Jefferson’S Bourbon Review
Whiskey Review. Jefferson’S Ocean. Aged At-Sea Bourbon
Jordan Morris Bourbon Lifestyle Jefferson’s Bourbon founder Trey Zoeller aged three barrels Jefferson’s Bourbon using M.V. Ocean for four-years while they traveled to the Pacific Ocean to track sharks.
The four-year experiment revealed that temperature fluctuations, salt water air exposure, and constant motion of the ship created a unique flavor profile for the bourbon. Jefferson’s describe the result as dark Bourbon with caramel flavours reminiscent of dark Rum and salt water air that is similar to an Islay Scotch.
Following the success of the initial release, Jefferson’s grew the Ocean product line beyond its humble three-barrel beginnings. Jefferson’s began shipping barrels to all corners of the globe and has since commercialized this process.
Jefferson’s says that for a typical barrel the barrel must cross the equator at most four times. It also has to visit more than 30 ports in a voyage. Jefferson’s has begun to release Ocean Bourbon in periodic quantities. High-end liquor stores and bars even have single-barrel selections.
Kentucky Artisan Distillers entered into an agreement with Jefferson’s in 2015. Jefferson’s normally sources its Bourbon from other distillers. This means that Jefferson’s Ocean releases include the Kentucky straight bourbon label, while others, like the one we are reviewing, only have the straight designation. There is no Kentucky reference. Let’s move onto the crucial issues. We will see how Jefferson Ocean batch number 14 does.
Jefferson’S Ocean – Aged at Sea Bourbon
Vital Stats: The subject of this review, Jefferson’s Ocean batch number 14, clocks in at 90 proof. The batch does not carry the straight-bourbon designation. Therefore, we can assume at most that this batch has some non Kentucky bourbon. Jefferson’s Ocean can be purchased for between $80 and $90.
Jefferson’s Ocean’s look in a cup is medium honeybrown.
Nose. Jefferson was a source of Bourbon. The nose of this batch is a rye grain recipe, which has strong floral notes and balances with salt caramel. I thought Jefferson was making marketing claims about a similarity to Islay Scotch, but there are definitely soft salt and light smoke notes that I don’t recall ever tasting in other Bourbons.
Palate: Further supporting my suspicion that this particular batch of Jefferson’s Ocean includes mostly rye grain mash bill bourbon, the front of the palate leads off with floral notes, citrus notes, and a light black pepper spice. In the mid palate, those flavors taper off and the bourbon sweetens with caramel driving most of the flavor. Soft salt, smoke, and caramel are all present in this nose. It finishes with a mild dry note of oak that blends with the main caramel.
My impression was that the nose seemed more to reflect the characteristics of aged barrels at sea than its palate. The smoke and salt flavors were also more prominent when I opened a new bottle. After 15 minutes in the glass, these notes began to fade.
Overall Rating
The bourbon performs very well, whether you drink it neat or mixed with other spirits. This is because there are many other whiskies out on the market with similar performance, but some have better production histories and more precise methods. This company took several spirits from other distilleries. It then created their own label and charged a premium to the customer for the privilege of trying that secondhand spirit.
Jefferson makes other spirit versions that offer interesting features, including unique aging techniques like Jefferson’s Ocean. They are an excellent addition to any whiskey process. Unfortunately, this isn’t what we have today.
Jefferson’s Reserve Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Jefferson’s Pernod Ricard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Prices: $49.99/750ml Product website All reviews are interpreted in context of the specific spirit they belong to as specified.
You can click here to see similar spirits that we’ve reviewed.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5 It would likely be a solid 3- to 4-star whiskey if it were made by the distillers.
Jefferson’S Bourbon Twin Oak Custom Barrrel
Jefferson’s Twin Oak Custom Barrel Bourbon Jefferson’s Burgon has taken maturation technology one step further with this latest Jefferson’s Twin Oak Custom Barrel.
Independent Stave Company worked six years together to bring you the latest brand release. Independent Stave Company, a small-batch bourbon maker, is known for its innovative small-batch blends. To develop a new Jefferson’s barrel, Independent Stave Company (ISC), has been a partner. As a result of a six-year experiment, the new Zoeller Jefferson’s barrel creates an innovative and unique environment to finish the fully mature Kentucky Whiskey. Jefferson’s barrel has grooved staves which increase the barrel’s surface area, allowing for more whiskey to be in direct contact with oak during peak flavor. It is then toasted according to a time and temperature set and flash charred. It is an extremely full-flavored, balanced, and complex whiskey that has been double-barreled.
Trey Zoeller, founder and CEO of Jefferson’s Bourbon worked closely with ISC’s cooperage, Lebanon, MO, by becoming a bartender for one day. Zoeller gained insight into the process of making wine and spirits from dozens more experiments. ISC and Zoeller played with a combination of seasoning, charring, toasting and finally landed on incorporating a grooved stave barrel, giving the bourbon a mocha flavor, resulting in the development of a custom barrel to finish (for four months), a 10-year-old Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey.
