465. Rocking with Bluegrass Distillers in Midway

Jim and Todd take the show on the road to the beautiful Elkwood Farm in Midway, Kentucky, home of Bluegrass Distillers. They sit down with friend of the show Sam Rock for his third appearance to discuss the distillery's incredible evolution and taste through a stellar lineup of their unique whiskeys. Sam shares the story of their new home, a historic farm they purchased in 2020 and transformed into a premier grain-to-glass distillery, complete with a stunning, speakeasy-style tasting room.

The tasting journey begins with Bluegrass Distillers' signature 7-Year-Old Blue Corn Bourbon. Sam delves into the agricultural challenges and rewards of growing their own non-GMO blue corn, which imparts a distinctively nutty and balanced flavor compared to traditional yellow corn. This Bottled-in-Bond expression, made on their original pot still, offers a fantastic mouthfeel and a profile driven by the primary grain, a testament to the influence of unique corn varietals.

Next, they sample the Midway 'Lee's Branch' Rye, a 7-year-old rye finished in toasted French oak barrels. This expression is part of the 'Midway' brand, a line of finished ryes that pays homage to the history of their new hometown. The hosts explore its complex notes of minty spice, toasty marshmallow, and a hint of Christmas spice, making for a perfect sipping rye.

The third pour is a special single-barrel selection of their Toasted Oak Bourbon, bottled for the Bourbon Burn bike ride. Sam explains their double-barreling process, which involves reconditioning and toasting their own used barrels to bring sugars to the surface, creating a consistently sweet and balanced profile with notes of s'mores, toasted marshmallow, and rich chocolate.

The lineup continues with a spectacular Spanish Oak Finished Bourbon. Sam recounts his journey to Spain during the pandemic-era barrel shortage, where he discovered a family-run cooperage that handcrafts barrels from aged staves. This 11-year-old sourced bourbon is finished in these unique Spanish Oak barrels, resulting in a deep mahogany color and a rich, savory flavor profile with a spicy, drying finish that captivates the hosts.

To top off an incredible tasting, Sam brings out a bonus pour: a phenomenal 18-Year-Old Bourbon. This well-aged whiskey defies expectations, presenting not just oak and leather but a surprising and delightful burst of fruit, including notes of burnt cherry, sweet cream, and holiday fruitcake. The episode is a deep dive into what makes a modern distillery thrive, touching on the evolution of the bourbon consumer, the importance of authenticity, and the exciting future for Bluegrass Distillers, including plans for a restaurant, a bourbon club, and community events at their beautiful Midway location.

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, “The Bourbon Roadies” for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!