Review: Not Your Fathers Bourbon
Not Your Fathers Bourbon is the first in a new line of spirits made by Small Town Craft Spirits in Monroe Wisconsin. This is Pabst Brewing Companies first foray in the spirits business. Constellations Brands, AB-Inbev, and Rogue Ales and Spirits have already produced both brewed and distilled products. Not Your Fathers Bourbon is distilled at the Minhas Distillery in Monroe Wisconsin. Madagascar vanilla and natural flavors are blended before bottling at 86 proof. Tim Kovacs the founder of Small Town Brewery, the company behind Not Your Fathers Root Beer was not involved in the creation on this bourbon. Not Your Fathers Bourbon is currently available in Illinois and Wisconsin. National distribution will follow this spring. Read more 
Review: Jim Beam Vanilla
Jim Beam Vanilla was just released. It joins a flavored whiskey lineup that includes an Apple, Honey, Black Cherry, Maple and their Cinnamon Flavored Kentucky Fire Whiskey. The bourbon base of Jim Beam Vanilla is made with a secret mix of corn, rye, and barley malt. Limestone filtered water and some “set back” up to 40% of the old mash from the previous distillation, is added to the 10,000 gallon cooker. Since Prohibition ended over 75 years ago the same strain of jug yeast is added. This yeast is used in the fermentation process once the mash is cooked and cooled. It is distilled in a 65 foot tall column still, and then distilled a second time in a doubler, similar to a pot still. The bourbon is aged in brand new charred oak barrels. While no age statement is provided for Jim Beam Vanilla, Jim Beam Original is aged for 4 years. Madagascar Vanilla Liqueur is blended with the bourbon base before bottling at 70 proof. Read more