Indiana Bourbon Awards
The Hoosier State has a history in distilling that goes far deeper and broader than the Ohio River that separates Indiana from Kentucky. In recognition of the work of current Indiana distilleries, the Indiana Bourbon Awards were recently announced. The Indiana Bourbon bourbon of the year went to Spirits of French Lick’s The Mattie Gladden. Starlight Distillery was awarded the single barrel whiskey of the year and rye of the year. Old 55 Distillery was the big winner taking home the whiskey of the year, single barrel bourbon of the year and, as determined by fan vote, the Indiana Bourbon distillery of the year.
In this article, I’ll highlight a couple of the recipients: The Mattie Gladden from Spirits of French Lick and Old 55’s barrel strength 100% sweet corn bourbon.
Bourbon of the Year - The Mattie Gladden
The Mattie Gladden is the brain child of Spirits of French Lick’s head alchemist (distiller), Alan Bishop. Alan uses a mash bill of 55% corn, 35% rye and 10% malt in creating SOFL’s first bottled-in-bond offering. This high rye bourbon is named in honor of one of Southern Indiana’s most outrageous and free-spirited women, Mattie Gladden. Mattie was the one-time mistress of P.T. Barnum and was the madam of a glamorous house of ill-repute in Salem, Indiana. Alan has creative a whiskey as bold and unique as its name sake.
Tasting Notes
The Mattie Gladden is a double pot distilled, four-year old, bottled-in-bond Indiana straight bourbon. Proof is, of course, weighing in at 100.
Nose: corn pudding, crème brulee /toasted marshmallow, fresh baked bread, whiff of aspen wood
Palate: dark chocolate, apricot cobbler, cinnamon, toasted hazelnut
Finish: dark chocolate, dried fruit, pepper
Overall: One might think that a high rye bourbon such as this would be a “spice bomb”. Rye doesn’t necessarily equate to spiciness, however. Spirits of French Lick’s creed is “Respect the Grain” and Alan draws the potential out of the grains used here. There is a lot going on in this whiskey and to assume “spicy tamale” going in may cause you to miss out on an array of flavors that maybe as his skies are wide. All in all, this is one of my favorite bourbons of the year and very deserving of Indiana Bourbon’s Bourbon of the Year Award.
For more information on Spirits of French Lick you can read past articles from The Whiskey Corner here and here.
Whiskey of the Year - Old 55 Sweet Corn Bourbon
When he first created a 100% sweet corn bourbon, it seemed like a good idea to Old 55 master distiller, Jason Fruits. The sweet corn was readily available on the family farm and it was a unique product that nobody else was producing. What Jason discovered was there may be a good reason that no one else was making a 100% sweet corn bourbon. To get the “hearts of the hearts” cuts that Jason desires means that one ton of sweet corn only yields 13 gallons of distillate. Fortunately, it’s delicious and worth the effort (at least to Bourbon fans).
The standard sweet corn bourbon is released throughout the year at 80 proof. The barrel strength version that won the Whiskey of the Year honors is available only a few times a year and typically only through the distillery.
Tasting Notes
The Sweet Corn Bourbon carries a barrel strength proof of 117.8. There is not an age statement on the bottle, but a batch number of 17D6 leads me to think it was barreled in April of 2017. So, we have a Bourbon that is about 3 ½ years old. For no apparent reason, my tasting notes carry a breakfast cereal theme to them (Who knows? Maybe I’m hungry).
Nose: Frosted Flakes (corn and sugar), honey, a touch of cedar
Palate: Honey, Apple Jacks (apple-cinnamon), spearmint
Finish: The honey persists, Corn Pops and a surprising and fascinating dose of red pepper spice
Overall: This was the first year I tried any whiskey from Old 55. In addition to single barrel and bottled-in-bond expressions of their standard mash bill, I had the 80-proof version of the 100% sweet corn bourbon. While tasty and unique, at 80 proof it is a bit on the mild side. This barrel strength version is truly special and a fitting recipient of Indiana Bourbon’s Whiskey of the Year. From the nose to the mouthfeel to the red pepper kick in the finish, it’s a bourbon you’ll take your time with and truly savor (even after breakfast).
You can learn more about Old 55 and the ABV Network private selection by clicking here.
