A Little Kentucky History

Kentucky is known for more than horses; it is also known for bourbon. Naturally, we had to see a distillery. what i didn't know

is that because of the temperature outside, they stop having the actual tours.

We went to see the Four Roses Distillery mainly because their tour was free. Even though we didn't actually see the whole process, we did get some interesting information and a sample

which I personally can do without for the rest of my life. Yuck!

My friend, Lynn, is looking at an oldtime scale. The keg had to weigh a certain amount because after aged, there was a loss of weight. There was less liquid but what was there was potent.

I wish I worked that way. Kentucky Bourbon has to have at least 51% corn, some rye, and some malt. It is ground into meal mixed with iron-free limestone water. The meal becomes mash which produces grain sugar. Add some yeast which converts the sugar to alcohol. This begins the fermentation process. The mash is heated and it seperates. The vapor is collected and becomes a clear liquid. It is then poured into oak barrels that have been charred(the charring gives the amber color and the mellow flavor). It is held in a

warehouse for at least 2 years(if it is Kentucky bourbon, the warehouse must be in KY). Four

Roses is a little different from the other distilleries because it houses its kegs in one floor warehouses. The warehouses go through the changes in seasons just like any other building so the bourbon does too. The kegs expand and contract with temperature changes. After it ages, it is poured into bottles. The kegs cannot be used again.(sorry about that, nature lovers but it is the law) They ship the used kegs to Ireland and Scotland(they don't have the rule) so they aren't completely wasted.

We both enjoyed the tour and we did learn alot. I learned that I truely do not like liquer-no way, Jose. Yuck!