Five must-try Bourbons for grilling season

Summer is here. That means it’s time to light the grill. It’s also a great opportunity to drink some good pours at your backyard barbecue.

Here are five bottles that pair well with whatever your throw on the grill:

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

This is a 94-proof bourbon that finishes the aging process in a flash-charred barrel giving it both a sweet and smoky flavor. With Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, you’ll notice rich notes of marshmallow, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and baking spices. I find that it especially pairs well with both smoky and non-smoky barbecue.

Bardstown Fusion Series

With the Bardstown Fusion Series, you’ll find a bourbon that blends both newer and older bourbons to create a unique and impressive bourbon that goes well with anything on the grill. Its sweet cream, rich bread pudding and toasty caramelized plantain flavors notes create a zesty finish with a hint of citrus and orange zest notes. I find that this bottle goes well with pork, including my favorite, pulled smoked pork.

Four Roses Single Barrel

If you’re grilling with a robust barbecue sauce, Four Roses Single Barrel is the best choice. Its deep flavor of oak and spicy rye goes well with fatty red meats. The bottle comes from individual hand-picked barrels and leaves a smooth and mellow finish.

Knob Creek 12 Year Old

The Knob Creek 12 year bottle has strong notes of oak, cinnamon, and brown sugar. At 100 proof, this mixture goes well with just about anything on the grill, especially chicken.

Woodford Reserve

You can never go wrong with Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Its complex flavor of more than 200 detectable flavor notes makes Woodford a good choice with steak and smoked beef brisket.

So there are five must-try Bourbons to have on hand as you head into the grilling season. Have a neat summer!