Blade And Bow Bourbon Whiskey
The solera liquid is mingled with other fine whiskies aged and bottled at Stitzel-Weller. Aged in new charred American white oak barrels, this bourbon has a subtle aroma of fresh fruit and a taste that includes hints of dried apricot, ripe pear and a sweet roasted grain. The finish has notes of charred oak and warm winter spices.
The Blade and Bow story began with the founding of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in 1935, a Louisville icon and home to the fathers of bourbon. With a commitment to craftsmanship and artistry, Stitzel-Weller reimagined what Kentucky Bourbon could be until distilling stopped in 1992. Named after the two parts of a skeleton key, the blade shaft and the ornate bow, the Blade and Bow brand is a tribute to the five keys that once hung on the door of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
Single Barrel Of Blade And Bow 24
Its not every day 34 bottles from a single barrel of Blade and Bow 24 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery comes up for auction. There are bourbon auctions and then there are Christies bourbon auctions. When a bourbon auction is taking place at 20 Rockefeller Plaza at Christies New York Auction House it tends to attract some high rollers. If someone was just looking for an older bottle of bourbon there are plenty of other ways to score some of the brown liquid known as the Spirit of Life but, this particular auction set a record.
In November, Diageo, owners of the Blade and Bow bourbon brand announced they were donating a rare 24-Year-Old barrel of whiskey that was distilled at The Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. This particular bourbon was barreled November 22, 1991 about a year before the legendary distillery that was once home to Julian P. Pappy Van Winkle shut down. The batch was bottled April 2016.
Once emptied, the barrel netted 38 750 ml bottles at 93.4 proof. Tasting notes for the release said, The bourbon begins with notes of well-aged cedar, campfire and soft leather. The finish includes sweet notes of vanilla bean, light caramel and raisin. Two of the bottles were enjoyed earlier in the year at the brands one year anniversary party in April and two more were shared as tasting samples. The auction included the remaining 34 bottles plus the actual barrel.
Blade And Bow Bourbon Review
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I often write reviews on bottles of whiskey that are quirky or not easily found on the shelves of liquor stores. But I realize that many people do not have the time or desire to hunt for those kinds of bottles as much as I do. For most of us out there, whats on the shelf is what we are choosing from. And most of the time we buy those bottles based on how appealing the packaging looks. If that describes your bourbon buying habits, you probably have bought a bottle of Blade and Bow Bourbon.
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Looking To The Future
With the opening of the Bulleit Distilling Co. Visitor Center in Shelbyville, KY, in 2019, Blade & Bow is featured prominently as a proud tribute to the renowned craftsmanship of the ever-evolving Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
Five brass keys once hung on the door of the legendary Distillery. Discover what these keys represent for Blade and Bow Bourbon and the history of whiskey when you visit.
Planning a visit?
Is Bulleit On The Bourbon Trail
Opens its Doors as the 17th Member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail The Bulleit Distilling Company in Shelbyville, Kentucky is now the newest and 17th stop on the world famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has come a long way since its founding some 30 plus years ago by Tom Bulleit Jr.
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Blade And Bow Returns With 22
LOUISVILLE, Ky. To celebrate the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery first opening its doors 86 years ago, Blade and Bow has re-released its highly sought-after 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Masterfully aged and bottled at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery itself, the award-winning American whiskey will be available in 19 markets as well as on-site at Stitzel-Weller and the distillerys Garden & Gun Club in Louisville, KY, as supplies last.
Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old is released annually in September, in time for Bourbon Heritage Month.
Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old pays homage to the artful passion and celebrated craftsmanship of the famed Stitzel-Weller Distillery, said Doug Kragel, Lead Educator for Blade and Bow. With the perfect blend of smoky, spicy and sweet, whiskey enthusiasts seeking an expression of true mastery are sure to be delighted with the rich history that is palpable in every sip.
Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old is released annually in September, in time for Bourbon Heritage Month, a month-long celebration highlighting the heritage, craftsmanship, tradition and achievements that the bourbon industry has contributed to the United States.
This remarkable bourbon is best enjoyed slowly and responsibly.
About Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
PLEASE SIP RESPONSIBLY. Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 45.5-46% Alc/Vol. ©2021 STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLING CO., LOUISVILLE, KY.
About Diageo North America
All About Blade & Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Diageo currently produces Blade & Bow Kentucky Straight bourbon, but Stitzel-Weller Distillery initially created this. They are reproducing this bourbon using the Solera aging method . The Solera method blends whiskeys aged differently and combines them in a barrel for additional aging.
They blend the barrels made from the old Stitzel-Weller Distillery with a younger-aged whiskey. The flavors of the original blends from Stitzel-Weller Distillery are still present in the newer releases. The original blends can no longer be duplicated exactly how they did before. Blending it with a newer variety is the only way to ensure continuity and consistency of the same savory taste and delectable smoothness.
