Bourbon Book Review: "Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey" by Charles K. Cowdery

Chuck Cowdery is an American whiskey enthusiast, an author, a blogger, a drinks writer for the Chicago Examiner, a marketing professional, and an attorney. In addition to "Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey," Cowdery produced a DVD about bourbon, named "Made and Bottled in Kentucky." Cowdery also writes and publishes "The Bourbon County Reader," which is a bi-monthly American whiskey newsletter. He certainly had the advantage of experience when he wrote this book.

"Bourbon, Straight" is an unadorned, no-frills account of this history of bourbon. I very much appreciate that. Cowdery has taken the snobbery and pompousness from his book that is so often found in enthusiast- and connoisseur- related books and articles while simultaneously delivering an authoritative, rich story about a subject he clearly loves.

The book shows how bourbon was and is an integral and integrated part of American history. It is so much more than a dry regurgitation of names, places, dates, and locations. Rather, Cowdery illustrates the extent to which bourbon shaped a surprisingly significant part of American culture, business, and even war. Cowdery subtly but convincingly shows how one of bourbon’s best characteristics is its truly American heritage. However, that is not to say that the piece is not jammed with great whiskey facts, like the real story behind bourbon’s name, the actual differences between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, how barrel charring first occurred, and why E.H. Taylor was so important in bourbon’s early days.

Mr. Cowdery also does an impeccable job combining the elements of his book to appeal to both bourbon amateurs and experts. While no book on bourbon would be complete without a detailed explanation of how it’s made, aged, and bottled, Bourbon, Straight goes on to review over 30 whiskeys and to provide a discussion on tasting methods. More interesting are Cowdery’s opinions about such diverse topics as the taste of Jack Daniel’s to the marketing of Bulleit Bourbon. It is immediately obvious that his opinions are given based on years of experience, and are told with such well-deserved conviction that they may well lead you to change your mind about some things.

What I value most about the book is written in the Introduction. Cowdery writes, "One example of [people’s] ignorance [about bourbon], of relevance to whiskey fans, is the prejudice against 'hard liquor' embodied in that very expression. Conventional wisdom holds that distilled spirits are a uniquely dangerous form of alcohol, more prone to abuse than beer or wine. [W]hiskey drinkers are often unfairly pigeonholed as 'hard drinkers' solely based on what they drink. But if I’m sipping a couple fingers of Kentucky bourbon and you’re pounding glass after glass of white wine, who is taking in more alcohol? It is not 'what,' only 'how much' that matters."

Before reading this, I hadn’t consciously realized how this “hard drinking” stigma had actually affected me and how guarded I would be at times about my admiration and enjoyment of bourbon. So, Mr. Cowdery, a hearty thanks for crafting a truly important American whiskey book, and for doing your part to make us bourbon drinkers feel at ease with such a fulfilling hobby.

Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Basil Hayden's is part of Jim Beam's Small Batch Collection, along with Baker's, Booker's, and Knob Creek. Out of the Collection, Basil Hayden's has the most rye in its mash bill, is the lowest proof at 80, and is the lighest bodied. It's named after an early-American distiller (after which Old Grand Dad is also named) who supposedly used a recipe similar to what is now put into the bottle. The bottle is sold with a paper label that hangs over the bottle's shoulders that's held in place by a ribbon of wood and metal that comes together like a belt buckle to form a BH logo.

Basil Hayden's is aged 8 years. Its color is pale, light, and rusty. Basil Hayden's has a welcoming nose to it: warm, sugary caramel is dominant with a peppery, clove-like background. There is also a subtle vegetal note reminiscent of Jim Beam White Label. Mouthfeel is cool, light, and watery. Basil Hayden's taste almost reverses what the nose presented. The pepper comes through stong, with the caramel sweetness taking a back seat. The signature Jim Beam vegetal nuance is also there. There's also notes of fresh pine sawdust and a quick flash of cinnamon buried in there deep. Basil Hayden's finishes with pepper at that back of the tongue. There is a very slight fleeting burn and around the edges the caramel returns.

Basil Hayden's is certainly the most delicate of the Small Batch Collection. It's worth a try neat, or in cocktails - its spice holds up well in a whiskey highball. When you're looking for a quality, light-bodied whiskey, Basil Hayden's will not steer your wrong.