Positioned in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Casey Jones Distillery celebrated its tenth 12 months of operation in 2024 by releasing its Founder’s tenth Anniversary Mix. On February 8, 2025, the small distillery is as soon as once more celebrating by releasing the third batch of AJ’s Birthday Birthday Bourbon in honor of the 68th birthday of Arlon Casey Jones.
Casey Jones AJ’s Birthday Mix No.3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the becoming a member of of three of the distillery’s most alternative barrels. Barrels #251 and #267 characteristic Mashbill 1, consisting of 96% corn, 3% rye, and 1% malted barley. The high-corn barrels harken again to the earliest days when Casey Jones contracted Inexperienced River Distilling to make bourbon. Barrel #971 was additionally distilled at Inexperienced River, however provides one in every of Owensboro’s lesser-known mashbills in 78% corn, 13% rye, and 9% malted barley, dubbed by Casey Jones as Mashbill X. After greater than 5 years of whole growing old, the three barrels come collectively for a derived mashbill of 91.5% corn, 5.55% rye, and three% malted barley.
To place apart confusion, Casey Jones Distillery will not be named after the legendary baseball participant or railroad engineer. Likewise, this “birthday bourbon” has no affiliation with Previous Forester, however is it equally value celebrating? Let’s gentle the candles and slice the cake!
The birthday celebration begins by inviting the aroma of creamed corn, adopted by a luscious layer of vanilla bean ice cream. Delicate almond then arrives on the get together, including a mild nuttiness, whereas crisp pear brings a refreshing brightness. Tailing off on the finish, the scent of lavender lends a mushy floral magnificence to the nostril. The get together video games kick off because the palate unwraps the buttery sweetness of caramel corn, balanced by a molasses-like brown sugar. Juicy plums add a fruity distinction, whereas heat cinnamon toast brings a comforting spice. The mouthfeel is exceptionally viscous, coating the palate with a lingering richness. Because the get together involves a conclusion, the end ushers in with a rush of spicy cinnamon, paying homage to Huge Purple gum. White pepper provides a slight tingling sensation. Because the spice fades, caramel sauce makes an look earlier than heading out the door, providing a last trace of orange zest.
Casey Jones provides a number of mashbills, and I’ve been capable of strive most of them, together with a couple of well-aged single barrels ensuing from the 96% corn mashbill. Whereas on the distillery, I opted to buy a single barrel of lesser age with a 4-grain mashbill. The actual barrels of the high-corn spirit I sampled simply didn’t sway me. Nevertheless, this mix that includes two of these barrels together with a barrel sporting a mashbill of barely larger rye content material completely works. Doubtless, this is among the finest choices from Casey Jones I’ve been capable of strive. The asking worth of $80 might sound excessive to most shoppers for barrels aged simply over 5 years, however the mix is completed effectively, and the cask energy bottling at 105.2 proof provides additional intrigue. It is a bottle that I’d fortunately buy and advocate to others.
105.2 proof.
A- / $80 / caseyjonesdistillery.com
Casey Jones Distillery AJ’s Birthday Mix Bourbon (2025)
$80
