12 Basic Tasting Classes
The Twelve General University Requirements {11 G.U.R.’s}
Table of Contents
Tasting Classes in this Section:
Course (#101) - Whiskey 101
Course (#201) - Bourbon 201
Course (#202) - Tennessee Whiskey 202
Course (#203) - Rye Whiskey 203
Course (#204) - Canadian Whisky 204
Course (#220) - International Whiskys 220
Course (#251) - "Tenn-tucky" {the 5 Whiskey Making Regions in the Mid-South States}
Course (#252 - “The Big 3”
Course (#253) - The Bourbon Capital Region
Course (#254) - The Bluegrass Region
Course (#255) - The Whiskey Row Region
Course (#260) - Milestones in Bourbon History
Twelve basic classes make up the General University Requirements (G.U.R.s). They are Whiskey 101; Bourbon 201; Tennessee Whiskey 202.
“Tenn-tucky” {the 5 Whiskey making Regions in the Mid-South States}; International Whiskys; “The Big 3”; The Bourbon Capital Region; The Bluegrass Region; The Whiskey Row Region; and Milestones in Bourbon History.
To qualify for the first level of recognition the student must take Bourbon 201 and any other 4 Tasting Classes. After completing these you earn a ”Certificate of Completion” in Basic Whiskey Studies and the title of ”Apprentice Bourbon Taster.”
Course Catalog (#101)
Whiskey 101
“Whiskey 101”
Course (#101)
The "Whiskey 101 Tasting Class" is the first and most basic of all the classes that we teach at Whiskey University. (NOTE: classes do not need to be taken in order)
In Whiskey 101, you will learn the difference between Distilled Spirits & Fermented Beverages (or hard liquor vs. soft liquor, like beer and wine). You will learn about and taste some of the seven major Distilled Spirits including; Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Tequila, Gin, Brandy and Liqueur. You will be able to differentiate between those liquors.
Next you will learn about and taste some of the eight most popular types of Whiskey; Bourbon, Scotch, Tennessee, Canadian, Rye, Flavored, American Blended, Irish, and Corn Whiskey (Moonshine) and find out what makes them different.
Then you will learn what a Super Premium Bourbon or Top Shelf Bourbon is and how they saved the the bourbon industry. You will learn and taste some of the first Super Premium brands made; Blanton’s Single Barrel in 1984, Elijah Craig Small Batch in 1986 or Booker's Barrel Strength Bourbon in 1988.
“Whiskey 101” is the Most Basic of all 60+ Classes taught
Course Catalog (#201)
Bourbon 201
“Bourbon 201”
Course (#201)
The "Bourbon 201 Tasting" is one of the most basic classes that we teach at Whiskey University. (NOTE: classes do not need to be taken in order)
In Bourbon 201 you will learn about the eight largest bourbon distilleries (out of eleven) and what makes them unique and different from each other. You will also learn about the different levels/types of bourbon that each distillery makes. You will then taste the "Flagship Brand" and some of the most popular "Super Premium Brand" that are offered by a few of the top distilleries.
The distilleries and brands that you will experience include; Beam Distillery-Jim Beam White and Knob Creek Small Batch; Heaven Hill Distillery-Evan Williams Black Label and Elijah Craig Small Batch; Buffalo Trace Distillery-Buffalo Trace and Blanton's Single Barrel; Brown-Forman Distillery-Old Forester and Woodford Reserve; Wild Turkey Distillery-Wild Turkey 101; Maker's Mark Distillery-Maker Mark; Wild Turkey Distillery-Wild Turkey 101; Four Roses Distillery-Four Roses Small Batch; and the Barton/1792 Distillery-1792 Small Batch.
“Bourbon 201” is one of 7 Basic Classes
Course Catalog (#202)
Tenn. Whiskey 202
“Tennessee Whiskey 202”
Course (#202)
Tennessee Whiskey 202 is the third of twelve basic Classes offered at Whiskey University and is a summary Capsule of all things Tennessee Whiskey. (NOTE: classes do not need to be taken in order)
During the Tennessee Whiskey Tasting class, you will follow a time line of how Tennessee Whiskey has morphed and changed over the years between 1810 and present as you wind your way before during and after prohibition. Then see how everything about Tennessee Whiskey changed in 2009 and 2013 with the passage of two new state statutes.
You will learn about and taste both familiar and craft whiskies from throughout the State of Tennessee. These include; Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 (Black Label), George Dickel No. 12 (Beige Label), Uncle Nearest, Tennessee Distilling Group’s Kirkland’s; Pritchard’s Sweet Lucy; Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon and Gentleman Jack from Middle Tennessee. From East Tennessee you will learn about and taste Ole Smoky’s Ownby and Chattanooga 91 Whiskey.
Course Catalog (#203)
Rye Whiskey 203
“Rye Whiskey 203”
Course (#203)
The Rye Whiskey 203 is a class about a compilation of rye Whiskeys from seven different Geographic Regions throughout North America that produce Rye Whiskey the vast majority of rye whiskey in the world.
You will learn about three distinct styles of Rye Whiskey and what make them different in 1.) Maryland Style Rye Whiskeys; 2.) The Monongahela Style Rye Whiskeys and 3.) Kentucky Style Rye Whiskeys.
Then you will learn about and taste examples from the following seven areas: 1.) The Maryland Whiskey Region; 2.) Pennsylvania Rye Whiskeys; 3.) Bourbon Capital Region Rye Whiskeys; 4.) The Bluegrass Region Rye Whiskeys; 5.) The Whiskey Row Region Rye Whiskeys; 6.) M. G. P. (Midwest Grain Products) Rye Whiskeys; and 7.) Canadian Rye Whiskeys.
Course (#204)
Canadian Whisky 204
“Canadian Whiskey 204”
(Course #204)
Historically, in Canada, corn-based whisky that had some rye grain added to the mash bill to give it more flavor came to be called "rye". The regulations under Canada's Food and Drugs Act stipulate the minimum conditions that must be met in order to label a product as "Canadian whisky" or "Canadian Rye Whisky" (or "Rye Whisky")—these are also upheld internationally through geographical indication agreements. Canadian whiskies can vary considerably, especially with the allowance of "flavouring"—though the additional requirement that they "possess the aroma, taste and character generally attributed to Canadian whisky" can act as a limiting factor.
Canadian whiskies are most typically blends of whiskies made from a single grain, principally corn and rye, but also sometimes wheat or barley. Mash bills of multiple grains may also be used for some flavoring whiskies. The availability of inexpensive American corn, with its higher proportion of usable starches relative to other cereal grains, has led it to be most typically used to create base whiskies to which flavoring whiskies are blended in. By comparison, an American whisky distilled any higher than 160 proof is labelled as "light whiskey".
Course Catalog (#220)
International Whisky 220
International Whisky
Course (#220)
In this Introductory class you will learn about 5 Whisky making countries outside of the United States. In this class you will learn about the definition and composition of each country’s whisky. We will begin in Scotland where you are taught about the history of Scotch, the Invention of the Continuous Still and the events that later help shape what Scotch is today. You will discover that Scotches from the six different Regions of Scotland taste very different and why that is. You will indulge in two different Single Malt Scotches in Glen Morangie and The Glenlivet a Blended Scotch in Johnnie Walker Red and a powerfull peated Scotch in Laphroaig see why these are drastically different.
You will learn about history, styles and make-up Irish Whiskey including the recent explosion of Irish Distillery start-ups. You’ll sample Bushmill’s Black and Mitchell & Son’s Green Spot.
You will learn what must happen to be legally labeled as “Canadian Whisky,” Delve into some of the character in the history of Canadian Whisky including Hiram Walker, J. P. Wiser and how notorious Gangsters like William "The Real" McCoy, Enoch "Nucky" Johnson in Atlantic City, NJ, George Remus in Cincinnati, George "Bugs" Moran, Bugsy Siegel, Joseph Kennedy of Boston, Charles “Lucky” Luciano and of course Al Capone of Chicago made Canadian Whisky the #1 selling spirit in the world throughout the 1920’s & 30’s. Try several Crown Royal brands and Canadian Club 1858.
Finally you will get a brief introduction to the world of Japanese Whisky and Indian Whisky.
Course Catalog (#251)
Tenn-tucky; the 5 Whiskey Making Regions
“Tenn-tucky”
5 Whiskey making Regions of the Mid-South States
Course (#251)
This is a Tasting class about "Tenn-tucky" the 5 Distinct Whiskey Making Regions in the Mid-South States of Tennesse and Kentucky.
In this class you will learn about why the Limestone Shelf in parts of these two Mis-South states made them powerhoses in the Whiskey industry. The find out what the differences between the three Bourbon making Regions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky including the Bourbon Capital Region (in and around Bardstown, Kentucky), the Bluegrass Region (in and around Lexington, Kentucky including Frankfort and Lawrenceburg) and the Whiskey Row Region (in and around Louisville, Kentucky).
Then the class will conclude with a discussion about the two very distinct Whiskey making Regions within the state of Tennessee. In the Middle Tennessee Region you have the engine that drive Big Production that includes; Jack Daniels, George Dickel and Tennessee Distilling. Finally you will dive deep into the East Tennessee Region affectionately known as the "Mecca of Moonshine" including some popular distillers such as Ole Smoky and Sugarlands Distillery.
Course Catalog (#252)
“The Big 3” Tasting
“The Big Three”
Course (#252)
“The Big Three” Tasting Class features history and samples from the three largest Bourbon Distilleries on earth. These three companies; Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace make up almost 75% of the world’s bourbon production and barrels in storage.
This class will feature each of the Big 3’s main lines of Bourbon or Whiskey.
The review of the Jim Beam Distillery will feature the World’s Most Popular Bourbon in Jim Beam White Label. We will also discuss and sample Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Beam’s Red Stag Black Cherry, Booker’s and Old Grand Dad 114 Small Batch.
The review of the Heaven Hill Distillery will feature Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Henry McKenna 10 Year-old Single Barrel, B-in-B and Pikesville Supreme Rye.
The review of the Buffalo Trace Distillery will feature Buffalo Trace, Old Charter, Eagle Rare, Weller’s Special Reserve and Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch.
The three Bourbon Distilleries that make up the so called: “Big 3” included; Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace. Together they produce almost 75% of the world’s bourbon and have almost 6,000,000 barrels of Bourbon aging their combined rickhouses in storage. That figure eclipses the population of people living in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Course Catalog (#253)
The Bourbon Capital Region
“The Bourbon Capital Region”
Course (#253)
The “Bourbon Capital Region” is generally located in and around the City of Bardstown, Kentucky. This area is first to be recognized as an “established region” by association in the early 1950’s. It is the largest Bourbon making region by volume and also incorporates the the cities and towns of Clermont, Boston Loretto and Lebanon in addition to Bardstown.
The “Bourbon Capital Region” includes eight major and medium distilleries and two other important facilities within its radius. In Bardstown itself you have Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center, bottling facility and warehouses; the Barton/1792 Distillery; the Willett Distillery; the Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery (which makes Bird Dog, Calumet, Lexington and Sam Houston) and the LuxRow Distillery.
The Jim Beam Distillery in just outside Bardstown in Clermont which is located 14 miles northwest and the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston is located 10 miles due west of Bardstown. The Maker’s Mark Distillery is also outside of the City of Bardstown, located 14 miles southeast of Bardstown in Loretto and the bottling plant for Four Roses in Cox’s Creek, Kentucky is located just 5 miles due north of Bardstown. A little further away in the southeast direction is the Limestone Branch Distillery (which makes Yellowstone Bourbon and Minor Case Rye) located 23 miles southeast in Lebanon, Kentucky.
The largest bourbon making region is the Bourbon Capital Region which encompasses the areas in and around the City of Bardstown, Kentucky but also includes the towns of Clemont and Boston to the North and Loretto and Lebanon to the South. There are 8 Major or Medium Distilleries in the region as well as 3 Craft Distilleries. The Major and Medium Distilleries include;
1.) the Jim Beam Distillery and the Booker Noe Plant;
2.) the Heaven Hill Corporate Headquarters and Bottling Plant;
3.) the Barton 1792 Distillery;
4.) the Maker’s Mark Distillery;
5.) the Bardstown Bourbon Company;
6.) the Lux Row Distillery;
7.) the Willett Distillery; and
8.) the Limestone Branch Distillery.
Course Catalog (#254)
The Bluegrass Region
“The Bluegrass Region”
Course (#254)
The “Bluegrass Region” is generally located in and around the City of Lexington, Kentucky. This region is known for being the oldest Bourbon making region in terms of having two very old distilleries. The Bluegrass Region incorporates the cities and towns of Frankfort, Kentucky; Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and Versailles, Kentucky in addition to Lexington. This region encompasses the area formerly known as “Bourbon County” before it was chopped up into 15 other counties within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The “Bluegrass Region” includes four major, two medium and six craft distilleries within its radius. In Lexington itself is AllTech Distilling Company makes Town Branch and then Wilderness Trail is in Danville. Just 11 miles due east of Lexington in Versailles, Kentucky is the Major Bourbon Distillery of Woodford Reserve Distillery owned by beverage giant Brown-Forman.
