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We are inclined to affiliate the mint julep with the Kentucky Derby, however the southern cocktail is nice all summer season lengthy, regardless of the place you reside. Mixing bourbon with refreshing mint and serving it in an ice-cold tin is tough to do mistaken with this iconic beverage.
Whereas easy to make, a mint julep’s high quality comes right down to the standard of the whiskey. On this drink, there’s not rather a lot you (or something) can do to masks a horrible spirit and nonetheless have a potent and palatable potable. For any good mint julep, you need good bourbon, plain and easy.
To assist steer you in the suitable course, we’ve put collectively a listing of the most effective bourbons for mint julep cocktails this 12 months. As you’ll discover, most of these bourbons are available not less than 100-proof, or 50% ABV. This helps the bourbon stand as much as the melting crushed ice over the course of the drink. A lower-proof bourbon will work, but it surely’ll style watered down. To stay near Churchill Downs, too, we solely chosen bourbons made in Kentucky.
4 Roses Single Barrel
Among the finest within the Four Roses line (not less than we expect so), Single Barrel is a excessive rye content material (35 p.c) bourbon that is available in at 100-proof and explodes with taste proper from the outset. In a Julep, this interprets to a sustained honey and oak taste that goes extremely properly with the sweetness added by sugar syrup.
Knob Creek 100 Proof
Nutty on the nostril with a candy oaky physique, Knob Creek 100 Proof is a chief instance of what good can come at 100 proof. The slight fruity sweetness on the back and front finish of the palate pair completely with the mint within the julep. These flavors solely get higher because the Julep melts somewhat bit.
Wild Turkey 101
The flagship Wild Turkey bourbon, 101 has the physique and character that’s good by itself or in quite a lot of drinks (the mint julep, clearly, included). Vanilla and oak flavors contribute a pleasant combine to the mint and sugar, leaving you with an all-around scrumptious beverage.
Maker’s Mark Cask Power
The Maker’s Mark you understand and love, however at cask energy. A full-bodied wheated whisk(e)y, the molasses and darkish fruit flavors that come out maintain their very own, even via dilution from ice. If you happen to’re searching for a stronger bourbon, that is one to take a look at in your Juleps.
Woodford Reserve
This wouldn’t be a mint julep bourbon checklist with out the official bourbon of Churchill Downs, the place the Kentucky Derby takes place. Woodford Reserve is crafted by grasp distiller Chris Morris to work with all kinds of flavors, mint included. Annually, they put out a customized label for the Derby.
Previous Forester Signature 100 Proof
One other customary in the case of scrumptious bourbons, Old Forester’s story goes to 1870 when George Garvin Brown made the model’s first bottled bourbon (older even than the Kentucky Derby). The 100 Proof expression has espresso and chocolate on the nostril, adopted by candy apple and toasted oak on the palate. For people who don’t need to make their very own mint julep, Previous Forester additionally places out a premixed variety — the official drink of the derby — which is available in at 60 proof.
New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
This excessive rye bourbon from New Riff (a member of the Kentucky’s B-Line), is the core expression from the distillery and is a giant, daring, and savory bourbon that stands up in any cocktail. The complete-bodied butterscotch and vanilla notes pair properly with the sugar within the julep and also you gained’t have to fret in regards to the ice diluting the 100-proof spirit.
Michter’s US-1 Restricted Launch Barrel Power Bourbon
Whereas we’d usually counsel this particular launch from Michter’s be consumed neat or with a dice (even perhaps of their downtown distillery cocktail bar), that is the derby, a special day in Louisville, so we now have added it to our checklist and encourage you to make use of somewhat to rejoice. Barrel energy, this launch is wealthy in taste and on the palate, with caramel, candied fruits, vanilla, and a few oak notes all making themselves recognized. In different phrases, it’ll add good depth to your Julep with out having so as to add different substances.
Barton 1792 Full Proof
Barton 1792 Distillery has award-winning full proof bourbon, which is one more nice possibility when making a Julep. You’ll discover notes of caramel and spice lead caramel, oak, and vanilla — all with a pleasant spine.
Rabbit Gap Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Popping out of one of many newer distilleries in downtown Louisville, Rabbit Hole Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is produced from a mash invoice not usually seen in bourbon — 70% corn, 10% wheat, 10% malted honey barley, and 10% malted barley. This mixture of grains offers an exquisite honeyed taste to the bourbon, which accentuates the mint in a Julep properly.
Baker’s Bourbon 107 Proof
In terms of making a stellar traditional cocktail just like the mint julep, we are inclined to belief the parents at Demise & Co. Its authentic recipe requires Baker’s Bourbon, a flavorful bourbon that exhibits every part from toffee and French vanilla notes to peppercorn and spice. There’s a posh, candied ingredient to this spirit, which means you could need to half your easy syrup quantity so you possibly can actually take pleasure in it.
Want a refresher on the way to make a mint julep? Here’s the classic recipe. Don’t overlook to tempo your self when ingesting cask-strength spirits, as they pack a whole lot of warmth.
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