Campari Adds Two Bourbons To Its Whiskey Barons Collection

The Whiskey Barons Collection from Campari, which first debuted back in early 2017, is something best described as a series of American whiskeys designed with a sense of nostalgia for the good old days when “the distilleries that dotted the landscape were run by men possessed with such vigor” that they were known as “Whiskey Barons.” This spin by Wild Turkey’s parent company has resulted, to date, in some mildly decent bourbons, and now the line up is back with a couple of new offerings.

The first of these two new bourbons is known as W.B. Saffell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Its back story focuses upon one Willian Butler Saell. Saell, according to Campari, was born on August 28, 1843, and “began distilling as a teenager. In 1889 he built his own 350 barrel distillery on the Southern Railroad in the northwest of Lawrenceburg. With his grit, determination and reputed hand-made sour mash, his delicate, golden Kentucky Bourbon became a treasure of pre-prohibition America. W.B. Saell became a notoriously successful whiskey baron of the era.”

The specifics of this limited edition whiskey indicate it to be a blend of 6, 8, 10 and 12 year old Kentucky bourbons that is non-chill filtered and bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV). It prices around $50 per 750 ml bottle, and very limited official tasting notes suggest that it “delivers a complex spice, caramel & wood with creamy vanilla & dried fruit.”

Joining this bourbon is Batch 2 of Bond & Lillard, which debuted the first time around when this collection was launched. The spin on this one is that “born of of the grit and hustle of the two sturdy men that bore its name, Bond and Lillard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey caught the international spotlight when it was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Praised for its ‘Real delicacy of avor, beauty in the sparkle and superiority in strength,’ it was triumphantly declared that Bond and Lillard Bourbon, ‘Bears no equal.'”

Practical information on this bourbon shows it to be a charcoal filtered blend of 4 and 6 year old Kentucky bourbon that is “intended to replicate the smoky, wood and fruit notes found in the original pre-prohibition liquid.” It is labeled Batch #2 to help distinguish it from the first one. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Bond & Lillard prices around $50 per 750 ml bottle. Official tasting notes indicate that “floral and fruity top notes give way to a smooth caramel sweetness that lingers pleasantly on the palate.”