Did you ever wonder how the terroir of a rickhouse could affect the flavor of a bourbon? Well, after 17 years of aging the same distillate in three different towns, granted they are all in Kentucky, you will soon be able to taste the difference one bottle at a time.
Location, Location, Location – Clermont, Frankfort & Boston
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The James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky has announced the launch of Hardin’s Creek™ The Kentucky Series, a three-part release of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys that marks the next installment in the brand’s collection of ultra-rare expressions. Comprised of Hardin’s Creek Clermont, Hardin’s Creek Frankfort and Hardin’s Creek Boston, the Kentucky Series takes whiskey fans on a journey of ‘Kentucky terroir,’ showcasing the influence of diverse landscapes on the flavor profile of each whiskey.
Each expression within The Kentucky Series is a 17-year-old Bourbon, aged at one of three James B. Beam Distilling Company campuses: Clermont, Frankfort and Boston. All three liquids were laid down with the same mash bill at the same time seventeen years ago but aged at different campus locations.
“The Kentucky Series is a testament to the influence of location and how nature plays such a vital role in liquid maturation,” said Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe. “While these three bourbons were made with the same mash bill and aged in Kentucky, the micro-climates and environments at each location are distinctly different, which greatly impacts the taste of each product.
“As my Granddaddy Booker Noe said, ‘Set it and let nature take over.’”
Launched in 2022, Hardin’s Creek is a series of ongoing releases featuring some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s rarest and most unique whiskeys, grounded in rich distilling expertise. The releases showcase the breadth and depth of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s whiskey-making credentials inclusive of age, blending, mash bill, distillation, barrels, rack house locations, and more.
All three Kentucky Series expressions are best enjoyed neat or served over a large ice cube in a lowball glass where their complex flavors can be appreciated with each sip.
Three Expressions Release Over Time
June 1st, August 1st & September 1st
Just like the distillers at James B. Beam had to wait 17 years to release this bourbon, fans will have to wait a bit to taste all three as well. For Beam fans it may feel like 17 years, but the three bourbons will be released over three months. The first in The Kentucky Series will begin with Clermont on June 1st, Frankfort on August 1st and Boston on September 1st.
Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series – Clermont
The first expression from the Kentucky Series is Hardin’s Creek Clermont, aged at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont and bottled at the grand age of 204 months. The nuanced terroir and microclimates shaped by the rigid and rolling hills, the cool wind against the shelter of the valleys, and the pockets of rack houses placed close together, are aglow year-round beneath the strong Kentucky sunlight, making the unique contours of Clermont discernable in every pour.
“When I think of the terroir of Kentucky, I think of Clermont,” said Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery.
Clermont: Release and Tasting Notes
Release Date: June 1, 2023
Color: Rich amber with darker tones
Nose: Burnt sugar tripled with matured toasted oak and sweet vanilla
Palate: Forward caramelized oak, followed by brown spices and hints of seasoned leather
Finish: Smooth & sweet with lingering warmth
Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
Suggested Retail Price: $169.99
Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series – Frankfort
The second expression from the Kentucky Series is Hardin’s Creek Frankfort, aged on the Frankfort campus and bottled at 204 months. The creek bed at the Frankfort campus covers the storied rack houses in a blanket of humidity, making everything age more slowly. Liquid ages at its own pace with little ventilation and a lot of time.
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Tasting Notes: To be share upon release date
Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
Suggested Retail Price: $169.99
Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series – Boston
The Booker Noe campus in Boston, Kentucky is one of a kind. The rack houses are spread out generously in the golden sunshine and clear air, ideal for maturation. These unique conditions mean fast, richer aging. It’s bold and characterful, much like Booker Noe himself.
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Tasting Notes: To be share upon release date
Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
Suggested Retail Price: $169.99
James B. Beam Distilling Co’s Hardin’s Creek is a series of ongoing releases featuring some of the distillery’s rarest and most unique whiskeys, grounded in 227 years of rich experience and distilling expertise. The brand launched in 2022 with its inaugural expressions, Jacob’s Well and Colonel James B. Beam, and now the The Kentucky Series in 2023. Each release will showcase the breadth and depth of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s whiskey-making credentials inclusive of age, blending, mash bill, distillation, barrels, rackhouse locations, and more.
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Learn more about the James B. Beam Distilling Co.
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