Local author presents 'Common Man's Guide to Straight Kentucky Bourbon'

“I know folks all have a tizzy about it, but I like a little bourbon of an evening. It helps me sleep. I don't much care what they say about it.” 

– Lillian Carter, mother of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

The mother of former President Jimmy Carter was a bourbon drinker and she didn't care who knew it.

J.L. Thompson is a bourbon connoisseur and he wants you to know it.

In fact, Thompson has just written a new book on the subject of Kentucky's famous bourbon distilleries.

"The Common Man's Guide to Straight Kentucky Bourbon," was published by Savannah-Knox Publishing of Prospect Road, Hillsboro, and edited by Carol Cartaino of White Oak Edition of Seaman.

Thompson said the book is intended to be "conversational" in style and practical in its application to Kentucky bourbons.

Thompson, 56, is a U.S. Army veteran, tool maker and the owner of Wings and Strings, a gun and archery business.

He says he was a heavy drinker in his younger days. He stopped drinking for five years. "Then, one day, I discovered that I could drink bourbon just for the enjoyment of the taste and aroma, and I didn't need to drink 'til I dropped."

Throughout the book and during this interview about it, Thompson stresses the importance of responsible drinking.

"Don't drink and drive; don't drink to get drunk – or stupid," are common themes.

Friends would tell me, "You know so much about bourbon, why don't you write a book about it?"

Thus, the publication of "The Common Man's Guide to Straight Kentucky Bourbon."

Thompson brings a very "down-home" literary style, sharing bits of his family history and personal life blended in with a few humorous anecdotes as well as bourbon history. (Even good ol' George Washington was a distiller, Thompson writes.

Through his research, Thompson has graduated from the Bourbon Academy at Woodford Reserve Distillery. He's also an ambassador for Maker's Mark Distillery and a member of Wild Turkey's Rare Breed Society. He's also a member of the Hillsboro AmVets Post 61 at Rocky Fork Lake, the Highland County Honor Guard and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1161.

Among the Kentucky bourbon distilleries referenced in his book are:

• Buffalo Trace Distillery;

• Woodford Reserve Distillery;

• Wild Turkey Distillery;

• Four Rose Distillery;

• Jim Beam Distillery;

• Barton 1792 Distillery;

• Heaven Hill Bourbon;

• Kentucky Bourbon Distillers; and, of course,

• Maker's Mark Distillery.

Maker’s Mark is the only operating distillery in America to be designated a National Historic Landmark. Originally built in 1805 as a grist mill distillery, it became the home of Maker’s Mark in 1953. Today, it is the oldest operating distillery on its original site.

Thompson mentions more than 100 bourbons and admits to being fond of the hard-to-get George T. Stagg, 143 proof, that is aged 17 years and seven months. It is distributed only once a year (in most years).

"If you were fortunate enough to get a bottle, enjoy," Thompson says. "If not, I'll see you in line next year."

For those who would like to know more about Kentucky bourbon, Thompson recommends attending the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held Sept. 11-16 in Bardstown, Ky.

According to www.kybourbonfestival.com, the people of Bardstown, Ky. have been making bourbon since 1776. "Their dedication to the fine art of distilling eventually gave Bardstown the title of Bourbon Capital of the World. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival gives you a weekend full of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment, with a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality thrown in for good measure. It's a wonderful five-day event full of activities for the whole family."

Locally, Thompson has book signing events scheduled at the Hillsboro Library from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, and from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at the Amvets Post, 11541 North Shore Drive. The Amvets event will include a bourbon tasting and book signing.

Copies of "The Common Man's Guide to Straight Kentucky Bourbon" are available at Wings and Strings on Prospect Road, just west of Route 73 near Berrysville, or call (937) 416-5367 and at M&W Books on South High Street in Hillsboro.

You may also send a check or money order for $12.95 plus $3.25 for shipping and handling (Ohio residents add 7 percent sales tax), with the information for the inscription and address where the book is to be sent to: Savanna-Knox Publishing, 8225 W. Prospect Road, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.

For more information, go to: http://s-kpublishing.com.