Black Button Distilling Double Barrel Bourbon Bottle Photo

Our Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey has an interesting story to tell. We set our Four Grain Bourbon to age in barrels of New York State White Oak, hand charred over open flames, but after that first year, the wood proved too tight and began to split. We decided to re-barrel into new, hand charred American White Oak from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. As the barrel contributes so much to the flavor, this batch was destined to be a one of a kind spirit.
Jason Barrett. Owner and Head Distiller – Black Button Distilling

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BLACK BUTTON DISTILLING DOUBLE BARREL BOURBON

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Black Button Distilling, Rochester, New York
MASH BILL: 60% Corn | 20% Wheat | 9% Rye | 11% Barley
AGE: At least 2 years
YEAR: 2020
PROOF: 84 Proof (42% ABV)
MSRP: $74.99 at the distillery
BUY ONLINE: Check out the brand's BUY ONLINE page to purchase your very own bottle.

NOSE: Caramel | Corn | Spiced Cherries | Toasted Oak

TASTE: Rye Spice | Oak | Faint Sweet Honey | Green Apple

FINISH: Medium with lingering sweetness and some grain

SHARE WITH: While young, this is a blend to share with your “drink curious” not too judgy friends.

WORTH THE PRICE: I found Ingram an interesting expression. I am generally a Midwest Grain Products fan, and I like to support craft distillers/blenders with innovative ideas. With all that being said, at over $70 for a less than 4-year-old, sourced, blended whiskey, this would be a tough sell for me.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: This whiskey is not a bust. It has interest and depth that you wouldn’t expect by its age. The blending is done well and with the innovative take on aging, I will give it a BAR rating. Try it first, if you can, before you buy. In the fifty dollar range, I would be tempted to go bottle.

OVERALL: O. H. Ingram River Aged Straight Whiskey, I found interesting whiskey. Aged in a floating “rickhouse” at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, in Ballard County, Kentucky. The theory being the gentle rocking of the barrels enhances the aging process. This process has its roots in the river transport of barreled distillate from Bourbon County delivered to New Orleans, with the transformed taste that apocryphally led to our native spirit. Does it make a difference? I have no idea, but there are a lot of people putting barrels on ocean voyages, riverboats, playing music to them, and even aging in cranberry bogs.

I have an issue with brands using invented or unrelated stories to support the “marketing” of their spirits. I don’t see that as an issue with O.H. Ingram. They have family history tied to the river and actually age on floating barges. They don’t hide the source, age, or mash bills of their product. Starting from typically quality rye and bourbon distillate from MGP in Indiana, aging for over three years and blended well, has produced a straight whiskey. It has a surprising depth for a young age. I found it drinkable neat, better with ice, but not particularly suitable for cocktails. My only issue with this product is the price, which is high for what it is. Understanding that the cost of sourcing and barreling probably drives this cost. If you find it in a bar, or you have the resource and drinking curiosity, I would not dissuade you from giving this one a try.

O. H. Ingram River Aged Straight Whiskey

O. H. Ingram River Aged Straight Whiskey is the first release in the River Aged series. Combining traditional distilling practices with our innovative maturation process, we’ve created an extraordinary whiskey with exceptional character and smoothness.

Our Process

The process of river aging our barrels exposes them to the climate of the river and its drastic rise and fall. The river’s constant motion, and the friction it causes, ensures that our whiskey never stops working, creating a spirit mature beyond its years.

94 Points, The Tasting Panel Magazine

“River-aged barrels expose them to the drastic rise and fall of the water’s temperatures. The constant motion and friction of the river keep the barrels in motion, aiding in maturation of its 3-year minimum age statement. This 96-proofer is rye-based. Aromas of tangerine and butterscotch lead to a silky palate, coated with notes of crème brulée, marked with papaya, dried apricot and pine nuts. The long finish brings forth key lime pie and graham cracker crust.”

APPEARANCE: Amber, honey, gold, medium viscosity, clear.

ON THE NOSE: Mid-age (6-8 years), honey, aged newsprint, butterscotch, Cherrywood

MOUTHFEEL: Warm, velvety

PALATE: Stone fruit, dried apricot, raisin, honeycomb, caramel

FINISH: Long, soft baking spices, cinnamon and allspice, warm rye spice, honey, citrus, orange peel.

NOSE: Bread Dough | Baking Spices | Cherry | Vanilla

TASTE: Oak | Spice | Vanilla

FINISH: A creamy, short finish with a burst of spice

SHARE WITH: Bourbon drinkers interested in a craft four-grain expression. Also those who are interested in double oaked bourbons.

WORTH THE PRICE: $75 for a young, low proof, craft bourbon is a little too high in my mind. I find it has a better taste than the standard Black Button Four Grain however. It is not available right now but scheduled to return in 2021

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: The price, proof and age of this expression makes this a definite bar pick or try it at the tasting room when it is available.

OVERALL: This bourbon was started as the Black Button Four Grain expression aging in barrels of New York State White Oak, hand charred over open flames. After the first year, the wood was too tight and began to split. The bourbon was re-barreled into new, hand charred American White Oak from Missouri.

The distillery labels this as an “unique and spicier version” of their signature 4 grain bourbon. I agree it is spicier than the signature bourbon and has a slightly richer taste. For more info on the signature 4 Grain Bourbon check out my previous review.

As I mentioned before, this is not available right now. According to the distillery another batch will be available in 2021.

Nose: Fresh Oak | Toffee | Leather

Palate: Light Caramel | Vanilla

Finish: Clean and easy, with slight hints of charred oak and vanilla.

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
Since 1922, my family’s button factory has provided some of the finest men’s suit buttons available. For four generations these buttons have closed high quality suits worn by Presidents, Popes, Kings, and Businessmen the world over. My name is Jason Barrett and it is my family’s commitment to making an excellent product that inspired me to start Black Button Distilling.

As a licensed Farm Distillery, Black Button Distilling is dedicated to preserving New York State’s rich agricultural heritage and reputation for quality manufacturing. We use over 90% New York State grown ingredients, which is reflected in the quality of each and every bottle of small batch spirits. Each of our spirits are handcrafted by our master distillers to be the perfect way to unwind after a good day’s work.

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Disclaimer: Black Button Distilling provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Stang

Sr. Contributor | Bourbon & Banter

Lee’s bourbon journey started with one mistaken gulp of bourbon and coke as an eight-year-old. While bourbon was always part of his life, Lee followed a beer, wine path for the most part until a bartender poured him a taste of Buffalo Trace about ten years ago. It was at that point Lee’s love of bourbon really took off. Not only does Lee enjoy a good pour of bourbon but he is more than willing and excited to talk about it. Lee believes that bourbon, and for that matter all spirits, is enhanced by the experience of good company, good conversation and good bars. The combination leads to great stories. Say hi to him when you see him. Lee lives in Leesburg, VA, with his wife, best friend, and drinking partner, Patti. You might find her having a bourbon as well. Both Lee and Patti like to read mystery thrillers and travel. Most likely the travel leads to visits to new bars. Read Lee's full profile.