Bourbon & Brushes University

B&B University Where Curiosity Meets Craft. Sip Smarter. Pour with Purpose.

Pull up a stool, light the smoke, and pour yourself a glass, it’s time to go back to school... bourbon school, that is.

Bourbon & Brushes University is your all-access, interactive classroom for everything whiskey, bourbon, and beyond. Whether you're a cocktail-curious newcomer, a seasoned home bartender, or just thirsty for knowledge, this is where the journey of flavor meets the power of understanding.

Here, we don’t just pour… We educate, explore, and elevate.

What You'll Learn Inside the University:

The Rich History of Bourbon
Discover the American roots of the world's most iconic spirit, from dusty barrels in Kentucky to its global renaissance today.
Whiskey vs. Bourbon
What's the real difference? We break it down, glass by glass.
What Does “Single Barrel” or “Small Batch” Really Mean?
Understand the terms, labels, and buzzwords that define your favorite bottle.
The Art & Science of Distilling
Take a peek behind the still, learn how bourbon is made, aged, and perfected.
Flavor Profiles & Wood Chips
How different regions, barrels, and smoke affect taste and how to pair like a pro.
Explore the Map
Use our interactive distillery locator to plan your next road trip, tasting tour, or bucket-list bourbon stop.
Mixology Masterclass
From proper stirring technique to building the perfect Smoked Old Fashioned, our tutorials teach you how to turn knowledge into delicious results.

Learn. Taste. Create.

This isn’t your average classroom. This is Bourbon & Brushes University, a place where each pour opens a new chapter, and each page adds flavor to your glass.

So whether you’re prepping for your first signature cocktail or diving deep into distilling history, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the school where every lesson ends with a drink well-earned.

Class is now in session. Cheers.

Rich History of Bourbon

Bourbon is a quintessentially American spirit, deeply tied to the country’s cultural and political history. Its origins date back to the late 1700s when European settlers, especially the Scotch-Irish, brought distillation knowledge to the fertile lands of Kentucky. These pioneers found that corn grew abundantly in the region and began distilling it to produce whiskey.

The name "bourbon" is believed to have come from Bourbon County, Kentucky, though this is still debated among historians. Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, is often credited with the innovation of aging whiskey in charred oak barrels—a process that gives bourbon its rich amber color and complex flavor.

Through prohibition, bourbon was legally sold as “medicinal whiskey,” and many of today's legacy brands—like Jim Beam and Old Forester—trace their lineage back through this period. Post-prohibition, bourbon saw a renaissance, and today, it's a multi-billion-dollar industry with global reach.

Fun Fact: In 1964, Congress declared bourbon to be a "distinctive product of the United States," officially recognizing its cultural and historical importance.

Whiskey vs. Bourbon

Whiskey is a broad category of distilled spirits made from fermented grain mash. Bourbon is one type of whiskey, and it adheres to specific legal requirements:

Must be made in the United States
Must contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill
Must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
Must be distilled to no more than 160 proof and entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof
No additives or coloring allowed

Other types of whiskey include:

Scotch: Made in Scotland, primarily from malted barley, often peated
Irish Whiskey: Triple-distilled, usually smoother, made in Ireland
Rye Whiskey: Made from at least 51% rye, known for its spicier character

Understanding these distinctions helps consumers make informed decisions and appreciate the diversity within the whiskey family.

What Does 'Single Barrel' or 'Small Batch' Mean?

These terms often indicate higher quality and uniqueness in bourbon production:

Single Barrel: Each bottle comes from an individual barrel, offering a unique flavor that reflects its specific aging conditions.
Small Batch: Though not legally defined, this usually refers to bourbon made by blending a relatively small number of barrels, often under 100.
Cask Strength: Bourbon that is bottled directly from the barrel without dilution, resulting in a higher proof.
Straight Bourbon: Aged a minimum of 2 years. If aged less than 4 years, the age must be declared on the label

These terms give enthusiasts a glimpse into the process and flavor expectations before taking a sip.

The Art and Science of Distilling

Bourbon production is both an art and a science. The journey begins with the mash bill—a combination of grains typically including corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley. This mixture is cooked, fermented with yeast, and then distilled.

Distillation removes impurities and concentrates alcohol. Copper stills are favored for their ability to remove sulfur compounds. The spirit, known as "white dog" at this stage, is then poured into new charred oak barrels and aged.

Aging is crucial. Factors like barrel char level, warehouse location, and climate affect the final flavor. Evaporation during aging (the “angel’s share”) further concentrates the spirit.

This intricate process requires precision and experience, making every bottle a work of craftsmanship.

Flavor Profiles and Wood Chips

Different woods contribute distinctive flavors to both aged bourbon and smoked cocktails:

Oak: The traditional aging wood, offering notes of vanilla, caramel, and toast
Maple: Sweet and mild, ideal for adding a smooth, rounded smoke
Cherry: Fruity and delicate, perfect for dessert-style cocktails
Apple: Light and sweet, adding a crisp orchard note
Pecan: Nutty and rich, giving cocktails a warm finish

When smoking cocktails, the choice of wood is as important as the spirit. It enhances aroma, flavor depth, and visual appeal. Understanding these profiles allows for intentional and personalized mixology.

