As someone who covered spirits in Kentucky for over a decade, let me let you in on a little secret: Mint juleps aren't exactly universally beloved there. In fact, ordering a mint julep at a Louisville bar is the quickest way to get pegged for a Derby-time tourist. That's because no one really goes around ordering them otherwise — save, perhaps, a single obligatory trackside julep in the name of tradition.
The main complaint I've heard (and experienced) is that juleps tend to veer too sweet. This makes sense, as a mint julep is typically made by combining bourbon, mint and a simple sugar syrup over ice. When the mixture is off, it can taste like someone raided the liquor cabinet and muddled the spoils with toothpaste and table sugar. That's especially true if the cocktail is made with the cloying julep mix found at the supermarket or big-box liquor stores.
