Sourced Whiskey - To Do or Not to Do?
"Broooo, did you try the new ____ whiskey? I just opened my bottle yesterday!"
"Seriously? You know it's sourced, right? It's overpriced juice is what it is..."
The following exchange may or may not have happened. But it does bring up a question worth asking. Is sourced whiskey good or nah?
What is Sourced Whiskey?
Sourced whiskey refers to whiskey that is produced by one distillery or supplier and then purchased by another company to bottle and sell under their own brand. Instead of distilling the product themselves, these companies "source" the whiskey from established distilleries.
This practice allows brands to enter the market more quickly, often with high-quality, aged whiskey that would take years to produce from scratch. While some sourced whiskey brands disclose the origin of their whiskey, others may keep the details under wraps.
Famous brands that currently are using or have significantly used sourced whiskey in the past include Bulleit, High West, Angel's Envy, WhistlePig, Smoke Wagon, Bardstown, Jefferson's, and Widow Jane.
Making Sourced Whiskey Special
If a brand sources whiskey to merely slap a label on it and hope for astounding sales, they'd lose out on many a customer. On the other hand, if they add something unique to the process, well now, that's what makes a good product!
Several whiskey brands make their sourced products unique with creative techniques. Angel’s Envy finishes its bourbon in port barrels and rye in rum casks, adding rich flavors like dried fruit and spices. High West is known for blending different whiskeys, like bourbon, rye, and Scotch, into unique options like their “Campfire” whiskey. WhistlePig ages its rye on a Vermont farm and adds depth by finishing it in barrels like madeira or maple syrup.
Other brands focus on aging in unusual ways. Bardstown partners with wineries and breweries to finish whiskey in barrels like French oak or IPA casks, while blending it with their own distillate. Smoke Wagon ages its whiskey in Nevada’s desert, giving it bold flavors, especially in their “Uncut Unfiltered” bourbon. Jefferson’s Ocean series takes whiskey on sea voyages, where the motion and salt air create a briny, caramel flavor. Widow Jane uses mineral-rich New York water to make their whiskey smooth, with standout single-barrel and small-batch releases. These brands show how creativity can make sourced whiskey special.
Nice Bottles to Try
Nashville Barrel Company “Nashtucky” 8 Year Old Single Barrel Selected by Sip Whiskey 118.4 Proof - Aged eight years in charred American oak, this single barrel whiskey delivers a bold, full-bodied profile at 118.4 proof, blending rich notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. With its robust strength and intricate flavors, Nashtucky offers a captivating, unforgettable experience for whiskey enthusiasts.
High West 2 For 1! - High West Double Rye + A Midwinter Nights Dram OR A Midwinter Nights Dram + American Prairie Bourbon - This High West Whiskey bundle features your choice of bottles. High West blends carefully sourced aged whiskey with their own distillate, using the finest ingredients and traditional copper pot still distillation to create bold, distinctive flavors.
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey - Named for the fastest growing Redwood Tree in the world, Emerald Giant is crafted from hand-selected rye whiskey barrels aged between 3 and 5 years. The high percentage of rye in the mash bill (95%) produces an unparalleled spice complexity on the palate with a hint of honey and orange peel with a lingering cinnamon finish.
Widow Jane 10 Year Old - Reviving the lost art of marrying the finest whiskeys, Widow Jane 10 year old is our signature bourbon. Hand assembled in Brooklyn using the richest & rarest straight bourbons, only ever in 5 barrel batches, non-chill filtered & proofed with our own mineral water from the legendary Rosendale Mines of NY, we deliver a whiskey unique in its intensity & complexity.
Nashville Barrel Co. Bourbon CA Edition Cask Strength - Nashville Barrel Co. Bourbon CA Edition Cask Strength - Though Nashville Barrel Co. specializes in single barrel offerings, they know that too often the right combination of multiple special single barrels often produces some of the best small batch whiskey on the planet, and they feel they've done just that. These batches blend bourbon 5-8 years old and they're always bottled at cask strength to make sure the whiskey really shines.
Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey is crafted using a unique 100% copper column and pot-doubler distillation method, ensuring a smooth and rich spirit. After distillation, it is aged for 4 years in virgin American oak barrels, with barrel staves charred to #4 and barrel heads charred to #2, imparting deep flavors and a balanced character to the bourbon.
Nulu 5YR Double Oaked 'Oops, I Oaked it Again!' Privately Selected by Sip Whiskey - This limited release, bottled at a robust 116.4 proof, is crafted from Barrel B719 and double oaked to perfection. The 8-month finish delivers a sweet and spicy bourbon experience that lingers on the palate, with rich and heavy notes of brown sugar and oak. Uncut and unfiltered, this exceptional double oaked bourbon boasts a balanced, full-bodied flavor that will entice and delight your senses.