Named after Joe Baker’s great-great-great-great-great grandfather, the James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon is a sourced TN Bourbon bottled by Joe and the team at the Ole Smoky Distillery. Joe, if you didn’t know, is the co-founder of Ole Smoky.
When we’re talking about sourced TN Whiskey/Bourbon, there are really only two distilleries it could come from and one, George Dickel, has a very distinct character. The other, the Tennessee Distilling Group, is basically the MGP of TN and contract distills/sources out for a LOT of brands. Basically, if it doesn’t taste like Dickel, you can be 99% sure it came from TDG.
So which one does this James Ownby taste like? Let’s get to drinkin’ and find out.
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Bourbon (Straight)
Region: Tennessee, USA
Distiller: Undisclosed (Likely Tennessee Distilling Group)
Bottler: Ole Smoky
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 47%
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon Price: $45*
Related Whiskey
Trader Joe’s Tennessee Bourbon
Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon
Heaven’s Door 10-year Tennessee Bourbon
Bib and Tucker Bourbon 6 Years
Bib and Tucker Bourbon 10 Years
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon Tasting Notes
EYE
Medium amber
NOSE
Caramel, oak, herbal notes and baking spice with a bit of vanilla, copper and dried fruit.
Smells quite nice. It isn’t heavy or deep, but all out pleasant.
PALATE
Caramel, watery wood (chewed up toothpick), dried corn, herbal, baking spice and bits of citrus peels, copper and dried fruit.
Not nearly as good as the aroma, but still fairly tasty despite coming through a bit raw and “toothpicky”.
FINISH
Medium -> Dried corn, vanilla, wood and a bit of spice and minerality.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a slightly tannic, lightly dry feel.
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon – Overall Thoughts and Score
After tasting this I’m pretty sure this came from TDG and it’s just ok. The worst part is the “oak”. It’s so weird, it reminds of chewing on a toothpick till it’s just a collection of mushy fibers… and that’s not great. Yes, there are other notes in there that are good, but that weird, watery, somewhat crafty, woody quality is distracting and I have a hard time settling into the whiskey and enjoying it.
I don’t hate it, but I don’t like it either. It feels… experimental. It doesn’t quite feel finished, or done, more like a product in progress, and if that’s the case, it’s not a bad start. Actually quite a good start, but if it’s the end product… meh. For me, the James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon is a bit of a miss.
SCORE: 2.5/5 (average, drinkable, possible minor flaws ~ C+ | 77-79)
*Disclosure: The sample for this Bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Bourbon Review $45
Overall
2.5- Nose (2.5)
- Palate (2.5)
- Finish (2.5)
- BBF (2.5)