Jefferson's Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon is crafted by Jefferson's Bourbon, a small batch whiskey producer based in Kentucky, USA. The company was founded by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet in 1997. Trey had a passion for bourbon and a desire to create unique and innovative expressions of the spirit.
One day, Trey was discussing whiskey aging with his friend, Chris Fischer, who happens to be a professional fisherman. They came up with the idea of aging bourbon at sea, inspired by the historical practice of shipping whiskey barrels on boats to reach customers in distant lands. This idea intrigued Trey, and he set out to test the effects of ocean aging on bourbon.
To create Jefferson's Ocean, the journey begins with carefully selected American oak casks. These casks are filled with straight bourbon whiskey and aged for approximately seven to eight years on land, allowing the spirit to develop its unique flavors and characteristics. During this time, the whiskey interacts with the wood, drawing out rich vanilla, caramel, and oak notes.
Once the initial aging period is complete, the casks are loaded onto a ship and begin their voyage at sea. The movement of the ship and the constant exposure to the elements create a dynamic aging environment, unlike anything the whiskey would experience on land. The rocking of the ship and the temperature fluctuations at sea cause the whiskey to interact with the wood more intensely, imparting additional flavors and nuances.
The sea voyage typically lasts for five to ten months, depending on the specific batch. During this time, the bourbon is exposed to the salty sea air, which can add a subtle brininess to the flavor profile. The motion of the waves also agitates the whiskey, causing it to further extract flavors from the oak casks.
After the barrels have completed their ocean voyage, they are returned to land, where they are carefully sampled and evaluated. Only the barrels that meet the high standards set by Jefferson's Bourbon are selected for bottling. Each bottle of Jefferson's Ocean is hand-labeled and individually numbered, reflecting the small batch nature of the production process.
The result of this unique aging method is a bourbon that is rich, complex, and full of character. The ocean aging process adds depth and intensity to the whiskey, creating a truly distinctive flavor profile that sets Jefferson's Ocean apart from other bourbons on the market.
In my personal experience, I have had the opportunity to taste Jefferson's Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon on several occasions. Each time, I have been impressed by the depth of flavors and the smoothness of the whiskey. The ocean aging truly adds a unique element to the bourbon, making it a standout choice for whiskey enthusiasts.
Jefferson's Bourbon has created a truly innovative and captivating product with Jefferson's Ocean. The combination of traditional aging on land with the dynamic aging process at sea results in a bourbon that is truly one-of-a-kind. Whether you are a whiskey connoisseur or simply appreciate the art of craft distilling, Jefferson's Ocean is a bourbon worth exploring.