One of the best distilleries in Texas just released its first bottled-in-bond bourbon

The world of bottled whiskey just got a little bigger, a trend that continues to find favor in both the craft and traditional whiskey worlds. The latest distillery to come on board is Texas-based Milam & Greene – but in an unusual twist, the team distilled this bourbon in Kentucky instead of Texas and still meets all the requirements to be labeled Bottled-in-Bond become whiskey.

Milam & Greene is led by Master Distiller Marlene Holmes and CEO, Master Distiller, whiskey expert and author Heather Greene, who joined the operation in 2019. They distill their own whiskey and source barrels from other distilleries to blend into a core product range that includes triple cask and single cask bourbons. Distillation occurs in both Blanco, Texas, on pot stills and Bardstown, Kentucky, on column stills in collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company using a proprietary yeast strain and mash containing grains from Texas, Oregon, Wyoming and Washington. “Not only do they commission distilled spirits,” said a Milam & Greene representative, “they also cook in each other’s kitchens.”

More from Robb Report

The new Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey meets all the requirements to be labeled as such: aged at least four years, bottled at 100 proof, and the product of one distillery and one distilling season. It was distilled at BBC in the fall of 2019 from Milam & Greene's signature mashbill of 70 percent corn, 22 percent malted rye, and eight percent malted barley and aged in new charred oak barrels at a federal bonded warehouse in Kentucky. This spring, 72 barrels were selected and brought to Texas for blending and bottling. “We have closely followed the maturation of this bourbon for almost five damn years, observing how it has evolved into its magnificent flavors over time,” Greene said in a statement. “The use of column stills in Kentucky and adherence to Bottled-in-Bond Act regulations provided a sophistication and subtlety that fans of traditional bourbon will love.”

According to the brand, using malted rye in the mashbill instead of the much more common unmalted version of the grain adds some nuttiness to the palate and a richer texture to the whiskey. We haven't been able to taste this new bourbon yet, but the official tasting notes describe sweet corn, honey and chocolate malt on the nose, followed by fresh bread, malted milk balls, wildflower honey and some tannic oak on the palate. It is recommended to pour it properly, but you want the whiskey to be versatile enough to be used in a cocktail.

Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey (RRP $65) is available at liquor stores nationwide this month, and you can also purchase a bottle directly from the Milam & Greene website. The BIB bourbon isn't listed yet, but you can buy the rest of the range at ReserveBar.

Best of Robb report

Sign up for the Robb Report newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.