Bourbon's Blueprint Revealed

[OscarV]

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Ne...y/30070801.asp

Interesting article at the above link.

Researchers based in Germany have picked out the molecules responsible for the aroma of Kentucky Bourbon, in order to understand -and perhaps control- the spirit's flavor.

[StraightBoston]

Fascinating article! (They should have hired some of us so that we could guide them towards the reproducing the nose of classic S-W, pewter top WTKS and gold foil 12yo, etc...)

[fishnbowljoe]

Good find Oscar. Very interesting article. I wonder if this will help unlock the complex secrets of bourbon, or make it more mysterious than before. Either way, bourbon is still bourbon. The best there is. Joe

[Special Reserve]

Oscar,

That was an enjoyable read as it brought back memories of the research chemistry lab days and, of course, tied into a passionate interest.

Aroma chemistry is a lucrative and somewhat secretative (think perfume and other cosmetics) business.

Will

[bluesbassdad]

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Ne...y/30070801.asp

Interesting article at the above link.

Researchers based in Germany have picked out the molecules responsible for the aroma of Kentucky Bourbon, in order to understand -and perhaps control- the spirit's flavor.

Fascinating! I'm surprised that anyone saw a potential pay-off in the study of bourbon. I would guess that the goal will never be to duplicate bourbon, but instead to use its essence to flavor other products.

I first became aware of research into the chemistry of taste and aroma in connection with International Flavors and Fragrances, a company whose stock was a high-performer back in the 1960s. (Show of hands: Who remembers the so-called "Nifty Fifty", high P/E common stocks? Extra Credit: How many lived up to the promise of unlimited growth, as reflected in the peak price of their stock?)

Today IFF is best known as the target of a lawsuit involving synthetic butter-flavor for popcorn, and it has numerous competitors.

Yours truly,
Dave Morefield

[Dr. François]

Finally! One step closer to mint julep toothpaste!

[OscarV]

Finally! One step closer to mint julep toothpaste!

That reminds me of a funny quote by Jimmy Russell,...

"I can always tell the out of state folks at the Kentucky Derby. Everyone holds up their mint julips during My Old Kentucky Home and afterwards drink them, Kentuckians put them aside and get a bourbon on the rocks."

[chilidawg7]

This also means we're one step closer to Yankee Candle Company coming out with a Bourbon scented candle.

Mmmm...

[barturtle]

Ah, you can already get "bourbon" scented candles, though I'm not sure who it is that makes them, but I think they smell more like bourbon balls then bourbon itself. I've seen them at distillery gift shops.

[MikeK]

Candleberry makes them. I think they make them for the distillery gift shops too.
http://www.candleberry.com/Kentucky_Bourbon-c281.html

I order them online now and then. They are excellent. Plus, my wife likes to burn candles a lot, and these ones don't interfere with enjoying the actual bourbon.