So what was the question?
What does it mean to be a Texas Bourbon Whiskey?
CEO & Master blender Heather Greene and Master Distiller & Whiskey Magazine Hall of Famer Marlene Holmes both of Milam & Greene Distillery in Blanco, Texas wondered what would happen? what would be the differences? similarities? with the same bourbon barreled in different climates.
So,here it is for the first time, the same mash bill -separated at “birth”- and half barreled in Blanco, Texas and the other in Kentucky for five years and the results are dramatic and beautiful but distinct. Same bourbon, different climates, different results.
The Answer The result: Temperature and terroir matter. Climate differences matter and determines the sense of place. We’ve seen this with grapes from the old world vs new world wines.
Now, we experience this with bourbon. The temperature differences and humidity were the variables in Texas vs Kentucky.
A few nights ago, I was one of the lucky few who received the coveted samples of Milam & Greene’s ,The Answer and sat in on a Zoom call with Heather, Marlene and other bourbon whiskey lovers and writers.
What a treat it was to be some of the first to experience the experiment in the “power of place.”
Heather Greene said no one has done this, to figure out the Texas climate and what makes a Texas bourbon. We tasted each bourbon individually and the asked to blend them together in our glass. Each bourbon is distinct and delicious and when combined, created a “gorgeous, complex, unique whiskey.
“Individually, each bourbon is delicious, and batched together, the combined bourbons also create gorgeous, complex whiskey,” says Green.
Mash Bill:
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 70% corn + 22% malted rye + 8% malted barley
Barrel Char: #4 Char | Proof: Cask Strength
One half in Kentucky for 5 years–One half in Texas for 5 years
The result:
Kentucky
Light in color, apple, floral,smooth, vanilla, caramel, smoke, buttered toast, long spicy finish
Texas
More tannins, more structure, oak notes, mint, rich caramel, toffee, toasted marshmallows, hint of cinnamon, cocoa, whoppers malted, long rich finish
*Clearly the result of warmer toasty temps in Texas
As expected, separately they are distinct and both beautiful in different ways, and together, a symphony of flavors combining the best of Texas terroir and Kentucky climate.
I can’t wait to see what their next vision for Texas Bourbon will be!
Wanna experience this first hand? https://milamandgreenewhiskey.com/the-answer-straight-bourbon-whiskey/
CHEERS!