“We are really excited to collaborate with Independent Stave Company for this innovative new bourbon,” remarks Trey Zoeller, CEO and founder of Jefferson’s Bourbon, “By increasing the surface area of the barrel, we’ve been able to impart so much more of the barrel’s flavor into our whiskey, creating a unique taste unlike many of our previous Jefferson’s products.” To learn more about the Jefferson’s line of spirits, please visit www.jeffersonsbourbon.com , or follow the brand on Instagram (@jeffsbourbon) Facebook (Jefferson’s Bourbon) Twitter (@JeffsBourbon) . Jefferson’s Twin Oak Custom Barrel retails for $79.99
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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon Review
Scroll down to read more. Jefferson’s Kentucky Artisan Distillery is 20 minutes north of Louisville Kentucky. This distillery was established in the late 90’s by Chet Zoeller (father) and Trey Zoeller (son). Jefferson’s started as a producer of whiskey but is now a distillery. The company blends the whiskey stocks from various Kentucky distilleries to make their different whiskeys. This company was named for Thomas Jefferson. However, the marketing budget they did not have is more important than any historical connection to Jefferson. It was because they didn’t have a marketing budget that the Zoellers had to be creative. They chose the well-known historical figure in order to represent their brand. However, we will forgive them as it has been working for them twenty years later.
Jefferson’s Whiskies is unique in that it allows them to source, bottle and label (openly). Trey and Chet Zeller are able to mix whiskies from different distilleries in order to make truly distinctive flavours. Not prepared to just bottle what’s inside the barrels as single barrel offerings, Jefferson’s take the time and effort to create blends that showcase the finest elements of all their constituent parts, a task that is easier said than done – trust me. Jefferson’s claim that he has a “Very Small Batch” comes down to the fact each batch only contains 8 barrels. They are made from 4 different recipe whiskeys and 4 different ages. For consistency, one barrel makes up 55%, while the other half is used to add complexity. Jefferson’s has been a favorite brand of mine for many years. Today I thought I’d take a look at their flagship product, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch bourbon (try and see how many times you can say that mouthful before you give up and pour yourself a healthy measure).
Name: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch bourbon (Batch# 500 Bottle# 855) Age: NAS (suspected to be a blend of bourbons ranging from 8 – 12 y.o) Proof: 82.4 (41.2 ABV) Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mashbill: Internet says 60% corn, 30% rye, and 10% malted barley – but this might be different depending on the batch Producer: Kentucky Artisan Distillers (Sourced from undisclosed KY distiller(y)ies) https://jeffersonsbourbon.com/ Glassware: Glencairn Review Appearance: Ruddy gold Nose: The nose opens with notes of dry black tea (weirdly specific – I know), baking spices, intense caramel, and dark fruit, fading to earthy oak, slight citrus and floral vanilla Palate: The palate is silky, complex, yet light with notes of sweet burnt caramel, more baking spices like cinnamon and anise, dark fruit and leather, and old earthy oak asserting its influence from the back with a kick of spice Finish: The finish is a long grand finale dominated by dark fruit, old astringent earthy oak, intense caramel again, vanilla beans, and rye spice which fades to a tannic cherry aftertaste in the mouth.
As I continue to try higher-proof bourbons, the less I believe in what they have to offer. Although this whiskey is only 41.2%, it still impresses me how balanced the flavours and complexity are. Jefferson’s hits the spot with this whiskey. It is very appealing to all whiskey drinkers even though it only offers a glimpse of what Jefferson’s can offer. It is an ideal entry-level bourbon because it is light and easy enough to make for beginners but still has enough complexity to offer seasoned whiskey connoisseurs the big flavours of older whiskeys. The one thing I make sure to remember when reviewing entry-level brands is not to try and compare them to higher quality products. As Jefferson’s entry level whiskey, it’s clear that the product is meant to be a statement about Jefferson’s capabilities. The Kentucky Artisan Distillery is now producing its own distillate. This brand has already built a large following for their flagship Bourbon, as well as their limited-edition whiskies. This includes their reserve wine-cask-finished bourbons as well as their ocean-aged Bourbons. And don’t forget about their Presidential Reserve bottlings. These have included stock from distinguished distilleries such Assissi and Sitzel-Weller.
Try or Buy?
Jefferson’s Bourbon: Is it Smooth?
Jefferson’s Very Small Bulk Bourbon is a smooth, flavorful sipper. The bourbon comes in a moderately price range and offers both sweetness as well subtle spice.
Which Bourbon is the Number One?
- Best Overall: Henry Mckenna Single Barrel.
- Manufacturer’s Mark: Best value
- For Sipping the Best: Widow Jane 10 years.
- Evan Williams Single Barrel is the Best Kentucky Bourbon
- Best Tennessee Bourbon: Heaven’s Door.
- Favorite Under $50: Four Roses Single Barrel
- Best Under $100: Willett Noah’s Mill.
.Jefferson’S Bourbon Review