I was born and raised for the most part, around Detroit. It was a good time and a bad time for Detroit and for me, but this is not about my autobiography or the history of Detroit. This is about whiskey and bourbon and the discovery of what that means.

When I was young, my father took me to the bar on my 21st birthday to celebrate. He ordered me up a beer and a whiskey. I took the whiskey and shot it back and quickly followed it up with the beer. Choosing to hold it down and not hack all over the bar. The beer was Altes and the whiskey was Jack. My Dad seeing i was struggling, ordered up a vodka and a Jim Beam. Upon deliver i tossed both back and followed up with a beer. My Dad was like, “No Son, you sip at that!” I didnt know what he was talking about, i had never seen anyone sip at vodka or whiskey. So i just said “Ok Dad!” And let it slide out of my mind. It took 29 years and moving to 3 states to learn what he meant.

I lived in Florida for a time, and like any person who is into hunting, you like good food. Through many a friend i had learned that a good whiskey can make or break a good bbq. My preference was for a whiskey labeled, 1792. it left a good flavor and was easy to cook with on the grill. I had poured it in a shot glass a time or two, and of course, threw it back, followed by a cervaza. I had learned over years about beer, and all the levels and what i liked and didn’t like, including what is ok, good and great. Then I moved to Kentucky

I moved here for family, i needed them, they needed me. But after working and family, i asked, what does one do in Kentucky? I was told horses, bluegrass, basketball and bourbon. But not necessarily in that order. So i watched UK, visited Keeneland, drove around and admired all the horses and horse parks, and I was already a fan of bluegrass music and that culture. So i asked someone about bourbon, and they said Kentucky distilled more than 90% of the worlds best whiskey in the form of bourbon.

I was like, wait! Hold the press, whiskey, bourbon. Ok now i have slugged back some whiskey in my time, what’s the big deal? The person i was talking too, was No, one does not chug bourbon, one sips it and it enjoys Americas one and only native spirit. I didn’t understand.

So he took me to a bar, ordered up 2 Woodford Double Oaks in Glencairn glasses. He then said the first tastes is gonna be harsh or what they call pepper. Only take a small sip, like resting your tongue in the glass, then let it slowly touch all your tongue and slide down your throat. I did and it was a little burn, but completely different than shooting whisky. He then said, now your ready to taste, take another tiny sip, hold in on your tongue, swallow then tell me what you taste. I was amused and my tongue was happy with that sweet nectar, i tasted honey and brown sugar a little apricot and was that cinnamon?

That was my introduction to bourbon and the beginning of the fun adventures i am still experiencing. I now own 170 different bourbons, i collect, but for purposes of tasting and sharing. I have been on many bourbon tours and barrel picks.

So start sipping your bourbon, and i will blog you later.

Rich