Celebrated in the month of September, Bourbon Month, it is consolidating itself on the Brazilian calendar. And for those who want to learn more about this distillate, mixologist Junior Oliveira, ambassador of Woodford Reserve whiskey in Brazil, teaches you how to make the most of its flavor.
For the mixologist, the act of enjoying bourbon whiskey goes far beyond filling a glass. Knowing the alcohol content, whether it is free of additives, knowing the percentage of corn used in production and even understanding the history of the distillate makes the first sip special. Check out some tips from Junior Oliveira and learn how to explore the notes of a bourbon in different formats and presentations:
All bourbon is a whiskey, but not all whiskey is a bourbon
To be considered a bourbon, the liquid must be produced in any American state, contain at least 51% corn, be aged in virgin American oak barrels and bottled without intervention. With more than 200 years, the Woodford Reserve distillery is one of the oldest in Kentucky, a reference state in bourbon production, and today it still uses traditional methods in almost 100% artisanal production.
Appearance of the liquid
It is important to check the preservation, whether the bottle is properly sealed and whether the liquid has an exaggerated color, as a bourbon is neither too dark nor too light. Another point is to note whether there is the presence of possible “sludge” inside the bottle, which is not common, especially in a whiskey free of additives.
What is the correct way to enjoy bourbon?
There is no correct way. However, it is important to try it in its pure form first, to understand more about this whiskey. Woodford Reserve, for example, delivers many different notes to the palate, making it ideal to first taste it in its pure form and then look for other ways to contribute to the experience, such as pairing, for example.
Is there a correct type of glass to drink from?
There are different types of glasses that can favor the spirit used, whether with ice, neat or in cocktail format. If the whiskey is tasting pure or with ice, low glasses are used with a closed mouth, so that the consumer can feel all the notes that this distillate has to offer to the sense of smell and taste.
Production method and recipe
In general, a whiskey can be made from cereals, such as barley, corn or rye, one of the main attributes being maturation, which takes place in wooden barrels that give color to the distillate and provide notes and flavors. In the case of Woodford Reserve, its development takes into account 5 sources: water, grains, fermentation, distillation and maturation.
The grain recipe for this bourbon provides a balance between corn, rye and barley because, unlike other bourbons, which ferment for 4 days, Woodford Reserve ferments for 6 days, generating notes such as brown sugar, demerara and fruity aromas. Furthermore, its triple distillation, in copper pot stills, provides a purer liquid, free of substances that can compromise the quality of the whiskey, in addition to providing notes that refer to citrus.
Does the barrel used affect the flavor and color of the whiskey?
Yes, as the liquid gets much of its flavor from the wood that aged it. In the case of WoodFord Reserve, the distillery produces its own American oak barrels, which makes it possible to treat the wood to have less bitter aromas and tones. After the barrel is ready, it is set on fire so that the oak toast can contribute notes of woody caramel, toffee, honey and dry vanilla, as well as warmer aromas, citrus, grains and spicy that promotes slight salivation in the mouth, allowing the interaction of whiskey with the palate. Furthermore, this toasting of the barrel gives it the amber color presented by Woodford.
How to pair bourbon with dishes and side dishes?
Pairing whiskeys is usually personal, as each person’s taste buds are stimulated differently. However, in the case of Woodford Reserve, as it is an extremely tasty bourbon, it activates sensations on different palates. As it has an initial flavor palette with basic notes such as aromatic sweet, woody, grainy, spicy, fruity and floral, other notes may emerge for different people.
This versatility makes it possible to harmonize with different types of inputs. For those who have not yet identified their palate, the ideal is to start with items such as aged parmesan cheese, dried berries, dark chocolate, nuts and citrus fruits (such as Bahia orange), as this helps to understand which item you like best when pairing. It is worth remembering that the balance of Woodford Reserve comes from the grain recipe, which provides a light sensation of “woody caramel syrup” in the mouth, combining with different types of food and providing very interesting notes and aftertastes for each person’s palate.
For those who don’t drink pure liquid, there is the possibility of making cocktails!
Yes, this beautiful distillate can, and should, be used in the production of cocktails. This way, it is possible to highlight different notes and qualities of a bourbon on the palate, but in a lighter way. Whether the day is hot or cold, whether it’s a moment of relaxation or celebration, bourbon drinks embrace all occasions.
With Woodford Reserve it is possible to use the most diverse types of drinks, with sweet, citrus, dry, bitter and spicy touches, pleasing different palates. I really like the Old Fashioned, as it preserves the base characteristics of the whiskey, but delivers a light herbal touch from the bitter and the citricity of the essential oil from the orange peel (I prefer Bahia orange, as it has a more pronounced sweetness). It is a simple cocktail to make, and can be prepared directly in the glass, in addition to having a very good balance between the bourbon and the other ingredients.
The post Learn how to choose and enjoy a bourbon whiskey to the fullest appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
Source link
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS