8-Year Ben Holladay One Barrels

 I first tried Ben Holladay in early 2023, long before they landed on Seelbach’s. In fact, they were the first brand I wouldn’t stop bugging Blake about until we got them on the site. Their Bottled-in-Bond expressions quickly became some of my favorites on the market, and as we've seen their age statements go up they've only gotten better and better. 
 
Holladay’s home in Weston, Missouri has so much to take in. The rolling hills, limestone springs, and quiet beauty of the place could easily be mistaken for Kentucky, until you learn its story. Founded in 1856, Holladay is the oldest distillery in Missouri and the oldest west of the Mississippi still operating on its original site. Those same limestone springs were first charted by Lewis and Clark in 1804, five decades before Ben Holladay made the land his own.
 
And this isn’t just bourbon made in Missouri, it’s Real Missouri Bourbon, certified under a 2019 state law that means it must be mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled in Missouri, aged in Missouri-made oak barrels, and made from Missouri-grown corn.
 
Today we have two brand new One Barrels of Ben Holladay for you all.
 
Ben Holladay 8-Year Old One Barrel #B917 123.9 proof
 
When nosing this bourbon, it has everything that you would want in a well-aged bourbon.
 
The barrel shines, a little smokey and caramel, rye spice is subtle, and there are cherry-cola-like undertones that we have seen in other Holladay bourbons. 
 
The oak characteristics dominates the palate without becoming tannic or astringent and ends with a nice medium-long finish.
 
Ben Holladay 8-Year Old One Barrel #B905 127.7 proof 
 
This is a subtle but beautifully classic bourbon where the nose, palate and finish all match. 
 
It is surprisingly light and delicate for the proof point, with a nose that balances out sweetness (think warm vanilla, honeyed grain, and light caramel) accented by delicate, almost perfume-like top notes. A little smokey, a little earthy, but balanced.
 
The palate lines up well with the nose and it has a long, pleasant finish of sweet oak and soft baking spices.