HISTORY OF THE SMOKED OLD FASHIONED

Where It Started...

The Old Fashioned is widely considered the grandfather of American cocktails. Its origins date back to the early 1800s, long before "mixology" was a word and well before bartenders were garnishing drinks with flaming rosemary sprigs and block ice. The classic Old Fashioned was simple: whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus. It was

But like all good traditions, even the Old Fashioned evolved...

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Enter: The Smoke

The Smoked Old Fashioned emerged in the early 21st century as part of the modern craft cocktail renaissance. With bartenders and enthusiasts looking to deepen the sensory experience of cocktailing, smoke became an irresistible tool—not just for flavor, but for drama. It’s believed that high-end cocktail bars in New York and Chicago were a

By introducing smoke into the drink—whether by infusing it directly with smoking wood chips or enveloping it in a cloche filled with aromatic smoke—bartenders transformed the Old Fashioned into a multi-sensory experience. The addition of smoke didn’t just elevate the flavor; it told a story. It hinted at campfires, aged oak barrels, barbecue pits, and memory. It brought smell, sight, and even sound (the hiss of the torch!) into the ritual of drinking.

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The Rise of the Ritual

Smoke Meets Storytelling

The visual element became just as iconic as the flavor. Dome cloches lifting with a swirl of scented fog, tableside torches firing up wood chips—these became signature moves in upscale bars. And for home bartenders, smoking kits brought a touch of that barroom magic into their own kitchens and patios.

Suddenly, the Old Fashioned wasn't just a cocktail—it was a performance.

Smoke Meets Storytelling

Today, the Smoked Old Fashioned represents a perfect intersection of tradition and innovation. It preserves the integrity of the classic cocktail while allowing for regional flair and personal customization... like using cherry wood in Michigan, mesquite in Texas, or cypress in Florida.

Each element—the bourbon, the bitters, the syrup, an

Each element—the bourbon, the bitters, the syrup, and especially the smoke—tells a story of place, time, and taste. It’s why the Smoked Old Fashioned is the perfect centerpiece for Bourbon & Brushes: a drink rooted in history, elevated with creativity, and designed to stir the senses.

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WHY USE BITTERS IN A SMOKED OLD FASHIONED?

A little goes a long way...

Bitters are often called the “salt and pepper of the cocktail world”—and for good reason. Though they are used in small amounts, they have a huge impact on the flavor profile, balance, and complexity of a drink. In a Smoked Old Fashioned, bitters play an even more crucial role by tying together the spirit, the sweetener, and the smoke into a cohesive, elevated drinking experience.

Bitters Provide Balance

A little goes a long way...

The classic Old Fashioned is built on three pillars:

Spirit (typically bourbon or rye)
Sweetener (usually sugar or simple syrup)
Bitters

Without bitters, the cocktail becomes overly sweet and one-dimensional. Bitters provide an essential counterweight to the sugar, balancing the sweetness with a touch of bitterness, spice, and herbaceousness.

This interplay of bitter and sweet helps highlight the complexity of the bourbon without overpowering it.

Bitters Add Complexity

A little goes a long way...

Bitters Add Complexity

Bitters are essentially concentrated infusions of herbs, roots, spices, barks, and fruits. Each brand and style brings its own signature blend. In a Smoked Old Fashioned, this complexity becomes a bridge between the boldness of the spirit and the aromatic intensity of the smoke.

For example:

Aromatic bitters (like Angostura) bring notes of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg—warm spices that complement both oak-aged bourbon and smoky undertones.
Orange bitters add bright citrus zest that can cut through the richness of the smoke and bourbon.
Chocolate or coffee bitters add richness, playing off the caramel and vanilla notes of the wood smoke and the barrel-aged bourbon.

These layers deepen the flavor and encourage slower sipping and more sensory engagement.

Shop Our Bitters

Bitters Amplify Aroma

Bitters Bring Structure to the Smoke

Bitters Add Complexity

Since so much of taste is actually smell, bitters also serve as aromatic amplifiers. When combined with the smoked element of the cocktail, they help build a more immersive experience by:

Creating a foundation layer of scent underneath the smoke
Enhancing the perceived spiciness or woodiness of the smoke
Making the nose of the cocktail more complex and inviting

That first inhale, when the smoke clears and the bitters meet your senses, is what makes a Smoked Old Fashioned feel more like a ritual than just a drink.

Bitters Bring Structure to the Smoke

Smoke, by nature, is wild and ephemeral. Bitters help tame and structure the smoke in a cocktail by grounding it in botanical and spice notes. While the smoke provides drama and a memorable sensory hit, the bitters give it context—like a frame around a painting.

They prevent the smoke from feeling like a gimmick and instead integrate it into a well-composed flavor narrative.

Bitters Honor Tradition

Bitters Bring Structure to the Smoke

Finally, bitters are part of what defines an Old Fashioned. The original definition of a cocktail in the early 1800s was "spirits, sugar, water, and bitters." So using bitters not only respects that tradition but also provides continuity as we innovate with modern tools like smoke, syrups, and infusions.