Advent Calendar 2023: Day 5

The journey continues, but not from Joensuu to the west or from Kuopio to the north, but from Ireland to the United States, specifically to Kentucky.

This marks the calendar's first Bourbon. The first question that may arise for many is, what is bourbon, and how does it differ from, for example, single malt whiskies? Bourbon is a subcategory of whiskey, much like single malt whiskies. The following criteria must be met for a drink to be called bourbon:

• Made with at least 51% corn in the mash bill

• Aged in charred new oak barrels

• Made in the United States

• Distilled to a maximum of 160 proof (80% ABV)

• Barreled at a maximum of 125 proof (62.5% ABV)

• Bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV) and a maximum of 150 proof (75% ABV)

• No flavorings or colorings may be added

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Tonight's whiskey is Eagle Rare, a 10-year-old bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace. This is one of the distillery's most well-known bourbons and is relatively affordable in terms of pricing. The distillery produces several different bourbons, and Eagle Rare is made from what is known as a low-rye mash bill (less than 10% rye). According to the distillery you should find following notes from the glass tonight. "The nose is complex, with aromas of toffee, hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak. The taste is bold, dry and delicate with notes of candied almonds and very rich cocoa. The finish is dry and lingering. "