Garrard County Distilling Co., Staghorn's distillery in Kentucky, has reintroduced its flagship bourbon, All Nations Kentucky Straight Bourbon, as part of a revitalization of its whiskey range. The 5- to 7-year-old blend retails for $39.99 and has already won a Gold Medal with 95 Points at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition and a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 America's Best Beverage Awards.
All Nations is unique in that it uses a panel of four whiskey specialists with a combined experience from industry leaders Jim Beam, Barton, MGP, and Bluegrass Distilling, instead of a single master distiller. Garrard County Distilling Co., Kentucky's largest new independent distillery opened in January 2024 with its initial release sourced from established distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The bourbon is made from three separate mash bills with varying proportions of corn, rye, and malted barley: 75% corn, 12% rye, 13% malted barley; 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley; and 64% corn, 24% rye, 12% malted barley. The whiskey is aged in #4 alligator char barrels in various Kentucky locations, including Clermont, Danville, Owensboro, and Boston, before being aged in Lancaster. The blend is proofed using limestone-filtered water from the historic Lancaster Public Spring aquifer, which dates back to 1776.
At 96 proof, the bourbon boasts a complex flavor profile. The nose features sweet spice and leather notes, complemented by clove and Madagascar vanilla. The palate offers hints of black walnut and white peppercorn, with a finish of honeyed black tea and poached pears.
The brand's name pays homage to a piece of history from America's temperance movement, referencing the "All Nations Welcome Except Carrie" posters that appeared in saloons during Carrie Nation's anti-alcohol crusade.
