Arizona Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Most people likely haven't heard of Elgin Distillery, but they are producing exceptional spirits and receiving numerous awards. Like many small distilleries, they place a strong emphasis on using local ingredients and being transparent about their production methods. Their Arizona Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made from 100% Arizona-grown grain. The mash bill consists of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% barley. Beyond growing the grain, every stage of production is managed internally: malting, milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling. It's uncommon for a small distillery to malt their own grain; Elgin Distillery malts not only the barley but also the corn and rye. They utilize their own well water (affectionately called "Magic Water") for distilling and proofing, as these details significantly impact the final product. This bourbon is aged for 6 years in their single-story rickhouse, located at an elevation of 5,000 feet in Elgin, AZ, where daily temperatures can fluctuate by 60 degrees. Full-sized, 53-gallon barrels with a #4 char and medium-plus toast are used. Only 50 barrels were produced in 2019, with plans to set aside 12 for extended aging. They are anticipating releasing 20+ year old whiskey in the future! On the nose, there's wood, baking spices, brown sugar, charred oak, leather, and baked apples. The palate begins with honey sweetness, cinnamon, black pepper, and raw wood. The finish is pleasingly long with dry oak, a hint of black pepper spice, and caramel sweetness and flavor throughout. There's no alcohol burn; instead, it provides a pleasant warming sensation. I absolutely love seeing well-aged and excellent bourbon with a traditional mash bill emerging from Arizona.