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SubscribeLocal Restaurant Hosts Debut of “New Old Forester”
Varanese Restaurant, 2106 Frankfort Avenue, will host the “Brown-Forman Bourbon Dinner” on Tuesday, November 11. A reception will begin at 6:30pm and the dinner at 7:00pm. The evening will feature the debut of Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, special guest speaker and Master Taster for Brown-Forman Marianne Barnes, and a four-course dinner paired with a bourbon flight and Brown-Forman bourbon cocktails.
Founded in 1870, Brown-Forman is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies, and among the top 10 global spirits companies, selling its brands in more than 135 countries. Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Bourbon will be a new permanent line extension of the Old Forester Bourbon. This bourbon will be bottled 90 proof and will emulate George Garvin Brown’s original recipe selection of the Old Forester Bourbon as it was produced in 1870.
The cost for the dinner is $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (502) 899-9904 or emailing letsdine@varanese.com.
The menu will consist of: Continue reading
Kentucky is known for a lot of things. Thoroughbred horses. Fried Chicken. Abraham Lincoln. Cassius Clay. The Kentucky Derby. And sweet, sweet bourbon.
Although the popular myth that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky is not true, it might as well be. More than 95% of the world’s bourbon comes from Kentucky. In fact, we have more barrels of bourbon aging here in the Commonwealth (nearly five million) than we have Kentucky residents! Kentucky bourbon is so good for the same reason that our horses are so good: the low-iron, high-calcium water that is filtered through our ubiquitous limestone.
So, if it is not being made in Kentucky, what makes bourbon bourbon? According to US law (27 C.F.R. S5.22), bourbon has to meet several requirements. It must be:
- Produced in the United States
- Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume)
- Barreled for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% ABV)
- Bottled at 80 proof or more (40% ABV)
Knowing a few random facts about bourbon is nice, but it does not tell the whole story. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, stretching across the central Bluegrass State, offers opportunities to tour the distilleries to learn about bourbon’s history, watch the production process, breath in a portion of the Angel’s Share and, if you’re over 21, even try out a few sips of the amber-colored treasure.
“Bourbon’s Biggest Party” Just Around the Corner
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is a five day celebration of bourbon spanning May 14 through 18 in the Kentuckiana region.
The event is kicked off by The Bourbon Premier at Hermitage Farm in Goshen where up to 300 guests will gather to enjoy bourbon-inspired cuisine and cocktails while rubbing elbows with bourbon big-wigs. Despite being approximately 20 miles from downtown Louisville in Oldham county, guests need not worry about getting behind the wheel after enjoying some of the Commonwealth’s finest beverages: transportation will be provided to and from the Louisville Marriott East starting at 7 PM with buses returning to the River City starting at 9:30 PM. For attendees who do drive to the opening event, valet service will be available.
Other Bourbon Affair evening events include a “day in the life of a master distiller” experience from Four Roses, dinner events with the master distillers including Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve and Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey, the Old Forester Cocktail Toast & Tour, craft bourbon events, liquor appraisals and more.
The crown jewel of the Kentucky Bourbon Affair is the Black Tie – Silver Screen – Golden Anniversary event Saturday night, May 17, at the Pendennis Club in downtown Louisville. Here, guests will join bourbon royalty and celebrities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the congressional resolution declaring bourbon to be “America’s only native spirit.”
The entire affair is capped off on the 18th with a Polo Tournament presented by Maker’s Mark and Lexington Polo.
Special “Golden Tickets” – complete with special priveleges – have long since sold out, with only 50 available at over $1,300 each, but there are still plenty of tickets left for other events available at the Kentucky Bourbon Affair website.