Maverick Distilling Expedition Series No.1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 129.9
Age: 5 years
Mashbill: 72% Yellow Corn, 18% Wren’s Abruzzi Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Price: $150
Available: Online and at the distillery. Move quick… this one is limited.
Certified Texas Whiskey: Yes
If you want to go full whiskey nerd, Maverick has the deep dive here:
https://maverickwhiskey.com/the-expedition-series/
The Story
The team at Maverick Distilling teamed up with Irene Tan for Expedition Series No.1. If you’ve followed Texas whiskey at all, Irene’s name tends to show up around some pretty interesting projects, so expectations were already a little elevated going into this one.
The Nose
This one lets you know right away what you’re dealing with. The proof shows up immediately. No hiding it.
Once you get past that initial ethanol punch, it settles into a really classic bourbon profile. Toasty spice, caramel, vanilla, and a little marshmallow hanging out in the background. Nothing wild here, just well executed.
A couple drops of water made a noticeable difference. It opened things up and brought in some dusty oak and a sweet cinnamon sugar note that I kept going back to.
The Taste
Caramel and vanilla hit first, right on the tip of the tongue. As it moves across the palate, the spice builds and carries into a medium-length finish. Then you get that little reminder on the back end… yep, this is still 129.9 proof. There’s a solid Kentucky hug moment here, even though we’re deep in Texas.
Going back for another sip, it leans sweet and spicy. Kind of like a toned down cinnamon Red Hots situation.
Add a couple drops of water and things really start to click. The caramel gets richer, more dessert-like, and the rye spice becomes more layered instead of just loud.
Conclusion
This is a well-balanced bourbon that absolutely drinks its proof. If you enjoy higher proof pours, you’ll feel right at home. If not, a little water goes a long way and honestly makes this a better overall experience.
As for the $150 price tag… that’s going to come down to what you value. Limited release, collaboration, Texas whiskey, all the right boxes are checked.
For me, I’m glad I bought it. I’ll enjoy the bottle. I don’t feel the need to grab a backup though. I’d rather see where the next Expedition release goes.
Disclaimer
This bottle was purchased by me. This review was not requested and all opinions are my own. If you enjoy Texas whiskey reviews, distillery news, and whiskey events from across the state, check out the full Texas Whiskey calendar and consider supporting the website by grabbing some merch. The site is ad-free and merch purchases genuinely help keep it running.
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• 65% polyester, 35% cotton pique
• Relaxed fit that runs large
• Flat knit collar and cuffs
• Metal buttons with dyed-to-match plastic rims
• Side vents for breathability
• Product sourced from Ethiopia
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!