Bottled in Bond Bourbon Reviews and Bottled in Bond Rye Reviews
Today we will look at the Benchmark Bonded Bourbon. The only information available is what is on the bottle: “The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 set strict standards for bonded whiskey. This 100 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged four years to meet those standards. Enjoy the rich flavor and long smooth finish.” So, what’s it like? Learn more about it in our review!
Jeptha Creed Distillery celebrated their 5th anniversary by releasing this Rye Bourbon Mash Bill Bottled In Bond Bourbon on November 11, 2021. Similar to their Four Grain Bourbon, the base grain is their family farm grown Bloody Butcher Corn. That unique heirloom corn, as well as malted rye, give this bourbon some unique flavor characteristics. Read all about it in our full review!
Wilderness Trail 8 Year Bourbon is a small batch, which in this case is 18-20 barrels. This bourbon is Bottled In Bond, so it’s 100 proof by definition. The first batch is being sold only at the distillery, with the second batch to be sold throughout Kentucky. There’s definitely a noticeable difference between this 8 year old bourbon and their regular release, which is around 5 years or so. The flavors are definitely more mature. Notably, this bourbon changed considerably aftter having a day or two to open up. The fruit flavors, as well as the more mature flavors really developed, as did more complexity. This is all around a very enjoyable bourbon, and definitely worth the 8 year wait!
Tom Moore Bottled In Bond Bourbon is distilled at the Barton Distilling Company. Therefore, I would expect that even though it comes in a plastic 1.75 liter jug for 21.99, that it would still be a decent bourbon. It’s Bottled In Bond, and therefore it’s at least a 4 year old bourbon. In addition, Thomas Moore was essentially the founder of what is now the Barton 1792 Distillery, so how could it not be a great value bourbon?
Bluegrass Distillers Blue Corn Bottled in Bond Bourbon is a unique bourbon. Not only does Bluegrass Distillers use a non-GMO blue corn grown in central Kentucky, they also use wheat as the secondary grain. So, why is wheat unique? Well, because the majority of bourbons have rye as their secondary grain. We don’t even have to guess at the exact recipe; the folks at Bluegrass Distillers share the mash bill with us right there on the label. It’s 75% Blue Corn, 21% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley.
The folks at Wilderness Trail Distillery have recently made some changes. First, their core products are all now small batch Bottled In Bond whiskeys. Therefore, the original single barrel barrel strength rye and single barrel Bottled In Bond wheated bourbon will now both be 100 proof small batch Bottled In Bond whiskeys. For those familiar with Wilderness Trail’s whiskeys, you’ll recognize that this change makes their parameters the same as the original High Rye Small Batch Bourbon. Don’t worry, single barrel barrel proof whiskeys are not gone. They will still be available in their Family Reserve line.
I know what you are thinking: “A “value” bourbon from Willett? How can that be? Aren’t they the ones whose bourbons go for hundred or even thousands of dollars! Well, yes and no. You see, Willett is also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, and they produce many brands other than those bottled under the Willett label. Those brands include: Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum, Kentucky Village and the Old Bardstown line, which includes, the Bottled In Bond, the Estate Bottled and the 90 proof version.
I know many of you are familiar with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. But what you might not be familiar with is that it doesn’t only apply to whiskey. It applies to any distilled spirit, including fruit brandy, which is specifically named in the original act. The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was essentially the first consumer protection act. It ensured the purity and identity of the spirit that was being purchased; something that was sorely needed at the time.
