What do you mean by saying that Penny Packer is the best bourbon that you've NEVER heard of? Well it's true. With all the hubub over the provenance of certain liquors, it's nice to know that there is one bourbon on the market that has been doing a fine job without all the press. Why is that?
Penny Packer is distilled in Kentucky, but because of some recent market shifts from Europe to the United States, this delicious and well-crafted Kentucky Distilled Bourbon Whiskey was not available in the USA . That is until very recently when it has started to become "imported" back to the USA.
Of course it is Kentucky Straight Bourbon... And it does say right on the label that it is distilled and aged under Government Supervision...
What I know is that this bourbon is 70% Corn and the remainder both Rye and Barley. Each slurp is going to be very memorable!
This bottle of Kentucky Bourbon takes a rather circuitous trip from the distillery in Kentucky to Europe, specifically to Germany.
After that long trip was over, it is shipped back to the United States in their rather handsome bottles to your local store shelves- where it now sold.
In the past, Penny Packer was only available in Europe! They were keeping the good stuff all to themselves!
I don't usually comment on things that I don't know about, but what I will say is that Penny Packer is as good, if not better than many of the BIG brands of Bourbon Whiskey. No, I won't tell you their names, but I will tell you that in a Mint Julep, Penny Packer (with the head of Honest Abe right there on the label) is trustworthy and compact sour mash, Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey.
It says handcrafted on the label and I believe that it is.
You should be aware that until very recently the owners of the distillery- Germans, imported every drop to Germany from Kentucky- where it is bottled from the cask and then shipped back to the United States where it is finally for sale.
At about twenty dollars per bottle, this may be the best bottle for the price in America. I have yet to taste anything that comes close to the smooth aromatics and beguiling flavors.
And under 50 dollars!
Mixed into a cocktail, Penny Packer is a mixologist's dream!
Woven into a Mint Julep with late season mint is my idea of fabulous.
Tasting Notes:
Wisps of tobacco give way to deeper flavors of long cooked stone fruits, orange marmalade and roasted quince. There are dark fruits in there too like figs and plums. A buttery aroma deepens on your tongue with a restrained sweetness across your palate.
The finish goes on and on. It's a very soft drink, perfect for your favorite Julep cup.
Cocktail Whisperer's Mint Julep
Ingredients:
2 oz. Penny Packer Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz. Dark Tea (cooled)
1 oz. Simple Syrup
Fresh Mint-well washed and de-stemmed
Crushed ice in a Lewis Bag- sort of like a coin bag, made from canvas, the moisture is wicked off of the ice onto the canvas making it dry in texture
Angostura Bitters
Prep:
Muddle the mint with a bit of the simple syrup and the ice
Add a drop or two (or more) of the Penny Packer Bourbon
Add some ice
Muddle the mint, ice and Penny Packer Bourbon together
Continue to muddle and add the bourbon and simple syrup as necessary to ensure a frosty Julep Cup
When frosted on the outside and filled almost to the brim with the bourbon and the mint and sugar syrup, taste for sweetness
Add a bit of the dark tea.. taste for sweetness again
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and drop 4-5 drops of Angostura Bitters over the top to finish...
