Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig are another of Heaven Hill's successful brands. When a surge in popularity for the 12 year led to an inability to meet demand, it was removed from US shelves in 2016 (no surprise, age statements are now sought after). The core whiskey has since been re-labelled “Small Batch". Typically made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley, rumour has it this contains a fair proportion of whiskeys in the 8-12 year old range.
Jim Beam White Label Bourbon Whiskey
Originated in the 1780s by Jacob Beam, a Kentucky farmer, who operated a grain mill and ground grist for locals - a portion of which was always reserved for the families private use - to make whisky. It was in 1795 the Jacob finally began commercial production, however it was not under the Beam Label. Consistency of style has been maintained by using the same yeast cultures for over 60 years, derived from an original culture made by Jim Beam himself on his back porch. Beam Bourbon is the product of six generations of distillers with only one enforced break in production between 1920 and 1933 when prohibition was introduced to the U.S. It was following prohibition, (during which time the distillery had been shut and sold to the U.S. government) that the bourbon was named "Jim Beam" after the head of the Beam family. To drink Beam then is to taste something of its American heritage. White Label is aged for four years and appreciated for it's pleasant sweet/sour and mellow, nutty character, making it one of the biggest selling Bourbons globally. 37% alc./vol.
Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
To preserve the subtle sophistication that makes it so sharable, Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750mL is aged to the perfect expression of its novel, spicy-sweet flavor profile. On the nose is spice, tea, hint of peppermint. The taste is spicy, light-bodied, and gentle bite, with a dry, clean, and brief finish. Late in the 18th century, Master Distiller Basil Hayden Sr. left his Maryland home for the greener pastures of Kentucky, bringing his family and reputation with him. Not yet privy to the old guard’s ‘rules’ of bourbon, legend has it that Basil set out to make a batch simply using the ingredients he had on hand, unaware of what the traditionalists might think of his mash. What resulted was a bourbon with a uniquely high-rye mashbill, combining the sweetness of corn with the spicy undertones of rye. The purists may have been displeased, but not the neighbors who tried it. Over 200 years later, the Noe family pays tribute to Basil’s masterful discovery with a high-rye, small batch bourbon that embodies the spirit of that very first recipe.