EP 30: Elijah Magnus

The Friskey Whiskey Podcast

Join MikeD and TI as they continue bourbon heritage month with some classic bourbons!

Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon finished in White oak, Sherry and Cognac Casks. $109.99 100 proof. Rumored to be 9 years old. Mash bill, undisclosed.

History:
In the midst of the Civil War in 1864, young Joseph Magnus received news that his father had been killed in battle. With three younger siblings to take care of, he matured quickly and took on the responsibility of caring for his siblings. Following in his father's steps, became a merchant.
He soon discovered a niche market for wholesale liquors, and by the time he was twenty-six he had painstakingly built up a liquor empire based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Magnus prided himself not only on the quality and age of his spirits, but on intelligent and honorable business methods. This is when he produced Murray Hill Club Whiskey.
In 1918, the imminent arrival of National Prohibition caused Magnus to pause his whiskey production and sales. For the remainder of his life, Magnus enjoyed but did not produce fine spirits. His four children grew up and started families of their own, and the story of their father’s success began to fade into legend. Stories and a few dusty artifacts were all that remained.

Then, nearly a century later, a fortunate discovery was made by one of Magnus’ great-grandsons: a bottle of 122-year-old Murray Hill Club Whiskey, tucked away and seemingly forgotten. To make sense of this rare find, the family gathered industry veterans to extract a few milliliters from the famed bottle, to taste, test, and reproduce, if possible. These experts were stunned to discover it to be one of the greatest bourbons they had ever tasted.
Re-established in 2015
Today, using the same blending and finishing techniques Joseph Magnus employed over 100 years ago, Magnus Master Blender, Nancy Fraley, finishes 12-year-old bourbon in a triple cask finishing process using Oloroso Sherry, and Cognac casks. The result is as close as possible to the original Joseph Magnus Bourbon in that 122-year-old bottle.

*this bourbon won 4 gold medals over the last 2 years*
*Murray Hill bourbon - blend of 11 and 18yr old bourbon with a 9yr light whiskey*
*Magnus Cigar blend bourbon - blend of 11 and 18yr old bourbon*

Nose: Orange, honey, plum, dark fruits, leather, buttercream
Taste: cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, leather, pepper, tobacco

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky straight bourbon 94 proof. $89.97 Mash bill 78% corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye

History:
Reverend Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur who built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. But for all his industries, it was his gift as a distiller and an innovator that brought him his greatest acclaim.

In the late 18th century, Craig moved to what is now known as Kentucky, then part of Virginia, and settled in a region that would later become Georgetown. He played a significant role in establishing Baptist churches and educational institutions in the area.

Elijah Craig is often associated with the early development of bourbon whiskey. According to legend, he is said to have been one of the first individuals to age corn-based whiskey in charred oak barrels. This aging process is believed to have given bourbon its distinct flavor and amber color. However, historical records are somewhat limited.

In 1789, Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels. Some claim that an accidental fire charred his barrels and changed the whiskey inside. Others say he stored his whiskey in former sugar barrels and was impressed with how charing improved the flavor. Elijah Craig knew he had discovered something great. He continued to refine the barrel charring process, imparting smooth, rich flavor to the spirit that would become known as Bourbon. 250 years later, he is still known as the Father of Bourbon
Elijah Craig's name is synonymous with bourbon today. His legacy is celebrated by Heaven Hill Distilleries, which produces a well-known brand of bourbon called "Elijah Craig Bourbon" in his honor. The brand features a range of bourbon expressions, including small batch and single barrel options.
Nose: toasted oak, caramel
Taste: spice, pepper, milk chocolate, hint of smoke