BOURBON Curious by Fred Minnick

[Linda K]

A Simple Bourbon Tasting and Recipe Guide

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. … In short, whiskey is just distilled beer that has been aged in barrels. (Kindle Location 50)

Contrary to its title, BOURBON Curious, A Simple Tasting Guide for the Savvy Drinker is far from simple. It’s clear the author, FRED MINNICK, professional taster, judge, and self-proclaimed “bourbon geek” knows Bourbon — History, Ingredients, Who, What, When, Where, Why of making, selling, tasting, judging — and he shares his wisdom with details and humor. This book will appeal to history buffs and connoisseurs as it contains a plethora of interesting and vetted facts. It’s truly everything you wanted to know about Bourbon but didn’t know who or what to ask.

Scotch and bourbon are whiskeys, but the similarities stop there. Scotch must be made in Scot-land, and its celebrated grain is barley; bourbon must be made in the United States, and its primary grain is corn. Scotch whiskey’s regulated categories are single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended scotch whiskey, and blended grain whiskey; bourbon’s regulated categories are straight, blended, blended straight, and bottled-in-bond.(Kindle Locations 56).

This half reference book, half tasting guide educates about prohibition and the United States Government’s role in regulations. While reading the history, interesting parallels can be drawn to current day attempts to legislate, regulate and market cannabis in the U.S. which also began with federal prohibition in the early 20th century.

Reading this book gives the reader a respected authority to turn to, but learning how to taste and appreciate bourbon is the real treasure here. Part Three, “How to Taste Bourbon” gives tools and recommendations on how to taste, and a list of bourbons to try. Use this comprehensive guide as a reference point or start a Meetup (instructions given in the book). Share the cost of a bottle then taste, score and share your experience for a year. No kidding, there are at least 50 different bourbons noted in these pages. And with your new found bourbon knowledge and discriminating taste you will be poised to taste and rate new bourbons offered by the smaller, independent and burgeoning American craft distillery industry.

BOURBON Curious was reviewed by both myself and Adrianne Morrison. I find it fun to share a book with a friend. I reviewed the hardback version, Adrianne the Kindle version. We both en-joyed the complementary photos and recipes. Adrianne is more of a cocktail person; I am more on the wine side of beverage consumption. This review is a combination of both our thoughts.

Here’s a final thought from Adrianne. “A few recipes are included for those of us who might prefer consuming our bourbon in a mixed drink, a punch or jello-shot but after finishing this book, I’ll try my next bourbon served “neat.”

Post Script: Adrianne bought a bottle of Jim Beam Black Double Aged (8 years) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The nose… definitely smell caramel, vanilla, toffee-nut and wood smoke like the morning after a holiday wintertime wood fire has burned itself out. The mouth-feel… very spicy yet smooth and burns all the way down — as Mr. Minnick would say, “crispy mouth-feel notes of citrus with a long spicy finish.” It really adds so much more to the drinking experience when you have an understanding of the spirit, its history, how it’s made, and you take the time to truly savor and enjoy its many dimensions.

This is a great gift for holidays, celebrations or as a host/ess gift. Choose one of the less known Bourbons listed in the book. Note the page it appears in the book on the bottle label. Wrap the book, the Bourbon and a fancy tasting glass together and you’ll be showing what a class act you are. You’ll also be asked back, guaranteed.

Cheers!