The 7 Greatest Bourbons for Mint Juleps, In keeping with Kentucky Bartenders

Buffalo Hint

Few Kentucky whiskeys have the status of the flagship bourbon from Frankfort’s legendary Buffalo Hint Distillery. In sure components of the nation, Buffalo Hint’s reputation has made this whiskey troublesome to seek out, but when you’ll find it on the urged value of $25, it’s an extremely versatile spirit. Approachable and candy, it provides mellow notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and toffee with a touch of rye spice and a light-weight oakiness. 

With its basic bourbon taste profile, this whiskey ought to be one of many first you think about for a Julep.

“Buffalo Hint is an apparent alternative for a cocktail that’s whiskey-forward,” says Roach. “It’ll associate up completely with the mint and sugar, permitting the accompanying flavors to shine with out dropping the physique and character of the whiskey.”

Larceny Small Batch

Larceny Small Batch is what’s known as a “wheated” bourbon, that means that the secondary grain within the mash invoice is wheat as a substitute of the extra generally used rye. This model of bourbon is prized for its simple sipping profile, but it surely works fantastically when blended as effectively. “The softer, rounded profile of this wheated bourbon creates a very nice steadiness in a Julep,” says Knott. “The caramel notes go extraordinarily effectively with the mint, making each flavors stand out as a substitute of masking one another.”

Value noting, there’s extra complexity to Larceny than the spirit’s smoothness lets on. “Its palate is delicate, with cinnamon spice, nutmeg, and baking spices contrasting with notes of candy honey,” says Roach. “It is a very inviting bourbon, candy and clean but additionally daring. Its softness makes for a Julep that will probably be balanced and barely candy.” 

Woodford Reserve

Since 1999, Woodford Reserve has held the title of “official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby,” and deservedly so — it’s a wonderful alternative for a Mint Julep.

“Woodford’s mash invoice of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley permits it to be daring and sophisticated, with flavors of dried fruit, cinnamon, toffee, and chocolate, with hints of mint and citrus,” says Roach. Woodford Reserve releases a restricted version Kentucky Derby bottle to commemorate the race yearly.

Wheat additionally recommends upgrading to the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, if obtainable. “It’s much less spice and [more] vanilla cotton sweet blended with darkish cherries,” he says. “With Double Oaked in a Mint Julep you don’t want extra sugar, simply add recent mint crushed ice and benefit from the races.”

In case you’re fortunate sufficient to go to Churchill Downs, Woodford Reserve provides a particular Thousand Greenback Julep that is available in a home made silver cup. This yr, Woodford Reserve is donating the proceeds from the Thousand Greenback Julep to the Bottom Studying Middle, an unbiased non-profit group that gives help and assets for the racetrack staff who make the Kentucky Derby occur yearly.

J.W. Dant Bottled in Bond

This reasonably priced providing from the Heaven Hill Distillery is bottled-in-bond bourbon, giving it all the power and taste essential to make an awesome Julep.  “[J.W. Dant] is without doubt one of the most underrated bottles of bourbon available on the market,” says Wheat. “It has a end of heat baking spices that play fantastically with the brightness of recent mint within the Julep.”

“Its vibrant spice bouquet and delicate sweetness performs effectively with the earthy freshness of mint, and the 100-proof level will guarantee you’ll be able to nonetheless really style your bourbon after you’ve topped it with a hefty scoop of shaved ice,” says Baker. “It retails for a modest $15-20 per bottle, so you may make Juleps for your complete infield.”

4 Roses Single Barrel

The Kentucky Derby is also known as “the run for the roses,” so it makes good sense to combine a Julep with 4 Roses Single Barrel. This extensively obtainable single-barrel product has notes of ripe plums, blackberry, and wealthy cherry with baking spice, citrus fruits, and a slight herbaceous flowery accent that gives distinction. 

“Regardless of the palate of this 100-proof bourbon being considerably of a taste bomb by itself, [when] diluted right into a frosty, minty concoction, it mingles effectively with the parts of the drink… its pure fruity sweetness bolsters the crisp mint and warming spiciness,” says Baker.

Provided that this decide is a single-barrel bourbon, no two barrels will style precisely the identical. “Utilizing a single barrel expression in your cocktail will ship a libation that’s distinctive in character and can have a noticeable distinction to a small batch label,” says Roach. 

Knob Creek 9 12 months

Hailing from the James B. Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, Knob Creek is a 100-proof workhorse that performs fantastically alongside the sugar and mint in a Julep. This small batch, no age-stated bourbon is reasonably priced, available, and filled with taste.

“[Knob Creek] is one in every of my all-time favourite bourbons,” says Baker. “There’s a be aware paying homage to spiced, roasted nuts, with heat vanilla, brown sugar, inexperienced peppercorn, and baking spice that I like juxtaposing with one thing verdant like herbs.” 

In case you like your Juleps made with high-octane bourbon, think about choosing up one in every of Knob Creek’s 9-year-old, 120-proof, single-barrel choices. In case you favor oaky sweetness, Knob Creek 12 is one other glorious possibility.

Blanton’s Takara Gold

The Kentucky Derby has a well-earned status for extravagance and there are few bourbons as extravagant as Blanton’s Takara Gold. Topped with a miniature jockey using a horse, Blanton’s is already carefully related to horse racing, however this export-only single-barrel bourbon ratchets up the opulence. For a Mint Julep that matches the over-the-top nature of the Derby, this expression of Blanton’s is certain to impress. 

Wheat absolutely acknowledges the obvious absurdity of utilizing an extremely uncommon and costly single-barrel bourbon in a cocktail, however in line with him, the outcomes are too good to disregard.

“It’s 8 years within the barrel giving it a raisin high quality just like Cognac that basically shines while you add mint and a small drop of sugar to it,” he says. “A lightweight pepper end from the rye washes the sweetness off your palate, making an especially balanced and welcoming cocktail that frequently holds your curiosity because the ice slowly melts and Julep tin frosts over.”