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Gobourbon Exclusive: Blade And Bow Bourbon
Large companies are expected to react fast. Even in the patient mans game of whiskey. So, while it might have taken Diageo longer than most experts expected for them to dive head first into Bourbon, the worlds largest spirit conglomerate has been making up for lost time. With hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for a new distillery and warehouses, along with a few million here for visitor experiences and a few million there for new Bourbon brand launches, Diageo is getting close to being fully invested in the Bourbon Boom.
You could easily say that Bulleit Bourbon is the brand that made Diageo a believer in Bourbon. Owning 22 active operating Scotch distilleries might help you understand why the British headquartered company was a little sluggish to hop on the Bourbon bandwagon when the other great Bourbon houses had been in full production and expansion mode for better part of the last 10 years. But with Bulleit Bourbon expected to surpass the mega-brand benchmark of one million cases sold in the next two-three years, Diageo has become more aggressive in diversifying in Bourbon.
The design of the bottle also honors the Five Key way of doing things. Five of its six sides are dedicated to the five steps of crafting Bourbon, leaving one side for the labeling.
Diageo also gave us an idea of the mashbill of the limited release 22-Year-Old saying its around 15% rye, 7-10% malted barley and the rest corn.
The Blade and Bow Story
Blade And Bow Bourbon Whiskey Review
Diageo is packing a one-two punch in the American Whiskey world. Recently, the I.W. Harper brand was reintroduced to the United States after a 20 year absence. Now, their newest brand, Blade and Bow, is their homage to the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Blade and Bow is entering the market in two forms: a 22-year old, one-time release and a no age statement general release. Today, were looking at the general release.
Stitzel-Weller is a name whiskey enthusiasts are very familiar with. Old Fitzgerald and W.L. Weller bourbons originated from that distillery. It was owned by the company now known as Diageo when it closed in 1992. Diageo owns some old Stitzel-Weller whiskey stock and utilizes it for Blade and Bow bourbon in an interesting way using the solera process. Think of solera aging as a pyramid of barrels. At the bottom of the pyramid are barrels that contain old Stitzel-Weller whiskey. The higher you go on this barrel pyramid, the younger the whiskey in the barrels. So, the youngest whiskey is at the top. A portion of the old whiskey from the bottom of the barrel is tapped for release. That barrel is refilled from the next oldest barrel, and so on and so on. No barrel is completely drained. That means that a little bit of Stitzel-Weller whiskey is in every bottle of Blade and Bow. My question is how much is a little bit? My guess is not a lot. The oldest bourbon here is from Stitzel-Weller. Were not told where the rest of it is sourced from.
8/10
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Blade And Bow Bourbon
The bourbon industry is a close knit family, with many families intertwined, such as the Beams and the Shapiras . While Blade and Bow is part of the Diageo family of spirits , Blade and Bow Bourbon pays homage to the rich past of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
Honoring the Father of Modern Bourbon
A few years back, we toured the Bulleit Experience at Stizel-Weller Distillery – just south of downtown Louisville – in Shively, Kentucky. There, you can see much of the distillery that was once owned by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr. and produced some of the finest bourbon in the land. His pioneering use of wheat as a flavoring grain instead of rye led others, such as Bill Samuels Sr. of Makers Mark to begin producing wheated bourbons.
Stitzel-Weller began operations in the Spring of 1935 and by 1947, Van Winkle had full control of operations. Passing to his son, Julian Van Winkle Jr. in 1965, the family business was forced to sell in 1972. In 1997, Diageo acquired the five-year vacant facility, and in 2014, re-opened the facility as Bulleit Experience at Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
The Tasting
Eye:Amber.
Nose:Light, with honey, vanilla, along with apple and pear notes.
Palate: True to the nose with vanilla and apple, along with a splash of oak and spice. This is very pleasant and an easy sipper.
Finish: Medium with fruit and vanilla followed by an oak crescendo.
Brown Water Ramble: Jeff Parrott Of Blade And Bow
Just in case you found yourself participating in Dry January and/or February, we held off on the Brown Water content, but with March in full swing and warmer weather on its way, we bring you another ode to all things whisky.
While we here at TSG are no strangers to imbibing, we strive to bring you gents the true masters of the craft to help us all distill a better understanding of good spirits and better stories that make brown water worth the ramble.
Jeff Parrott, Blade and Bow Brand Cultivator, and today he is bringing us all a serious education on the Stitzel-Weller heritage and distillation magic that makes Blade and Bow a premier choice for bluegrass state bourbon.
Tell the gents about Blade & Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey:
Blade and Bow Bourbon launched in 2015 with two distinct variants: Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The brand makes its home at the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, known to many as the Cathedral of Bourbon.
What sets B& B apart as a distiller and brand?
Blade and Bow is unique because we use a Solera System aging process used to preserve some of the Stitzel-Weller distillerys oldest whiskey stocks, including some of the last bourbon produced before it closed in 1992. The solera liquid is mingled with other good aged bourbons and then aged and bottled at Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
What is the deal with the Five Keys Club? And how do folks get in?
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What Makes A Bourbon
There are several things that must be true for something to be considered a bourbon. In fact, all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Branches on the tree of whiskey include Canadian, Scotchsingle malt, Irish single pot still, rye, and quite a few others. Bourbon is one of these branches.
