Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 28 Bourbon Whiskey

In 1997, Trey Zoeller and his father Chet started Jefferson’s bourbon collection as a family business. Trey upholds the long family legacy of whisky-making while attempting to push the boundaries of bourbon with his inquisitive mind. His love of trying new things shines through most in the Jefferson’s Ocean line of whiskey, which is matured on a ship and exposed to harsh weather conditions.

 The first barrels set out on a global voyage in 2012 aboard the non-profit vessel OCEARCH, which conducts research on marine life. The whiskey on Voyage 28 set out from the Port of Savannah, Georgia, and traveled down the Central American coast in hot, muggy conditions devoid of precipitation. The rest of the trip up the Atlantic coast and through the Caribbean was uneventful, the shifting sea conditions, humidity, and temperature variations creating a complex, rich, and well-balanced expression of Jefferson’s blend of straight bourbon whiskey.

The nose is pleasant, with notes of tobacco, caramel, crème brûlée, and sea scents. Look for strong notes of vanilla and caramel on a tongue that is mildly sweet and mellow with a touch of spice. There’s a hint of brine and a long, pleasant aftertaste.

Bourbon is one of the quintessential American products; while it is primarily made in Kentucky, it may be manufactured anywhere in the country.

It needs to be bottled at 40% ABV or higher and manufactured with at least 51% maize. So why not give this timeless American recipe a shot?