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W. H. Harrison Bourbon Review This is Straight Bourbon Whiskey straight out of the Hoosier State as another Bourbon shows that they’re coming from more States than just Kentucky. With the basketball rivalry between the I.U. Hoosiers and the U.K. Wildcats, how does will this Indiana Bourbon taste? We’re reviewing it below..and you know that we LOVE Kentucky Bourbon.

Tipton Spirits tells BourbonBlog.com that this is the “first Indiana Bourbon since Prohibition.” I recently met in Indiana with Jerry Knight CEO & Founder of Tipton Spirits. He and his team bring an extensive background of spirits into these bottles of Indiana Bourbon.

Jerry used to work at Diageo in New York, where he was the Crown Royal Brand Director and before that Director of Global Innovation. His partners in Tipton Spirits are all past executives from Diageo, Gallo, Miller, Jim Beam and Procter & Gamble.

With two unique bottlings and recipes as their first ever Bourbon releases including a Straight Bourbon at 80 proof and a barrel proof Governor’s Reserve at 114 proof, both Bourbons are currently sold in many stores, restaurants and bars across Indiana along with some  top spots in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. They will expand to additional markets over time, so keep checking back here on BourbonBlog.com for those updates.

“I’m from Indiana, and knowing the state’s strength in agriculture I always felt like Indiana was a natural home for distilled spirits and especially Bourbon – corn is our #1 crop,” says Knight. “And, with great limestone water and plenty of barrel-quality Indiana oak in the southern part of the state, we have all the ingredients for great Indiana Bourbon. I still can’t believe there hasn’t been an Indiana Bourbon before now because it’s such a natural fit. We’re glad to be the first!”

The Bourbon is named in honor of William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), the Governor of the Indiana Territory and ninth President of the United States.

Knight says Tipton Spirits will release other spirits than Bourbon, including Desirée Vodka this Spring, keep updated by checking out their Vodka Facebook page here.  We’re impressed with theseIndiana Bourbons, here are the reviews…

W. H. Harrison Indiana Straight Bourbon ReviewW.H. Harrison Straight Bourbon Review

Bourbon: W.H. Harrison Straight Bourbon

Distillery: Distilled and barrel aged In Indiana for the Harrison Bourbon Co., Brazil Indiana

Age: Less than four years

Proof: 80 Proof, 40% ABV

Color: Light Amber

Notes: This recipe has high focus on corn.

Nose: Soft fruits, touch of vanilla and mildy floral

Taste: Approachable yet playful with hints of toffee, a buttery notes, sweetness, soft mouthfeel. This is straightforward pure Bourbon that speaks measures in its ability to have great flavor while being a classic winner. An excellent for mixing in your favorite cocktails or a stand alone sipper.

Finish: Clean and dry finish

W. H. Harrison Governor's Reserve Bourbon reviewW.H. Harrison Governor’s Reserve Barrel Proof Bourbon Review

Bourbon: W.H. Harrison Straight Bourbon

Distillery: Distilled and barrel aged In Indiana for the Harrison Bourbon Co., Brazil Indiana

Age: Less than Four Years

Proof: 114 Proof, 57% ABV

Color: Medium to deep amber, with nice clarity

Notes: This recipe has high focus on rye. This bottle is labeled “Batch 1”

Nose: Spice, cinnamon candies, rye with touch of oak

Taste: Some strong depth on this Bourbon with the spice and the rye and rounded with refined sweetness. Governor’s Reserve has some delicate and well-thought elements that make it reminiscent of a fresh French pastry and German strudel but enough rye characteristic to not make it overly sweet. The luscious flavors and layers are so pronounced that while it is bold, it doesn’t come across to the tongue with the heat of most 114 proof spirits. However, it still allows those of us who enjoy barrel proof whiskies to appreciate its strength and structure.

Finish: Lingering with mellow and relaxed feel

 

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3 Responses to “W. H. Harrison Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review”

  1. Colleen Marvel

    Where is WH Harrison Indiana Bourbon really made? The site said its made at Tipton Spirits in Brazil, Indiana. The address for Tipton Spirits is a field. Even the liquor stores in Brazil said it isn’t even made in Indiana. Where is it really made? As far as I know, there is only 1 distillery in Indiana and it is the Starlight Distillery that makes brandy,etc. for Hubers. If I am wrong, please enlighten me as to the location and details of WH Harrison Indiana Bourbon.
    Thank you.

  2. K.

    ??? What about Larwenceburg Distillers Indiana — formerly the Rossville Distillery, Joseph E. Seagram & Son, Pernod Ricard — founded in 1847 — the oldest distillery in the country? They make bourbon, whiskey, rye and gin.

    Indiana used to have a lot of distillers –in Terre Haute there was Indiana Distilling Co. (1895), the Merchants Distilling Co. (1898) and the 6-story Majestic Distillery, one of the world’s largest, with a capacity of 60,000 gallons a day. Champagne Velvet Pilsener beer (1901) was also brewed in Terre Haute, Indiana.

    I think it would be great if W. H. Harrison Indiana Bourbon/Tipton Spirits succeeded. Fred B. Smith would be proud.

  3. J. Pacton

    The straight bourbon is straight garbage. ANY other bourbon at its price is better. The governor’s reserve, however, is a very nice whiskey. Bold, yet elegant with a slight creaminess. It’s also about 20 dollars too much.