Like many spirits throughout the world, the bourbon industry is regulated by many important rules. In order to be called a bourbon, the whiskey must be made in the US, consists of a mash bill of at least 51 percent corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, distilled to no more than 160 proof, enter the barrel to be aged at no more than 125 proof, and be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Even though whiskey purists might wholeheartedly disagree, in order to be referred to as a bourbon, it doesn’t actually have to be produced in Kentucky.
If you’re a bourbon drinker, you know that Kentucky is bourbon’s heart. It’s also the state where 95 percent (according to some estimates) of all bourbon is made. It makes sense since it’s the birthplace of America’s “native spirit.”
While, like many noteworthy spirits, its genesis is disputed by some, many people agree it was officially conceived in 1789. This was when Elijah Craig (who now has a whiskey line produced by Heaven Hill in his name), a former minister, decided to open a distillery in Georgetown, Kentucky. This is where he was the first to age his corn whiskey in charred barrels. Thus, bourbon was born.
While some scholars think this is just a far-fetched fairy tale created to craft the mythos of bourbon, we don’t worry about all that. All we care about is that bourbon, while born in Kentucky, is made throughout the US from Florida to Fresno and everywhere in between. And some of it is even good.
Actually, that’s a bit of a humorous, tongue-in-cheek understatement. Some of it is really good. Like sought-after, wait-in-line, award-winning good. Names like Garrison Brothers, Belle Meade, Woodinville, and widow Jane are beginning to be household names in the whiskey world. This glut of great bottles is why we figured the time was right to highlight some of these non-Kentucky gems. Below, you’ll find our twelve favorite bourbons not produced in Kentucky.
Kings County Peated Bourbon Whiskey – New York
If you’re a fan of single malt Scotch whisky, you’ve likely tried a peated whisky before. Brands like Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg are known for it. Well, this unique bourbon takes a nod from its Scottish ancestors by using peat-smoked, Scottish-grown and kilned malted barley along with corn, in the mash bill. It’s aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred American oak barrels. The result is a young bourbon highlighted by flavors like salted caramel, chocolate fudge, vanilla, toffee, and gentle, peaty smoke.
Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon Whiskey – Tennessee
You can’t go wrong with any of Tennessee-based Belle Meade’s expressions, but we believe the best of the bunch is Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon. This high proof (108.3), award-winning, high-rye, non-chill-filtered bourbon is known for its bold flavor profile consisting of flavors like dried fruits, toasted vanilla beans, buttery caramel, and cracked black pepper. The finish is warming and has a terrific mix of sweetness and spice.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey – California
Sourced and blended sometimes feel like bad words in the whiskey world. But, if you ask us, they shouldn’t. What’s wrong with selecting amazing, flavorful whiskeys and blending them together to make something even more breathtaking? California’s Redwood Empire Pipe Dream is a great example of this. Named to pay tribute to the 14th tallest tree on earth, the brand’s flagship bourbon is a blend of high-corn bourbons between four and twelve years old. It’s known for its mellow, sweet flavor with notes of maple candy, vanilla, and candied orange peels.
Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey – Texas
Hye, Texas’ Garrison Brothers gets a lot of press for its Cowboy Bourbon, but we think its Small Batch will prove to you that great bourbon can be made outside of Kentucky. This 94 proof whiskey is touted as a “corn-to-cork” bourbon. With a mash bill of Texas corn, locally sourced red winter wheat, and two-row barley, it carries notable flavors of clover honey, candied orange peels, creamy vanilla, and sweet treacle.
FEW Spirits Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Illinois
If you’ve never tried Evanston, Illinois’ FEW Bourbon, what are you waiting for? This bartender’s favorite, award-winning whiskey is made using a three-grain recipe (corn, rye, and barley). It’s made in small batches and aged in charred, American oak barrels. The result is a memorable flagship bourbon with notes of sticky toffee, oaky wood, vanilla beans, cinnamon sugar, and gentle baking spices. The finish is medium in length, very warming, and ends with a nice hint of caramelized sugar.
New Southern Revival Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey – South Carolina
Highwire Distilling’s flagship spirit is its 100 percent Jimmy Red corn-based bourbon. This South Carolina-based grain was almost extinct before being brought back with years of research and farming. This unique whiskey is aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred American oak casks. The result is a warming, sweet, mellow whiskey with notes of buttery caramel, maple candy, honey, vanilla, and caramel corn.
George Dickel Bourbon Whiskey – Tennessee
If you’re a fan of rye whiskey or Tennessee whiskey, you know all about Tullahoma, Tennessee’s George Dickel. Recently, the brand launched its first bourbon in 2021 and it exceeded expectations. This 90-proof, small-batch bourbon is aged for eight years. It’s known for its bold flavors of dried cherries, sugar cookies, candied orange peels, sweet vanilla beans, and rich, oaky wood.
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Washington
Washington State is quickly becoming a haven for whiskey fans. Leading the charge is Woodinville. Its Straight Bourbon is a small batch whiskey made with a mash bill consisting of corn, rye, and barley. Each is grown at nearby Omlin Family Farm and mashed, distilled, and barreled at the Woodinville Distillery before being transported over the Cascade Mountains to age in the brand’s private barrel house for eighteen months. The result is a smooth, oak-filled whiskey with hints of caramel candy, fudge, toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, and just a hint of wintry spices.
Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Indiana
No non-Kentucky bourbon list is complete without the flagship bourbon from Indiana’s MGP (now called Ross & Squibb). Remus Repeal Reserve is a limited, annual release bourbon created to pay tribute to the end of Prohibition. While every year’s recipe is different, this high-proof blend of high-rye bourbons is known for its flavors of buttery toffee, raisins, clover honey, rich oak, and vanilla beans. It ends with a warming kick of fresh leather and nutty sweetness.
Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon Whiskey – New York
Another great New York-based brand, Widow Jane has been racking up awards over the last few years. One of its best expressions is its 10-year-old bourbon. Aged for a minimum of six years in new, charred American oak barrels, this whiskey is a blend of sourced, non-chill-filtered straight bourbons. It’s well known for its complex, well-balanced flavor loaded with hints of maple candy, honey, almond cookies, caramel, and charred oak.
Dry Fly Straight Bourbon 101 Whiskey – Washington
Regardless of whether or not you actually have the patience to spend a day standing in a stream fly fishing, you can still enjoy a glass of Dry Fly Straight Bourbon 101. This bourbon, which gets its name because it’s 101-proof, was the first-ever legal bourbon produced in Washington State. Made with locally-sourced corn and aged in charred, American oak cask for at least three years, it carries flavors like sweet toffee, cinnamon, vanilla, and dried cherries. The finish is long, warming, and pleasingly sweet.
Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon Whiskey – Texas
Balcones is a big name in Texas whiskey. While it seems to produce nothing but bangers, its Texas Blue Corn Bourbon just might be it’s most memorable. This award-winning, blue corn-based bourbon is boldly high proof and is known for its sweet corn flavor complimented by notes of candied orange peels, nutty pecans, toasted marshmallows, and creamy butterscotch. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice mix of cracked black pepper spice and sweet caramel corn.
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