C & K Liquor Store

01/24/2023

Whether you prefer whiskey or wine, we have the right one you need! Contact us today for more details. (765) 569-5973

01/16/2023

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." —Martin Luther King Jr.
Have a thoughtful Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

01/12/2023

“Great inventory and selections, along with pleasant, happy, and helpful staff 👍👍👍” —Debbie S.
Thank you for your kind words, Debbie! So happy to hear from you.

01/04/2023

: Approximately 1,300 varieties of grapes are used worldwide to produce wine.

01/01/2023

Today brings a moment to celebrate how far we've all come and to look into the future for whatever may come our way next.✨ Happy New Year, everyone!

12/29/2022

Beer, Liquor, & Fine Wine Merchant

12/25/2022

The most wonderful time of the year means creating memories with those who matter to us most. Happy Holidays ❄️🥂

12/15/2022

: Dependent on the conditions, roughly 4% of bourbon evaporates each year out of barrel aging. This portion is called "Angel's Share" and is said to have made its way to heaven to quench the thirst of the divine drinkers above.

12/11/2022

12/07/2022

Wine and cheese—a timeless combination! 🍷🧀 What are you partnering with your favorite drink this holiday season? We're enjoying our bourbon with a slice of smooth gouda cheese.

12/02/2022

🍷 Wine
🍸 Cocktail
🥃 Bourbon
🍺 Beer
Whatever you're in the mood for tonight, C & K Liquor Store has you covered!

Please remember to enjoy responsibly.

11/23/2022

Impress your guests at Thanksgiving dinner with refreshing beverages from C & K Liquor Store! Whether you go for cocktails, fine whiskey, or wine, we have what you'll need: (765) 569-5973.

11/15/2022

C & K Liquor Store's bourbon has a varied flavor, and its storied heritage makes it a drink worth exploring. Find the best selection of fine bourbon at the C & K Liquor Store!

11/11/2022

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." —Joseph Campbell.

We couldn't agree more. Today, we thank every single hero who fights for our country!

11/03/2022

What is your drink of choice? Are you a wine person, a craft beer person, or a Bourbon person? Let us know what your go-to is!

10/27/2022

Kick this Halloween weekend off with a list of tasty and creative cocktail ideas to share with friends and family! Don't forget to stop by for the best selection of alcohol for a fun, responsible, and of course, spooky weekend! 🎃 https://1l.ink/R3X38ZS

10/18/2022

A deep amber color filled with rich notes of dark fruit, sweet caramel, fragrant vanilla, and toasty spiced oak, followed by a lingering taste of honeyed apple...Nothing is quite like the first sip of fine bourbon.

Visit us at C & K Liquor Store for the best selection of fine bourbon!

10/13/2022

Looking for something new to display in your liquor cabinet? Impress your guests with our large selection of fine wine, craft beer, and bourbon here at C & K Liquor Store.

10/04/2022

A wine's structure, shape, and texture can be just as interesting as its aroma and flavor. Whether you're a fan of deep velvety reds, a light buttery white, or are new to the world of wine, stay tuned for our feature tastings here at C & K Liquor Store!

09/25/2022

What Makes a Whiskey a Bourbon?

Whiskey comes in many forms, each with their own unique distinctions that set them apart from the others. Bourbon is one of the most common American versions of the dark spirit. Just like every other type of whiskey, Bourbon is also produced in its unique way.

Who Defines Bourbon Whiskey?
The legal requirements for distilling Bourbon are defined under the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Basically, the defining factor that makes Bourbon a unique whiskey is the law. The Federal Standards of Identity for Bourbon state determine what is and what isn’t Bourbon.

For a whiskey to be considered Bourbon, its mash – the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled – must contain at least 51% corn. The rest of the mash is usually filled out with rye or wheat, and malted barley. However, this mash must also be distilled at no higher than 160 proof and put into a barrel at no higher than 125 proof. No additives must be added to the mash as well.

Additionally, the distilled Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Though the law doesn’t specify the species of oak, most distilleries use white oak because it is most suited to building a secure, watertight barrel..

It gets even more complicated than this. To be considered “straight Bourbon,” it must be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred oak containers. If it is aged for less than four years, it must have an age statement somewhere on the bottle that tells buyers how long it was aged.

Some Bourbon may also be bottled in bond, the label for American-made distilled spirits that are aged and bottled according to certain federal standards. Many enthusiasts see this label as an endorsement of quality.

When you purchase a bottle of straight Bourbon that doesn’t state how old it is, you’re likely getting Bourbon that is at least four years old but not much older.

Production Basics
The Bourbon industry has undergone significant development and growth over the years. Bourbon distilleries produce Bourbon that is of great quality and value. However, many new enthusiasts still don’t know how Bourbon is made. Here are the basics; read on to learn the details.

Mash bill of at least 51 percent corn
As stated above, Bourbon has to have a mash bill of at least 51 percent corn. Other grains that make up Bourbon can include rye, wheat, or malted barley.

