Duke Small Batch Bourbon (700mL)

A high-corn, savory Straight Bourbon fittingly named after an all-American hero.

Discussing the producer of Duke branded Whiskies is a bit complex. You see, Even Wayne — John Wayne’s son — is the founder of the brand, but the spirit is distilled at the O.Z. Tyler Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky. But that facility is really owned and operated by a contract producer named Terressentia. There have been a few other acquisitions and name changes along the way, but suffice it to say that the folks know what they are doing and their Whiskies have won a bunch of awards. But like we said, this brand is a line of three Whiskies named after John “The Duke” Wayne and that alone is pretty cool.

The name alone tells you a lot about what’s in the bottle. Duke Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is all of that. The mash bill is 75% American dent corn, 13% rye, and 12% six-row barley. And this fitting tribute to America’s favorite movie hero has been aged a minimum of five years in heavily-charred oak and bottled at a very nice 44% ABV. It’s deeply-flavored and all American, like the man it’s named after.