When it comes to making great bourbon, five sources of flavor determine its future. Some argue six or seven, but really these five are the core. If you’re planning to take the next step into bourbon, understanding how it’s made is crucial.

1. Grain 

I like my chocolate cake like I like my horse races: elegant and rich. My Triple Threat Chocolate Cake is a perfectly moist chocolate butter cake topped with a tangy, dark chocolate crème fraîche ganache and then glazed with a glossy, bittersweet chocolate cream.

It is decadence in every bite, which is why I’m making it as a way to celebrate the richest horse race in the world, the $16 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 27.