Broken Barrel Whiskey Co., whose portfolio of premium whiskeys showcases the impact a non-traditional barrel finishing practice has on flavor, recently added a fifth expression to its core lineup of Kentucky Straight Bourbon & Rye Whiskeys. Introducing Americana, a 100-proof (50% ABV) straight American whiskey featuring a mash bill of 80% corn, 14% rye and 6% malted barley.
Americana explores blended American Whiskeys with an entirely new Oak Bill – a concept unique to Broken Barrel, which denotes the combination of barrel staves from different types of barrels used in each expression – of 40% Charred American Oak, 40% Toasted American Oak and 20% American Apple Brandy Cask. The result is a distinctive whiskey displaying a soft honeycomb sweetness with notes of toasted cashew and butterscotch, which melts away into more complex oak and marshmallow notes.
“Previously, we offered a selection of Rare Americana offerings as part of our single barrel program for private groups and retailers,” said Seth Benhaim, Founder and CEO of Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. “The new Americana 100 proof whiskey was inspired by those bottlings, but is a much more accessible offering for Broken Barrel fans to enjoy regularly.”
While most whiskey is aged in barrels and then bottled, Benhaim believed that there was a missed opportunity in traditional barrel finishing – namely, the reliance on one type of barrel used to finish one type of whiskey. He created Broken Barrel to expand the barrel finishing concept, involving not only broken barrel staves (vs. intact barrels), but also the combination of multiple barrel types, all finishing aged bourbon in tandem. Once Broken Barrel whiskey ages for a minimum of two years, barrels are carefully selected, dumped and batched in a large tank.
The broken barrel staves from multiple kinds of casks are added to further age and finish the whiskey. Americana will roll out nationally beginning this month for the suggested retail price of $35. It joins the company’s award-winning lineup of Small Batch, California Oak, Heresy Rye and Cask Strength whiskeys, which are distilled at the historic Owensboro Distilling Co. in Kentucky.
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