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Hooten Young Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review

Can a veteran-owned brand born from a cigar deliver a standout Bottled-in-Bond bourbon? We taste Hooten Young's inaugural release from the real-life "Hoot."

OVERALL RATING

7
$39.99
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Veteran-owned whiskey and cigar brand Hooten Young will release its inaugural Bottled-in-Bond bourbon on July 4, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company founded by retired Army Master Sergeant Norm Hooten, the real-life “Hoot” from “Black Hawk Down.”

Hooten Young, established in 2018, builds its brand around honoring fallen soldiers and supporting veterans’ causes. The company partners with organizations like Camp Freedom and the Green Beret Foundation.

“This bourbon isn’t just a whiskey—it’s a moment in time for us,” said Norm Hooten. “The brand began as a cigar created to honor those a part of the Operation Gothic Serpent mission. Now, six years later, we hold a library of award-winning cigars and spirits and have built an entire brand around the stories of the brave men and women who give their lives for our freedom.”

The bourbon meets strict Bottled-in-Bond standards, requiring it to be aged at least four years, produced in a single distilling season, and bottled at 100 proof. The mash bill consists of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% distiller’s malt.
Appearance:
Golden Straw
Nose:
Warm medium body cigar, caramel drizzle, cigar box, with nice touches of pecans and a hint of alcohol and pine.
Palate:
Clove, hazelnuts, bakers chocolate, light vanilla, oak punchyness and that “Kentucky chew,” with just a note of overripe apples.
Finish:
Milk chocolate finish with some bitterness on the back end and black pepper. Medium length finish with mild finish and a hint of mint.
Comments:
The bourbon was produced through a partnership with Green River Distilling and Bardstown Bottling Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. Following the July 4 launch, distribution will expand to Hooten Young’s current markets, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California.

Nice subtle bourbon with good flavor. Easy to drink and great blending ability. I’m preferential to Bottled-in-bond expressions, and I think this does a great job. The bottle is subtle, and the whiskey isn’t flashy but I think that’s the point. It is a nice dram and something you can enjoy with a good cigar and friends.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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