As interest in craft spirits and traditional distilling methods has exploded, many distilleries have opened their doors to the public to showcase the details of their production—perhaps most notably on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a tour of bourbon distilleries that draws millions of visitors each year. Now, one of the distilleries on the trail of their tour is offering a special experience: Casey Jones Distillery is inviting visitors to try their hand at making their own mash.
The mash, the blend of grains used in the distillation process, is the first part of what makes a whisky distinctive. At the Mash Maker’s Experience, guests work together to select the grains of corn, rye, wheat and malted barley that are then used as the distillate in a very small, hand-crafted batch. Once the spirit is matured, it is sold as part of the distillery’s regular production.
“The mash is the cornerstone of any great whiskey, and the knowledge that the grains are the secret ingredient is something that master distillers have kept since the time when bourbon became America’s original spirit,” said Arlon “AJ” Jones, Casey Jones Master Distiller and Tour Director. “As we approach Bourbon Heritage Month here in Kentucky, the team at Casey Jones is opening the doors to the bourbon development process by asking guests to help us design the next great bourbon mash that we will eventually sell. This gives our guests a unique chance to participate in this essential step of whiskey making while building a real connection to the final product.”
The experience will take place daily starting August 31st, and at each event, grains will be placed into barrels that will then be used to create the finished bourbon. For more information, visit Casey Jones’ website.
