December’s Best of Bourbon – Our Top 6 Articles of the Month

1. 45-Year-Old Bourbon Scheduled to be Released in March

Far and away, our most viewed article of the month was the news about James Thompson & Brother Final Reserve. This 45-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a story even older than the whiskey in the bottle. The launch is slated for March 1st at the Frazier Museum in Louisville during the week of the Bourbon Classic – and all proceeds go to veteran’s charities. The bottles come in a collectible box with a 100 ml tasting bottle included.

2. Bourbon Eggnog

Recipes were big this month – half of our top 6 articles were holiday cocktails and treats. This large batch, homemade, Bourbon eggnog recipe is the perfect way to keep your guests in good cheer. This easy cocktail recipe combines the best parts of holiday treats with your favorite spirit!

3. Holiday Spirits

This one is from the archives – The Bourbon Review Fall ‘12 Issue, to be exact. Three different cocktail recipes, photographed in gorgeous bar ware, made this our third most viewed article of the month. Toasty hot toddies, Rye whiskey ciders, and old school Bourbon milk punch make the coolest cocktails for Christmas.

4. Pistachio – Cocoa Nib Macarons with Bourbon Buttercream

These ain’t your grandma’s Christmas cookies. These French inspired, Bourbon-filled macarons are sweet and satisfying without being too heavy, and their instagram-worthy look makes them a great hostess gift. While macarons may look tricky, this recipe offers plenty of tips to get the perfect cookie on the first try.

5. Orphan Barrel Releases 25-Year Old Entrapment Canadian Whisky

The latest Orphan Barrel release marks the line’s first Canadian Whisky. These 25 year old Barrels came from the Crown Royal Distillery in Gimli, Canada, and were bottled by Diageo in Tullahoma, TN. Their unique lynx branding and artwork is a nod to those Canadian roots.

The 97% corn and 3% malted barley mashbill is bottled at 82 proof and will run you $149 per bottle, and is available now in limited US markets.

 

6. Distilling Commences at the Historic James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky

The Distillery District in Lexington, Kentucky can finally live up to its name. For the first time in 50 years, juice is flowing at James E. Pepper Distillery. The distillery keeps it local – using not only the historic limestone well on the grounds, but also Kentucky grown corn and rye. Their gorgeous copper still from Venodome Copper in Louisville was inspired by old mechanical drawings from the original operations.

Caroline Paulus
Caroline Paulus is the Senior Editor for The Bourbon Review. She lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky. Follow her on Instagram @misswhiskeyhistorian to keep up with her latest in bourbon news - and a few old finds, too.