We must admit that when we heard there was a new bourbon being produced in Oregon, we had to do some digging to figure out just how many distilleries there actually were in Oregon. We simply couldn’t think of many, so we were excited when Ransom Spirits approached us with their release of a four-grain bourbon. This one is a unique blend of distillates from Oregon and Indiana, so let’s dive in for a review.
Just the Facts: Ransom Bourbon
- Proof: 88
- Age: A blend of 2, 3, and 12 year whiskies
- Mash bill: Four Grain – 66% corn, 23% rye, 6% wheat, and 4% malted barley.
- Style: Bourbon Whiskey
- Distilled in Oregon and Indiana
- MSRP: $37.95
Scott’s Tasting Notes: Ransom Bourbon
Nose: Chex Cereal, corn husk, hay, youthful oak, and a “Canadian Whisky” note that I commonly find in whiskies from the North (but can’t quite put my finger on). It is certainly a grain-forward nose.
Palate: smoky, charred woodiness, breakfast cereals, vanilla, and black pepper spice.
Finish: the bourbon finishes light on the palate, given its lower proof point but the wood and spice notes linger in the back of the palate.
Closing Thoughts:
This is a youthful, grain-forward bourbon that is without sharpness and bite. I could see a traditional Canadian Whisky drinker adopting this bourbon as their own when looking for a craft distiller of Bourbon. The Chex Cereal note had Scott feeling a little nostalgic about his childhood and a breakfast/snack staple. Ransom Spirits’ Bourbon boasts a four-grain mashbill that embraces whiskey from both Indiana and Oregon using two distinct distillation methods. If you are looking to venture outside of the “traditional bourbon-making states”, Ransom Spirits is farm distillery is who is looking to make Oregon stand out on that map too. The price is a nice plus for a craft distillery wanted to introduce the world to their youthful bourbon.
About Ransom Spirits
Ransom Spirits is the producer of fine Oregon-made small batch bourbons, whiskey, gins and vermouths. These spirits are handcrafted at Ransom’s Willamette Valley 40-acre organic farm and distillery, where many of their ingredients are grown. In keeping with Ransom’s commitment to sustainability and stewardship, the farm and distillery have been certified Organic since 2011 and 2021 respectively.
Established in 1997, Ransom is a true pioneer of the American craft spirits movement. In 2007, the brand singlehandedly revived the 19th century era “Old Tom” style of barrel aged gin, a spirit not available in the U.S. since Prohibition.
Across all of its offerings, and with the motto “no robots,” the brand has always remained resolutely low tech, relying on taste, smell, distiller experience and unique hands-on production methods. The resulting spirits are exceptionally silky, aromatic and complex, which make them equally intriguing served neat or in cocktails. Ransom Spirits are aged in Ransom Pinot Noir wine barrels and toasted French oak barrels, and distilled in hand-hammered, direct-fired French alembic, hand-operated stills.
Meet the Founders
Ransom was started by Tad Seestedt, who grew up on an East Coast farm. After tiring of corporate life in New York City, he ventured west to Oregon where he returned to his farming roots and laid the foundation for a winery and distillery. In the process of giving “Old Tom” gin new life, he maxed out his credit cards. His passion proved to be worth the “ransom” he owed the bank, and thus a brand was born.
Ransom’s Offerings
After introducing its gins, Ransom combined the crafts of winemaking and distilling to create its award- winning Dry and Sweet Vermouths. More recently, Ransom Bourbon whiskey has joined a growing portfolio of handcrafted wine, spirits and wine-based spirits.
Among Ransom’s many notable offerings:
- Ransom Bourbon – world class whiskey for less than $40 that boasts four grains vs. three creating amazing, layered complexity
- Best-selling Rye Barley Wheat Whiskey
- Dry Gin – complex, aromatic and makes a memorable gin & tonic
- The aforementioned Old Tom Gin – This gin style dates back to the mid 1800’s and the golden age of
American cocktails. There’s even a special barrel aged version called “The Geezer.”
For further information, tasting notes and the find retailers, please visit ransomspirits.com.
Editor’s Note: The whiskey featured in this review was provided to Bourbon Lens as a review sample by the brand. We appreciate the opportunity to taste this whiskey with no strings attached.
