Day 14. If you’re a fan of bourbon I hate to break it to you but this is not your year. This is our one and only bourbon but it is a tasty one. I am a big fan of boats and whisky and this is a very interesting marriage of the two and it’s tasty. Let’s dig in.
Whisky
Country: USA
Age: 3 years
ABV: 43
Profile
Jefferson’s Bourbon is a Louisville, Kentucky-based brand of bourbon whiskey which is distilled, blended, and bottled in the US by Pernod-Ricard. The brand was first released in 1997.
Jefferson’s has used experimental blending and aging techniques, such as aging bourbon at sea, where wave action can affect the product’s development. It also produces a rye whiskey. Jefferson’s works in four step process for making bourbon which is: Distill, age, cut to proof and bottle putting more time and focus into the maturation process.
The Jefferson’s brand was initially applied exclusively to bourbon distilled by other companies. Jefferson’s acquired Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood, Kentucky. 25% percent of barrels warehoused for aging in 2017 were produced at Kentucky Artisan Distillery. The other 75% are produced by independent distilleries.
History
Jefferson’s Bourbon was launched in 1997 by Trey Zoeller, a native Kentuckian, and his father Chet Zoeller, a bourbon historian. He founded a company called McClain & Kyne after Zoeller’s past relatives, including an 8th generation grandmother arrested in 1799 for moonshining. McClain & Kyne was purchased by Castle Brands around 2005. Asked about the name, Zoeller reportedly said, “I had no marketing budget. I simply wanted a recognizable face associated with history and tradition.”
In June 2015, Castle Brands announced a 20% purchase of Copperhead Distillery Company, which owns and operates Kentucky Artisan Distillery.
The brand began with Jefferson’s Reserve, then expanded with the addition of Jefferson’s Presidential Select, and Jefferson’s Small Batch. Jefferson’s now produces several varieties of bourbon and rye, including some limited edition offerings.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Banana zucchini bread, Ice wine, Mint, Sugar cane
Taste: Dates, Tasty, Bike tyre, Soured mash, Light black pepper spice
Finish: Spice cake, Fancy candy that comes in a tin & is dusted with powdered sugar, Vanilla, Red cedar