Fistful of Bourbon Review

A blend of five different bourbons, the Fistful of Bourbon is William Grant & Sons entry into the bourbon world. Using their Scotch blending sensibilities and sourcing whiskey from places like Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and New York they’re on a mission to combine the best America has to offer into something unique, a sum that’s higher in quality than its parts.

Fistful of Bourbon

The youngest bourbon in the batch is 2-years-old and since they bought Hudson back in 2010 I have to think there’s a good bit of that in there and is likely where the 2-year-old whiskey comes from. The rest could be sourced from anywhere with the usual suspects being MGP in Indiana, Heaven Hill in Kentucky and George Dickle in Tennessee (though I don’t get any GD essence here).

I know they’re not likely to disclose the distilleries, but it would be nice if they at least revealed the states that went into the Fistful of Bourbon. Especially with products like this, a little transparency goes a long way. I’m not saying they need to be Compass Box Level, but some indication would be lovely. And now on to the review.

Fistful of Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In William Grant & Sons’ Words: Fistful of Bourbon

IT AIN’T JUST A BOURBON. IT’S A DAMN FISTFUL. The idea was a big whisky that balances sweet and spice. To get there, each “finger” of our Fistful has a distinct flavor.
* Sweet, balanced and smooth.
* Green and leafy with floral notes.
* Warm spice and hints of nutmeg.
* Notes of buttery toffee.
* Hints of cinnamon and licorice.

Fistful of Bourbon Details

Fistful of Bourbon price, ABV, age and other details

Region: USA

Distiller: Various
Blender: William Grant & Sons
Mash Bill: A blend of 5 bourbons (At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley… maybe wheat).
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 2 Years
ABV: 45%

Price: $25*

Fistful of Bourbon Tasting Notes

EYE
Light toffee

NOSE
Corn, vanilla, caramel, orchard fruit, nuts and copper.

PALATE
Corn rye, caramel, nuts, fruit, vanilla, copper and a touch of oak and spice.

FINISH
Medium – Corn, vanilla, oak, spice and a sweetness that makes me think of cream soda.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, medium body and a light dry feel.

Fistful of Bourbon isn’t bad. It’s a bit light, but for a simple bourbon to share with friends or mix a cocktail with it works just fine.

Fistful of Bourbon Review: OVERALL

With a light and sweet aroma, a light and sweet palate and a light and sweet finish I can safely say Fistful of Bourbon is a light sweet bourbon. It comes across kind of like a combo of Jim Beam White, Maker’s Mark and Buffalo Trace. It’s not challenging, it’s not deep and it’s not complex, but it is flavorful which makes it the perfect “intro” bourbon.

I think experienced drinkers might find this to be a tad on the boring and unchallenging side with the soft sweet profile, but welcoming and useful for those starting out or who like a soft sweet style. Which I know there are plenty of out there so I have no doubt this is a bourbon that will find its niche. In the meantime I’m excited to see what the William Grant folks blend up next.

SCORE: 82/100 (B-)

Fistful of Bourbon Review