Bacon, Bourbon, & Barbecue!
Posted on Friday, January 3, 2020
By:
Sequoia Supply
Categories:
Grilling & Smoking
Please rise, remove your hats, and raise your glasses to Bacon, Bourbon and Barbecue! God Bless America I say! Fewer consumable combinations are woven into the very fabric of all that makes America great than this towering trifecta of tastiness! A virtual ‘Kentucky Kevlar’ of fabric born in the great southern heartland that has spread to every one of these United States, assuming the unique characteristics of the indigenous locals along the way.
Now some will contend, why bourbon and not beer? After all, odds are that one is much more likely to find cans of cold brew occupying the opposing hand to the BBQ spatula in front of any given grill in backyard America, than they are to find a glorious glass of bourbon. True, but that doesn’t make it right. Time to up your game!
The barrel-aged distilled spirit of bourbon made its American origins in Kentucky in the 1870's. Although bourbon may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the American South and with Kentucky in particular. Recognized in 1964 by the United States Congress as a "distinctive product of the United States", bourbon’s popularity is surging.
In fact, sales of American whiskey grew $252 million to $3.4 billion in 2017, or 8.1 percent, and bourbon made up about two-thirds of the $1.6 billion of U.S. exports of distilled spirits according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
Fancy statistics aside, we contend that bourbon just tastes damn good with bacon and barbecue! And there are plenty of fans throughout history who agree. Pairing bourbon drinks with barbecue is a trend that is growing as quickly as the nationwide craze for barbecue itself.
Kindred Spirits?
Quality bourbon and barbecue both require long prep times before they rise to perfection. Bourbon gains its deep, rich flavor from aging in charred wooden casks. Barbecue gains its deep flavor profiles from low and slow smoking with distinct hardwoods. Both require quality ingredients, time-tested techniques, skill, and patience. Fewer things pair better than a well-aged glass of smoky bourbon and a plate full of low-and-slow smoked brisket.
And we all know that everything is Better with BACON!
Ragin' Recipes
Here are a few great recipes to put on your must-try list! So fire up the grills and smokers, uncork a beautiful bottle of bourbon, and Bring on the BOLD! And always remember the golden rule of cooking with alcohol: If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with it!
Tagged:Smokers, Grills, Grilling, Barbecue, BBQ, Grill and Smoker Recipes, Bacon, Bourbon