Bourbon is as classic as it gets. The unique taste of the drink emerges from the grains used in making it, the aging process, the char on the barrel used for storing, humidity, temperature, and many other factors. What if it was possible to make a craft bourbon, where the customer can control right from the grains used in making the liquor, to the process of proofing, and everything in between? Wouldn’t it be simply marvelous? This is exactly what the new online tool from Buffalo Trace Distilleryallows people to do with their “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” Program.

It starts from the grains itself. Shoppers (or dare we say distillers) can choose from corn, rye, barley and wheat to make their favorite bourbon. However, it is essential that they keep the percentage of corn to a minimum of 51%, if they are looking to make a bourbon. The tool also tells the effect each type of grain will have on the taste of the final product, so that the users can take their pick accordingly.

Shoppers have complete control, and no step in the Bourbon making process is left out. Processes such as milling the grains, cooking them with pure Kentucky limestone water, fermenting the sweet and sour mash, and distilling the whiskey are also included. These are information intensive steps, where the user does not necessarily do anything actively. But, these steps definitely teach a great deal about the excellent quality liquor they will be consuming soon.

Then there is the fun step of charring the barrels in which the concoction will be stored. Now, the char on the barrel lends the bourbon a deep, rich flavor, and the overtones of burnt caramel. Then there is the choice of the time period for which to age the liquor. With time, the taste of the bourbon changes dramatically. Then the tool takes the user to the warehousing options available and also sheds light on the kind of effect the various factors, be it temperature, humidity or anything else, would have on the flavor of the bourbon. Then, of course, there is the aging and there is an option to choose from zero to as long as twenty three years. Not only this, it will also tell you the corresponding change in the taste of the liquor as the time increases.

Once the shoppers picked their choice blend of bourbon, they now have the option to proof it as they like. The step would let them dilute the concentrate to suit their style from bold to robust to smooth to mellow.
At the end of the ride, the results of the process would be displayed. This would include a detailed flavor profile of the finished bourbon and the time by which it would be ready if it was blended today. What’s more? Customers can actually get a suggestion for an existing bourbon that matches their requirements. This is the dream!

What would your perfect craft Bourbon be?