The name on a bourbon bottle doesn’t always identify the distillery that made the whiskey inside.
Surprised? You’re not alone.
During a recent Bourbon & Bites tasting at The Oak Raleigh, our bourbon educator introduced guests to one of the industry’s most interesting practices: sourced bourbon.
What Is Sourced Bourbon?
Sourced bourbon is whiskey that one company distills, and another company purchases to bottle under its own brand. The buyer might age it longer, blend several barrels, finish it in another type of cask, or bottle it as purchased.
This practice is especially common among newer craft distilleries. Bourbon takes time to mature, and a young distillery may wait years before its own whiskey is ready. Buying mature bourbon lets the company introduce a product, build its brand, and generate revenue while its original whiskey rests in barrels.
Meet One of Bourbon’s Best-Known Sources
One important producer is MGP, whose historic distillery is located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
MGP produces bourbon, rye, and other spirits for brands of many sizes. You may have tasted whiskey distilled there, such as Yellowstone Select and Minor Case Rye Whiskey, without realizing it. Some companies disclose MGP as the source, while others focus their labels and marketing on what they did after acquiring the whiskey.
That might include:
- Selecting standout barrels
- Creating a proprietary blend
- Aging the bourbon longer
- Finishing it in wine, port, rum, or other barrels
- Bottling it at a distinctive proof
Those choices can meaningfully affect the finished whiskey.
Does Sourced Mean Lower Quality?
Not at all.
A bourbon’s quality depends on the whiskey itself and what the brand does with it, not simply whether the name on the bottle matches the original distillery.
A skilled blender or independent bottler can create something exceptional from sourced barrels. In fact, two brands starting with similar whiskey may produce noticeably different results through barrel selection, blending, finishing and proofing.
How Can You Tell Who Made It?
Read beyond the front label. Phrases such as “distilled by,” “produced by” and “bottled by” do not necessarily mean the same thing.
Federal labeling rules require American whiskey labels to disclose the state of distillation. Look for language such as “Distilled in Indiana,” particularly when the company address is in another state. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau provides additional guidance on required spirits labeling.
Taste First. Judge Second.
Sourced bourbon reminds us why blind tasting can be so revealing. When the label disappears, reputation and assumptions disappear with it.
What remains is the whiskey in your glass.
Reserve a table at The Oak Raleigh and ask one of our Bourbon Specialists to help you compare new pours, or plan a Bourbon & Bites experience of your own.
You may discover that one of your favorite bourbons was made somewhere you never expected.