Later this month you might see a new Jefferson’s Bourbon on the shelf — if you’re lucky. The Marian McLain expression is a tribute to founder Trey Zoeller’s eighth-generation grandmother who has the distinction of being one of the first women in history to get arrested for bootlegging in 1799.
The whiskey is a blend of five bourbons, which correlates to the number of children McLain had and raised on her own after her husband died in the Revolutionary War. That unique blend consists of:
- 21% 14-Year-Old Tennessee Straight Bourbon
- 40% 11-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- 14% Wheated Double-Barrel
- 17% Rum Cask Finish
- 8% 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
That intricate blend took Trey and his father Chet, a bourbon historian and co-founder of Jefferson’s, months to perfect.
“The Marian McLain expression is a tribute to our family history and a celebration of the pioneering persona that defines our brand,” says Trey in a news release. “This is not just a bottle of bourbon; it is a legacy. What better way to show appreciation for my past than by creating this liquid that can be enjoyed for years to come. I brought my dad, Chet, out of retirement to help create this nod to our heritage. We are honored to share Marian’s spirit through this exceptionally bold and balanced blend.”
I can tell you so much more about this release, but I’ve written a piece for Alcohol Professor that does just that — so I don’t want to steal my own thunder, so to speak. I’ll be sure to post a link to that article here when it gets published.
Just know that the bourbon is incredible and should start popping up around town (and nationwide) at the end of April/early May. It’s 102 proof and retails for about $300.
