Ep. 73 - The Bourbon Brotherhood: A Beginner's Guide From "A Guy" Who Knows His Sh*t

Bourbon continues to be a "go to" for guys who want to move away from cheap beer and fruity drinks, and I support it.  It's a crazy big world of choices that are mind boggling, even to seasoned bourbon hunters.

My guest today is definitely a guy who can help us traverse the multi-leveled landscape of the bourbon world.  Derek works in the heart of Bourbon Country at one of the premier distilleries on the Bourbon Trails of Kentucky. 

He'll explain the difference between whiskey and bourbon, highlighting that bourbon must adhere to specific laws, including being at least 51% corn and made in America. 

We'll also touch on the rise in popularity of bourbon in recent years.  He'll give us a run down of the ingredients of bourbon, including corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley, and explain how the barrel contributes to the flavor and complexity of bourbon. 

You'll learn about the timeline for aging bourbon, and how he believes that between eight and 12 years is the magic number for optimal flavor.  

Just like diamonds, he and I agree that personal preference plays a significant role as to which bourbon is right for you.  And of course there is the thrill of collecting bourbons and sharing a pour or two with your friends.  (He'll even give a quick tutorial on the correct way to sip it.  Freakin' great!)

Ultimately, according to Derek, there is no wrong way to drink a worthy bourbon.  Cheers! 

If you need expert advice about something you don’t know much about, and need a little guidance, send me an email at andy@buylikeaguy.com and I’ll do my best to cover it in an upcoming show. 

If you’re “that guy,” (and of course you can be a woman) that people should hear from because you know your sh*t about a certain subject, please reach out to me, and let’s talk about how we can work together.

Music credits: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A killer band with original songs that get stuck in your head.  They're awesome.

Listen To Preacher Man on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7ImcaJKIk0ZVtPzuUVV4vc?si=80581c74a9be4987