Marianne Eaves, one of Kentucky’s iconic female master distillers, just debuted Forbidden, a new white corn and white winter wheat bourbon.
In a prepared statement, Eaves said she was inspired by Southern cooking and that the Forbidden brand is the culmination of nearly a decade of work to “capture the essence of an elegant mature bourbon achieved by nontraditional low-temperature fermentation.”
Eaves had full control of the distillation while aging and bottling Forbidden from grain to glass.
“While creating Forbidden, I have had the freedom to cross deep into uncharted territory by using nontraditional ingredients and techniques,” she said. “The resulting bourbon, on my palate, is perfection.”
This first release of Forbidden is a small batch, 5-year-old bourbon, which clocks in at 95.2 proof.
Her distiller’s notes show that Forbidden’s blend of white corn, white winter wheat and malted barley give it a sweet and smooth profile. Darker notes come from both charred barrels and fruity, floral yeast.
The aroma, she explained, leads with vanilla bean and crème brûlée, dried fruit, hazelnut, light sweet citrus notes and layered spice. On the palate, it features caramel, citrus oil, and baking spices, along with oak sugar and a hint of grain. The finish lingers with creamy sweetness as well as oak and spice.
“With Forbidden, we’ve taken our time to create something completely original in Kentucky bourbon,” said Daniel Rickenmann, one of the Forbidden’s four South Carolina-based partners along with Eaves in Kentucky. “Forbidden is a bourbon you finish and say, ‘This is my first drink and my last drink of the evening.’ It’s a symphony of flavor, complexity and warmth.”
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Rickenmann noted that Eaves’ preoccupation with achieving a high level of work means she doesn’t follow the usual script. “For nearly two decades, Marianne has steadily stepped outside of the norm in her career and with her work to create Forbidden, she defies every expectation.”
Forbidden is distilled, aged and bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Company and will soon be available in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina and online for a suggested price of $129.
Forbidden’s first release will include an allocated number of hand-blended bottles along with three single barrel, cask-strength expressions.
For more information, check out drinkforbidden.com.
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