DSR – NJ – 01: Laird’s Barrel Aged Series Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
Company/Distillery: Laird & Company
Location: Scobeyville, NJ
Mash Bill: Unknown; Sourced Kentucky Bourbon
Age Statement: 5 years in original cask, then finished in apple brandy barrels
Proof/ABV: 90 Proof/45% ABV
Color & Viscosity: In the bottle, this bourbon displays a tawny hue. When poured into the glass, it reveals a rich, dark chestnut color. Tilting the glass slightly produces a medium viscous line that forms a thick rim near the top. This rim slowly releases droplets, which gradually form into legs that gently slide down the side of the glass.
Purchase Price: $44.99 from the VA ABC Stores – June 2024; 750 ml
Bottle Label Information:
Front Label
Laird’s Barrel Aged Series
Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
750 ml | 45% Alc. By Bol. (90 Proof) | 5 Years
Back Label
Laird’s Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
Barrel Aged Series
A series of spirits Sourced by the Laird Family, then further aged in our own apple brandy barrels, creating a refined, distinctive finish.
After aging for five years in new charred oak barrels, we select specific casks from our Kentucky Bourbon stock to be finished in our apple brandy barrels.
Bottled by Laird & Company Scobeyville NJ
Distillery Background
Laird & Company
One of the oldest distilled spirits in America’s young history is apple brandy. In fact, apple brandy can be traced back to the colonial era, dating back as far as the mid to late 1600’s. The Laird Family, owners of the country’s oldest licensed distillery, traces their roots in distilling apple spirits all the way back to the year 1698. It was in 1698 that Alexander Laird, also known as William, emigrated to the area of New Jersey in the American Colonies from County Fife in Scotland. It is believed that William Laird brought with him experience and knowledge regarding the distillation process. Not having some of the ingredients he was used to in Scotland, William would use his most readily available resource, apples, to produce Applejack in his new home.
The first Laird Family Distillery dates back to 1717 and was located in Monmouth County, New Jersey behind the Colt’s Neck Inn. Over time, Laird’s Apple Brandy developed a well known reputation amongst colonists – so much so that eventually George Washington would write the family asking if they would be willing to share their Applejack recipe with him for his use. It is believed that the Lairds obliged and that General Washington possibly used the recipe for making cyder (cider, in today’s vernacular) based spirits around the year 1760, as noted in his journal.
Robert Laird, a Revolutionary War veteran, was known for providing his fellow soldiers with Applejack from the family distillery during the war. Mr. Laird would lead the distillery into its first commercial sale of spirits in 1780 and would operate the distillery at its Colt’s Neck location until 1849 when a fire destroyed the operation. Robert Laird would oversee the reconstruction of the distillery, this time in Scobeyville, and would provide the needed space for expansion into commercial distillation of Applejack.
Business would move forward until Prohibition was ushered in, causing the production of apple brandy to cease at the Scobeyville distillery. It was during Prohibition that Joseph T. Laird would be forced to transition the distillation business to producing apple cider and applesauce. This would continue up until 1933 when John and Joseph T. Laird, III would be granted a license from the government allowing them to begin distillation of apple brandy once again, this time for medicinal purposes only.
Shortly after being granted permission to continue the distillation process, Laird & Company would purchase two distilleries located in Virginia – a location known for its close proximity to orchards with a bountiful apple harvest. One of those distilleries, known then as the Virginia Fruit Distilling Company, located in New Garden just outside of Charlottesville, already had a significant distribution footprint in the south and was well known for its production of fruit wines and spirits. This made it a natural fit for Laird & Company to purchase. Laird & Company would move all of its brandy distillation to the New Garden, Virginia location around 1970 due to the reduction of apple farms in New Jersey. The New Garden location remains the home of Laird & Company’s distillation operations to this day.
Laird & Company currently offer an array of apple products including Laird’s 10th Generation Apple Brandy Bottled-In-Bond, Laird’s Apple Brandy – Single Cask Selection, Laird’s 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy, Laird’s Jersey Lightning Apple Brandy, Laird’s Old Apple Brandy 7 1/2 Year Old, Straight Applejack 86, Laird Straight Apple Brandy Bottled-In-Bond, and Laird’s Blended Applejack. Additionally, the company also offers a vast diversification of wines, vodkas, liqueurs, and more.
Additional Laird’s Barrel Aged Series Offerings
Laird’s currently offers three different finished products within its Barrel Aged Series. In addition to the Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels of this review, Laird’s also offers a Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels and a Kentucky Corn Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels.
Tasting Notes
Tasting Date/Vessel: August 11, 2024 – Neat in Glencairn Glass; Then with a few drops of distilled water.
