the bardstown legend booker noe

When I was young, my dad would take me to visit construction projects he was working on after the workday had closed.

One evening, we stopped by a property where he was building a pavilion. As we walked up the driveway, the screen door to the house opened and someone said “You look like you could use a drink”.

It was Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s grandson.

Booker was the Master Distiller at Jim Beam for 40 years, and also created his own bourbon, appropriately named, “Booker's Bourbon”. He helped revitalize the bourbon business, which had been battered by the rising popularity of gin and vodka, in the 1960's and 1970's.

My dad and I sat down at the kitchen table with Booker and his wife, and he offered my dad a drink. Booker announced that there was only one way to enjoy bourbon.

He proceeded to pour an ounce of bourbon into a glass and followed it with an ounce of ice cold water from a glass pitcher.  Booker emphasized that the ice had to be freshly melted to ensure the water was just around that 32 degree temperature.

Booker insisted this was the best way to enjoy bourbon, as the ice water opened up the notes of the bourbon so you could get the full flavor.

That was a special day with my dad, because not only did I get to meet the famous Booker Noe, but I got a crash course in how to enjoy bourbon (when I became old enough to partake) and how special it is to be a Kentucky native.  Of course, at the time I had no idea who he was or his relevance, but it is now a fond memory that my dad and I share and speak of often.

Do you have a story about meeting a local legend?

I love hearing stories like these, so please share below in the comments!

I’m sure we all have a couple fun tales to be told!