Dread River Distilling Co. is based out of Birmingham, Alabama and is the largest and most productive distillery in the state. I first tasted Dread River when I was a reviewer for The Whiskey Wash, a comprehensive and creatively satiating whiskey review site based in Portland, Oregon, where I live.

I reviewed the original Dread River Straight Bourbon and was immediately taken with the approachable flavor profile and really taken by the company’s mission statement, which reads as follows — “Dread River symbolizes the chasm between us and where we wanted to go, the relentless torrent of issues and roadblocks, and the frigid fear of failure. In making this distillery a reality, we realized that overcoming our fears isn’t just something we did; it’s who we are. For us, DREAD is not a paralytic. It’s an inspiration, a challenge just waiting to be accepted. Our goal is to inspire our friends to face their fears with us.”

As I think on this statement, and the concept of pushing beyond the “frigid fear of failure,” I identify now more than ever with the distillery as I embark on my own new, solo adventure with Whiskey & Horror. And, more than anything, the resonating theme of dread as I continue to delve into my analysis of the horror genre of film in tandem with my tasting and further exploration of the art of whiskey, recognizing and agreeing with Dread River Distilling Co.’s mission statement that dread is an inspiration – as the word and feeling is something that everyone has felt, but maybe not everyone has accepted as a truth that can be faced with courage and resilience instead of sidestepping with avoidance and denial.

Dread River’s Master Series was first released in January 2023 to great acclaim, and this Batch 2 Veteran’s Edition Bourbon is another wildly successful expression. Selected and bottled by Trey Bruner, Dread River’s assistant distiller and a 20-year USAF Combat Controller veteran. For this release, the flagship Straight Bourbon was aged in American oak casks for a year before being transferred into a 60-gallon French oak cask to sit for an extra two years. The mash bill consists of 60% corn, 30% wheat, and 10% malted barley, was bottled at cask strength at a dynamic 106 Proof (53% ABV) and is available at an SRP of $106.99, and is now shipping nationwide. Plus, Military Veterans can enjoy 20% off the Veterans Edition with the code WHISKEY4WARRIORS!

Aesthetic:

The whiskey is a beautiful tawny color.

Aroma:

A beautiful, toasted pine nut comes at first sniff, followed by cherry cordial and maple, with smooth caramel and sultana notes.

Palate:

This punchy whiskey comes out of the gate with a visceral heat and spice, cascading across the palate with a strength mixed with balanced sweetness. I enjoyed elements of coffee and vanilla bean, alongside cocoa and a fiery white pepper and clove. The finish is long and clean, with a velvety mouthfeel and lingering heat.  

Rating: 🥃🥃🥃🥃/5

**This whiskey was provided as a review sample by those who created and released it. My reviews are my own, and I tell it how I taste it.**