When I set out to make these products, I wanted to create two distinct bourbons that would appeal to anyone’s palate—each with its own unique flavor profile to be enjoyed by both bourbon beginners and seasoned aficionados. After putting my own palette to the test, I believe I have achieved this with both ‘The Bond’ and ‘The Bond: Eternal’.
Making The Best of a Young Bourbon
For ‘The Bond,’ I wanted to create a bourbon that showcased the best of what a young bourbon has to offer. Often whenever we think of four-year-old bourbons, people think about whiskey that has been rushed out of the warehouse simply to be put into bottles and onto shelves. I wanted to take a different approach.
I tried to find four distinct flavors that can be seen and highlighted in these barrels at a young age:
- Vanilla
- Dark Fruits
- Toasted Grains
- Shhhhhhhhhh (Redacted Top-Secret Info)
While each of these on their own don’t sound that appealing, I tried to take the approach of layering these flavors in order for the drinker to experience the nuanced flavors I taste (as someone with a trained palate) whenever I drink a young bourbon.
Sweet Notes of Vanilla & Brown Sugar
The barrel influence often lends its hand to creating a very sweet and vanilla like note to the bourbon. Because these barrels are only four years old, the rye really has not had enough time to become harsh from the char on the barrel. This is where the ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ notes come into play. Since the age has not yet taken over these notes, they’re often displayed prominently in the blend as most ‘traditional’ bourbons do.
Toasted Waves of Grain
Next, many drinkers associate the ‘graininess’ of a bourbon to be a bad thing; often meaning that the bourbon was too young to bottle. For me, the graininess of the corn in the mashbill complements the sweetness of the overall blend. Adding another layer of complexity to the final blend, this can often be perceived as a ‘nuttiness’ or ‘praline pecan’ note whenever it’s paired with the sweetness of the bourbon.
A Hint of Sun-Ripened Berries
I also look for notes of dark berries (like cherries) to add a pop of flavor to the final product. This is one of my favorite notes to find in a barrel, as it pairs well with every other flavor in play. The toasted grain and berry combination tastes like fresh summer cobbler, with hints of sweet vanilla and brown sugar that accentuate the rich flavors these barrels bring.
And while I can’t reveal the fourth flavor—because I’d like to keep my job—I can tell you that it melds all of these together, making the final blend a cohesive and approachable bourbon for beginners as well as fans of more traditional bourbons. By the way, you can pick up your own bottle of The Bond by clicking right here.
Hitting The High-Rye
For ‘The Bond: Eternal,’ I wanted to create a high-rye bourbon that would be complex and lingering. Like my favorite bourbon I’ve ever tried, an eight-year-old decanted bourbon that was bottled in 1980, I wanted to make a bourbon that gives you an experience while drinking it.
So, I try to highlight these flavors in each one of the bottles:
- Sweet Oak
- Orchard Fruits/Citrus
- Baking Spice
- Cacao
Notes of Sweet Oak
First, I start with the ‘sweet oak’ note. The tannins in bourbon can be extremely overpowering; there’s a fine line between too astringent and just right. I look for an almost effervescent tannin that’s sweet from its time in the barrel. The caramel and oak flavor pairs just right to make a flavor that lingers with you long after you’ve finished your sip.
A Burst of Bright Citrus
Next, I look for an ‘Orchard Fruit’/’Citrus’ note. The higher rye in this bourbon’s mashbill and fermentation length allow for more fruit flavors to present themselves. The strong fruit flavors and baking spices come together to create a warm and comforting flavor profile unlike any other. These notes are why so many blenders and distillers love high-rye barrels.
Warm & Spice-y
After that, I look for a ‘Baking Spice’ note. A lot of reviewers describe higher rye bourbons as being ‘spicy,’ what they’re actually meaning to say is that they taste ‘spice-y’ or of spices that you would use while baking. I look for notes of cardamom, cinnamon, and anise that can pair well with the darker notes that the oak brings forward; rather than the capsaicin heat that we’re all expecting when we hear the word ‘spicy.’
Subtle Hints of Cacao
Finally, I look for a cacao note that will pair well with the bright fruit and oak notes. The deep barrel char gives the bourbon a dry cacao note that is hard to pick up in many bourbons. When you find it though, it adds another layer of rich complexity to the final blend.
A Lasting Impression
Just like my favorite bourbon, I think a pour of Eternal gives you a long lingering finish to dissect. Layer after layer, the bourbon enthusiast will find themselves searching for new flavors long after the drinking experience is over.
Ready to Give It A Shot?
So, Which Bourbon Is The Best?
Both! Neither? It depends. Because of its age and flavor profile, The Bond makes an excellent bourbon for beginners. If you’re new to drinking bourbon, we recommend starting with The Bond. Once you’ve acquired the taste, there’s no going back. Next, you’ll be looking for bolder, stronger flavors—that’s where The Bond: Eternal comes in. Its traditional, complex, and lingering flavors are sure to delight even the most picky bourbon drinker. When it comes to deciding which of these bourbons is best, the choice is all yours. Either way, you’re sure to have a good time.
But why choose one when you can have both?
