First passed in 1897, the Bottled-in-Bond Act is a crucial piece of quality control that defines the whiskey industry. For a bourbon to be labeled ‘bonded’ or ‘bottled-in-bond,’ it must adhere to this prominent American legislation.
The Act states a whiskey must be aged in a United States’ federally bonded barrelhouse for a minimum of four years, bottled at 100 proof, and be the product of one distillery and one distilling season.
Now, 125 years on from the Act’s creation, there are countless high-proof bourbons worth sipping on. Here are five of the best according to The Market Herald.
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon: Producing one of the most storied bottled-in-bond bourbons, the Old Grand-Dad brand is owned by Beam Suntory and delivered as part of its “The Olds” collection. Made from a high-rye mashbill containing 27 percent rye, it’s known for its bold, rich flavor, heavy cinnamon spice and caramel finish.
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Henry McKenna 10 Bottled-in-Bond: The longest aged bottled-in-bond spirit available at 10 years, this single barrel bourbon won the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Best in Show Whiskey in 2019. The high-proof bourbon is named in honor of its Irish immigrant creator Henry McKenna, who adapted his family’s whiskey recipe to utilize grains found in Kentucky.
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Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond: This Kentucky straight bourbon is the second of ten in Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond series. Housed in a handsome antique replica decanter, the well-balanced whiskey delivers a palate rich with honey, oak, and stone fruit. Old Fitzgerald has been released biannually since 2018 and with each release different from the last, expect new flavors every time.
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Kings County Bottled in Bond: A rising star in the craft distilling world, Kings County was the first distillery to open in Brooklyn since prohibition. Created from an 80 percent corn and 20 percent malted barley mash bill, the rich whiskey delivers hints of brown sugar, milk chocolate, sweet vanilla beans, and honey, with a nice finish of wood char and subtle spices.
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New Riff Bourbon Bottled in Bond: Opening in 2014, this Kentucky bourbon marks the first batch of distillery-made bourbon from New Riff Distilling. Standing up to any established Kentucky Bourbons, New Riff delivers a deep palette that elegantly balances classic vanilla notes with an assertive dose of spice.
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