To be considered a bourbon, the liquid must be made in the United States, but it doesnt have to be made in Kentucky, despite what many people think. It must be aged in a new, charred, oak barrel, the mash must be made from 51% corn, it cannot enter its barrel at more than 125 proof, and nothing except water can be added to lessen the proof.
Whats Blade & Bow Bourbon Five Keys
The five keys of Blade & Bow Bourbon are grains, yeast, fermentation, distilling, and aging. These are what Pappy Van Winkle stood by over the years he was creating great-tasting bourbons. It symbolizes Southern traditions by expressing hospitality and warmth.
You can find the skeleton key representation at the entrance of the admin building of the old Stitzel-Weller Distillery. The blade shaft and the ornate bow handle greet everyone who visits. This same image can be seen on all the bourbons released bearing the name Blade and Bow.
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Faqs About Blade And Bow
Where is Stitzel-Weller Distillery?
The Stitzel-Weller Distillery was founded in 1935 in Shively, Kentucky, which is a suburb of Louisville. Though it closed in 1992, it produced many well-known brands. It reopened in 2014 and is a popular tourist site on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, along with Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Four Roses, Evan Williams, and many more.
How does the solera system work?
The solera system for aging is typically used in wine, brandy, and vinegar. It works by blending small portions of contents from barrels aged at different intervals. The finished product is a mixture of ages and the average age gradually increases over time and the process continues. Half of the contents of the barrels are poured out for bottling while the rest is left to age and blend with the next batch, increasing in age slowly over time, but making well-aged products very rare.
Is Blade and Bow on the Bourbon Trail?
Yes! The historic Stitzel-Weller distillery may not be well known to many, and certainly not as well known as other big names on the trail, but its a landmark of the American whiskey industry and deserves a place on your bourbon tour. It combines a rich history with innovation for the future of the whiskey industry, and you can visit the active barrel house, walk with bourbon legends, and taste more than just Blade and Bow. Youll also enjoy Bulleit and I.W. Harper bourbons.
History Of Blade And Bow
The first thing each visitor to the Stitzel-Weller distillery will notice are the five shiny keys that hang on the front door. These keys are scattered throughout the property as a reminder of the hospitality and warmth associated with southern traditions.
The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened its doors in Louisville , Kentucky in May of 1935. Coincidentally, the first days the door opened were the same as the running of the 61st Kentucky Derby.
Throughout the years, the distillery has created some of the more notable brands on the market, including Old Fitzgerald, W.L. Weller, and cult classic Pappy. The latter was a bourbon created by Julian Van Winkle, Sr., affectionately known as Pappy.
Unfortunately, the distillery closed in 1992, but it was purchased by the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience and reopened in 2014. Now, Blade and Bow is made from some of the oldest remaining whiskey stocks distilled at the Stitzel-Weller. The aging system comes from the Spanish method, called solera, where liquid from five different barrels is mixed and aged with other bourbons.
The result is a smooth, rich bourbon with hints of dried apricot, caramel, and wood. For a real treat, you could also try to rare Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Its a limited release with smoky oak, vanilla, caramel, and spice flavors.
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Whiskey Review: Blade & Bow Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky has been home to a number of famous distilleries over the years and, while American whiskey may not have originated there, some of the best bourbon ever produced has come from that single state. One such distillery is the famed Stitzel-Weller distillery, where the original and much-sought-after Pappy Van Winkle bourbon was produced and which was shuttered in 1992. Now, Diageo is looking to resurrect that facility with their Blade & Bow brand.
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When Was Pappy Stitzel
Stitzel-Weller Brands: 1908 Julian Pappy Van Winkle and Alex Farnsley acquirer a controlling interest in their employer WL Weller and Sons. Now WL Weller and Sons was just a bottler and buying most of their whiskey from Stitzel. 1933 Stitzel joins forces with Weller and Sons to create Stitzel-Weller.
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The Origins Of Blade And Bow
Blade and Bow is named from the main components of a key. Why name a bourbon after parts of a key? Because that is what decorated the door to the Stitzel Weller Distillery in the past. The five keys that were mounted on the door represented the five tenants of whiskeymaking: grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation and aging. Stitzel Weller created some of the greatest bourbon in the world for decades before it ultimately had to shut down. The facility stopped producing whiskey in 1992 and was bought by Diageo in shortly thereafter. Diageo began to slowly remodel it in the early 2000s. They werent in a rush because what they were really after were the warehouses that still contained a decent amount of bourbon that came with the sale of the place. These barrels would primarily go into the various Orphan Barrel labels that they produced starting in 2013.
Im going into this tasting knowing that what Im tasting is likely 4 to 5 year old Barton thats been proofed down to 91 proof before being bottled. The $50 price tag, which other reviewers have called fair does not seem that fair to me. For a low proof, non-age stated bourbon with no hint as to where it came from, then any higher than $30 seems egregious. But what do I know? Lets let the whiskey speak for itself. I sampled this neat in a glencairn.