Aged for at least two years for “straight”
Straight Bourbon has to be aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years.

Distillation proof of no more than 160
Bourbon must be distilled no higher than 160 proof, 80 percent alcohol-by-volume. Some whisky allows up to 90 percent alcohol-by-volume, but Bourbon does not. 160 proof Bourbon is as high as the proof can reach off the still.

Barreled no higher than 125 proof
Bourbon has to be barreled at no more than 125 proof.

Bottled no less than 80 proof
Bourbon has to be bottled at no less than 80 proof, or a minimum of 40 percent alcohol-by-volume.

Bourbon’s Origins
The true origin of Bourbon’s creation is a vague answer. The invention of Bourbon is generally credited to Rev. Elijah Craig, coming up with the idea of aging corn whiskey in charred oak barrels back in 1789.

However, historical facts that support this story can be tough to come by. Corn distilleries existed in Kentucky prior to 1789, so it’s possible that Craig was one of the many distillers who helped transform corn moonshine into the modern-day Bourbon. In the end, Elijah Craig is the man who’s received lasting recognition for inventing Bourbon.

There is an old saying that Bourbon must be made in Kentucky, however, this is a common misconception. “Kentucky Bourbon” is only produced in the state, but Bourbon in fact can be made in any of the 50 American states. Once the overall standards for Bourbon are met, it’s Bourbon. It does not matter in which state it’s produced.

Bourbon production is similar to the processes of other whiskeys in that Bourbon improves as it spends more time in the barrel. Whiskey is forced in and out of the barrel’s wood as temperatures fluctuate. This imparts vanilla-like flavors and makes the whiskey have a more complex taste. The layer of charred oak inside the barrel also gives whiskey its dark brown color.

This process cannot go on forever. Because of evaporation, there is less whiskey left in an aging barrel every year. Eventually, the barrel would become empty. If Bourbon spends too much time in a barrel, it can create an unpleasant and woody taste that makes drinking the spirit unfavorable. The key is to figure out when a barrel has matured to perfection without it aging too long. Unlike some other aged spirits, younger Bourbon whiskeys can be very enjoyable for both your taste buds and your wallet.

Single-Barrel Bourbon
When distillers bottle their standard Bourbon, they go to rickhouses where the whiskey is stored and aged. They pull a bunch of barrels to be dumped together in tanks and mixed until the Bourbon matches the flavor profile that is typically bottled. Every barrel tastes slightly different due to small differences in wood and storage location within the rickhouse. Hundreds of barrels can be blended together to get a relatively consistent flavor that matches each batch of Bourbon.

However, single-barrel Bourbon does not get blended at all. The distiller picks out the most distinctive and flavorful barrels from the rickhouse, cuts them each with water to get the correct proof, and sends the Bourbon straight into the bottle. Each bottle you purchase is bound to have its own unique flavors, as every barrel has little idiosyncrasies that make them all unique.

Small Batch Bourbon
When you purchase a single barrel whiskey, you know you’re getting whiskey from one barrel.

In a small batch, you’re simply getting whiskey from a batch that is small. Small batch Bourbon can consist of a blend of anywhere from 2 barrels to 200 or more. The careful selection of similar Bourbon flavor profiles mean that the Bourbon itself is rich in flavor while staying unique to other Bourbons. The term “small batch” is simply a marketing term that suggests quality. Although the small batch standard does not always live up to single barrel Bourbons, they can still be quite delicious. Small batch Bourbon is best for premium purchases and is meant for those who want more individuality in taste without paying a high single-barrel price point.

Bourbon Barrels
Bourbon has to be put into a new charred oak barrel to age. Once the barrel has been used for aging and emptied, it is no longer suitable for ageing Bourbon.

However, there are still many uses for used Bourbon barrels. They are perfect for aging other spirits, and many are sent to Scotland to be used for aging Scotch whisky. Originally, sherry casks were popular for aging Scotch, but the scarcity of sherry casks has made good-quality used Bourbon oak barrels popular in many Scottish distilleries. Bourbon barrels are becoming increasingly popular for aging beers at microbreweries, specifically stouts. Some used Bourbon barrels are re-used in America for whiskey styles (or brandy and rum) that don’t require new oak.

09/19/2022

https://youtu.be/9R9MI7qGoBE

09/14/2022

https://fb.watch/fxtb2-Kenq/

09/07/2022

09/07/2022

Say goodbye to summer with Michter's Summer Punch.

Michter's Summer Punch
1 bottle of Michter's US*1 Bourbon
12 oz lemon juice
6 oz blackberry liquor
6 oz simple syrup
Seltzer to taste
Have mint leaves and blackberries for garnish

02/02/2022

11/25/2021

New to the store!!!!

11/23/2021

We will be open Thanksgiving day from 9am to 6pm!!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with friends and family!! Thank you for your support, from the staff at your local liquor store!!!!