Whiskey Review: Backbone Bourbon The Forge

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs. 

Did you know that some of the most expensive bottles of whiskey in existence were not actually made by a distillery? Just check out entries 18 and 13 on this list of the 20 most expensive scotches, both of which were made by Gordon & MacPhail, an independent bottler started in 1895. Independent bottlers, or people who buy casks of spirit from other distillers and then market the product under a different label, sometimes after additional aging, blending, and/or finishing, have thrived in the Scotch industry, with hundreds of different well respected labels engaging in the practice. 

The bourbon industry has an analog group called “rectifiers”, who have been operating for decades in the industry. However, even with lots of precedent, independent bottlers have not had the same recognition or respect in the bourbon market. How many conversations have you been a part of when someone (possibly you) threw shade at an MGP sourced bourbon? Fortunately, the times are changing and now there are many American craft blenders, many producing boutique and highly acclaimed blended whiskeys, such as Barrell Craft Spirits. 

The whiskey being reviewed today, Backbone Bourbon “The Forge” Blended Bourbon Whiskey, comes from Backbone Bourbon Company, who is a craft blender and does not distill anything. Though not officially confirmed, Backbone Bourbon is likely one of the most prolific bottlers of MGP distillate, which is by no means a bad thing. Many highly acclaimed brands use MGP distillate, like the Blood Oath series from Lux Row (they’re actually owned by MGP), Belle Meade Bourbon, Smoke Wagon, Joseph Magnus, Pinhook, etc…. 

Backbone Bourbon “the Forge” is a blended bourbon, meaning there is at least 51% of straight bourbon whiskey in the mix. Backbone used three different whiskeys to make the product: a straight bourbon between 5 & 7 years old, a straight rye around 8 years old, and a light whiskey made almost entirely of corn that is 14 years old. Though the exact percentages are not identified, the high corn concentration results in some extra sweetness and the rye some additional spice than your standard bourbon.  

“The Forge” also appears to be the big brother to a similar Backbone Bourbon product, the Backbone Bourbon “Prime” Blended Bourbon Whiskey, which uses the same types of whiskey in its blend, but just with much younger products. If you’ve had the Prime release, the additional age of the rye and bourbon products in “The Forge” should add a heftier oak core to the palate as well as offer a smoother experience. I’m glad to see that Backbone Bourbon Company keeps adding to their arsenal expressions that have built upon their prior experiments, keeping in the long tradition of blenders saying “This is great! But what if we can make it BETTER?” 

Tasting Notes: Backbone Bourbon The Forge

Vital Stats: A blend of 5-7 year straight bourbon, 8 year rye, and 14-year-old light whiskey. 110 proof (55% ABV). $89.99/750ml (variable dependent on state).

Appearance: Pale orange with amber hues. 

Nose: Sweet notes of honey and cream soda appear before the bourbon notes of ginger and oak take root. Somehow eucalyptus finds its way into the mix. 

Palate: Sweet roses, butter and sugar cane drip onto the tongue. The whiskey warms to a strong ginger spice with a tad of malt before rye rushes in, pushing allspice and cinnamon. The finish is butter and hazelnuts.  

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