

These little 375ml bottles seem to vary drastically in availability, price, and popularity as well. Don’t overthink it.The Whiskey Baron Collection from Campari (read: Wild Turkey distillate) is an interesting one. Perfect for cocktails or on the rocks for just hanging out. “Barrell, in my opinion, is the best blending house in the United States,” he says.Įvan Williams Bottled in Bond/Black Label – Available pretty much everywhere. “These are two distilleries which do a really good job of accentuating the grain, allowing the grain to speak for itself,” Fred says of Woodinville and Spirits of French Lick.īarrell Craft Spirits – Always a bottle of Barrell in Fred’s house.

Spirits of French Lick – See Woodinville.


Fred sometimes likes his bourbon grainy, like fresh corn on the cob. Woodinville – Yes, from Washington state. Fred and Jaclyn dig the Wild Turkey products, and there’s always something from the brand in the cupboard. Wild Turkey Rare Breed – It could be the rye, it could be the bourbon. Because the three-tier system is sacred.) (And don’t worry, while he buys a lot of the stuff, often for private tasting events, he always buys retail. “They make great whiskey,” he says of MGP.īooker’s – Cornbread and honey notes make it a perfect sipper for times when a sweet and savory whiskey are the craving.įour Roses Small Batch Select – This is Fred’s go-to when he is in the mood for “a big ’ol cinammon note.” Enough said. Smoke Wagon Small Batch – Sure, it’s an MGP product, but is that a bad thing? Sometimes you need a little MGP, and Fred occasionally is in the mood for that. It’s a Willett family classic and a mainstay in Fred’s bar. Rowan’s Creek – If you like peanut butter or almond butter, this might be your thing. A bit of cherry, some nutmeg, just a fantastic pour. In Kentucky, it’s ubiquitous, which is a must for a Kentucky house bourbon. Old Forester 1920 – Jaclyn’s ultimate go-to. Vanilla-forward with a bit of oak bitterness, works well with barbecue. And it was Jaclyn who taught Fred to sip bourbon and not shoot it. It’s a sentimental favorite, if nothing else. Maker’s Mark – This was Jaclyn’s go-to when Fred first began dating her. What are they, you ask? To make sure his wife Jaclyn doesn’t gut punch him (again), here are some mainstays that Fred always keeps on the shelf. Do you have go-to, always-in-your-bar house bourbons? Maybe several? Fred Minnick does.
