O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Review (2024)

O.H. Ingram River Aged
2024 Flagship Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 6 Years 6 Months
117.7 Proof
MSRP: $79.99
Review

We hope you enjoy our O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Whiskey Review (2024)!

O.H. Ingram Bourbon is Mellowed on the Mississippi

O.H. Ingram, founded in 2015, is unique in that they age their whiskey in rickhouses floating on the Mississippi River. The rickhouses were constructed in former grain barges, which are now moored in the river in Columbus, KY. The theory behind the process is that the microclimate and humidity of the Mississippi River, along with the constant motion from the river creates complexity through a unique interaction between whiskey and oak. The company refers to this river aging as “Mellowed on the Mississippi”.

Flagship Bourbon is an Annual Release

Every year O.H. Ingram releases their Flagship Bourbon, meant to be their premier bourbon of the year. The barrels are carefully selected by Founder Hank Ingram and Master Blender Scott Beyer, for their quality and flavor profiles. This year’s release consists of only 6 barrels, which, interestingly, is half the number of barrels used for last year’s release. Therefore, supplies will be quite limited.

Tasting Notes – O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Whiskey Review (2024)

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Sweet cherry candy and dark cherries; rich toffee; hints of sugar cookies; vanilla; baking spices and cloves; touch of oak and tart orange peel; noticeable alcohol vapor, but appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Moderately sweet; Demerara sugar simple syrup; cherries; dark caramel; dry oak; tart orange peel
👉🏻Finish: Rapidly growing and lingering white pepper spice; increasingly dry with tart orange, dry oak and barrel char; long; moderate warmth

The nose of O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon (2024) has sweet cherry candy, but dark cherries, too. They are on a background of rich toffee and vanilla, with hints of sugar cookies and just a touch of oak. There are some spicier flavors, too, with mild tart orange peel, baking spices and cloves. The alcohol vapor is fairly strong, but appropriate for the fairly high 117+ proof.

The taste starts of moderately sweet, with Demerara sugar simple syrup and sweet cherries, rapidly joined by dark caramel, tart orange peel and dry oak. A short time later, white pepper spice builds and the mouthfeel turns dry. Spice, dry oak and barrel char dominate the long finish. In the end, there remains lingering spice and mild smoky barrel char, with a pleasant warmth in my chest.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Interestingly, on the first day that I opened the bottle, I felt the alcohol vapor was quite strong, almost overwhelming the flavors in the nose. However, by the second day, the intensity of the alcohol had significantly diminished, and the remaining flavors became more rich. I actually had a similar experience when I tasted this bourbon at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Patience is definitely rewarded with the 2024 O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon, as the flavors open up very nicely, if given a little bit of time.

O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon 2024 is Quite Different Than the 2023 Release

I did a brief side by side comparison with the O.H. Ingram 2023 Flagship Bourbon, and it was quite interesting. Last year’s relaase had more apples, pears and caramel, although some of the flavors, such as orange peel, spice and mild barrel char are similar to this year’s. This year’s version is less sweet from the start, with cherries instead of apples and pears, and with more dryness, dry oak and barrel char later on. While it would be nice to assume that it is the extra year on the river that made the difference, it is more than that. The 2023 release was distilled in Indiana, whereas the 2024 release is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Barrel selection certainly plays a role, as well. Nonetheless, similar to last year’s Flagship Bourbon, they are both quite enjoyable and perfect for this time of year.

Conclusion – O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Whiskey Review (2024)

I have to say, on the first day, I had my doubts about this bourbon. However, by the second day, I am really enjoying it. Once the flavors open up, Flagship 2024 has a rich complexity, starting with a pleasant combination of confectionary flavors, cherries, and tart orange peel, and culminating with a dry, spicy finish with a bit of barrel char, as well. If those flavors sound like something you would enjoy, then give O.H. Ingram 2024 Flagship Bourbon a try! Have you had it? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Whiskey Review (2024)! If you would like to read about more whiskeys from this distillery, check out our O.H. Ingram River Aged Rye Review, our OH Ingram River Aged Bourbon Review and our O.H. Ingram Flagship Bourbon Review (2023)!

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the brand for my review.

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