Built on a generous three-ounce pour of bourbon softened by a half-ounce of Bénédictine, the Kentucky Colonel is a spirit-forward after-dinner cocktail in which the whiskey leads and the herbal liqueur follows. The Bénédictine contributes honeyed sweetness and a thread of botanical complexity without obscuring the bourbon's grain and oak. Shaken briefly with ice, strained into a cocktail glass, and finished with a twist of lemon peel, it carries an approximate strength near 30 percent ABV. The drink belongs to the lineage of simple, two-part whiskey cocktails that lean on a single liqueur for nuance, and it reads as a refined, contemplative sipper rather than a session drink.
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Kentucky Colonel
Ingredientes
- Bourbon 3 oz
- Benedictine 1/2 oz
- Lemon peel 1 twist of
Instruções
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes combine the courbon and Benedictine. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.
O Kentucky Colonel é um coquetel mexido e forte em espírito construído sobre uma generosa dose de bourbon e um toque de licor de ervas Bénédictine, finalizado com uma torção de casca de limão. O bourbon domina esta bebida, com o Bénédictine desempenhando um papel de apoio para adicionar complexidade herbal e doçura de mel sem dominar o caráter do uísque. É um refinado bebedor de sobremesa.
History & Origins
The title of Kentucky Colonel is an honorary title bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky, associated with Southern hospitality and refinement — an apt namesake for a whiskey-forward cocktail. Like the Kentucky B and B, it belongs to the tradition of bourbon-Bénédictine pairings that became fashionable in mid-20th century American cocktail culture. The exact origin of this specific recipe is disputed.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Assertive bourbon oak and caramel, with Bénédictine's herbal-honey complexity and bright lemon peel citrus on the nose. Palate: Bold and warming — bourbon's grain and wood tannins are the primary expression, with Bénédictine adding a subtle herbal sweetness and the lemon twist contributing a bright, refreshing citrus note. Finish: Long and warming, dominated by bourbon with a honeyed herb linger.
Pro Tip
Express the lemon peel over the surface of the drink by twisting it to release the oils, then run it around the rim before dropping it in for maximum citrus aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in a Kentucky Colonel?
A Kentucky Colonel is made with bourbon whiskey and a small dash of Bénédictine herbal liqueur, typically served on the rocks with a lemon peel twist. Unlike the Kentucky B&B which uses more equal proportions, the Kentucky Colonel uses Bénédictine as a subtle accent rather than a co-equal ingredient.
How is a Kentucky Colonel served?
The Kentucky Colonel is served in an old-fashioned rocks glass over ice. Bourbon is the primary spirit, with just a dash or small measure of Bénédictine stirred in. A lemon peel is expressed over the drink and either dropped in or used as a rim garnish to add citrus aroma.
How does the Kentucky Colonel differ from the Kentucky B and B?
While both use bourbon and Bénédictine, the Kentucky Colonel uses a much smaller amount of Bénédictine—just a dash—compared to the roughly equal parts used in a Kentucky B&B. The Colonel is also typically served on the rocks rather than neat, making it a longer, slightly more diluted drink with the herbal notes in a more supporting role.
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