Provenance Small Batch Bourbon

This is 98-proof and a blend of 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year KY bourbon, distilled in Bardstown (75, 21, 4 mashbill) and bottled at Middleburg Barrel Co. in Virginia by Jay West. It is a true Small Batch (about 6 barrels go into each bottling), but it is blended for consistency and was created to be on the shelf and readily available.

This liquid demands your attention. Principal whiskeymaker Jay West takes a hands-on approach to barrel selection, obsessively sorting through Kentucky-sourced stock to pinpoint the precise moment when wood and spirit achieve complete harmony. The resulting blend showcases exceptional depth, proving that thoughtful curation fundamentally alters a whiskey's trajectory.

Ditching the standard vanilla-forward template, this small-batch release leans aggressively into dark, robust confectionery elements. Expect a fascinating tapestry of toasted walnut and burnt caramel. The profile drinks remarkably rich. Baking spices hum quietly in the background alongside an unexpected touch of sweet pipe tobacco, creating a sophisticated tension between savory and sweet components that keeps the palate entirely engaged.

Bottling at a deliberate strength allows nuanced stone fruit and orange citrus to pierce through the heavier oak characteristics. The spirit finishes with authority. A luscious nougat-and-pecan pie viscosity coats the mouth completely before yielding to complex notes of clove and black pepper. Aged leather and molasses linger indefinitely on the back of the tongue, cementing the fact that meticulous blending often triumphs over single-barrel unpredictability.

• A blend of 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year KY bourbon, distilled in Bardstown (75/21/4 mashbill)
• Hand-selected Kentucky barrels
• Curated at the Provenance Estate in Virginia

Nose: Toasted walnut, burnt caramel, and dark brown sugar merge with gentle baking spices, stone fruit, and a distinct hit of orange citrus.

Palate: A viscous delivery of toffee, nougat, and pecan pie interwoven with sharp clove, cinnamon, black pepper, and sweet pipe tobacco.

Finish: A medium-long conclusion featuring toasted oak, dark caramel, molasses, aged leather, and lingering baking spice.

Match this robust spirit with a generous slice of pecan pie. The dessert amplifies the bourbon’s inherent dark sugar and nougat characteristics. Smoked brisket provides a savory alternative. It's a brilliant pairing that pulls out subtle pipe tobacco and aged leather notes beautifully. Sharp aged cheddar also works perfectly. The cheese's fat content tames the baking spice while elevating the underlying stone fruit nuances.