Alcohol by volume 40% | ||
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Variants Jefferson's Small Batch, Jefferson's Reserve, Jefferson's Presidential, Jefferson's Ocean, Jefferson's Collaboration, Jefferson's Rye |
Jefferson's Bourbon is a brand of bourbon and rye whiskey produced and bottled in the US and Canada by Castle Brands Inc. The brand was founded by Trey Zoeller, an entrepreneur and bourbon expert born and raised in Louisville, KY.
Contents
It is known for creating unique expressions through blending and experimental aging techniques, such as aging bourbon at sea.
About
Jefferson's Bourbon was launched in 1997 by Trey Zoeller, a native Kentuckian, and his father Chet, a bourbon historian. He founded a company called McClain & Kyne after Zoeller's past relatives, including an 8th generation grandmother arrested in 1799 for moonshining. McClain & Kyne was later purchased by Castle Brands around 2005. The brand states that Zoeller chose the name Jefferson's because the bourbon was inspired by Thomas Jefferson's curiosity, experimental spirit and good taste. Asked about the choice by author Reid Mitenbuler, Zoeller reportedly laughed and said, "I had no marketing budget. I simply wanted a recognizable face associated with history and tradition."
The brand began with Jefferson's Reserve, then expanded with the addition of Jefferson's Presidential Select and then Jefferson's Small Batch. The brand now produces several varieties of bourbon and rye, including some limited edition offerings.
Production
Jefferson's is a non-distiller producer of bourbon. The company does not own a distillery, but buys aged bourbon from other producers and then blends the various barrels to produce a consistent product.
Varieties
Jefferson's produces six different whiskies:
Reviews
Jefferson's is generally well-reviewed. Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon and Jefferson's Reserve received a 92 and 94 respectively from the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2012. Jefferson's Rye received a 92 from Wine Enthusiast in 2012.
Food critic Morgan Murphy said "The dark amber of this bourbon makes it look like woodpile water, but the sweet caramel taste has a very restrained oak flavor."