Wine and spirits company Berry Bros & Rudd has been inspired by its history to create a new bourbon in partnership with a Texan distillery.
Spirits buyer Doug McIvor and the team have developed Texas Legation Bourbon Whiskey with brothers Jonathan and Robert Likarish at their Ironroot Republic distillery in Denison in Texas.
It is inspired by the shared history between Berry Bros & Rudd and the Texas Legation which was formed when Texas declared independence from Mexico and formed a republic in 1836. Its UK base between 1842 and 1845 was above the Berry Bros & Rudd’s shop in St James’s Street in London.
Doug said: “The historical link between Berry Bros. & Rudd and Texas dates back almost 200 years and it is fitting to finally have a product in the range that symbolises this.
“This young, bold bourbon has enticing aromas of vanilla, honey, toffee, bananas and fresh bread. To taste, it’s lively and succulent, with flavours of red apples and toffee, rich molasses and a twist of black pepper.”
Bottled at 46% ABV, the bourbon is made from three different batches: one of 95% yellow corn and 5% purple corn, one of 95% yellow corn and 5% red corn, and one of 95% yellow corn and 5% rye, aged in four American and two European oak casks.
Robert added: “Being completely frank, when we were first contacted by Berry Bros & Rudd about a possible project with a Texas whiskey distiller, we did have to question the authenticity of the query. It seemed almost too good to be true as one of the whiskies that inspired my brother and me on our journey is Berry Bros & Rudd’s very own Speyside whisky – The Glenrothes.
“We sent a selection of samples to be blended by the team at Berry Bros & Rudd in London and Doug McIvor worked his magic and the rest, as they say, is history. Whiskey has a way of bringing people together and we are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant.”
Tasting notes by Berry Bros & Rudd
Nose: aromas of vanilla, honey, toffee, bananas and fresh bread.
Palate: lively and succulent, with flavours of red apples and toffee, rich molasses and a twist of black pepper.
Finish: luscious, lingering and moreish.
