Time to Drink Up to “America’s Native Spirit”! September is National Bourbon Heritage Month

by Grayling Holmes

From the time I took my first sip of bourbon in the parlor of Russell Jackson’s Central West End mansion, I was hooked.  It was a smooth Frank August cask strength bourbon. On a frigid January night, as I interviewed him for an upcoming article, we sipped the high-end aged whiskey. We perched on elegant couches in a living room parlor three times the size of the one in my humble turn-of-the-century Bevo Mill area home. A fire roared in an enormous hearth that would be comfortable in any castle or the lobby of a tony ski resort. Both the ambers of the fire and the delicious bourbon warmed us. 

Russell Jackson’s parlor in his Portland Place mansion.

Frank August Bourbon single barrel cask strength retails for $60-70 per bottle.

Old Rip Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world retailing from $800-$1,000 for a 10-year-aged bottle and as much as $50,000 for a bottle aged for 25 years.

While Frank August is considered a luxury brand, running about $60-$70 a bottle, it is not the most expensive.  Old Rip Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. The rare libation was distilled in 1989 at the now closed Van Winkle family distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. It retails around  $800 - $1,000 for a 10-year age bottle, and as much as $50,000 for a bottle aged for 25 years. “I prefer Frank August because it has a little bite to it of heavy rye,” Russell said. “Its sweet counterpoint makes it go down easy, not to mention the relatively low price point compared to bourbons like Van Winkle,” he said with a chuckle. I was enamored with the hints of caramel and vanilla that I tasted in the August bourbon.  Along with the spices, I fell in love with this small batch whiskey.

By February, the month of love, I continued my love affair with the spirit. I threw a post-Valentine’s Day dinner party for him to thank him for allowing me to use his manse as the site of a photo shoot to capture my likeness for use in Sophisticated Living.  The luxurious surroundings of his Portland Place digs were consistent with our image.  The day of the shoot, Russell was at work in his Clayton law office, so Alex Guiterrez, Russell’s live-in best friend for life, graciously helped renowned local photographer Suzy Gorman with the shoot.  To thank them, I threw a dinner party for Russell, Alex, Suzy, at my forever home.

Grayling Holmes, Alex Guiterez, Mary Wimbley, Russell Jackson.

My bestie, Mary Wimbley, boosted the number to five for dinner.  I served Cabernet with the British Steak and Ale pie I had whipped up.  After dinner, Alex adjourned to my kitchen and offered us Maker’s Mark bourbon.  I tried the mid-grade bourbon, and was surprised at how smooth it was.  Granted, it lacked the nuances of the top-shelf Frank August, but it went down the hatch as smooth as liquid silk.  It has since become my drink of choice when not I’m drinking wine.  And it’s all due to Russell.  Thank you, sir.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon retails for about $30 per bottle.

What is Bourbon Heritage Month? Why We Celebrate "America’s Native Spirit"

Each September, whiskey enthusiasts like Russell and I nationwide raise a glass to celebrate bourbon whiskey. While Russell and I agree that the argument can be made that each day could constitute a celebration of the spirit, September has been deemed National Bourbon Heritage Month. Introduced by Kentucky Republican Senator Jim Bunning in 2007, a resolution was passed by the U.S. Senate, declaring September as National Bourbon Heritage Month.

More than just a calendrical designation and the month in which I was born, September is believed to be the month when the first drops of bourbon were distilled, making it resonate with the heritage and legacy of this uniquely American spirit. Central to this celebration is the spirit of community and a collective passion for bourbon, such as the one I now share with my friend Russell, and countless others in St. Louis. In fact, bourbon is one of the most popular in the spirit categories in America.  It accounts for 31% share of the whiskey market.  According to Provi.com, Americans have a growing taste toward the spirit.  “The consumption of bourbon whiskey in the U.S. increased by 65% from 2002 to 2020.”

A Good Place to Get Good Bourbon in St. Louis

The Vandy is a modern cocktail and bourbon bar from the @stlbarkeep team featuring a robust whiskey list, a curated roster of classic & contemporary cocktails, and friendly bartenders who love mixology. Insider tip: located within The Vandy is also a small shop selling bottles of single barrel whiskey exclusive to St. Louis. Selections include Rebel Bourbon and Maker's Mark Private Select.

A Vandy Specialty

Since we are among the #1 bourbon lovers in the STL, Russell and I have a standing invitation to try the Midwest Sour cocktail made by their Bar Lead Parker Geisendorfer.

Midwest Sour

2 oz. Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, 

3/4 oz. Velvet Falernum, 

1/4 oz. Marasca Simple, 

1 oz. Grapefruit Juice, 

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

Egg White

Mix all ingredients into a shaker tin over ice. Shake and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with an edible flower or luxardo cherry.

History of Bourbon and Its Native Roots (Source Provi.com)

The history of bourbon whiskey goes back hundreds of years. Bourbon got its start in the early 1700’s in Kentucky which was populated mainly by Scotch-Irish immigrants who grew an abundance of corn. Having knowledge of the distillation process from back home in Europe, they produced distilled spirits from the corn they grew, creating a distillate known as whiskey.  It became to be known as “America’s Native Spirit.”

Originally, bourbon wasn’t called bourbon. It gets its name from Bourbon County Kentucky, more specifically, Limestone, a riverside port town. It was there that producers shipped their whiskey down to New Orleans via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

Elijah Craig, a preacher and distiller, is thought to be one of the first to add whiskey to barrels as a cheaper means of storage while shipping it south. By the time the whiskey reached port three months later, the charred oak barrels had turned the whiskey a slight caramel color and added a charming flavor. In 1818, Dr. James Crow, founder of The Old Crow Distillery, is credited with inventing the sour mash method of which almost all bourbon whiskey today is made. 

Make it a Bourbon-filled September to Remember

Bourbon Parties

Host a bourbon tasting event at home featuring a variety of bourbon brands and expressions.  Have flights of bourbons. Provide tasting notes and background information on each selection.

Pair Bourbon With Your Food Offerings 

Create unique bourbon and food pairing menus, matching select bourbon whiskey with dishes that complement their flavors. Offer pairing flights that include small bites or appetizers.

Bourbon and Cigar Pairing Parties

A good bourbon and a good cigar are a perfect pairing.  Pair bourbons with cigars of varying strengths and flavors.