Whiskey Review: New Liberty 100% Pennsylvanian Bloody Butcher Straight Bourbon

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. 

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the name “Bloody Butcher”? Perhaps it’s an image of a big guy with an apron and a large meat cleaver. Perhaps, for those more knowledgeable in farming, corn is what you think of. In particular, the reddish, heirloom variety of corn that originated in Virginia in the 1800’s. Legend says it was made by European settlers who mixed white corn with the native red corn. As an heirloom crop, it’s not mass produced, and is often seen in seasonal decorations, and used as a feed source for cattle; and now in bourbon.

Robert Cassell has been a leading force in reinvigorating whiskey distilling in the state of Pennsylvania. While Kentucky has been the state most people attribute to American whiskey, Pennsylvania was once the main contributor to American rye whiskey. Cassell, and many other craft distillers, are working to bring the state back to the forefront of distilling. 

In 2005, Cassell, along with his uncle, Andrew Auwerda, and Timothy Yarnell, founded Philadelphia Distilling. In 2014, Cassell opened a new distillery, New Liberty Distillery, with a new 240 gallon copper pot still, that he designed. New Liberty Distillery focuses on sourcing local ingredients, with malted barley and rye from Deer Creek Malthouse in Glen Mills, PA, and with Bloody Butcher corn acquired from Castle Valley Mill in Doylestown, PA.

New LIberty Bloody Butcher Bourbon 100% PA is a limited edition, all local version of their Bloody Butcher bourbon. Along with the locally sourced barley, rye, and Bloody Butcher corn, this spirit is also aged in casks made from Pennsylvania American White Oak, sourced from the forests of Western Pennsylvania. New Liberty Bloody Butcher Bourbon 100% PA has a 47.5% ABV (95 proof), in a 200ml bottle with a price on the New Liberty website of $24.99. 

New Liberty 100% Pennsylvanian Bloody Butcher Straight Bourbon (image via New Liberty)

Tasting Notes: New Liberty 100% Pennsylvanian Bloody Butcher Straight Bourbon

Vital Stats: 95 Proof (47.5% ABV), aged in Pennsylvania American White Oak, 200ml bottle, MSRP $24.99, or 750ML bottle, MSRP $69.99. 

Appearance: This bourbon is a very nice dark amber, with hints of red. 

Nose: Dark and smoky, with a definite hint of the white oak sap.

Palate: a touch of caramel sweetness, with a hint of fruit, turning to a leathery, spicy finish.