Heaven Hill Bourbon Story on NPR

[robbyvirus]

The show "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio had a story today about bourbon, specifically focusing on Heaven Hill. Parker Beam was interviewed. A nice story, and great publicity for Heaven Hill! You can listen to the story through this link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4851551

[lakegz]

that was a great listen, thanks for finding the link. Makes me really wish I was over there right now....in my next life ill be a jet setter.

[musher]

So when they say that 95% of the bourbon sold in the US comes from Kentucky, where does the other 5% come from? I don't know of any bourbon produced outside of KY, or are they choosing to include Jack Daniels (just like almost every retailer and bar out there does when I ask what bourbons they've got)?

[TNbourbon]

...I don't know of any bourbon produced outside of KY...

A. Smith Bowman in Fredricksburg, VA still distills some of the content for its Virginia Gentleman bottlings. It is vatted with tankered distillate from Buffalo Trace, which is a long-time partner and now the distillery's owner. Bottling occurs in Virginia.

[musher]

I guess I forgot about that one, since I don't see it in stores here in MN. I'd be surprised, though, if that constituted 5% of the bourbon market!

[Ken Weber]

Rest assured that Smith-Bowman does not constitute the other 5%. They are a small bourbon operation that only accounts for a fraction of a percent. I believe they said 95% just to convey that the overwhelming majority of bourbon comes from Kentucky. My best unofficial percentage is closer to 98%.

Ken