When characterizing Mark Rucker’s story regarding bourbon it’s probably fair to say one thing led to another. The certified bourbon steward gave Lexington Rotarians a taste of his experience involving one of Kentucky’s signature industries.
Mark Rucker, an attorney by trade, admits his first taste of bourbon decades ago came mixed with Coca-Cola. He said that was prevalent in that time. Now, the man who founded the podcast, “The Bourbon Life” can lay claim to tasting many bourbons without added carbonation.
“In my own collection, I probably have somewhere between five and 600 bottles and I’d would say I’ve tasted the majority of those. So, I would say easily 500 different whiskeys, bourbons, ryes, things like that.”
Rucker said he does have a favorite “go to” bourbon, but that’s something he can’t divulge.
Before the significant bounce of bourbon, Rucker noted there were the doldrums of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
“The younger generations in the 70s and 80s weren’t going to drink the same thing that their parents were drinking. So, I think we saw a shift to the clear, like vodkas, and rums, and things like that. I think a lot of the younger people at that point shifted their drinking habits just because they didn’t want to drink scotch, they didn’t want to drink bourbon, because their parents did,” said Rucker.
Rucker said the big rise in bourbon popularity came in the 2000s with internet growth, TV shows' use of bourbon, and cocktail culture. And Rucker said there was a global interest in seeing bourbon back in the spotlight.
He told Rotary members one of his key messages is never to be afraid to pursue something you're interested in, no matter when that is.
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