W.H. Harrison Whiskey

Indiana has made a habit of sending their best to Columbus.  See Oden, Gregg, Connely, Michael Jr, Thomas, Deshawn... I could go on all day.

Now they have sent us their bourbon.  This bourbon is named after William Henry Harrison, who also started his career in Indiana, before seeing the light and moving to Ohio.  He was elected the 9th President of the USA and promptly died of pneumonia 32 days after taking the office.

I've looked at some of the bourbon message boards, and there is a bit of a kerfuffle about whether or not they are distilling it in Indiana, or just bottling it there.  I personally could care less.

This is a very corn forward bourbon.  There is a bit of orange, vanilla and cinnamon.  Not extremely complex, but satisfying.

I will give them credit.  If we zoom in on the label, we can see that one noxious Indiana ingredient has not infected this product.  100% Tom Crean Free.  Which also means that it is Harbaugh free, once removed.

Woodford Reserve Double Oak

Woodford has added a second product to their normal offering of Bourbon.  This bourbon is the typical Woodford Reserve that has been aged in a second, heavily toasted barrel after it has matured.  More on the process can be seen in the video below.

That is all wonderful, but the question is how does it taste?  I had it described to me as dry, and that wine term is accurate.  There is very little sweetness to be found with this whiskey.  Not surprisingly, there is a strong wood flavor, but the tannin is not so strong that it completely ruins it.  A splash of water opens it up a bit and allows some vanilla and honey to come through.  It is an interesting whiskey, but I have trouble recommending it at $50.  Honestly, it barely resembles a Bourbon.

However.  This is the official Bourbon of the $1000 mint julep at this years Kentucky derby¹.  You know, the $10 cocktail in the $990 cup.  I played the home game last night, and after a couple of julep's, I know that the bottle will not be laying around collecting cobwebs for long.  All it needed was sugar and mint to taste good.

I would also be remiss if I did not try this in a Manhattan.  Doesn't work.

¹  2012 for readers from the future.

Bret Bielema is the Golgothan

We have already established that Bo Ryan is an alien.  But the stench emanating from Madison is not limited to the basketball team.  Oh yes, there is a monster at the top of the football program.  A big-giant-walking-talking-stupid-whiny-bitch of a turd.  Have you ever thought to yourself?  That coach at Wisconsin, just seems like a giant piece of shit.  Let me tell you.  You thought right my friend.

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon

I have to admit that the medallion declaring that this whiskey was hand chosen for the state of Ohio makes me a little nervous.  I pray that the master distiller is not a member of fight club.

This bad boy is 101 proof, so a splash of water is necessary.  I actually broke tradition and added whiskey to a splash of water instead of a splash of water to the whiskey.  I'm just that kind of rebel.

I taste a lot of brown sugar with some cinnamon, orange and a strong oak finish, with just a hint of burning couch.  Pretty good at $41.

Finally, a beer with some balls

I'm surprised that this is a stout instead of a cream ale.

And yes, I know that I'm a day late.

Pisco Portón

Pisco is an interesting spirit, both Peru and Chili claim that theirs is the authentic stuff. According to my half-assed attempt at research, they have been making it longer in Chili, but the town of Pisco is in Peru. The only brand available in Ohio is from Peru, so Peru wins.

The spirit is distilled from grapes.  Making it technically a brandy.  It reminds me of a fine grappa.  Nothing wrong with that.

I mixed up my take of the Pisco sour for the photo.  In spite of its jizz like appearance, it is not a foo-foo cocktail.

Jim's Pisco Sour

• 2 oz pisco
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz ginger syrup
• 1/4 oz pasteurized egg whites
• add ice, shake and strain
• Dash of Fee's Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters