Category: Lifestyle

How to Make the Best Old Fashioneds to Celebrate National Bourbon Day

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Every June 14th, we celebrate National Bourbon Day. It’s a day when we get to look back at the history of America’s “native” spirit and take a moment to really appreciate what’s in our glass.

In this article, we discuss the origin of the day while providing a bit of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey history. We’ll also provide you with a few of our favorite old-fashioned cocktail recipes so that you can enjoy the day in the best way possible.

The History of National Bourbon Day

Bourbon’s origins trace back to the westward migration of settlers from the original colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries. These settlers included Scots-Irish descendants, whose ancestors had invented Scotch and Irish whiskies, as well as English, Welsh, German, and French settlers.

From there, multiple whiskey families emerged to shape the entire history of whiskey and bourbon. Two of those families that have direct ties to Limestone Branch Distillery are the Beams and the Dants.

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011 with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. He is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family—Beam (on his father’s side) and Dant (on his mother’s side).

Jacob Beam, Stephen’s great-great-uncle, was a farmer who sold his first barrels of corn whiskey, called Old Jake Beam around 1795.

Seven generations later, that tradition continues with Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone Bourbon.

National Bourbon Day is a great way to honor that tradition. Every year it’s celebrated on June 14th, which is said to be the anniversary of the day bourbon was first distilled in 1789.

How to Celebrate National Bourbon Day

Much like drinking your bourbon and whiskey, you can do it however you want. For us, we like to gather with friends and family, maybe walk around Limestone Branch Distillery, remember those who came before us, and, of course, have a wonderful drink in hand while we do it.

The Old Fashioned Cocktail

The exact origins of the Old Fashioned are debated, but the prevailing story is that this iconic drink began being served in the early 1800s. Its name emerged in the mid-1800s as a reaction to the increasingly complex cocktails of the time, which included ingredients like Chartreuse, Absinthe, and Curacao. Traditionalists began asking for a cocktail made in the old-fashioned style—simple and straightforward with just spirit, sugar, water, and bitters.

Prohibition brought significant changes to the cocktail scene, particularly with the quality of available spirits, which were often harsh due to illegal production methods. To mask these rough edges, bartenders started adding fruit to the Old Fashioned. In the Midwest, muddled orange and cherry became common additions.

After Prohibition ended, the quality of spirits improved, allowing the Old Fashioned to return to its roots of showcasing good quality Bourbon or Rye. Interestingly, whiskey was not always the default spirit for an Old Fashioned. When first referenced in the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned was not tied to a specific spirit but was a style of cocktail where the base spirit could be whiskey, gin, or even mezcal.

Many became familiar with the old-fashioned thanks to it being the drink of choice of Don Draper in the popular series, Mad Men.

Many bartenders now view the Old Fashioned as a basic formula that can be adapted to create endless variations. This adaptability is part of what makes it an enduring favorite.

The Perfect Old Fashioned with Yellowstone Bourbon

Yellowstone Bourbon, distinguished by its rich palate and Kentucky heritage, is the ideal foundation for crafting the perfect Old Fashioned. Here’s how to bring this beloved classic to life:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and saturate it with bitters. Add a dash of plain water.
  2. Muddle the sugar until dissolved.
  3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add Yellowstone Bourbon.
  4. Stir well until the beverage is properly chilled.
  5. Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry.

If you want to try something different, mix up one of the following instead.

Smoked Maple Old Fashioned

Add a twist of autumn warmth to your glass.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Toasted
  • 1/2 oz maple syrup
  • A few dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Ice
  • Smoke – either with a smoking gun or use an oak or maple wood chip
  • Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

Repeat the steps of the classic Old Fashioned, substituting sugar with maple syrup and adding smoke to your glass for extra complexity.

Spiced Orange Old Fashioned

Infuse your drink with the zest of citrus and spice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Rum Cask
  • 1 sugar cube soaked in Angostura orange bitters
  • Splash of club soda
  • Ice cubes
  • Thinly sliced orange peel and a cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

Follow the original procedure, introducing the soaked sugar cube and Angostura orange bitters for a spicy, citrusy undertone.

Conclusion

Celebrating National Bourbon Day with Yellowstone Bourbon invites you into a world of tradition enriched with modern twists. Whether you lean towards the classic Old Fashioned or venture into newer variations, each sip is a toast to the enduring legacy of bourbon.

Find Yellowstone Bourbon near you.

And if you really want to spend the day in the best way possible, join us at Limestone Branch Distillery to learn more about America’s favorite spirit.

tents and hammock in woods

Your Essential Camping Gear Checklist

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Paring camping gear down to the basics is no simple task. There are many ways to enjoy a night in the great outdoors, from a one-night sleep-out to serious backpacking to glamping in luxury.

Some essentials are in order if you’re heading out for your first such trip. Let’s assume there are at least two of you. You’re not looking to tackle sub-zero temperatures in your opening venture, and while not quite willing to break the bank, you want some good and dependable new gear.

Tenting Tonight

Since you’re turning the outdoors into your home, what about the house? There are only about a trillion kinds of tents to choose from, but we’d suggest the Coleman Sundome Dark Room tent for a reliable and reasonably-priced starter. It’s easy to set up and good by day, too, for blocking the sun’s heat.

The Bedroom

Your highest budget item should probably be for your sleeping bag because, well, sleep—and warmth if it does get a little colder than you’d expected. The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 will keep you toasty and rested at under $200. Add a NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad for comfort, and think seriously about a Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow for the same reason.

Let There Be Light

Compact and under $30, the Ultimate Survival Technologies Spright Solar USB LED Lantern should keep things bright around the campsite. But we’re also partial to the lighted gloves, in various styles, from Mangata. While created with runners in mind, the gloves are great for directing light to whatever camping task is, well, at hand.

The Larder

Make sure you’ll be a regular before investing in a good camp stove. But start with a Biolite Kettlepot, which will serve for meals or coffee and will work well when you think about upgrading with Biolite’s stove or portable grill.

Goes Without Saying

The more you camp, the more you learn about what is essential for your next trip. But be sure to pack some matches (or wind-resistant cigar lighters), toiletries, and some rudimentary first-aid items. The Houmass 29-in-1 Tool Bracelet is an easy way to tote around some basic tools.

Have a Seat

It may not be essential, but a good camp chair will also serve you well at your next music and bourbon festival. The Kickback Rocker from GCI Outdoor lives up to its name.

Reward Time

When the day’s activities are winding down around the campfire, it’s time to break out the Yellowstone Select, which we assume was the first item on your packing list! Sip and savor the wilderness around you and start planning your next outdoor adventure.

Visiting Yellowstone National Park During the Summer? Here’s What to Do and What You Need to Know

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Yellowstone isn’t just some name we threw on a label – it’s a name we selected long ago to honor the wonder and spirit of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Select Bourbon was first introduced in 1872, the same year President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection law. The bourbon was specifically created to honor the park’s beautiful landscapes, vast wilderness, and the pioneering spirit of those who first explored its interior. We like to think those hardy individuals would have loved sitting back with a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon while spinning yarns about their escapades across the park.

Of course, now, Yellowstone National Park is a little more visitor-friendly than it was back in the 1870s — but that doesn’t mean that a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon won’t still pair perfectly with a visit to the park (though be sure to do so safely; save that cocktail for when you’re back at the lodge or ranch).

If you’re heading to Yellowstone National Park this summer, here’s what you need to know and how to experience the rugged, historical aspects of this great spot on the map.

See the Top Sights

It’s no secret that Yellowstone can get crowded, and it’s no wonder why. If you’ve never visited Yellowstone National Park before, you’ll want to see the same sights that draw in millions of tourists annually. The top spots within the park include Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. All these will deliver breathtaking views you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

These spots are great, and you should 100% check them out. However, everyone knows about these, and you can find information about them just about anywhere.

So, let’s discuss some other places worth exploring.

The Lesser-Known Areas

To get in some quieter views, visit some of the less-crowded spots in the park if you’ve got the time. With 2 million acres, the park does have them, despite what you might think when you first visit Old Faithful. You may have to strap on your hiking boots and channel your inner sense of adventure to reach them, but the effort will be well worth it.

Try a hike out to Shoshone Geyser Basin. Or, go wildlife watching in the remote Lamar Valley, sometimes called the Serengeti of North America; keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, bear, wolves, and other animals that call the park home.

Did you pack your swimsuit? Then take a dip in Boiling River, one of the few places where you can legally swim in the park.

Take a Professional Park Tour

The official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Forever, offers a range of programming to experience the park beyond what you can plan on your own. The organization’s private tours cover everything you need — delicious breakfast and lunch in the field, transportation services, equipment like high-powered scopes and binoculars, and more.

Your private tour is planned around what you want to experience most during your visit, whether that be wildlife watching and photography, backcountry hiking, or any other adventure the park offers.

Stay Longer or Come Back Soon

Don’t just stop by the park for a single day and then go on your way. Spending a night (or a few!) in the park will allow you to enjoy the park’s attractions more leisurely. You can’t beat a stay at the Old Faithful Inn, built in the early 1900s and one of the largest log structures in the world.

If you can’t stay, come back and explore more of the park.

Can’t Get Away?

There are still ways for you to support our national park system from afar — like when you add the Yellowstone family of spirits to your bar cart. Yellowstone Bourbon is a proud supporter of and one of the largest annual corporate donors to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), which independently works to strengthen and protect our park systems.

This year alone, we’ve donated $250,000 to the NPCA to aid in the organization’s tireless work.

Whether you’re actively planning your exploratory excursion to Yellowstone National Park this season or have added it to your travel bucket list, when you sip a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon, it’s almost as good as being there.

Find Yellowstone Bourbon near you, or visit Limestone Branch Distillery for a tour!