Mint Julep

About This Recipe

My recent trip to Louisville, Kentucky for the 2022 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices convention introduced me to the world of Bourbon. Populated by distilleries, you can see that Bourbon is an integral part of the city’s economy and the state’s identity. Both the drinks and the food were Bourbon-centric. I’ve used Bourbon in my cooking before for sauces and stews, but not to the degree as seen on the Louisville restaurant menus. Being visitors in Kentucky, of course we had to try a Bourbon tasting. The visitor center suggested Justin’s House of Bourbon, stated as Kentucky’s premier vintage whiskey shop. They carry the biggest selection of rare vintage bourbon, nothing my pocketbook and novice palate could handle, but also offer a huge selection of bourbon and rye from distilleries big and small that were more manageable in taste and price.

Following up on the center’s recommendation, we went to the aptly named Whiskey Row, a street full of distilleries and shops and located Justin’s House of Bourbon. After previewing their extensive bourbon selection, we opted to sample a “flight”, 4 small individual shots. The bartender brought the flight of specially selected Bourbons to sample. The first was Angel’s Envy. That first sip produced a warmth that went from the lips and down the throat … we were told that warmth was called a “Kentucky Hug.” Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is finished in port wine barrels. We could taste the subtle flavor of the port and appreciated the complexity of the added layer.

Next was our favorite cheekily-named Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. At 90 proof, it was a rich and elegant whiskey with a caramel color and a dark orange hue. It is bottled in a prohibition era replica of the original Chicken Cock bottle. This bourbon is described as you would a fine wine with hints of cinnamon, grassiness, pepper, vanilla, butterscotch, and slight overtones of citrus and oak. It was delicious and oh so smooth.

Our third glass was a W. L. Weller Special Reserve Wheated Bourbon Whiskey and it was the most expensive but well worth the expense. Wheat is substituted for the rye grain. Bottled at 90 proof, its soft notes of honey and butterscotch make it a great choice for sipping or cocktails. We finished with a Daviess County Cab Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This bourbon is a combination of a smooth wheated and a traditional ryed for a balanced sweetness and spice. Finished in french oak barrels for a layer of “oaky” flavor, this bourbon needed to be sipped with a small amount of water to temper the warmth. That last glass was a pure “Kentucky Hug.”

I wanted to bring a little Kentucky back to Maine, sharing the “Hugs.” Nothing says Kentucky more than the iconic Mint Julep. Slow sips on a hot day, simple to make, and easy to sip. Just imagine yourself at the races with your silver or pewter mint julep cup cheering on your favorite horse at Churchill Downs. Traditionally served in a rocks glass or, ideally, in a silver julep cup, the Mint Julep is a bourbon cocktail best known for being the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. So I safely stowed away in my suitcase 4 small bottles of assorted bourbons, just the right size for mixing up this cocktail. Since bourbon is the only liquid in the drink, you’ll want to use a high-quality and a slightly higher-proof bourbon—something in the mid-80s or around 90 as that will keep the crushed ice from diluting the cocktail too quickly.