| Jefferson's Bourbon | |
| Type: | bourbon, rye |
| Abv: | 40% |
| Manufacturer: | Kentucky Artisan Distillery, independent distilleries |
| Distributor: | Castle Brands |
| Origin: | United States |
| Introduced: | 1997 |
| Variants: | Jefferson's Small Batch, Jefferson's Reserve, Jefferson's Presidential, Jefferson's Ocean, Jefferson's Collaboration, Jefferson's Rye |
| Website: | jeffersonsbourbon.com |
| Region: | Kentucky |
Jefferson's Bourbon is a Louisville, Kentucky–based brand of bourbon whiskey. The brand was first released in 1997, and is distributed by the Castle Brands.
Jefferson's has used experimental blending and aging techniques, such as aging bourbon at sea, where wave action can affect the product's development. It also produces a rye whiskey.
The Jefferson's brand was initially applied exclusively to bourbon distilled by other companies. Jefferson's acquired Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood, Kentucky. 25% percent of barrels warehoused for aging in 2017 were produced at Kentucky Artisan Distillery. The other 75% are produced by independent distilleries.
Jefferson's Bourbon was launched in 1997 by Trey Zoeller, a native Kentuckian, and his father Chet Zoeller, a bourbon historian. He founded a company called McClain & Kyne after Zoeller's past relatives, including an 8th generation grandmother arrested in 1799 for moonshining.[1] McClain & Kyne was purchased by Castle Brands around 2005. Asked about the name, Zoeller reportedly said, "I had no marketing budget. I simply wanted a recognizable face associated with history and tradition."[2]
In June 2015, Castle Brands announced a 20% purchase of Copperhead Distillery Company, which owns and operates Kentucky Artisan Distillery.
In 2022, Pernod Ricard announced an investment of $250 million for Jefferson's Bourbon to build a five years to build a new, carbon-neutral distillery and aging warehouses in Marion County, Kentucky.
In addition to conventional bourbons, ryes, and whiskeys, other products include:
Jefferson's Small Batch Bourbon and Jefferson's Reserve received a 92 and 94 respectively from the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2012.[5] Jefferson's Rye received a 92 from Wine Enthusiast in 2012.[6]
Food critic Morgan Murphy said "The dark amber of this bourbon makes it look like woodpile water, but the sweet caramel taste has a very restrained oak flavor."[7]