Thursday, June 5, 2014

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Belle Meade™ Bourbon

I've been eying the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Belle Meade™ Bourbon for sometime now - I think first through tweets and then through a couple Maxim articles. And finally, its available through the Virginia ABC system. The first Charles Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once the largest distillery in Tennessee but folded with state sponsored prohibition in 1909. Fast forward to today and  his great-great-great grandsons have resurrected the flagship bourbon - named after the Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee. The label features two interesting horses sired at the plantation, Bonnie Scotland; who's lineage would eventually include War Admiral, Man O’ War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat; and Brown Dick, "whose great-great grand sire was simply named Whiskey". Make sure you read the entire history.

All the tasting descriptors refer to maple syrup and yes, it is present spring up deep in the nose and at the tail. In between, this heavy bourbon possesses some spices and rawness from the high mix of rye. Belle Meade™ comes highly recommended. For now, the distillery is not open for tours, but as soon as that situation changes, they will be added to theCompass Winery, Brewery, Distiller Locator app, Cheers.

Update: Based on the new scrutiny of Bourbon labels and state of distillation, I noticed that Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery follows federal regulations. The bourbon is distilled and aged at our friends in Indiana and bottled by Nelson’s Green Brier.

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