Ben Holladay is Missouri’s oldest distillery, and after a $10 million renovation in 2015, it started distilling bourbon on-site for the primary time in three a long time. Seven years later, the primary bourbon from these days was accomplished and bottled, having been launched someday final 12 months. All manufacturing from mash (73% corn, 15% rye, 12% malted barley) to distillation to barrel growing older are accomplished on website right here in Weston, Missouri.
At this time Ben Holladay is a part of the McCormick Distilling Firm, which produces 5 Farms Irish Cream, 360 Vodka, Tequila Rose, Dealer’s Gin, and extra. That is the primary bourbon in its lineup, a six 12 months outdated straight Missouri bourbon, bottled at six years of age and bottled in bond. Let’s give it a attempt.
Properly, colour me duly impressed. The nostril right here is on par with something of this age from Kentucky or Tennessee, a pleasing melding of peanut butter, Corn Nuts, and a pinch of baking spice. A slight contact of petrol evokes a way of youth, however the aroma is general fairly easygoing and approachable. The palate falls proper according to expectations, although its extra corn-heavy than the nostril would possibly counsel. Some grassy, not-quite-dill-but-close notes emerge right here, alongside touches of mint, a slight chunk of orange peel, and a extra pepper-driven spice. Once more, some ethanol-driven character offers a little bit of chunk, nevertheless it’s by no means out of bounds.
All instructed it’s a strong bonded mixer — made all of the extra fascinating due to its uncommon state of origin.
100 proof.
B+ / $60 / holladaydistillery.com
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