Another day, another two distilleries visited. This morning we visited the Four Roses distillery and then after lunch we toured the Woodford Reserve. This last one was the best tour of all four, two yesterday and two today, but they were the stingiest with their tasting sample. The other three were glad to let us sample two of their best brands while this last one only let us have one sip of their lesser label. Still we have had fun with these tours. While each one has many of the same processes as the others they each proudly describe something that is unique in their operation that makes their brands "the best."
To be called bourbon they all have to meet certain standard requirements which includes a minimum percentage of corn in the grain mixture and the use of a new white oak barrel for aging. We had been told several years ago that to be called bourbon it had to have been made in Kentucky but now they tell us that it can be made anywhere in the USA as long as the minimum guidelines are met. However, 95% is still produced right here in KY. That is primarily because of the availability of corn grown in this area plus the spring fed water is limestone filtered for purity. Also white oak is plentiful here so some barrels are made here but a lot are shipped here from Lebanon, MO. They can only use the barrels one time so they then sell them to other types of alcohol production or to the Louisiana hot sauce producers. The left over grain mash is given to the local farmers for free to use as livestock feed. With all the producers in this area that means there is a whole lot of happy cows and pigs.
Tonight we have another music show to attend. This one is what they call their Saturday Night Barn Dance which will be a group of local musicians performing and entertaining, it should be fun.
Sorry no pictures today. Just look at yesterdays again and you can see what we saw.
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