From Blue Blazers, to Bourbon on the Rocks

Since my younger days, I never cared much for Bourbon. When I started drinking at around 17, it was mostly beer, or maybe a bottle of Boones Farm Wine if we could score it. When it came to whiskey, there were always a couple of guys pushing it, but we generally stayed away from it – too drunk too quick…

And then someone introduced us to a drink called a Blue Blazer. A Blue Blazer (for us) was a shot of Southern Comfort you lit with a match, and then drank in one swallow. Howard and I had those a couple of times and thought they were great. We also introduced our friend Dale to them, and decided to have a bit of fun. Instead of one shot, we poured him two and lit it. As he tried to swallow the drink, he couldn’t get it all down and coughed up some blue globules of flame, which we all thought was pretty funny. At some point, we outgrew Blue Blazers and the hilarity of watching a friend spit flaming liquid out his mouth.

I also remember trying Bourbon and Coke, or Jack and Coke (it sounded cooler) several times in high school and then later at West Point. In my memory, the bourbon we used was generally Jim Beam, although I could be wrong about that. In any case, I didn’t like it. Jim Beam or Jack Daniels, it didn’t matter. It just never tasted good and as a result, I stayed away from whiskey. I also tried a Bourbon and Ginger (Ginger ale) at some point, and it was even worse.

Years passed. I learned to enjoy brandy when we lived in Europe, but still stayed away from whiskey. If I drank whiskey at all, it was in an Irish Coffee.

In 2005, Cathy started a job at Great Meadow. For those of you living here in Virginia, you know it as the site of the Gold Cup, one of the premier Steeplechase Horse Races in the country. The Great Meadow Foundation itself is involved in many charity events, particularly related to preserving open space, and holding equestrian events. As a result, they hold several activities to attract donors or raise money through silent auctions and other means. Cathy typically worked these happenings, and occasionally asked me if I wanted to attend. I usually couldn’t go because of my job, but finally on one occasion, the fates collided and my schedule opened.

On the appointed evening, I showed up at the Great Meadow Summer House. I saw Cathy and gave her a kiss hello, and then said Hi to her boss, Leslie. After a couple minutes of chit chat, they went back to work, and I headed to the bar to order a Gin and Tonic.

As I stood in line, I noticed three older ladies in line ahead of me. I was 50 at the time, and my guess is they were all in their 70s. I recognized one of the them, Pat, and said hello. She introduced me to her two friends and the four of us started talking with each other, while waiting in line.

Finally, it was our turn to order.

Pat looked at the bartender and said “Bourbon, neat please”.

Friend One said “Manhattan up, please.”

Friend Two looked at the bottles behind the bar and said “Makers Mark on the rocks please.”

All eyes turned to me. I have to admit, I panicked a bit. In front of these three septuagenarians, there was no way I was going to say in a wimpy voice “Yes, I’ll have a Gin and Tonic please.” Glancing about, I succumbed to self induced peer pressure, deepened my voice a bit and said “Yea, um, I’ll have a Makers Mark on the rocks, please.”

I took a sip, and…… what? I took a second sip. This was pretty tasty! I could learn to appreciate these! As our conversation ended a few minutes later, I wandered over by myself to contemplate why I suddenly enjoyed bourbon. As I was thinking, I ordered a second Makers Mark on the rocks. Much like the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, “I puzzled and puzzled ’till my puzzler grew sore…”

Suddenly, it hit me. I had probably never disliked bourbon! What I disliked was Coke. The Coke brought tooooo much sweetness to the drink. Bourbon has an inherent sweetness to it. The additional sweetness of Coke (or Ginger ale) sends it over the top, or at least it does for me.

And that’s how I began to drink bourbon. Over the years since then, I’ve tried many types of bourbon. Usually with a bit of ice, although occasionally neat. Through my friend Wayne, I’ve had the opportunity to try, and gain an appreciation for, many different bourbons, whiskeys, and whiskies, to include the Holy Grail, Pappy Van Winkle. I’ve also migrated back to bourbon mixed drinks, although I stick with the classics – an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, occasionally a Boulevardier, or if someone else is making them, a Mint Julep.

I just don’t let a Coke bottle anywhere near my drink.

Addendum:

• In 2005, the current Bourbon Craze hadn’t really started yet. Here in Virginia, there were always bourbon drinkers, particularly among people in the horse industry.

• As a side note, I’ve noticed my last three blogs have all been drinking related. Maybe it’s Covid, maybe it’s the time of year, or maybe it’s just that I enjoy a drink (or two). In any case, I’m going to try and take it one blog at a time and get off this kick.