HAZMAT New Louisville Whiskey Co 10-Year Bourbon

NULU needs no introduction, and when the chance to select a few barrels comes up, we don’t pass it up. Today, we’re back with two more barrels from the New Louisville Whiskey Co., this time paying homage to a pair of our favorite Louisville dive bars.

For years, New Louisville barrels have been quietly aging in NULU’s Louisville warehouse, heat cycling and developing both higher age and peak maturity. The result is a more limited, premium tier from the NULU team.

These are the final two short barrel, hazmat 10-year Indiana bourbons we’ll be releasing, and they’re packed with flavor, drinking closer to that bold, sweet oak profile we love in George T. Stagg. Without commissioning my son for another round of volcano art, we opted instead to pay respects to two of our favorite bars: Taj and Expo (RIP).

“Pony Bottles” is sweet and reliable, possibly the most crushable of these hazmats we’ve done. “Acid Cat” is a journey and easily the most unique of the bunch. Together, these two barrels yield just over 150 bottles total. We don’t expect them to last long.

 
NULU New Louisville 10-Year "Pony Bottles" HAZMAT Bourbon #A170
 
This one doesn’t show its power on the nose, offering gentle notes of tropical fruit cocktail and sweet brown sugar at first, before opening into brighter notes of pear and salted apple. As it continues to develop, sweeter oak and even grape candy come to mind.
 
The palate also hides its proof dangerously well, showing pops of bright citrus, green apple, salted pretzel dipped in caramel, nougat, and a present but balanced oak.
 
There’s a touch of espresso bitterness mid-palate leading toward the finish, where a dash of cayenne-like heat accompanies charred vanilla and a bit of saturated blueberry sweetness, all moving into a longer finish reminiscent of a cherry Coke Icee.
 

 
NULU New Louisville 10-Year "Acid Cat" HAZMAT Bourbon #A160
 
The nose is dense and viscous, filling the space with honey, vanilla, plum, juicy orange, and candied lemon before transitional notes of maraschino cherry and creamy brown sugar emerge.
 
The palate is deep right off the rip, with heavy fruit and smoky chocolate. Blueberry, blackberry, and cherry mix with rich spices for a full-bodied experience, accented by a touch of fresh mint.
 
The finish lingers with a sweet yet cooling sensation, leaning heavily on charred marshmallows and seasoned oak, yet never losing those rich fruit notes that run as a through line through the entire pour.