December 3, 2026
Bourbon: Tasting America’s Own Spirit
Class Description
Bourbon is more than a drink—it is a distinctly American story shaped by agriculture, ingenuity, craftsmanship, and tradition. In this approachable class, certified Executive Bourbon Steward Mike Wilson will trace bourbon’s development from its early roots to its place in today’s global whiskey culture, separating popular legend from the facts along the way.
We will follow bourbon from grain to glass, exploring mash bills, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barrel entry, aging in new charred oak, and bottling. Along the way, participants will learn how ingredients, proof, climate, warehouse location, and time in the barrel influence the aromas, flavors, and character of the finished whiskey.
The class will also decode the bottle label. What legally qualifies a whiskey as bourbon? What do terms such as straight, bottled in bond, small batch, single barrel, age statement, proof, and cask strength communicate—and what do they leave unsaid? Participants will leave better prepared to interpret a label and make informed selections.
Finally, we will compare bourbon with Scotch, Irish, and Japanese whisky, examining differences in grain, distillation, barrels, regional traditions, and flavor profiles. The class will include a guided tasting of selected commercially produced bourbons, along with at least one single-barrel selection from Mike’s personal collection, offering participants a firsthand opportunity to explore how production choices and individual barrels influence the finished whiskey. Whether you are a curious beginner or an experienced enthusiast, this session will give you a practical framework for appreciating whiskey with greater confidence. Participants must be 21 or older; please enjoy responsibly.
Speaker Bio
Mike Wilson is Chief Technology Officer with Interlink Cloud Advisors, but more importantly for this class, is a certified Executive Bourbon Steward from the Stave and Thief Society.