By: Crawvette623 (4) 2/13/2012Cheers!(0)I recently learned about Jesse James bourbon after watching the reality television show, “Full Throttle Saloon” on TruTv. The television series is about the annual biker rally held in Sturgis, SD and features the bourbon’s current namesake, and rock band Jackyl lead singer, Jesse James Dupree, as one of the cast members. With that in mind, my expectations for the quality of this bourbon were somewhat mixed. However, I was exceedingly surprised after receiving the samples from the distributor and partaking of the first sip. But first, some background on this bourbon…..
According to the distributor, Levecke Brands, Inc., and the bottle label, this 80 proof product is “distilled in the heart of Kentucky to perfection, old-time charcoal mellowed and aged in oak casks to achieve an incredibly smooth and full-bourbon character that makes this one of the finest whiskeys. We have carefully selected the finest, home-grown ingredients to create this smooth Bourbon Whiskey. We start with a mash that is a minimum of 51% corn. We use new, charred oak barrels for aging. We take great care in producing a Bourbon Whiskey to stand up to the Outlaw in you!”
What was packaged in the bottles was aged for 36 months, but WAS as smooth as silk and had a great, robust flavor. The charcoal was not overpowering as in some of the other bourbons that use this process, but instead had just a hint that was accompanied by traces of oak and a nice, full body and consistency. It had a deep amber color reminiscent of bourbons that retail for much more than the average price of a bottle of Jesse James, which is in the $14.00 range. Though I did not dare foul the taste of this pleasant surprise by mixing the bourbon with any type of soft drink or other mixer, (I am a purist and prefer to sip good bourbon), I am sure it would deliver the same high quality for use in such beverages. I HIGHLY recommend this bourbon to bourbon lovers everywhere, and NOT just the biker crowd. Congratulations, Jesse, on quality bourbon that is sure to take its place among the great bourbons on the shelves of aficionados and establishments everywhere!