I recently enjoyed a virtual media tasting of Maverick Distilling’s newest release, the Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, featuring an exclusive peek into the newest creation from Maverick Distillery co-founders and owners, Dr. Kenneth and Dr. Amy Maverick.

The grain-to-glass, small batch method of distilling grows ever more popular amongst American whiskey producers, and there is a growing number of certified Bottled-in-Bond offerings, advancing the uniquely American classification ensuring quality over quantity. The 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act has several mandatory guidelines to qualify for certification, and you can find a great explanation of the Act over at my old stomping grounds, The Whiskey Wash.

As for today’s review of Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-in-Bond, there was an emphasis on the utilization of the unique terroir of Texas – heat and humidity aiding in the aging of the whiskey, with that aging taking place in historic bank vaults below the Maverick distillery, distilled using Texas-grown corn, rye, and barley, offering a 100% authentic Texas whiskey. From the press release, Dr. Kenneth Maverick states of the expression, “Our Private Reserve Bottled in Bond Bourbon is a genuine expression of location. Every element of our product hails from the Lone Star State, allowing us to deliver a genuine taste of Texas in every bottle. We’re proud of our heritage and love to let that shine through in excellent spirits. The making of Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bourbon Bottled in Bond began with the selection of the very best barrels from our award-winning Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bourbon stash. We allowed these special barrels to age for more than four years before hand-bottling onsite at 100 proof.”

I really enjoyed this tasting. Maybe there was something about hearing about the process firsthand from the owners, maybe it was the joy of a very good whiskey, but there’s a reason previous Samuel Private Reserve releases have won accolades over the years in such competitions as the John Barleycorn Awards and ASCOT Awards. This whiskey is full bodied and well-balanced, with a perfectly balanced flavor profile and a nice long finish. Whether in a cocktail or over ice, the high proof of the whiskey never overpowers the nuance within, and I am excited to make my famous ginger-orange Old Fashioned with this one!

As I tasted with the others on the Zoom, with comments pouring in, I tried my hardest to focus on my own experience and pick out notes of my own – of course I was inspired reading what other reviewers were picking up, it really brought home just how subjective whiskey tasting is!

Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon comes in at 100 Proof (50% ABV) and is a small-batch release with less than 250 bottles available at a SRP of $80/bottle – fantastic price point for this whiskey. Get your bottle here!

Aesthetic:

The color is deep, bold amber with nice, thick legs.

Nose:

Cinnamon and fresh black mulberry were two notes I got up front. Classic caramel and brown sugar sweetness combined with smokiness reminded me of that one amazing BBQ joint I stopped at in Austin during a film festival – mouthwatering.

Palate:

A smooth, velvety mouthfeel, the whiskey is sweet and smokey, with bacon and brown sugar notes fulfilling that meatiness promised on the nose. It’s a whiskey with a long finish and a heat that stops just before it gets too hot and sweetness that mellows before it gets too sweet. Other more subtle notes include pecan and tarragon.

Rating: 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃.5/5

**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.**