Calumet Farms 16 Year
53% ABV 106 Proof
Calumet Farm is a 762-acre Thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky, United States by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the Calumet Baking Powder Company. Calumet Farm 16 Year Bourbon is not directly tied to the legendary Calumet Farm known for its thoroughbred horse racing heritage; instead, it represents a brand that capitalizes on the deep traditions and history of Kentucky's Bourbon culture. Western Spirits Beverage Company acts as a Non-Distiller Producer (NDP), sourcing their spirit from other distilleries and bottling under their own label. The name is licensed from Calumet Farm and is part of a series of bourbons released under the Calumet Farm name. However, the origins of this particular whiskey are somewhat elusive, as its production details and distillery source are not openly disclosed. This lack of transparency has created an air of mystique around the bourbon, making it a subject of intrigue among whiskey enthusiasts. Calumet Farm Bourbon has confirmed that their whiskey is not made by Bardstown, and that the mashbill is 74% Corn, 18% Rye, and 8% Malted Barley. With this information, many have speculated that Barton (1792) might be the source of this brand’s Kentucky Bourbon.
The Calumet Farm 16 Year Bourbon is known for its richness and complexity, a result of the 16-year aging process. Artfully aged in charred American oak barrels, this bourbon is appreciated for its robust flavors that include notes of oak, caramel, spice, and dark fruit. They produce this expression in extremely small batches of 19 barrels, and each barrel is hand selected to a specific flavor profile rather than for the age. Bottled at 106 proof, it presents a robust yet approachable experience, a testament to the expertise of the unknown master distillers behind its creation. The packaging and branding of the bourbon also pay homage to Kentucky's storied bourbon and horse racing history, bringing a traditional appeal to the modern consumer. While the mystery surrounding its precise origins continues to pique interest, the quality of Calumet Farm 16 Year Bourbon has cemented its place among sought-after American whiskies.
Nose: red apple, cherry, oak, light ethanol, light vanilla (like a creme soda), caramel, honey, light coffee (think vanilla latte)
Palette: dark, chocolatey, banana funk, cherry, toasted oak, espresso, baking spice on the back end, drinks well below its proof
Finish: oak, cherry, and honey/molasses remain, light ethanol, lingers for a while, fades into a metallic vanilla, almost floral/grassy (you really have to go looking for that, it’s as if they were mowing the lawn outside the distillery while bottling this, just a hint in the air)