Can those of you southeners on the group who make a mean mint julep tell me which bourbons you favour and why? Nick's general recommendation a couple of years back was a sweet, rich bourbon without too much rye as the spiciness interferes, rather than complements, the julep. His suggestion was Bookers or W.L. Weller Antique 107. I myself have tried it using Maker's Mark and really disliked it... but I really dislike Maker's Mark.
Any other suggestions, I'd be interested in hearing them.
Johanna
Well, I spent many years in the south (Louisiana) and I don't know why you would want to make or drink a mint julip. Just about any whiskey would do since it is so diluted with sugar water and flavored with mint.
Now a good Sazerac is another story.
Regards, Hawkeye
Johanna wrote:
Why yes, of course. The drink has been around since the 1700's but you in your amazing wisdom condemn both it and those who would be so crass as to drink it. Curse them, the slobs! You know far more than 300 years of history. Amazing post, yours. Now go back to your cave.
pavane
"Mint juleps were probably first served in the early to mid 1700s in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. "Mint julep" first appeared in print in 1803, described as a "dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning." The French word "julep" is derived from the Persian "gulab," a sweet concoction that may have been a vehicle for medicine."
Excellent and elegant rebuke. If you had been as clear as to the subject of your wrath (the misappreciation of Maker's Mark, with which I fully agree) I never would have questioned your intentions, which upon my reading seemed to denigrate mint juleps, which now I am certain that you would never have done. May your new bats prosper and never be corked.
pavane
Mark me down as being in favor of Knob Creek. It's lack of rye flavor makes it a great choice.
I like Evan Williams black label bourbon, on the rare occasions I make a mint julep for someone. But then again Evan Williams is the bourbon I usually have "on hand". Good bourbon, IMO, that doesn't cost a lot.
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