A Texas Whiskey Writer On the Meaning of Bourbon Heritage Month
photo by Matthew Schwartz via Unsplash
A writer shares how she learned to love bourbon, and keep its spirit alive
As of the last week of August 2020, I didn’t even realize Bourbon Heritage Month was a thing. Before I commit to engaging in self-deprecating thoughts and questioning such as the obvious, ‘How am I a whiskey writer without knowing the significance of September?’ – I remembered two key things: (1) it’s amazing I even know what month it is considering this year has been nothing short of a dumpster fire on wheels and (2) I just got involved in the world of whiskey roughly three years ago.
I’ve always had an appreciation for whiskey, particularly bourbon. In my early twenties, I ordered bourbon neat as opposed to indulging in Cosmos and shots. When I hit 30, I was invited to my first-ever whiskey tasting hosted by Whiskies of the World in Houston, Texas. It was there that I was surrounded by distillers, blenders, and enthusiasts of the beautiful brown-hued beverage. In fact, it was at that event that I came to fall in love with Texas bourbon. Garrison Brothers, Balcones, and Ironroot Republic, among other Texas whiskey companies were a dram away from enlightening my life.
While big name whiskey brands such as Jack Daniel’s were present at WOTW, I was fascinated by the young history and overall process of Texas whiskey. First off, bourbon can be made in Texas, not just Kentucky or Tennessee as I mistakenly thought. Also, unlike those states to the east of us, Texas can experience four seasons in a week, heck, perhaps even in a day. The mostly hot temperatures help the distillate reach deep into the pores of the barrel, which is where many of the flavors and the rich, dark colors stem from. What was I to do with my newfound information? Take it to an editor. The tastings compelled me to pitch and get commissioned for my first-ever whiskey story which centered solely on the big, bold, burgeoning Texas whiskey scene. I never would have thought a whiskey tasting would be the gateway to the next steps of my journalism career, yet here I am.
photo courtesy Gabrielle Pharms
Though I’m an advocate for all things Texas from cuisine to fashion brands and above all, whiskey, I’m also a fan of bourbon giants like Woodford Reserve and Bulleit (which recently won a gold medal in the 2020 NY International Spirits Competition). Attending events such as WOTW bring newbies and experts together to praise “America’s native spirit.” I long for the day when none of us will be confined to our homes for virtual meetups and tastings because it’s the in-person bonding that enhances your appreciation for bourbon even more. That’s what did it for me. Bourbon drinkers come from many walks of life and gaining access to each drinker’s perspective of the spirit, and what it means to them, is so much more natural when engaged in conversation at such bourbon festivals and events.
While the pandemic has certainly affected how you and I approach events, it has without a doubt impacted our favorite craft distilleries. COVID-19 has crushed tasting room tourism, and many distilleries throughout the country are still not able to provide direct sales because of individual state laws. So, before you go out to buy your next big-name brand, think about making a purchase from craft distilleries making really great bourbon such as Colorado’s Distillery 291 or the Lone Star State’s Milam & Greene, although there are so many more to consider. These distilleries have a future only if we can all band together to support them.
So, on second thought, why is a celebration of Bourbon Heritage limited to 30 days anyway? While I welcome bourbon receiving its own month, do we really have to limit our acknowledgement of the art of the distilling and its history to a month? No. Appreciating the value of doing your research and developing your own palate is a sojourn that’s to be celebrated all year long.
For more information on the bourbon scene and its current struggles, please read Maggie Kimberl’s 2020 State of the Bourbon here.