Jefferson's Bourbon is a
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the List of cities in Kentucky, most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeastern United States, Southeast, and the list of United States cities by population, 27th-most-populous city ...
–based brand of
bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey (; also simply bourbon) is a Aging (food), barrel-aged American whiskey made primarily from corn (maize). The name derives from the Kingdom of France, French House of Bourbon, although the precise source of inspiration is uncerta ...
. The brand was first released in 1997, and is distributed by the Castle Brands.
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
Rye whiskey can refer to two different, but related, types of whiskey:
* American rye whiskey, which is similar to bourbon whiskey, but must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye grain
* Canadian whisky, which is often referred to as (and of ...
.
The Jefferson's brand was initially applied exclusively to bourbon
distilled
Distillation, also classical distillation, is the process of separating the component substances of a liquid mixture of two or more chemically discrete substances; the separation process is realized by way of the selective boiling of the mixt ...
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
Moonshine is high-proof liquor, traditionally made or distributed illegally. The name was derived from a tradition of distilling the alcohol at night to avoid detection. In the first decades of the 21st century, commercial distilleries hav ...
. 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."
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 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. Temperature swings also cause the barrels to expand and contract- the distiller claims this expedites maturation of the spirit.
*Jefferson's Collaboration (41% ABV) was blended in collaboration with chef
Edward Lee to pair well with food.
Reviews
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."
See also
*
Bourbon whiskey brands
References
External links
*
{{Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard brands
Bourbon whiskey
Products introduced in 1997
1997 establishments in Kentucky
Crestwood, Kentucky
Kentucky cuisine