Celebrating Derby Day With Jim Beam

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Apr 6th 2009 at 4:02PM

With the Kentucky Derby coming up on May 2 we start thinking seriously about bourbon. As Fred Noe, Jim Beam's seventh-generation distiller, puts it, "It ain't a Derby without bourbon, and it ain't bourbon if it's not from Kentucky." Noe knows whereof he speaks, given that Jim Beam, which dates back to 1795 and is now he world's No. 1-selling bourbon, is located in Louisville not far from Churchill Downs where the Derby has been held since 1875. In addition to the classic Jim Beam Bourbon we're all familiar with however, there are some other variations which are well worth trying on an important bourbon-drinking occasion like the Derby: Jim Beam 7-Year, Jim Beam Black, and Jim Beam Choice (above, left to right).

Jim Beam Black is the oldest of the trio. Eight years of aging make for a complex, sophisticated taste, with aromas of toffee and tobacco and flavorful notes of oak and toasted grains. Jim Beam Choice, aged five years, is rounded and mature with added complexity and depth from charcoal filtering. The strong aroma of oak and sweet nuttiness is balanced by a rich, creamy flavor. Jim Beam 7-Year is ideal for drinking straight up or on the rocks, and it makes a mean mint julep, with notes of caramel and vanilla. In 2008, Derby-goers consumed nearly 10,000 bottles of bourbon, mixed into 120,000 mint juleps, the Derby's official drink.

To help celebrate on Derby Day, here's a new variation on the mint julep which you can make with your favorite variety of Jim Beam. Bottoms up:

Jim Beam Jule-Up
4 parts Jim Beam Bourbon
3 parts Simple Syrup
3 parts Fresh Lime Juice
6 each Fresh Mint leaves (Medium size)
*note: 1 part = ½ oz.

Tags: bourbon, horseracing, Horses, Jim Beam, JimBeam, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, KentuckyDerby, whiskey, whisky

Filed under: Spirits, Events, Sports

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andy Apr 6th 2009 6:02PM

All this talk about the Kentucky Derby and bourbon yet no mention of Woodford Reserve which is the official bourbon of the Derby. Woodford is a much higher quality bourbon than Beam will ever be.

JPS Apr 6th 2009 7:02PM

Surely there's room for more than one bourbon on Derby Day. After all, the official Derby mint julep is made with Early Times... I'm doing something on Woodford next.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/lifestyle-entertainment/mint-julep

Dennis Apr 6th 2009 8:21PM

Woodford Reserve IS the premium of choice @ the Derby...Has been for decades. Maker's Mark, another high quality bourbon, has also entered into the fold with a pre mix Julep bottle all their own. Looks like everyone's getting into it.

Spectacular Bid Apr 6th 2009 7:56PM

I have to cocnur with Andy's comments that Woodford Reserve is both a true supporter of horse racing and of a higher quality. It is the Official Bourbon of both the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup. Not a chance you'll get Beam at Churchill Downs or even Keeneland.

I also enjoy - and support - Maker's Mark (bourbon wiskey) which too has done much for the Kentucky racing industry. When I'm at Keeneland (next week in fact) I'll enjoy some on the rocks.