Last year, I was re-introduced to Ragged Branch. Old bourbon friend (and Head of Sales for Ragged Branch) John Foster and I began to taste through each bottle. By the time I hit I hit the Double Oaked Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon I said “why isn’t this a staple product of Seelbach’s?!”
Ragged Branch Distillery starts by growing 100% of the raw grains on leased or owned land. They only source the malted barley. They distilling a pot/column hybrid still. Only producing about a barrel a day. The whiskey is aged in their barrel barn for a minimum of 4-years. This is a Virginia bourbon! If you love to explore true craft spirits this is a great one to add to your cabinet. The bourbon’s have plenty of traditional characteristics, but the Virginia grown grains and pot still distillation add unique notes.
Today, we have a delicious double oaked wheated single barrel that Dee selected. While a flight of options were made available, this one was specifically flagged with us in mind. After a blind of ~9 barrels, sure enough, this ended up being the one. Combine that with the barrel number being Dee’s favorite number and birthday, it was a must have.
Filled in #3 char in November of 2016, and moved to #4 char August of 2021, this was bottled in December of 2023 giving this over 7 years of total aging, and two years in its secondary oak. This would be a great bottle to have in a flight or tasting with Kings County Bourbon. Two completely different states and processes, but really unique similarities.
Nose: Sweet and smoky caramel, vanilla bean, coffee bean, cooked red fruits, finely ground baking spices, and toasted almond.
Palate: Cherry skin, leather, rich oak, cinnamon bark, finely ground nutmeg, dried hay and almond husk.
Finish: Long finish of leather, cracked pepper, allspice and hints of tobacco.
