Jefferson's Bourbon

Jefferson's Bourbon is a Louisville, Kentucky–based brand of bourbon whiskey which is distilled, blended, and bottled in the United States by Pernod-Ricard. The brand was first released in 1997.

Jefferson's Bourbon
Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon
Typebourbon, rye
ManufacturerPernod Ricard
DistributorCastle Brands
Country of origin United States
Region of originKentucky
Introduced1997
Alcohol by volume 40%
VariantsJefferson's Small Batch, Jefferson's Reserve, Jefferson's Presidential, Jefferson's Ocean, Jefferson's Collaboration, Jefferson's Rye
Websitejeffersonsbourbon.com

Jefferson's has used experimental blending and aging techniques, such as aging bourbon at sea, where wave action can affect the product's development. It also produces a rye whiskey.

The Jefferson's brand was initially applied exclusively to bourbon distilled by other companies. Jefferson's acquired Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood, Kentucky. 25% percent of barrels warehoused for aging in 2017 were produced at Kentucky Artisan Distillery. The other 75% are produced by independent distilleries.

History

Jefferson's Bourbon was launched in 1997 by Trey Zoeller, a native Kentuckian, and his father Chet Zoeller, 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.[1] McClain & Kyne was purchased by Castle Brands around 2005. Asked about the name, Zoeller reportedly said, "I had no marketing budget. I simply wanted a recognizable face associated with history and tradition."[2]

In June 2015, Castle Brands announced a 20% purchase of Copperhead Distillery Company, which owns and operates Kentucky Artisan Distillery.

In 2022, Pernod Ricard announced an investment of $250 million for Jefferson's Bourbon to build a five years to build a new, carbon-neutral distillery and aging warehouses in Marion County, Kentucky.

Production

In addition to conventional bourbons, ryes, and whiskeys, other products include:

  • Jefferson's Ocean (45% ABV), which was initially an experimental bottling before being made a standard offering. Barrels of bourbon aged 6–7 years are loaded onto ships, which then sail around the world for six months, a process that Jefferson's claims develops the bourbon more quickly through the motion of the waves.[3]
  • Jefferson's Collaboration (41% ABV) was blended in collaboration with chef Edward Lee to pair well with food.[4]

Reviews

Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon and Jefferson's Reserve received a 92 and 94 respectively from the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2012.[5] Jefferson's Rye received a 92 from Wine Enthusiast in 2012.[6]

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."[7]

See also

References
  1. "Jefferson's". Jefferson's Bourbon.
  2. Mitenbuler, Reid (May 12, 2015). Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America's Whiskey. Viking. p. 49. ISBN 978-0670016839.
  3. "'I'm on a Boat!' Says Jefferson's Ocean Bourbon". Food & Wine. Justine Sterling. 31 March 2015.
  4. "Jefferson's Chef Collaboration: Whiskey Designed With Chef Edward Lee". Serious Eats. Andrew Strenio. 15 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  5. "Jefferson's Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky". Tastings. 2012.
  6. "Jefferson's Straight Rye Whiskey". Wine Enthusiast. Kara Newman. July 2012.
  7. Murphy, Morgan (2014). Southern Living Bourbon & Bacon: The Ultimate Guide to the South's Favorite Foods. Oxmoor House. ISBN 978-0848743161.
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