The popular American bottled in bond whiskey category grew by one this week via a new offering from the Cascade Hollow Distilling distillery out of Tennessee. Better known as the home of Diageo’s George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, the new expression is being called, simply enough, George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky.
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky, which we first took notice of a few months back when its bottle label cleared TTB approval, is a 13 year old Tennessee whisky that meets the requirements for bottled in bond. As best explained by those at the distillery for this bottling,
to be labeled as Bottled in Bond, a spirit must be: composed only of the same class and type of spirits, the product of one distillation season by one distillery (distilled by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. at Cascade Hollow Distillery, DSP-TN-2, during the fall season of 2005), unaltered from the original condition or character, stored in oak containers a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision (stored at Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, TN) for at least four years (13 years old) and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and reduced in proof only by the addition of water to not less than 100 proof. George Dickel Bottled in Bond has been aged and bottled according to this special set of regulations from the U.S. government’s Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits.
George Dickel Bottled in Bond has a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is chill charcoal mellowed like the rest of the George Dickel Tennessee Whisky portfolio, of which it becomes a permanent line extension for. Pricing is set for around $36 which, quite frankly, is a bit of a steal.
“We wanted George Dickel Bottled in Bond to be rooted in authenticity, quality and truth, reflective of the values we feel are most important when making Tennessee’s finest whisky,” said Nicole Austin, general manager and distiller of Cascade Hollow Distilling, in a prepared statement. “The aged whisky stocks we have access to here at Cascade Hollow are absolutely beautiful, and it’s important to me that we create whisky that’s sure to be a great value for the quality you’re getting.”
Very limited official tasting notes suggest this whisky “offers a bold and assertive profile with a well-balanced finish highlighted by tastes of light honey, tropical fruit, warm spices, and a touch of leather.” It is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and can also be used as a backbone to popular cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.