Name: Taconic Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond
Color: Brown
Nose: Corn, vanilla, dark fruits, orange, oak
Taste: Corn, caramel, vanilla, apricot/orange, cream, dry oak
Taconic Distillery’s “Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled in Bond” is from the Hudson Valley area of New York and was sent to me to review. Straight Bourbon is non-aged stated, but is aged 4.25 years in Independent Stave cooper select Char #3, and bottled at 50% abv. The mash bill is 70% corn / 25% rye / 5% barley. The barrels are rested in shipping containers which increase the temperature swings during the aging process. The higher temperatures created more intense flavors and at 100 proof it is well balanced and easy to drink. The expression is “bottled in bond” is a legal term that requires three conditions to be met:
- Produced in a single distillation season by a single distillery.
- Matured in a US Bonded warehouse for a minimum 4 years.
- Bottled at 50% abv.
The reason for this method originates from the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act which was created to protect the authenticity and integrity of American spirits. Boot leggers were getting creative back in the day and producing gut rot dog shit whiskey and the government wanted to protect actual hard working distillers’ products. Ironically, 23 years later, alcohol sales would be banned under Prohibition for 13 long years. This led to more boot legging and a massive rise in criminal organizations. The road to hell has always been paved with good intentions.
I was in Kentucky a couple of weeks ago doing my yearly visit and tasting and I can state for certain that Bottled in Bond can give any Kentucky Bourbon a serious run for their money. Taconic states that their whiskey is good for sipping and/or cocktails. This expression definably works as a sipping whisky. The profile is well balanced, the finish is smooth, and it has a nice Kentucky chew. A little ice opens the whiskey up nicely and the 100 proof holds the flavor. This expression will work well in a cocktail due to the proof, but it is just as good to drink neat or on the rocks.
I want to thank the owner of Taconic Distillery Paul Coughlin for sending this bottle and bag of coffee to me. We had a nice chat on the phone last week and I expressed my appreciation for his consideration and the support as an independent whiskey reviewer. I am going to make a point to visit in the next few months.
Priced around $60 and a very good tasting New York Whiskey. Not sure if it will be easy to find on the shelves so you might have to take a ride up the Hudson River to Taconic Distillery.
If you like it, drink it! – Chris
If you like it, drink it!
