Jefferson’s Bourbon Launches Its First Rye Whiskey Aged At Sea

Jefferson’s Bourbon is bringing something new to shore with its Ocean Aged at Sea Rye.

The distiller’s 26th voyage, and newest addition to the Jefferson’s Ocean family, is its first foray at sea with rye whiskey.

The new expression starts as a fully mature rye whiskey that was double barreled (75% in char 3 barrels and 25% in toasted barrels). It was then placed on ships and taken through ports around the world as part of the finishing technique in which all the other Ocean series expressions have undergone.

“I’ve always had the desire to create a rye within the Jefferson’s Ocean portfolio, but wanted to make one that you could sip, so I did just that,” said Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s founder, in a prepared statement. “The unpredictability of the ocean, and the way it affects our products, has always been intriguing to me, but this, combined with our double barreling process, made for a more robust profile, while the increased interactions with barrels and fluctuating air temperatures balanced the spice of rye. This aging process churns and treats our whiskey like no rickhouse could.”

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye (image via Jefferson’s)

Distiller’s notes show that Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye features a caramelization that comes specifically from the sea-aging process. The combination of the new char 3 barrels and new toasted barrels adds flavors of marshmallow and toffee on the nose and palate. Those notes are accented by leather and tobacco with a finish of baking spices and cinnamon, touched with a bit of sea salt.

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye is bottled at 96 proof and has a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750mL and will be available at local retailers, bars, and restaurants across the U.S.

For more information, check out https://jeffersonsbourbon.com.