Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Still a fairly new company in the whiskey business, Backbone Bourbon is working hard to make their mark in the industry. Rather than distilling their own whiskey at this point, they are currently what is known in the industry as a ‘rectifier’. What this means is that they source barrels of whiskey from distillers, then blend barrels and include different finishes to create their own flavor profile.
Backbone Bourbon officially began in 2014. Why Backbone? Well, the company gives two reasons for their name. The first, and main reason behind the name, comes from a supplier that dropped them, and the founders “wished that supplier had more ‘backbone’”. While the company officially started in 2014, they had been working on creating their brand back in 2011. They worked on purchasing different aged bourbon and rye barrels.
Their first branded whiskey was Backbone Uncut. The company believes strongly in ‘uncut’, coming straight from the barrel with minimal filtration and no water added. When they sampled their first barrel, they enjoyed the flavor, continued sampling and still loved it so much they decided to bottle it straight from the barrel. The founders, Bill Kennedy and Nolan Smith, believe that all proper bourbons are at least 90 proof, so they tend to produce high proof bourbons.
In keeping with their high proof whiskeys, they now have their Old Bones Rye Whiskey. The whiskey is aged at least 10 years, and then part of it is finished in apera (Australian style sherry) barrels. It’s bottled at 110 proof, with a mash bill/blend of 95% rye and 5% malted barley.
Tasting Notes: Old Bones Rye Whiskey 10-Year Reserve
Vital Stats: 110 proof (55% ABV), aged for at least 10 years, with 20% finished in apera barrels, 750ml bottle, MSRP $106.99.
Appearance: This rye has a lovely dark reddish color to it.
Nose: There is definitely a nice hint of orange peel hitting the nose, with a strong hit of vanilla and honey.
Palate: There is a lovely minty taste right at the start. This is followed by a sweetness, somewhat honey flavor, and somewhat of a butterscotch flavor, with a hint of spice. I feel like it ends back at the beginning, with a nice hint of that minty aftertaste.