreign as that concept is to me, I figured it would be in the collective best interest to post something transcending bourbon borders.  To that end, I present the “Constitutions of Classic Cocktails.”

Banter

Bourbon & Banter’s Facebook 1st Anniversary

It’s hard to believe, but just one year ago today I created the Facebook presence for Bourbon & Banter.

Banter

Jim Beam Back To Basics Advertisement Circa 1991

I’m posting this week’s a day early due to something special I have planned for tomorrow.   I hope that you enjoy this Jim Beam circa 1991 about getting back to the basics.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

W. H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve Bourbon Review

Let’s play a quick round of word association. When I say “William Henry Harrison,” what immediately comes to your mind? President of the United States? Governor of the Indiana Territory? General? Congressman? Namesake of the first modern-day bourbon out of Indiana?

Gear

Introducing The Cube Tube

I’m a fan of the silicone ice trays, but I can tell you that with kids in the house, I often find that the trays have been emptied of most of their water due to the kids opening and closing the freezer drawer.