Whether you’re in town for National Bourbon Heritage Month in September or just visiting Louisville to soak in the local sites, we at the Inn at Woodhaven are happy to teach you all we know about bourbon whiskey so that you can leave feeling like a true Kentuckian.

When people think of Kentucky, three things usually come to mind: bluegrass, the Derby, and bourbon. But let’s save the plant and pony talk for another day. Today we’re going to focus on a beverage that’s so big it draws over 50,000 people to the small town of Bardstown (less than an hour from our bed and breakfast) for the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival every September.

Kentucky bourbon is truly an all-American product, with an interesting history that is rich in both fact and folklore. So, consider this your Unofficial Beginner’s Guide: Bourbon 101 from your local friends at the Inn at Woodhaven.

Once you’re done with this, you don’t just know how to drink bourbon – you’ll know how to enjoy it!

Know: Up Your Bourbon Game

Speaking bourbon like a local starts with the obvious: you have to know a bit about what you’re talking about. While you don’t have to be an official Bourbon Steward to appreciate Kentucky’s finest drink, we’ll teach you the basics. So, let’s take a moment and separate fact from fiction.

Bourbon or Whiskey?

A common misconception is that “bourbon” comes from Kentucky and the same beverage produced elsewhere must be called American “whiskey.” This is false. Although 90-95% of bourbon produced does in fact come from the Bluegrass State, there are no laws that require bourbon distilleries to be located here.

…we strongly believe, however, that the BEST bourbon does indeed originate within the Bluegrass State.

Although bourbon can be produced in any of the 50 states, it MUST be made within the United States to be labeled as such. In fact, on May 4, 1964 Congress declared bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States.” When you sip this spirit, you’re enjoying something that is truly American-made (though foreign ownership of US distilleries is allowed).

Barrels Affect Taste

By law, bourbon barrels can only be used once and the charred oak barrels are sometimes discarded after use. But don’t fret! Most of these barrels are being put to good use in the craft beer industry, with Louisville breweries like Goodwood Brewing Company producing some noteworthy bourbon-barrel aged ales.

The type of barrel has a profound impact on the final result of every bourbon, not just barrel proof. Different types of oak create different flavors and the inside of the barrel plays a similarly large role. Bourbon barrels are charred on the inside and the amount of charring further impacts the flavor.

Fun fact: Did you know that there are more barrels of bourbon in Kentucky than there are humans living in the state? Back in 2014, a count found that barrels outnumbered citizens by about 1 million. That’s a lot of charred oak!

Pour: Use the Appropriate Glassware

When it comes to drinking whiskey, using the right glass is actually more important than you think. More than just personal preference, your choice in glassware can significantly improve the drinking experience.

Part of tasting is appreciating a bourbon’s aroma. Each bourbon has a different flavor as well as different aromas and the best glass brings out every nuance in them.

Whiskey Tumbler

This relatively short glass with a wide rim is a great way to make drinking bourbon a little more beginner-friendly. Besides making it easy to drink, the wide rim also lets some of the alcohol evaporate a little more quickly. The result is a bourbon that’s a little less harsh on the nose.

Glencairn Glass

Drinking from this glass can best be described as drinking from a glass tulip but with a slightly sturdier base. The narrow rim concentrates a bourbon’s aroma and gives you the best overall drinking experience. If you don’t have a Glencairn glass, using an even wider cognac glass will do the trick too.

Long Drink Glass

Best used for mixing bourbon cocktails, the simple long drink glass has lots of room which makes it easy to use when mixing drinks. Do you prefer a mint julep over straight bourbon? Then this is the glass for you. There is more to choosing a glass then you might think and getting it right really adds to the bourbon experience.

Look: A Bourbon’s Appearance

Before you drink, lift up your glass and admire the color of the liquid inside. Bourbons come in a range of colors, from a light shade of pale to a deep almost caramel brown. As a rule of thumb:

• Lighter bourbons are younger
• Darker bourbons have spent more time aging inside the barrel.

