Presenting the potations of presidents past

Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the USA

The Man: Outspoken and combative, Truman was, during his time in office, one of the least popular presidents to ever kick his Florsheims up on the Big Desk, though history has taken a kinder view of the man and his accomplishments. He held office during troubled times. WWII was in its final desperate months, and was followed almost immediately by war in Korea and the twitchy machinations of Joe McCarthy, and his paranoid need to find Communists lurking in every flower pot and window well. It’s no wonder, then, that Truman found solace in playing poker and drinking bourbon, usually at the same time.

The Vice: Bourbon is America’s very own gift to the world of distilled spirits. It differs from scotch and other whiskies by the fact that, by law, bourbon grains must be at least 52 percent corn, and, even more importantly, it must be distilled in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Among the standard brands are Jim Beam, Wild Turkey (the ol’ Dirty Bird) and Evan Williams. Slightly higher on the cost-meter are Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, Woodbridge and Evan Williams Single Barrel. Bourbon’s true bliss, however, is found among the small-batch offerings, most of which come from recipes owned by Jim Beam. In this group you’ll find Booker’s (named after Jim Beam’s grandson Booker Noe), Basil Hayden’s, and, hands down the best of the lot, Knob Creek.

Lots of bars in town keep one or more small-batch bourbons on hand. But if you’re not in the mood for a crap shoot, hit a liquor store. The aforementioned Argonaught and Applejack’s will not let you down.