New Holland Moves Its Dragon’s Milk Brand Into Bottled In Bond Bourbon Territory

New Holland Brewing, located in Michigan, has long been a leader in the craft brewing world. They also maintain a decent distillery operation, as we’ve talked about in years past with previous releases. One of New Holland’s best known labels is Dragon’s Milk, a bourbon barrel aged stout. Now, in a nod to this, a new bottled in bond bourbon is being released.

The new Dragon’s Milk Bottled in Bond Bourbon, according to those behind it, meets the requirements for bottled in bond labeling. Based on information provided to us by the brewery, this expression is 100 proof, aged over 4 years (distilled spring 2016, bottled fall 2020) in new American oak and distilled from a mash bill of 70% corn, 25% barley and 5% rye.

Also of note here is that, while the Dragon’s Milk name is on this bourbon, no beer barrels were actually used in aging this whiskey (unlike some other whiskeys they have). Rather, as mentioned somewhat above and also highlighted by New Holland, “this is just a pure expression of America’s native spirit. It is our ode to the spirit that is such an integral part in crafting our signature bourbon barrel-aged stout.”

“The Dragon’s Milk brand is extremely special to us, so anything bearing the mark of the Dragon has to be able to carry the weight of those expectations,” said Brad Kamphuis, Director of Distillery Operations, New Holland Spirits, in a prepared statement. “That being said, we didn’t feel like this bourbon could be called anything other than Dragon’s Milk. It really is the best liquid in our house.

“The aroma is heavy with toasted oak and really nice vanilla and burnt caramel undertones. The taste is sweet on the palette with baking spices and long, charred oak finish to round it out. The response so far has been overwhelming. We can’t wait for bourbon fans and of course fans of Dragon’s Milk to finally get their hands on this.”

Plans right now call for the Dragon’s Milk Bottled in Bond Bourbon, priced around $50 per 750 ml bottle, to initially be available directly through the New Holland pubs only for the time being. A more general release is planned for January, 2021.