Old Pogue Master’s Select bourbon

Product of: United States

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This Kentucky straight bourbon is produced by the folk at Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in Bardstown and their oldpogue.com website tells of the story of the Old Pogue distillery and an interesting history it is. However, it’s worth mentioning that the juice in this bottle was not distilled there.

To quote from oldpogue.com, “Pogue Bourbon has a history dating back to the years following the Civil War. In 1876, the original Pogue distillery, Kentucky registered distillery No. 3, was established in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, very near a site often said to be the location of Kentucky's first distillery. Prior to Kentucky's statehood, Maysville was part of old Bourbon County, Virginia, where pioneer distillers discovered that the Indian corn and limestone water of the region made a product of mellow character and distinguished flavor. Today, the bourbon-making tradition is carried forward by fourth and fifth generation Pogues using the original Pogue recipe under a time-honored and fixed formula. Our current base of operation is located in the very same plot of land in Maysville, and we are proud to offer superior quality, small-batch bourbon and rye spirits that represent the prestige of the Pogue name.

That was the short version. For you history buffs out there, here is the long version: Following the Revolutionary War, a few venturesome settlers migrated down the Ohio River. One of their first stops was at the junction of the Ohio River with Limestone Creek, an area in centuries past known for buffalo fording the Ohio River and beating a path to inland Kentucky in search of nutrient rich “salt licks.” This migration pattern was the beginning of old “Buffalo Trace.” Here in the original Bourbon County, still a part of Virginia until 1787 when it became Mason County, Kentucky, the settlement of Limestone Landing was formed. What is often said to be the first distillery in Kentucky was established near Limestone Landing in 1790, very near the site where the H.E. Pogue Distillery operated for more than fifty years. Soon after this initial distilling activity, the region experienced an influx of pioneer distillers seeking to escape the taxation on spirits associated with the payment of Revolutionary War debt. The evasion of taxation culminated in the mustering of troops to put down the protest that came to be known as the "Whiskey Rebellion." Shortly after this time in 1876, Henry Edgar Pogue (H.E. Pogue I) purchased the Old Time Distillery from O.H.P Thomas. H.E. Pogue was the head distiller for O.H.P Thomas at the time of the acquisition and produced "Old Time" Sour Mash and "Old Maysville Club" Rye. The distillery became Kentucky Registered Distillery No.3, located in the 7th District within the Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky city limits. According to some records, the H.E. Pogue Distillery's original brand was "Old Pogue" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. Pogue's whiskies quickly established themselves throughout the country as whiskies of superior quality and they flourished in popularity. Early brands in the late 1800s and early 1900s were "Old Time" Sour Mash Pure Copper Whisky, "Old Maysville Club" Rye Whisky, "Royal Club" Wheat Whisky, "Old Pogue" Straight Bourbon Whisky, "Royal Club" Pure Rye Whisky, "Niagara Whisky," "Belle of Maysville" Fire Copper Whisky, "Old 56" Gentleman’s Whisky, "Ace" Bourbon Whisky, "Good News" Bourbon Whisky, "Lincoln Club," and many others. A newspaper account from January 25, 1900 notes that the H.E. Pogue distillery was distilling 50 barrels of whisky daily and stated,"it is said by those who know that there is no better distillery in Kentucky." Original correspondence from the early 1900s reveals orders from Yuma, Arizona, Oklahoma, and even as far as Japan. The newspaper account went on to report that the Pogue Distillery had "built up a large business strictly through honorable methods" and "enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best known and best patronized in the State of Kentucky."

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 16/06/2012

Appearance:

Clear, mid-dark golden with medium tears.

Aroma:

Musty tack room – leather saddles and hay with a whiff of cellar. Buttered popcorn, maple syrup and beeswax.

Taste:

Dry, earthy leather, popcorn, toasty oak and sandalwood with red pepper corn spice, sweet corn, peanut butter, and vanilla.

Aftertaste:

Leathery, earthy, spiced finish. Indeed leather, earth and spice best sums up this bourbon.