The oldest continually operated Bourbon Distillery in the world is the Buffalo Trace Distillery which is located in Frankfort, Kentucky some 24 miles northwest of Lexington while two other Major Bourbon Distilleries are the Wild Turkey Distillery and the Four Roses Distillery both located in Lawrenceburg located 21 miles due west of Lexington. The two medium distilleries are Wilderness Trail and Town Branch.
There are also six small craft distilleries in and around Lexington that include: the James E. Peeper Distillery, Castle & Key Distillery, Glenn's Creek Distillery, Three Boys Farm Distillery, Barrel House Distillery, the Bluegrass Distillery, Hartsfield & Comp. and Kentucky Mist distilleries.
The Bluegrass Region is located in and around Lexington, Kentucky including the cities of Frankfort and Lawrenceburg. It has 4 Major and 1 Medium Distillery as well as 5 Craft Distilleries. The Major and Medium Distilleries include;
1.) the Buffalo Trace Distillery;
2.) the Wild Turkey Distillery,
3.) the Woodford Reserve Distillery,
4.) the Four Roses Distillery and
5.) the Town Branch Distillery at AllTech.
Course Catalog (#255)
The Whiskey Row Region
“The Whiskey Row Region”
Course (#255)
The “Whiskey Row Region” is generally located in and around the City of Louisville, Kentucky. This region was of huge historic significance before prohibition and then virtually disappeared until September 2013 when Heaven Hill opened the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. The Resurgence of bourbon distillery openings has re-established the third bourbon making region and re-christened itself again as the “Whiskey Row Region.”
Since then the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse opened in September 2016, the Angel Envy Distillery opened in December 2016, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience opened at the old Stitzel-Weller Distillery location in March 2017, the Old Forester Distillery in June 2018 and the Rabbit Hole Distillery in May 2018.
The Michter’s Distillery opened in August 2015 and the M1 Visitors’ Center on Whiskey Row itself opened in November 2018. The Kentucky Artisan Distillery (the onsite distillery that makes some of Jefferson’s Bourbons and whiskies) opened in December 2012 and its visitors’ center opened in May 2015 is some 21 miles northeast of Louisville in Crestwood, Kentucky is also considered to be part of the “Whiskey Row Region.”
The Bulleit Distillery opened in Shelbyville, Kentucky 21 miles due east in May 2018 with the visitors’ center opening in March 2019. A few other craft distilleries such as Peerless Distilling Company opened in June 2015 while the Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey and the Boundry Oak Distillery also opened.
The Whiskey Row Region is located in and around Louisville, Kentucky including the cities of Shively, Crestwood and Shelbyville. It has Major, Medium Distillery as well as Craft Distilleries. The Major and Medium Distilleries include;
1.) the Bernheim Distillery and 2.) the Evan Williams Artisan Distillery owned by Heaven Hill;
3.) the Old Forester Distillery and 4.) the Brown-Forman Distillery both in Louisville and 5.) the Early Times Distillery in Shively. All three distilleries are owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation;
6.) the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively and 7.) Bulleit Distilleries in Shelbyville both owned by Diageo;
Additionally there are several Medium and Craft Distilleries located right on Whiskey Row itself in Louisville include; 8.) the Michter’s Distillery, 9.) the Angel’s Envy Distillery, 10.) the Peerless Distillery and 11.) the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Craft Still..
Course Catalog (#260)
Milestones in Bourbon History
Milestones in Bourbon History
Course (#260)
Milestones in Bourbon History traces the world’s history and documents 30 dates that had a significant impact on the Bourbon Industry. Course #260 digs all the way back to 200 A.D. when humans distilled water for the very first time. It will discuss the origins of Whiskey and back in 1250 when Franciscan Monks began to loosen the alcohol from grains.
Milestones will take you though a journey in American History from 1707 when many famous Catholic families began make distilled spirits in North America for the first time. It will wind through he formative years between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War when Bourbon was discovered and review the Whiskey Rebellion. You will learn about Dr. James Crow and the Sour Mash method, the first bottled Bourbon and and perfecting the Column still. You will learn the story behind Pappy Van Winkle and how Frank Sinatra had a huge influence on the whiskey industry.
You will discover The Buddha of Bourbon and the Baker Maker of Maker’s Mark in the 1950’s. You will learn about the Bourbon Depression, The Bourbon Renaissance, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Secondary (Black) Market all the way up to 2018 when “Sticker Mania” became an obsession for many in the Barrel Picking community.
