Ken, Iggy, Michael, and Doc taste the cave series from Holladay Distillery with Master Distiller Kyle Merklein.
They also broke open the latest one barrels from Holladay, Lewis, and Clark in honor of the explorers who discovered the spring that feeds Holladay Distillery.
Make sure to catch the Holladay Happy Hour podcast to hear more from Kyle and the rest of the gang there.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holladay-happy-hour/id1641581320
Email us at - thewhiskeyfriends@gmail.com
Music by Adam Whitehead - https://www.facebook.com/adamwhiteheadmusic
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The Cave Series: A Journey Through Time and Bourbon
In the world of bourbon, tradition, and innovation often go hand in hand, creating a rich tapestry of flavors and experiences. The Cave Series from Holladay Distillery is a prime example of how an age-old tradition can be reimagined to produce something truly unique. This is the story of how the Cave Series came to be.
The story begins in 1856 when this renowned distillery was founded. Its history dates back even further, with the property's origins tracing back to a time before the distillery itself. On this historic site, there was a cave, built in 1837, alongside an original still house erected in 1839. These structures served a purpose, not for aging bourbon as we know it today, but rather as temporary storage for barrels and a place where Ben Holliday, known as the stagecoach King, would load up barrels of bourbon onto his stagecoaches. Of course, the exact details may vary depending on who you ask, but that's part of the charm.
As the years passed, the cave ceased to be a storage facility and was transformed into a tourist attraction. Visitors would watch a video and experience a piece of bourbon history. Yet, the distillery's team believed there was more to this cave, a potential waiting to be unlocked.
The seed for the Cave Series was planted during a casual conversation between two key figures from the distillery: Patrick Fee, VP of Sales and Marketing, and Kyle, the Master Distiller.
One evening, after a release party (and despite Kyle's somewhat tongue-in-cheek comment about the marketing team's creativity), they discussed the evolving trends in the bourbon industry.
Secondary finishing, the process of aging bourbon in different barrels after the initial maturation, had become increasingly popular. Distillers were experimenting with various barrel types and aging conditions. This conversation led Patrick and Kyle to a pivotal idea – what if they could use the historic cave for secondary finishing?
This idea quickly turned into action. The distillery decided to embrace the experiment wholeheartedly. Barrels were placed within the cave, and the journey of the Cave Series began. For a year, these barrels were stored in the cave.
The goal was to create something exceptional to discover how the bourbon would evolve when subjected to a secondary finishing process. While the outcome was uncertain, the team was fueled by their commitment to authenticity and their determination to honor the distillery's heritage.
After months of waiting and experimenting, the moment arrived. The distillery released the first two expressions of the Cave Series, marking a significant milestone in their journey. The traditional double oak and the Applewood Smoked barrel stave-finished bourbons made their debut.
These releases, aged for seven years and three months, represent a celebration of the distillery's craftsmanship and innovation. The journey of the Cave Series is far from over. With more variations and experiments on the horizon, bourbon enthusiasts can look forward to a continuous exploration of flavor and tradition.
