Today is National Bourbon Day!
By: Warren Bobrow
Published: June 14, 2012

Today is National Bourbon Day and I cannot think of a better day to start out by correcting my morning coffee.  What is that? Correcting coffee is making it correct.  You correct coffee, in this case with the liquor of the day.  Because of the kind folks from Jim Beam sent me this GORGEOUS bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, I think it only appropriate to have a nip. 
I love to start any day with a small sip across my lips.  This morning I pressed some coffee in the French Press and brought the nice rectangular bottle to sit beside me.  I marveled at the wax finish, the crafty label and the brooding 120 proof power, lurking within. 
This bottling of Knob Creek is a vision of Whiskey made by men long gone.  It reminds me in many ways of the Bourbon left to me by my late grandfather.  This is strong stuff.  The alcohol is not the first thing you smell, but suddenly and without warning it becomes electrifying.  You cannot escape the soft burn on your lips.  Then in a seamless display of form over function the smells of toasted butter slathered cornbread comes into view. Someone has spread fresh creamy butter over the cornbread and a touch of grilled citrus fruit. 
I like that.  Leather dominates the overall mouth-feel, the kind of leather that fine English Saddles are made of.  Then the taste of toasty wood.  It's not overwhelming like some California Cabernets.  It's out there- like candy corn at the country fair.  There is also some freshly cut mint in there.  Don't ask me why.  I don't know.
But where does the correction come in?  You can add Whiskey to coffee and you can also add rum to coffee.  I like both in my coffee or tea for that matter.  And having them iced is also a rare pleasure.  For tea you may prefer something that goes along with mint.  Mint is so refreshing at this almost steamy time.  Perhaps a bit of Bourbon?
It is National Bourbon Day!
My coffee doesn't get Knob Creek.  But I do have some Buffalo Trace for this purpose.  Very delicious too. 
 
Faulkner's Gone Cocktail - with a tip of my hat to Alan Richman, who once said I fancied myself as a writer in Faulkner's image.  
For two stout minded friends
Ingredients :  
3 Shots Bourbon Whiskey- I used Knob Creek 120 Proof- It stands up to ice!
1/2 Shot Carpano Antica- Sweet Vermouth
Good hand cut ice
Bitter End Mexican Mole' Bitters
Splash of fresh seltzer water
twirl of orange
Preparation:
Cut some nice hunks of ice and place in two rocks glasses
Pour the Knob Creek Bourbon over the ice
Pour the 1/2 shot over the two glasses of ice and Bourbon
Drop 3 drops of the Bitter End Mexican Mole' Bitters over the top
Finish with a splash of fresh seltzer (to enliven the cocktail)
Garnish with a twirl of orange...  mmm
Danger level 3 out of 5 depending on how many you imbibe. 
http://www.cocktailwhisperer.com 
http://archive.org/details/LesterFlattEarlScruggs-13-73 
 
Photo: Warren Bobrow Leica M8, Summicron F2 50mm