In the world of spirits, bourbon has always held a special place, known for its rich history, deep flavors, and time-honored traditions. Each bottle of bourbon often comes with a story, a legacy, and a taste that's been passed down through generations. The story of Paul Sutton Bourbon is no exception, but what sets it apart is not only the heritage it embodies but the remarkable scientific journey that brought this bourbon back from the brink of oblivion.
What's fascinating about Paul Sutton Bourbon is not just the exquisite taste it delivers, but the unique background of its CEO, Myra Barginear. She was previously an oncologist in New York, dedicating over a decade of her life to the field of medicine, and even helping to build the Dubin Breast Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. But her story took an unexpected turn as she felt the call of her family's legacy, one that had been steeped in whiskey for seven generations, starting with Hardy Sutton, born in 1791.
However, when Barginear's grandfather passed away, he took with him the family's cherished bourbon recipe. All that remained were mason jars of bourbon and aging barrels in the garden. The legacy was in danger of fading into history. But Barginear's determination was unwavering. Inspired by her family's heritage, she embarked on a journey to revive the lost recipe.
She began by enrolling in distilling classes at the University of Kentucky and Moonshine University, where she combined her scientific background with her passion for whiskey. With the help of whiskey experts and the analytical power of high-liquid chromatography, Barginear managed to reverse-engineer and recreate the century-old mash recipe, making her the first woman to co-found and lead a solely-owned and operated family-distilled spirits company.
Paul Sutton Bourbon's uniqueness lies in the use of Alabama corn and a sweet mash, ensuring that each whiskey batch begins with fresh, top-quality ingredients and no backset. Small-batch distillation and hand-labeling and numbering of each bottle add a personal touch that harks back to the family's traditional methods.
The result of Myra Barginear's dedication and scientific approach is a range of whiskeys that has received critical acclaim. Here's more about them:
Paul Sutton Bourbon (Bottled-in-Bond)
This bourbon, aged for six years and bottled at 50% ABV, is often referred to as a "table bourbon." It offers delightful notes of vanilla, caramel, oak spice, a hint of burnt orange peel, a slightly oily mouthfeel, and a wonderfully long finish.
PRODUCTION: Distilled in small batches, Single Barrels bottled, hand labeled and numbered
AGE: 6 Years
MASH RECIPE: Corn, Rye & Malted Barley
BOTTLING STRENGTH: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
COOPERAGE: Charred new American white oak barrels. Select, toasted with #4 char.
TASTING NOTES
The palate delivers notes of warm vanilla, oak, and toasted nuts with hints of caramel. It has a deep, dry and resonant finish.
- NOSE: A spicy aroma of dried citrus and orange peels with a hint of caramel and vanilla.
- PALATE: Full and soft, marked by a mix of burnt sugar, caramel, orange, and cloves.
- FINISH: Balanced with vanilla, honey, and citrus
Shop Paul Sutton Bourbon on Drizly
Paul Sutton Heritage Collection
This limited release, aged for 7 years to honor the family's 7th generation, is bottled at cask strength. The higher proof brings out more heat and the presence of oak. A drop or two of water reveals fruity notes, with hints of berries and cherry.
The Heritage Collection is a limited release of barrels aged 7-year, for the family’s 7th generation, bottled at cask strength.
AGE: 7 Years
BOTTLING STRENGTH: Cask Strength
Paul Sutton Bourbon is not just a revival of a family legacy but a testament to the power of science in preserving and enhancing traditions. The unique combination of scientific analysis and traditional methods has allowed this bourbon to shine, recapturing the essence of a century-old family mash recipe.
The story of Paul Sutton Bourbon is a tale of passion, heritage, and dedication, where science played a crucial role in bringing a bourbon back from the brink of extinction. As the bottles are passed around, the legacy of the Sutton family lives on, reminding us that in the world of spirits, the past and the present can harmoniously coexist, producing a product that transcends time and tastes just as good today as it did a hundred years ago.
