Baby Bourbon: Don’t Throw it Out
Section: Libations | by Razor Stubble Guy: Woodsie | November 3, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Damn, my taste buds are salivating over this stuff as I write this, and it’s not even 5:00 yet.
I was introduced to Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey by Tuthilltown Spirits over the summer at my favorite wine and liquor store — I.M. Wine in Fulton, MD’s Maple Lawn development.
Ever since then, I both curse that day and remember it with a big smile on my face. This stuff is really, really good.
As there’s no separate page at Tuthilltown’s Web site for this yummy bourbon, I’ll provide you with the distillery’s promo copy of it:
Hudson Baby Bourbon is the first bourbon whiskey to be distilled in New York. This single grain bourbon is made from 100% New York corn and aged in our special small American Oak barrels. This unique aging process produces a mildly sweet, smooth spirit with hints of vanilla and caramel. The Baby is Tuthilltown’s first whiskey and the first legal pot-distilled whiskey made in New York since prohibition. Baby Bourbon is a perfect introduction to aged whiskey spirits. It is mild and friendly, bright to the tongue and warming all the way down. Each bottle is hand waxed and numbered. It is a true American classic. The Baby is our most sought after spirit.
A very interesting story behind it. Also, I didn’t think that bourbon could legally be made outside Kentucky and called “bourbon,” but a quick Google search set me straight on that.
Earlier this year, Hollywood and I killed the last third of my first bottle of it. I still remember that night. A lot of fun and frivolity, and cigars were consumed as well. You usually can’t say that about a lot of the libations you drink throughout the year.
And as for Hollywood and his redneck tastebuds? I had him at “bourbon.” He said he could taste the difference between the Hudson and bourbons like Maker’s Mark, but he still really liked the Hudson.
I found some third-party tasting notes on it, too. From the New York Times:
So what happens if you take corn whiskey and put it in charred new oak barrels? You get Hudson Baby bourbon, which is the only 100 percent corn bourbon that I know of, and I have to say, it’s awfully good – mellow and fruity with just a touch of sweetness, but not nearly as sweet as, say, Maker’s Mark, to take another young bourbon. I think the corn character is what makes it so mellow, which is unusual in a bourbon aged less than two years …
One word of warning: This stuff ain’t cheap. The Times article quotes a price of $39 for a 375ml bottle, but I can’t find it anywhere in my locality for under $50. That’s why this bourbon is most definitely not an everyday kind of drinkie poo, and why I curse the day I was introduced to it.
If you want an everyday bourbon, that’s what Maker’s Mark and similar bourbons are for. But if you’re looking for a really special bourbon, and you can drink it straight — you’d never humiliate this special libation by diluting it into a mixed drink — then this is the corn-mash elixer for you.
And I read somewhere (can’t find it now) that it’s called “baby bourbon” because it spends just a few months in oak. You can insert your favorite Austin Powers/Fat Bastard “I ate a baby!” joke here.
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We are so glad you are enjoying the Baby! Thanks for spreading the word. It is great to hear from fans in all of the places our products are popping up! If you ever make it to our distillery in NY your tour and tasting is on us. Cheers, Cathy and the team at Tuthilltown Spirits
Hey Guys
Thanks so much for the great writeup. So glad you enjoyed our little “Baby”. If you are ever in NY, please come visit us at the distillery for a VIP tour.
Cheers
Gable
-distiller
oh, and here is the link to the product description page on our site http://tuthilltown.com/category/products/aged-spirits/
Cathy and Gable – thanks for visiting the site and your comments. We may have to have a road trip to your place!
Woodsie, what do you mean MAY have to make a trip to the distillary! That’s gonna happen!!
Those guys know bourbon!
Cheers
Hollywood
After a week of Appleton’s Rum I could use a good bourbon!
Took this distillery tour yesterday, as I was in the area for Thanksgiving.
Gable was the one who led us through the manufacturing process.
REALLY COOL! Then…to the tasting! I had the 4-grain, the new york whiskey, and manhattan rye—and had to have a bottle of the rye. These guys are completely at the top of their craft, and super friendly to boot. If you are a whiskey drinker, this should be at #1 on your list (to buy a bottle of, and to visit). Great stuff all around
Peter from Minnesota
Peter – good to know, and glad to hear you had such a good time. Us Razor Stubble Guys are angling for a trip there for sometime in early spring. We’re planning on videoing it and having it up on the site.
And when we go, I’ll definitely be laying in stock of their whiskey, too. I just checked my local fave libations store, and the Baby Bourbon is still $9 above their list price!
you just got yourself a place in my bookmarks
best article I read about this yet!