Old Things

10.18.2012

Old Things

Earlier this week, we went to Chef’s grandparents’ place to pick up some things we “inherited”, which included important things like booze. You see, Grandpa had accumulated a small collection of unopened whiskeys, but these weren’t your average whiskeys though: they were pretty old.

Chef and I picked out a few bottles to bring home because whiskey doesn’t spoil due to its high proof. Despite the fact that they look visually old, they were factually old too: the bottles had red tax stamps which the U.S. government stopped using in 1985. These bottles are at least 27 years old.

I wish I knew exactly when they were bottled but I’ll probably have to do a little more research first.

It was pretty fun doing some basic research on these bottles, because I learned a couple of interesting historical facts.

On the Cabin Still bottle, there’s a small notice on the glass that says “Federal Law forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle”.

This notice went into effect in 1935 to discourage bootlegging during Prohibition. It was later repealed in 1964 but that fact doesn’t help me date the bottle. All I know for certain is that Cabin Still is still making bourbon to this day like most of the bottles we brought home (Fleischmann’s, Southern Comfort, Cutty Sark, and Yukon Jack).

Well, except for one: Kentucky Silk.

I had a really hard time finding information about it. I found trademark information and I also found one of the few recipes floating around the internet for a Kentucky Silk Pie which has Kentucky Silk in it. But I can’t seem to find anything else about it though and I have so many questions. Was it awful tasting? Or was it too delicious? Is the Kentucky Silk Pie based on the whiskey? Or is it a misnomer of some sort like, Coney Island hot dogs or mince meat pie? I need answers so I need your help! If you have any additional information or tips about Kentucky Silk (or the dates of any of these whiskies), e-mail me, or use the handy dandy Ask box.

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Lastly, not booze related, we were also re-gifted this gag gift: Unicorn meat. Haha.

Grandparents are definitely awesome. They have the best knick-knacks. Especially Grandma M and Grandpa J.

Update: An anonymous question submitter wrote: “Don’t touch that Kentucky silk. May be worth a mint. Dad and granddad loved it and my brother and I found 1 fifth available to buy about 5 years ago. Our dad swore it was golden. Came upon your post looking for more. We tried it with pops several years ago and really is silk. The best.” DULY NOTED! But now I want to try it even more!

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