Some things are worth waiting for. Good bourbon, for one. And when you’ve been making spirits for 170 years, a decade is just a drop in the bucket (pun intended).
Just 30 minutes north of Kansas City, Holladay Distillery in Weston is marking its 170th anniversary with Ben Holladay 10-Year Bourbon, a limited-edition release that’s been a decade in the making.
Founded in 1856, Holladay is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi still operating at its original location. Its newest bourbon, released October 17, is the oldest produced during the distillery’s modern era.
Made with Holladay’s original bourbon mash bill, it spent 10 years aging in ironclad rickhouses, where Missouri’s unpredictable seasons worked their magic. Master Distiller Kyle Merklein hand-selected the barrels, settling on a robust 111 proof.
“At 111 proof, we felt like we found the sweet spot where you can really experience what those 10 years gave us,” Merklein says.
This is one bourbon that doesn’t need dressing up. Skip the mixers and fancy garnishes. Enjoy it neat, and let those 10 years in the barrel do the talking.
Better yet, make an afternoon of it. With its historic downtown, antique shops and fall scenery, Weston is an easy autumn escape. Throw in a distillery tour and tasting, and you’ve got yourself a pretty spirited day trip.
Visit holladaydistillery.com for tour and tasting information.
