JEFFERSON'S MARIAN MCLAIN BATCH 2
KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
KENTUCKY, USA
Why Buy: Jefferson's latest limited edition (batch 2 of a bottling that nearly broke our system last time) comes wreathed in gold, having just claimed top honors at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. This is a rare prize in more ways than one — just 1,300 cases exist for the entire U.S. market. At its heart lies a masterful blend of five distinctive components, anchored by a remarkable 13-year-old bourbon that makes up nearly two-thirds of the mix. The supporting players — including an 11-year-old wheated double-barrel and fascinating wine and rum cask finishes — create something truly memorable, a bourbon that honors its maverick namesake with both boldness and finesse.
What They're Saying: At the 2024 World Whiskies Awards, where judges taste blind and competition is fierce, this blend stood out among hundreds of entries to claim Gold. It's the kind of recognition that validates what Jefferson's has been doing with their innovative approach to blending.
Our Tasting Notes: Here's where the genius of the blend reveals itself. That 13-year-old bourbon (62% of the mix) provides the backbone, while the 11-year-old wheated double-barrel (15%) adds luxurious texture. The wine and rum cask finishes (11% and 6% respectively) contribute depth and nuance, and a touch of 9-year-old rounds everything out beautifully. The result is a bourbon that demonstrates both power and poise, with a complexity that keeps you coming back for more: for the deep and rounded deliciousness, as well as for all the subtle revelations on the nose and palate.
The Story: Less than a quarter century after the Declaration of Independence, in 1799, Marian McClain was arrested for "the production and sales of spirituous liquors” — what we'd call moonshining and bootlegging today. This made her one of the earliest documented women in American whiskey production. She also just so happens to be founder Trey Zoeller's eighth-generation grandmother. While McClain was trying to support her family in challenging times, she inadvertently carved out a place in whiskey history. Now, generations later, her fighting spirit and pioneering role are honored in this exceptional limited edition.
ABV: 50% (100 proof).
What to Pair It With: While this bourbon certainly has the refinement to be enjoyed neat or with a single cube, it also makes for an exceptional Manhattan — the wine cask finish adding an intriguing layer to the classic cocktail.
Fun Fact: The Zoeller family has been in the whiskey business for generations, but Marian McClain's arrest record represents their earliest documented connection to the spirit — making her, in a very real sense, the founding mother of their whiskey legacy.
Our Guarantee: As with all our premium spirits, these bottles come directly from the distillery, ensuring perfect provenance. Given the limited production of just 1,300 cases for the U.S. and the Gold medal recognition, we expect demand to be significant, so act now to claim yours!