Jimmy’s Texas Bourbon is a four grain bourbon (corn, barley, rye and wheat) that starts out life in traditional new charred oak barrels where it mellows for about a month before being moved over to first fill Kiepersol Port barrels where it spends the next 11-13 months. Not only does the port wood temper the youthful grain, but it also gives this young whiskey a beautiful deep red hue.
Named after a WWII pilot and Texas resident, Jimmy’s is made with 100% Texas ingredients and in a time where an increasing amount of whiskey is sourced and then lied about it’s nice to see something new that is actually from where it says it is. It’s also nice to see them bucking the trend of taking their new make and selling it as “Texas Moonshine” or something like that. Instead of taking that “easy route” the folks at Kiepersol have put some time, energy and thought into putting out something fun and interesting while the rest of their stock ages. Which, according to an email from the owner, they “can’t wait to share the straight and hopefully one day the five year and ten year barrels with the Jimmy’s lovers”, but since they’re actually making it themselves and not sourcing it we’re going to have to wait for the earth to go around the sun a few more times before we get a taste.
Jimmy’s Texas Bourbon Review
ABV: 45%
Age: 1 year
Price: N/A*
Distiller: Kiepersol
Mashbill: 85% corn, 5% malted barley, 5% malted rye and 5% wheat
EYE
Dark ruddy caramel
NOSE
Starts out with lots of corn, vanilla, fruit cake and raisins. Dates, birthday cake, juicy dark fruit, brown sugar, raw grains and molasses mix with some interesting waxy notes swimming about in the background. A slight nuttiness flits in and out of what amounts to an intriguing aroma.
TASTE
Strange and fun it’s more like a dessert whiskey than a “daily drinker” with how sweet it is. Vanilla, corn, nutmeg and vanilla cupcakes come shooting out of the glass followed by notes of ripe dark fruit, toffee, anise and brown sugar. Some light touches of citrus and raisins mix with a bit of alcohol that kicks up at the end.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Balance is a bit off with corn and vanilla taking up a lot of room in the nose and palate. Medium body with a smooth satiny texture and only a bit of bite.
FINISH
Short nutty finish with notes of corn, vanilla and juicy dark fruit leather.
OVERALL
It’s not what I would be looking for when I come home from a long day, but as an after dinner dram / digestif it’s really quite good. The sweet and grainy youth in the nose and palate being tempered by it’s time spent in the port barrels has made it soft and palatable, but I’m missing those woody caramel and spice notes that come to mind when you think of the word Bourbon. Being a young corn based whiskey the flavor and aroma currently have more in common with other young corn whiskies like the Balcones Blue or Mellow Corn than they do a Buffalo Trace or even Jim Beam white. That all said, it’s definitely tasty for what it is and I’m looking forward to seeing what a few more years in the barrel do to this one. I have a feeling it’s going to be great.
SCORE: 84/100
*Sample was provided by the distillery for the purposes of this review