I love a good whiskey, and I’ve found it at Blaum Bros. Distilling in Galena, Ill. I accepted an offer to sample its straight bourbon whiskey ($49.99) and straight rye whiskey ($49.99), right in time for National Bourbon Heritage Month.
First, a little bit about the distillery. It’s a funny origin story of brothers Matt and Mike Blaum, who could only get along when they were drinking whiskey with each other. They founded the distillery in 2013 “despite no formal education,” according to the website.
I really enjoyed the bourbon. It is 100 proof and aged four years, has a hint of caramel and honey and is super smooth without any bite.
“We could’ve taken shortcuts to bring a product to market sooner, but we’re in this for the long haul,” Mike said in a statement. “A four-year-old bourbon is pretty old for a craft distillery, but it’s the youngest whiskey you’ll ever see from us moving forward.”
Meanwhile, the 100-proof rye–definitely in my top 10–also has hints of caramel and honey, although less so than the bourbon, and has a bit of spice to it. Take your time sipping this one, folks.
“It’s a bit of a unique take in rye whiskey, while still maintaining the traditional characteristics familiar to rye whiskey lovers,” Mike said in a statement.
Blaum Bros. products are distributed in Wisconsin. If you’re visiting Galena, make sure to stop by the distillery for a tour or to enjoy a cocktail in its bar.
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Photos from Blaum Bros. Distilling