As a result, older bourbons tend to have less of the “fresh” flavor profile that is characteristic of younger ones. Instead, you’ll find that tasting notes such as smoke, spice, or even dark chocolate tend to be more common in aged bourbons.

Taste: AKA The Fun Part

Now that you have admired and smelled your drink, it’s time to move on to the main course of today’s post – tasting your bourbon!

Although there are countless different tasting notes and aromas, for beginners it’s best to try to focus on identifying individual smells and tastes.

Common Tasting Notes

Books have been written on the different tasting notes of bourbon. Let’s start with the three basic aspects of tasting:

• Before you sip your drink, take a moment to smell it first. Is the aroma fruity or spicy?
• Take a small sip. How would you describe the taste? Common notes are sweet, herbal, or oak Keep in mind that the initial sip might be harsh and it might be insufficient to get a full taste.
• Pay attention to the finish. Is there any flavor such as smoky or nutty that lingers?

It’ll be awhile before you can confidently pick up subtle notes like brown sugar or identify the specific grain in a bourbon but you can start with the basics.

Bourbon Tasting

Life hack… if you enjoy drinking bourbon and meeting interesting people from around the world, then buy and run a bed and breakfast in Louisville, Kentucky. Okay, we know the glamorous life of a bed and breakfast operator isn’t for everyone, but hosting bourbon tastings with our guests is one of our favorite activities to offer.

We’ll teach you the proper way to taste and enjoy bourbon neat. Want to know our personal favorite bourbons? Well, you’ll just have to join us for a visit to learn that! Check our availability and book your visit here.

Explore Bourbon

Everyone has heard of the Bourbon Trail, but are you familiar with the Urban Bourbon Trail?

Legend has it that it’s a good idea to eat between all of the bourbon sampling. Thankfully Louisville has an impressive collection of restaurants to meet your needs. We recommend downloading the free digital Urban Bourbon Trail passport to your mobile phone.

This electronic passport features over 40 restaurants across Louisville with extensive bourbon selections, bourbon-infused dishes, and discounts on appetizers, drinks, and more. As an added bonus, if you collect at least six digital stamps during your visit you can redeem them at the Louisville Visitor Center for a free Urban Bourbon Trailblazer t-shirt. Mama would be so proud.

Enjoy: Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Your Drink

There’s no wrong way to enjoy a glass of bourbon. All that’s left is for you to find your own preferred way.

Neat Bourbon or Bourbon Cocktails?

Ok, there might not be a wrong way but we do believe that there is a best way. Let’s be honest here (and maybe a bit controversial): the best way to drink bourbon is to enjoy it neat and on its own. Since a quality bourbon is a complex drink with multi-layered aromas and a rich flavor profile, adding ice to the glass has the potential to dilute the flavor.

However, drinking bourbon neat is not exactly a beginner-friendly way to drink bourbon. For beginners, the strong flavors of straight bourbon can be too harsh to start with. While adding a few drops of water can help release the flavor and aromas, adding ice makes the drink smoother and ultimately more suitable for beginners.

This doesn’t mean that bourbon cocktails can’t be delicious though! In fact, here’s one of the most popular ones that we serve at Inn at Woodhaven.

The Woodhaven Old Fashioned

We can’t send you off without sharing our signature version of the Louisville classic bourbon cocktail, the Old Fashioned.

Back in 1853 when the house was built by Theodore Brown, the groves of walnut trees he planted on the sprawling land leading up to the house became known as Woodlawn. We pay homage to Theodore and his passion for walnut trees with our version of this simple cocktail.

Ingredients:

1. 3 oz Bourbon (we use Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon)
2. ½ oz Demerara Syrup
3. 3-4 shakes of Dark Walnut Bitters
4. Garnish with a dark Italian sweet cherry

Instructions:

Mix bourbon, demerara syrup, and bitters in a tall stirring glass with a cocktail spoon. Pour over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. If using bourbon over 100 proof, add ½ tsp of cherry juice to make the taste a little smoother. Garnish with a cherry and enjoy responsibly!

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