November 2024 introduced with it the tenth anniversary of Casey Jones Distillery. In celebration, the Hopkinsville, Kentucky-based distillery pays homage to its namesake and Grasp Distiller Arlon “AJ” Jones’s grandfather Alfred “Casey” Jones with Casey Jones Founder’s tenth Anniversary Mix. The Jones household has a storied historical past in illicit moonshine earlier than establishing a authorized distillery to supply their household spirit together with bourbon and rye. The tenth Anniversary Mix combines the very best of each worlds of Casey Jones Distillery into one celebratory bottling.
At first look, “tenth Anniversary” can simply be mistaken for a whiskey with an age assertion of 10 years previous. Nevertheless, all spirits within the bottle are not less than 5 years previous. The distillery describes the discharge as a “proprietary spirit” because it solely matches the regulated class of distilled spirits specialty. Along with bourbon and rye, Casey Jones distills a spirit it calls Barrel Lower. Based mostly on the household’s historic moonshine recipe, Barrel Lower is mashed from a mix of fifty% cane sugar and 50% corn and run by way of a singular sq. copper pot nonetheless. Founder’s tenth Anniversary options two 25-gallon barrels of Barrel Lower blended with one barrel of Kentucky bourbon. The bourbon part options Casey Jones’ mashbill #1, consisting of 96% corn, 3% rye, and 1% malted barley. Including to the intrigue, the bourbon was initially contract distilled in Kentucky after which re-distilled with Casey Jones’ sq. copper pot nonetheless earlier than barreling. At the moment, Casey Jones operates a hybrid nonetheless for whiskey and that sq. pot nonetheless for Barrel Lower, as working whiskey mash by way of the sq. pot may simply result in scorching. However since this explicit bourbon is re-distilled and mash was not entered into the sq. pot, there was no danger of scorching. The bourbon part makes up 25% of the mix whereas the Barrel Lower barrels comprise the remaining 75%. Founder’s tenth Anniversary is botted at 103.3 proof, cask energy, because the bourbon entered the barrel at 105 proof and the 2 Barrel Cuts went into the barrel at 107.6 proof and 102.3 proof.
It’s not whiskey. It’s not moonshine. How did this proprietary creation end up? Is it one thing worthy of a particular launch to have fun a ten yr anniversary? Let’s discover out!
The olfactory expertise commences with toasted hazelnuts adopted by toffee. A contact of tobacco develops as nutmeg and patchouli add depth. Collectively, these components craft a wealthy bouquet that’s extraordinarily pleasing and balanced. Main the way in which on the palate, Morello cherries discover toffee to steadiness the tartness. Darkish chocolate and hints of espresso floor because the palate progress, however don’t current as overly tannic, and the mouthfeel provides a medium viscosity. Heading down the homestretch, the Morello cherry observe finally presents as cherry soda accompanied by cinnamon and vanilla — although it’s by no means cloying.
Regardless of any bias that whiskey lovers would possibly harbor in opposition to a spirit that incorporates a wholesome quantity of aged spirit distilled from a considerable quantity of desk sugar, it’s implausible. With the plethora of moonshines in the marketplace loaded with flavoring, it’s straightforward to dismiss this unregulated class. However that is actually not a bottle you wish to dismiss. I’ve been capable of style all the core product portfolio from Casey Jones, together with a number of single barrels of precise whiskey, and whereas I’ve completely loved a number of single barrel bourbons, Founder’s tenth Anniversary Mix emerges as the very best spirit I’ve tried from Casey Jones. Whereas the tenth Anniversary can simply be mistaken to imply 10 Years Outdated, make no mistake about the truth that this proprietary spirit is certainly worthy of a particular celebration.
103.3 proof.
A- / $100 / caseyjonesdistillery.com
Casey Jones Founder’s tenth Anniversary Mix
$100
