This could be the oldest Texas Distilled Bourbon release since prohibition.
Bone Spirits might be the Texas distillery you haven’t heard of, but they’ve just released a bourbon worth paying attention to. At 12 years old, it could be the oldest Texas-distilled bourbon released since Prohibition.
Established in 2010, the Smithville distillery has largely focused on producing spirits and whiskey for other brands. They even built their enormous 5,000-gallon still themselves from a repurposed cheese vat.
Recently, Bone Spirits reopened its tasting room and marked the occasion with a single barrel of 12-year-old bourbon, bottled at cask strength. Naturally, I needed to see what 12 years had done to it.
The Details
Distillery: Bone Spirits LLC
Distilled in: Smithville, Texas
Age: 12 years
Proof: 118.6 — cask strength
Mashbill: 80% corn, 17% rye, 3% barley
Price: $40 for a 375 mL bottle
Availability: Distillery only
Release: Single barrel
The Nose
Toasted oak and caramel lead the way, with a touch of vanilla. Every so often, I get a whiff of mocha and toasted marshmallow.
The Taste
Sweet caramel and vanilla up front, but they give way quickly to spicy cinnamon and oak. The finish is medium in length and dry.
The proof shows in this pour. There’s enough alcohol heat that it’s a little difficult to find much nuance beyond those initial flavors.
A couple of drops of water bring out a smoky note and a little almond, along with more of the oak character on the palate. For me, this is a pour worth trying with a little water to see how it changes.
Final Thoughts
This is a classic bourbon with some heavy oak influence, but not so much that it feels like you’re sucking on a piece of wood. Twelve years in Texas is no joke.
The caramel note is rich and delicious. I just wish it stuck around longer before the spice and ethanol took over. If you like heavy oak in your bourbon, this is right up your alley.
At $40 for a 375 mL bottle, you’re paying the equivalent of $80 for a standard 750 mL. Even with that in mind, a 12-year-old, cask-strength Texas bourbon at this price feels like a steal.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind finding another bottle or two in my stocking this Christmas.
Planning a Visit?
Keep an eye on the website. I’ll have a Bone Spirits distillery guide up soon with more about the place and what to expect when you visit. Until then, browse my Texas distillery guides for more places to explore.
Disclaimer: I purchased this bottle. All opinions and tasting notes are my own.
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