Nose
Christian: In the bottle, Laird’s Barrel Aged Series Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels opens with delightful notes of sweet brown sugar, oak wood, and just a hint of apple brandy. In my Glencarin, the influence of the brandy seems less noticeable. Instead, a nice sweetness stands out. Sweet yellow corn, simple syrup, and vanilla creme fill the air. This has a creamy or buttery aroma to it. A gentle swirl allows just a smidgen of the apple brandy notes to peak through. I am really excited to taste this one based on the nose alone. Adding distilled water, although not necessary, really sweetens up the nose. Rich decadent caramel syrup, sweet apples, and just a touch of oak explode from the glass.
Mike: Nosing the bourbon directly from the bottle, I detect aromas of brown sugar, light oak char, and curing tobacco leaves. Once poured into the glass, the bourbon’s fragrance opens up, with soft hints of honeysuckle flowers transitioning into notes of freshly sliced sweet apples. A swirl of the glass releases gentle waves of cinnamon, underlined by undertones of creamy vanilla frosting.
Juan: The nose offers an initial touch of light vanilla finishes with a calm apple brandy scent. An enticing note of oak joins with hints of toffee and a little bit of fruit which makes me nostalgic, thinking about a relaxing night by a fire pit with good friends and decadent desserts.
Mouth
Christian: Wow, the mouth feel on this whiskey is full-bodied, smooth, and very creamy just as I expected from the nose. A nice coating covers the tip of my tongue and roof of my mouth. Immediately you notice a sweetness on the palate that lends itself to thoughts of vanilla bean, caramel, and toasted brown sugar. This makes me imagine a fine dessert. As I continue to sip, notes of Laird’s Apple Brandy really start to show. At times it comes across like a caramel candied apple while on other sips I catch a touch of cinnamon. This, when accompanied with the apple, brings to mind warm apple pie. Distilled water slightly dilutes the mouth feel which I was a big fan of as is. The apple brandy moves to the forefront here and is now the main character while vanilla bean and caramel remain play supporting cast roles.
Mike: As I take my first sip of this Laird’s Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Bourbon, traditional bourbon flavors of aged leather, tobacco, and baking spices greet me upfront, followed by a surge of apple brandy notes. The whiskey is sweet and crisp, with the apple flavors gradually moving from the back to the front of the palate. A second pass of this whiskey reveals hints of cinnamon-spiced applesauce and delicate honey notes, which blend harmoniously with the essence of aged leather.
Juan: This apple brandy finished bourbon is smooth and great for sipping. A touch of flavorful apple bursts onto my palate after a short perch on the tip of my tongue. Traditional bourbon flavors follow along shortly thereafter.
Finish
Christian: Laird’s Barrel Aged Bourbon offers a nice accommodating finish that can be enjoyed by a large array of sippers. The Kentucky hug is there, but it is very friendly and unassuming. Apple pie spice, sweet apple brandy, and rich tobacco bring thoughts of fall and football to my mind. The finish with a dash of water doesn’t change much. A warm hug remains whilst apple brandy, apple pie spice, and caramel syrup remain in the pour.
Mike: This whiskey offers a gentle, easy finish that’s incredibly smooth, with a subtle warmth that lingers pleasantly in the mid-throat. The warmth isn’t overpowering, but rather it wraps around you like a blanket on a cool evening. If I had to sum up the finish in just one word, it would be “cozy”—a perfect blend of softness and warmth that makes each sip feel like a soothing embrace.
Juan: This bourbon offers a pleasant finish, not overly spicy, but nice refreshing apple brandy nuance. The whiskey is warm going down and sits right below my throat. A great fall bourbon!
Our Rating
3.75/5.0 Rickhouses – “Make it a Double!”
Final Thoughts
Christian: Wow, I really like this bourbon by Laird’s. When I think of a well rounded pour of whiskey, I am thinking of something that offers a vibrant full bodied nose that represents what I am about to taste on my tongue. In addition, the finish that you experience is not overbearing but complementary with a flavor profile that adds to the experience. No singular aspect of the pour overpowers the other. That is exactly what I am getting from the Laird’s Barrel Aged Series Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels. What we have been given is a solid bourbon, aged a fair number of years, and then given a little additional character through the notes of apple brandy. I think this is a really really good bourbon. Good on the rocks, great neat, and tasty with a few drops of water. But, most importantly, approachable by many. Give this a try if you see it! Cheers!
Rating: 4.00 Rickhouses
Mike: While I usually prefer a higher-proof, bold bourbon, this Apple Brandy barrel-aged bourbon from Laird’s is a refreshing exception. It’s an easy-sipping bourbon that can be enjoyed year-round—refreshing and crisp for the summer, yet still offering warm fall flavors even at 90 proof. A 5-year bourbon, barrel-finished for $44.99, is an outstanding bargain. Kudos to Laird’s for this playful and innovative expression.
Rating; 3.50 Rickhouses
Juan: I find this offering by Laird’s to be a quality Bourbon worthy of being enjoyed alongside friends, a fall fire, and meaningful conversation. To enhance the experience, I recommend the accompaniment of a Factory Smoke Sweet Cigar as manufactured by Drew Estates. Cheers!
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